Switch from XP to OS X?
[Cross posted to
So I’ve got some ideas about migrating my parents from Windows XP to OS X, specifically on a Mac mini. I’m really thinking there might be some issues here, so I was wondering how people here would address such problems:
· First, I’m thinking that a Mac mini with all options except a DVD writer would be purchased, and 1GB of RAM installed. With US Student discount, this would run about $1K. Price isn’t huge here…
· I feel that OS X requires a user to have a greater understanding of the concept of filesystems, directory hierarchy, and how to manage storage of things. For example, under XP users typically only have to save things where they default to (eg: My Documents, My Pictures, etc). Under OS X, defaults are often the last folder viewed.
· Installing applications on OS X isn’t as simple as it typically is on Windows. For most applications a user has to just pop in the CD, click through the buttons, and then look for the application somewhere under Start. On OS X a user often has to drag the application to the Applications folder — and the right one at that.
· OS X is (obviously) non-MDI. For those most familiar with a typically MDI environment such as Windows, this is often a huge slap-in-the-face change. However, for someone such as my parents (who this machine would be for) who normally run Windows applications maximized, with the single menu bar at the top which changes with app focus, this might not be such a big deal.
So, yeah, I am babbling a lot here, but I’m really wondering how easy the transition would be. Additionally, I’m trying to determine if there would be any benefit to purchasing a Mac mini for them. I can see the iPhoto integration and such being a good thing, along with the quiet machine and the nice hardware warranty. But the retraining issues outweigh the benefits?
I would consider installing the ram yourself, I did it with my mini, and it wasn’t that hard, just need 2 putty knives to get it open, and you can a good 40% or more on the cost of the ram.
How often do your parents install apps? Would it be possible for you to get a list of everything they could want to do, and from there you install and set everything up for them :)
by the way hello
That I’m already planning on… Going to 1GB is included in that $1k figure.
And yeah, I’m thinking of that… They don’t install stuff too often, but it would be way different for them.
And… Hello. :)
Let them have a play on a Mac and see what they think of it ?
The problem is, most typical users sit down in front of a machine, and unless they have a task to perform in mind, they don’t know what to look at and which things to play with.
It’s really the idea that most ‘normal’ people use computers as simple tools, in order to do a task and that’s it. Not play with it, not learn it, just do whatever is needed to accomplish X or Y.