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Mac2Windows
Options Aplenty to Move Data from PCs to Macs
- 2003.02.13 - Tip Jar
Apple is making moves on Windows users.
Its stylish products and TV ads are aimed at home users, and its servers and Unix-based operating system are gaining respect from corporate IT departments.
But users understandably worry whether they will be able to continue to access their stored data or the applications they need when they switch to a different computer platform.
Several products can help make the transition from a PC to a Mac less painful. Detto Technologies' Intellimover has automated the process of moving a user's data from one Windows PC to another. Its new Move2Mac can help to simplify the same process for new Mac-users.
Move2Mac identifies a user's data stored on the old PC, shuttles it across an included cable, and stores it in the appropriate locations on the new Mac.
Along with saved files, it can move browser favourites and even desktop wallpaper. While most files transfer automatically, Quicken financial data and stored email require extra steps, which are spelled out in the documentation. Pricing starts at $90 to transfer data from a single PC.
Moving your data may not be enough, however.
PC Word or Excel documents open without problem in the Mac versions of those applications, but many users have documents stored in more obscure file formats. DataViz offers a pair of products, Conversions Plus for Windows ($105) and MacLink Plus for Mac ($150), that include file viewers and converters for a wide range of word processors, spreadsheets, databases, graphics formats, and more.
The current MacLink Plus runs happily under both the new OS X and the older Mac operating systems. It lets Mac owners work with many otherwise unreadable files, whether created on PCs or older Macs. Files created using classics WordStar, WordPerfect, MacWrite, or dozens of other applications continue to be usable.
Some users may find that they rely on one or two Windows programs that simply don't have Mac equivalents. The Mac version of Microsoft Office doesn't include the Access database program, for example. Many companies rely on custom-written applications that may only run under Windows - or even DOS.
For those times, a Mac can pretend to be a PC.
This sort of magic requires Connectix's Virtual PC (pricing starts at US$129 for the DOS version, varying from $219 to $249 with various versions of Windows). An imaginary PC boots up, reading an imaginary hard drive stored as a file on your Mac. You can install pretty much any PC operating system you choose: DOS, Windows 95 or 98, Windows 2000 or XP, many flavours of Linux, etc., along with the applications of your choice. Your imaginary PC can connect to the Internet or your network, use many USB devices, and print to shared printers.
VPC's new version 6 integrates nicely with Mac OS X. Programs running in Windows appear in the OS X Dock, for example, and it's easy to copy data to the Mac clipboard and paste it into a Windows program.
While the new version is more efficient than ever, it remains slower than running a real PC.
Still, if there are times when only a PC will do, it sure beats having to keep a second computer on your desk.
A Mac may make a stylish fashion statement on your desk. If you're
switching from Windows, these three applications can help you get your
work done as well. 
First published in Business in Vancouver, Issue #694 February 11-17, 2003 High Tech Office column
Alan Zisman is Mac-using teacher and technology writer based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Many of his articles are available on his website, www.zisman.ca. If you find Alan's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.
Recent Columns by Alan Zisman
- QuickTime X in Snow Leopard Imports, Trims, and Publishes Video Quickly and Easily, 11.04. The long, slow process of importing video into iMovie to edit it, then render it to another format, is history as QuickTime X does that much more quickly.
- Another Hard Drive Disaster Ends Happily (Thanks to Time Machine), 10.29. This time it was the MacBook's drive that failed. Thanks to automated Time Machine backup, recovery was easy, although far from fast.
- Preview in Snow Leopard Supports Scanners and Screen Shots, 10.19. The newest version of Preview can even use a remote scanner, creates compact PDFs, and includes three screen capture options.
- Creative's Vado Pocket Camcorders Now Work with Macs, 09.16. Until now, Creative's Vado camcorders didn't play nice with Macs. With the release of Vado Central for Mac, that has finally changed.
- More in the Mac 2 Windows index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: 17" MacBook Pro Core Duo, Apr. 2006 - The top-end MacBook Pro includes a 1680 x 1050, 2.16 GHz Core Duo CPU, and supports Apple 30" Cinema Display.
- Group of the Day: G4 List is for those using Power Mac G4s or G4 upgrades.
- November 24 in LEM history: 98: Microsoft's heavy hand - 00: Looking at the iMac - 04: The best Mac for the holidays - Picking the right replacement for a dead mouse - Better battery for 15" AlBook
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Pismo WiFi Networking Issue Finally Solved?, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.24. It turns out the problems wasn't the Pismo, the Buffalo WiFi card, or Mac OS X 10.4. It was the Wireless G router - Linksys to the rescue!
- Mini VGA to S-video Adapter a No Go for eMacs, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 11.24. You might think that Apple's Mini VGA S-video adapter is a cheap way to connect your eMac or G4 iMac to your TV. You would be wrong.
- Google Calendar with iPhone or iTouch Is Great for Scheduling, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 11.24. Web-based Google Calendar allows access and updates from any computing platform, including Mac, Windows, Linux, and iPhone OS.
- Why Spaces is My Favorite Leopard (and Snow Leopard) Feature, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.23. Spaces, a feature introduced with OS X 10.5, is like having several monitors on your Mac without the cost and space of using multiple displays.
- i5 iMac Benchmarked, Mac mini 'Shouldn't Be Overlooked', Twitter Client for Classic Mac OS, and More, Mac News Review, 11.20. Also why Apple leaves the low end to others, 10.6.2 fixes video playback problem in 27" iMac, 3D Leopard and Snow Leopard performance, and more.
- Apple's Tablet an End Run Beyond Netbooks, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. Whatever Apple has planned will leverage existing technologies while going beyond what its competitors can offer.
- Apple #4 in Reliability, Apple Tablet a Gadget for All?, HP's i7 Notebook Outdoes Mac Rivals, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.20. Also Flash 10.1 improves video on Hackintosh netbooks, thin-and-light notebooks impress, Windows XP finally on the way out, and more.
- NASA Chemical Sensor for iPhone, Smartphone Death Match, iPhone Earrings, and More, Ian R Campbell, 11.20. Also mobile phone dangers, new apps, GPS solution for iPod touch, new iPod and iPhone cases, and more.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best G4 iMac Deals, 11.24. Used 15" 700 MHz CD-RW, $150; 800 MHz Combo, $229; 1 GHz, $289; 17" 1.25 GHz, $200; 20" 1.25 GHz, $509.
- Best MacBook Air Deals, 11.24. Used from $899; refurb from $1,099; new 1.6 GHz/120 HD, $1,150 after rebate; 1.8/64 SSD, $1,150 a/r; 1.86/128 SSD, $1,350 a/r; 2.13/128 SSD, $1,694 a/r.
- Best PowerBook G3 Deals, 11.24. Used 233 MHz WallStreet, $75; 266 MHz, $160; 400 MHz Lombard, $199; 400 MHz Pismo, $289; 500 MHz, $350.
- Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, 11.23. Used 867 MHz SuperDrive, $348; 1 GHz Combo, $379; SD, $519; 1.33 GHz, $529; 1.5 GHz Combo, $549; SuperDrive, $609.
- Best Mac Pro Deals, 11.23. Used 2.66 GHz 4-core, $1,300; 3.0 4-core. $1,919; refurb 2.66 4-core Nehalem, $2,149; 2.93, $2,549; 2.93 8-core, $4,999; new 2.26 8-core, $2,290.
- Best Time Capsule and AirPort Deals, 11.23. Used 802.11g AirPort Extreme, $49; 500 GB Time Capsule, $150; new, $190; 1 TB dual-band, $280; 2 TB, $469; 802.11n AirPort Extreme, $170.
- Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
- Best Xserve Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz dual G4, $649; 2.3 dual G5, $795; 3.0 4-core Xeon, $1,899; refurb 2.26 4-core, $2,499; new, $2,888; refurb 8-core, $2,999; new, $3,449; more.
- More deals in our archive.
