Re: Mac conversion from PC

More to the point, switching to a Mac will not solve your PC issues (conflicts, errors, etc) overnight - it will simply change them for a different set, and you will be managing in a foreign environment to what you're used to.  I've dealt with macs a little, but not recently enough to discuss fine points. I've tried switching my home pc to Linux, and my daughter ran Ubuntu on "her" laptop (she's 7) for several months. This discussion comes up in other areas I play with (vocal work, voice overs) and there are always compatibility problems with Macs - as many as PCs, though that's anecdotal at best. Quite honestly, I haven't had a computer issue in my office (5 PCs and a server) for over 4 years. My software is backed up automatically, my network files are available when I'm out with laptop and don't have any wifi or cell service, and the one drive failure I had on our server was fixed and the office running normally in less than 30 minutes. I'm sure the same could be done with Macs, and I'm sure I would spend as many hours figuring it out as I did with my PC.

I don't know how you work, but you're looking at a steep learning curve and a good deal of lost time during the transition - just as you would with any software change. I would say the same to a Mac user considering Windows.  The better you are at managing Windows, the harder it will be to switch for work. If you've got a lot of time on your hands (say, 10 hours a week that's already spent with nothing to do during work), I'd say go for it. In three or four months you're likely to be getting close to where you were with a PC in productivity. Remember you'll want as much software native as possible, which means allocating S/W budget as well as hardware. A side note - at the level of machine we use as engineers, Macs are really no more expensive than 1st tier PCs, unless you're an insatiable bargain hunter (like me) and expect to get 50% off every time you buy something.

If you do it, however, don't pussy-foot around. Decide to do it and don't look back. That's how most failures start. Just remember to budget the extra time.

Jordan

Grathwol, Albert wrote:

Our PCs work great- no problems.

Al

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From: SGE Structural [mailto:sgordin@sgeconsulting.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 1:10 PM
To: Seaint
Subject: Re: Mac conversion from PC

Glenn:

The switch from PC to Mac will be a decision you are not likely going to regret. The reliability, usability, and security of Mac systems can significantly improve the day to day functions not just for regular consumers, but for structural engineering firms too. Almost all compatibility problems have been eliminated with the combination of existing Mac software and Windows virtualization products such as Parallels Desktop.

...

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Eugene Gordin, EIT
Doctoral Student 
Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of California, Berkeley
www.eugenegordin.com