Thinking of buying an Apple iMac

timberflake

I've always been a PC user, and over the years have used my PC's for a multitude of tasks, but Ive noticed recently that I only really use my computer for office docs, internet, iTunes etc.

I'm going to be in the market for a new computer soon, and Apple iMacs are looking increasingly appealing.

Now I know you get more bang for your buck with PC's, but seeing as I'll only be doing basic office, internet work and the occassional video encoding, the basic iMac @ £999 should do me fine. Plus, it does look rather good!!

Before I consider it further, I was wondering if anyone would be able to answer the follwoing questions:

1. I currently have around 10gb of music on my PC iTunes, will there be any problem transferring this over to a Mac? Or will it be as easy as tranferring it from one PC to another?
2. My office use PC's and Microsoft office. If I install MS office onto the Mac, will I be able to view docs that work send me via email?
3. I'm thinking of getting a Network Attached Storage device. Will there be any problems with the Mac seeing this as well as a Windows XP netbook and PS3??
4. What video formats does the Mac recognise? I mainly stream DivX from my PC to my PS3, would there be any issues doing this from a Mac?

Thanks in advance for your help guys.

Hammyman

1) No. Either drag the files across the network to a folder on the Mac and then import them into iTunes or re-dowload them from the iTunes store if you bought them there.
2) Yes.
3) Not if its an actual proper NAS box and not one that uses a mickey mouse proprietry protocol.
4) Everything. Just install the Mac OS X version of VLC media player for those not supported although the main ones are natively

timberflake

Hammyman wrote: »

1) No. Either drag the files across the network to a folder on the Mac and then import them into iTunes or re-dowload them from the iTunes store if you bought them there.
2) Yes.
3) Not if its an actual proper NAS box and not one that uses a mickey mouse proprietry protocol.
4) Everything. Just install the Mac OS X version of VLC media player for those not supported although the main ones are natively

Thanks for that. NAS storage is one of the main routes I want to go. I want to be able to transfer files from a PC/MAC to a NAS device and access them via my PS3 at any time without having to have the PC/MAC turned on.

I currently use a external HDD to transfer files from my PC and access them on my PS3. If I go for a Mac would there be any problems in continuing to do this?

thescouselander

As others have said you shouldn't have any problems.

If you do go for a mac I'd recommend getting Perian which is free software that will expand the types of video files Quicktime (the native OS X video player) will play.

Just a word on MS office - I have Office for Mac 2008 and I've found it to be a bit rubbish so unless you can get it cheaply I wouldn't bother. You can always get open office as an alternative and its free.

elfen

scouselander, I've got Office for Mac 2008 and I've not had a problem with it TBH. Still, OpenOffice is the next best thing, especially as it's free. I use VLC instead of Quicktime, I've always preferred it and the layout is much easier to use. Think I also converted the Lovefilm guy to them too....

S0litaire

Well incase you're thinking of going out and picking up a Mac soon, I'd leave it for a week!!

There's another Apple Press Event next week on the 20th (might be announcement of a refresh of some of the MAC lines or at least price changes..)

jayme1

timberflake wrote: »

I currently use a external HDD to transfer files from my PC and access them on my PS3. If I go for a Mac would there be any problems in continuing to do this?

no there shouldnt be a problem, depending on how the drive is formatted, a mac can only read NTFS, so the drive would have to be in FAT for both windows and mac to read and write but then only 4GB per file is supported. (though there is software that can enable NTFS writing on a mac)

but as above said ther is an apple event next week so I would wait till then to buy, it is likely that a new iLife suite will be brought out (which comes preinstalled free with macs) and possibly new spec models.

Hammyman

jayme1 wrote: »

no there shouldnt be a problem, depending on how the drive is formatted, a mac can only read NTFS, so the drive would have to be in FAT for both windows and mac to read and write but then only 4GB per file is supported. (though there is software that can enable NTFS writing on a mac)

If the NAS box is a proper one, the filesystem won't matter as the embedded OS its running will take care of all of that and it'll merely appear as a network share.

A clue as to whether its a proper one or just an external hard drive with a network socket is if you can administer it using a web browser. If you can't and have to install drivers, chances are its a mickey mouse one.

jayme1

yes you are correct for a NAS but he was asking about his current external HDD which he uses now between his pc and ps3

although now come to think of it the ps3 doesn't support NTFS so the external HDD now has to be FAT so to OP your external HDD will work between your PC, mac and ps3 as easy as it does now

trets77

i have a MAC and use a NAS for Itunes .

First i know a Apple Mac is big investment , but i have had mine for 2 years now and would not swap it for any PC at any price . Get a Mac and never look back !

as for using the NAS . when i plumbed it into my Wireless hub , it took forever to update music and sync a Ipod ect . i now just plumb it onto the Mac via a Ethernet Cable , making it no different from a portable Hard drive in reality .

i use a older type Buffalo Linkstation .

Chimpofdoom

I turned to Mac about a year ago. Bought a refurb from the Apple refurb store and saved a few pounds!

I have all my Mp3's stored on a "mybook" connected by USB.. currently looking at a NAS (netgear readynas v+) to do the streaming to iMac/Macbook pro/360. Noticed a lot of people recommend getting a gigabit switch to make things smoother/faster!

One issue I had when switching from windows was some of my music was in .wma, itunes doesn't like it, but VLC will play it no problem!

Openoffice will handle .doc files and it's free \o/

As for the NAS, research this very carefully, I was originally looking at drobo, but the price/failure rate was very off putting, but the ease of use was very appealing. I've settled on the Netgear Ready nas due to it being better value for money!

As for video's and has been said before.. install VLC.. media = no problem!