Thinking of getting a new computer. Advice needed.

tumbletots

Hi all,

I am thinking of getting a new computer and would be grateful for any assistance.

I have quite a lot of info on my existing computer that I would like to save. It is mostly in word and excel. Is it easy to save it all and how do you do it? I have a basic working knowledge of computers. Would I be better to pay somebody to do it for me.

I am also considering buying an IMac. Is there a lot of difference between these and the rest of the desktops. People keep telling me they take a while to get used to. What would I use instead of word and excel? Also am I right in thinking that I will not need antivirus software or is that just the IPad. I currently use an IPad and IPhone so do have some understanding of Apple products.

Sorry for all the questions just need to decide whether I can do the changeover myself or whether I need to pay someone to take the info off my old computer and help me set up the new one.

Thanks for any help.

DCFC79

You mention IMac, can I ask why ? Its just that there are cheaper alternatives that function exactly the same.

All your Word and Excel is currently saved, you just need to copy it to another storage device eg a portable drive.

There is a Mac version of Word you could use, an imac might even come with Apples own version of Word and Excel.

Whats wrong with the current machine ?

Whats your budget ?

Lleucu

I have just bought a new Windows laptop I was also considering a Mac Pro but was put off by the price.

The new laptop was a terrible experience has taken days to set up. It was full of bloatware and even 1 installed piece of malware. It was very difficult to transfer files from a Windows 7 machine to Windows 8 you have have to use a horrible slow Microsoft programme. The whole experience is really awful and I wish I had got the Mac Book Pro. If you go on on line and search the majority of cheaper machines have the same problems. I guess it helps to keep the price low.

LHW99

To transfer files from one computer to another use a USB / flash drive, or save onto CD / DVD. Either are fairly fast.
Windows 8 is different to 7, but updated versions of Office (Word / Excel) should open your files no problem.
Don't use Mac's now, as they don't have the software I need and are more expensive. Many people don't bother with antivirus on Macs, because traditionally they were niche, and so not many viruses out there - its not the same now! I would recommend using a firewall and antivirus as the time / cost in getting rid of an infection is usually much more than the cost of setting the security programmes up.

grumpycrab

tumbletots wrote: »

I am also considering buying an IMac. Is there a lot of difference between these and the rest of the desktops. People keep telling me they take a while to get used to. What would I use instead of word and excel?

You can get Microsoft Office on Macs if that's what you're used to. Go to to an Apple store and have a play.
Alternatively, what's wrong with your current computer?

Neil49

You should already be saving all your files on your existing computer to either cloud storage or an external hard drive.

External hard drives are an easy option and comparatively cheap nowadays. Don't waste your money getting someone else to do it for you as once the drive is connected (which is nearly always an automatic process) you can simply copy and paste whatever you want to save straight across.

I went from Win 7 to 8 and like grumpycrab has said, install classicshell (a 1 minute process) to get your start button back. I find Win 8 in that format is really good and copying files across was a doddle (and much easier than if you were trying to migrate to Apple)

jenniewb

When I got a new PC a few years ago, I updated from Vista to Winds 8 and just saved everything onto a portable hard drive, I think it was this http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/data-storage/portable-external-hard-drives/wd-elements-exclusive-portable-hard-drive-1-tb-black-10030489-pdt.html


I had a lot of data (music, pictures..etc) but if you don't have so much you may be able to get away with a few USB flash drives or if you do have slightly too much for a few of those, try a smaller portable hard drive, 500mb may be enough as typed documents tend to take up less space than music, pictures and videos.


I can't vouch for the change from PC to Mac, but I have used Macs (I do but they are not mine IYSWIM) and they do take getting used to. But you can adjust. I just prefer using a PC as I know where everything is and what to do if some of the basics go wrong. I also think they are cheaper to get repaired as they are not such a specialist/smaller market. I was always told Macs are for design and art based people so I really should be using them, but to be honest I can do everything I want on a PC, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.