<p>So, I've used computers that run windows for my entire life. And when I say "my entire life," I mean it. I learned how to read partially from a computer game on my family's old pc.</p>
<p>I've become kind of a computer nerd. My parents both work in the industry, and, on the user level, there aren't many problems I can't solve. (I'm a little mystified as to how chips create what the user interacts with, but that's another story.) I help my teachers with their PC issues, etc. </p>
<p>Now I'm going to college, and my college is making me get a macbook pro (I'm in a tv-radio production program). I've never used a mac, and I'm really nervous about switching. Mostly I'm worried about my Zune. I love it, and won't switch for an ipod (because of subscription-based music service vs. pay per song based service), but I know it won't run on mac osx.</p>
<p>So I'm definitely going to have to get Boot Camp, but won't it be a hassle to not be able to
play my music while I'm working on stuff in OSX? Also, I'm worried that things might be too "dumbed down" on a mac--like a problem will come up that I can fix, but the mac won't let me override stuff, or something.</p>
<p>Can anyone who's switched from a PC to a Mac tell me what it's like? Did you have any problems? Can you assuage (sp?) my fears?</p>
<p>I just made the switch to Mac and I love it!!! I think you will find that although the interface is streamlined and slick there is plenty of depth if you want to geek out and get all technical. And if you are doing video then it is a really good choice. There is a reason people are so passionate about their Macs… they pretty much rule. I hope that helps.</p>
<p>^Another UCSBer! I’m switching to Mac in about 6 weeks! I’m so excited. Just get it early in the summer so you can have some time to play around with it before school starts.</p>
<p>Do a Google search on “Switching to a Mac”. That should answer your questions. Also, I believe Apple has a section on their site to address concerns of switchers.</p>
<p>If your music files are in MP3 format, there’s no reason why you couldn’t play them in iTunes while working in the Mac OS. </p>
<p>Over time, Windows users learn how to fix a lot of things on their PC because a lot of things break (software, not necessarily hardware except for driver problems). Mac users typically learn a lot less about these things, not necessarily because of less technical competence, but because of less opportunity to pick them up as things just work on a Mac. If you’re into Unix, you can open the Terminal in Mac OS X and do all sorts of technical things. I definitely thing that’s part of the ongoing appeal of Windows PCs to many people—they like to get “under the hood” and fix things. However, it’s also a sign of a broken OS that it requires this sort of tinkering to get it to work as it should.</p>
<p>I believe with the mp3-subscription Zune thing, they’re all DRM protected, and thus wouldn’t play in iTunes.</p>
<p>I can’t help you in that regard, as I personally have always preferred DRM-free music (for obvious reasons!), but I switched to Mac not long ago, and couldn’t be happier. I’d been using Windows ever since '95 came out, and even beta tested Vista. The transition was quick and painless, and I’m now able to do more with my iMac than I ever was with my old PC.</p>
<p>Also, I find itunes (the only mac product I’ve used in recent time) to be, like, the opposite of intuitive, even though I know that’s mac’s thing.</p>
<p>Does that mean I won’t find osx intuitive, either?</p>
<p>ETA: Yeah, zune files are drm’ed within an inch of their life. But for a non-discriminating music junkie like me, who’s constantly downloading new albums (~10 a month), paying $14.99 makes a lot more sense than paying 100$ for files that may or may not be DRM protected.</p>
<p>OS X is for the most part quite intuitive. Coming from Windows, however, you’ll find that a few things “don’t make sense.” First, OS X doesn’t “maximize” windows; it resizes them. The red button closes a window, the yellow button minimizes a window, but the green button resizes a window. So, don’t be surprised if you have to manually resize the window to get it to fit your screen. Second, the “cut” command is disabled by default in Finder, OS X’s equivalent of Explorer. That’s just…stupid, but it can be fixed, so whatever.</p>
<p>With 10.5, OS X is a true UNIX. So, it’s far from “dumbed-down.”</p>
<p>OSX coupled with a Macbook Pro, in my most honest opinion, is the greatest laptop creation ever made. This is coming from a guy that builds all of his PCs and is also in the same field/major that you are. I would say, it is a really easy switch. Also, I transfered all of my music to iTunes to listen to it while I did work in OSX. Luckily, I still have my custom build so I can update my Zune without having to boot into XP on my Mac (hopefully they start supporting Apple because this is getting ridiculous. But yeah, if you are as well versed in computers as you say you are, then switching to a Mac is cake. I just have a problem with remembering the keyboard shortcuts at times.</p>
<p>OS X actually gives you more flexibility if you need it as it is built on top of a UNIX core. The great thing about a mac is that it’s easy to use for everyday stuff but you can just as quickly pop open a terminal and code in emacs whenever you want.</p>
<p>There are a great deal of things that are done differently in the mac world, however. For someone who is used to windows, it may take you a little while to feel comfortable in the OS.</p>
<p>If you’re a nerd, then you should switch to Mac because you can access the command line directly in the OS and can run multiple OS’s natively or in emulation.</p>
<p>The point about the Mac is that you get the Mac OS and its GUI and can use the command line without losing the OS and the GUI. It comes with all the tools as part of the OS. That’s not the point of using Linux, which has its own advantages and disadvantages.</p>
<p>I haven’t used Cygwin - no need. I wouldn’t say it’s a cheat but it’s a different thing, not native, more of an entire windowing system (if I remember). Again, the point of the interface on Mac OSX is that it’s fully integrated. Now, of course, if you run virtual machines, then you’re talking about much more stuff.</p>
<p>^ But “if you’re a nerd” you would probably prefer to do it yourself.</p>
<p>Anyway, I’m just playing devil’s advocate here. I personally don’t like OS X because customizing the interface is too difficult and I’m uncomfortable with Apple’s security record. But it really comes down to personal opinion.</p>