Since my main computer broke last week, I decided to get an iMac, because I don't play any games on the computer and only do photoshop, video editing and surf the internet.
Before it arrives, I have a few questions:
1. Is installing Programs any different? (I heard instead of an exe file, you have an dmg file)
2. wich file systems can OSX read and write? (ntfs, ext, fat....)
3. What are the MUST have apps on a Mac?
4. Can I connect a second monitor on an iMac?
5. Is the OSX Terminal similiar to a Linux terminal?
6. How can I factory reset my iMac? (I don't think my iMac will ship with an OSX Lion install CD.)
7. Is there something else thats important to know when switching from Windows to OSX?
1. DMG files are archives that you move .app files out of to the applications folder (or elsewhere if you'd rather keep them elsewhere)
2. Not sure if it reads EXT but it can read FAT and NTFS just fine. There are apps that let you also write to NTFS but over a network share that doesn't matter.
3. The Unarchiver and Audium are the only two I can think of right now.
4. Yes, using mini displayport.
5. Yes it is.
6. I believe there's a partition on the hardrive to restore your mac with, there are guides on the internet for creating your own restore disks instead if you'd rather have that space back.
7. Probably but not anything I can think of right now.
7. Its way more expensive and 5x less inconvenient.
You really should ask these questions before you drop atleast $1200 on a computer.
Anyways I rarely use OS X but I'll answer what I can.
1. Installing programs is different, you open the dmg file and drag the .app file to a shortcut for the applications folder.
2. I barely remember what file systems it can read, i think it can't write to ntfs without 3rd party software, i think fat works fine, and I think they use HFS.
3. Besides the obvious stuff like web browsers and media players I can't really say. [url=http://www.pixiapps.com/ecoute/]Ecoute[/url] is a pretty cool alternative to iTunes and [url=http://adium.im/]Adium[/url] is arguably the best im client out there. VMware Fusion is pretty important because you'll probably run into Windows only applications and it's nice to have the ability to use them without leaving OS X.
4. I know OS X has support for multiple monitors and I have seen people connect additional monitors to iMacs but I don't know if you need an adapter or anything.
5. I rarely messed around in terminal but from what I remember they're pretty similar but I don't remember what the key differences are if there are any.
6. Since Lion came out I have no idea.
7. Macs do get viruses, don't think you're invincible.
[QUOTE=Flem;32699464]7. Its way more expensive and 5x less inconvenient.[/QUOTE]
1. Don't worry about my money, I have a full time job, and saved up about 1400$ for a Mac.
2. I don't think that they are inconvenient. I love the interface, the ease of use, the compact and sleek design, and the performance is good aswell.
[QUOTE=Leather Belt;32699503]
7. Macs do get viruses, don't think you're invincible.[/QUOTE]
i'm aware of that, but thanks!
Extension from 7: Do not under any circumstance download Mac Defender, Mac Cleaner, or it's variants.
Clean My Mac?
Have fun with those key combos.
I still keep confusing command and control.
1. DMG files will typically allow you to drag an application to the Applications folder. In some cases, you get PKG files which are self-installing files.
2. NTFS can be read, but not written to. FAT is compatible, despite the 4gb individual file limit
3. [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1131026[/url]
4. Yes, but if it's not an Apple cinema display then you need an adaptor in the form of "Mini Display Port to X", X being the plug such as VGA, HDMI, DVI, etc.
5. Somewhat, I guess?
6. Your Mac comes with a recovery partition that you can boot to with Command+R. If you were to erase the drive, you can boot to the internet recovery system with the same keys.
7. You can download Migration Assistant for Windows and move your important data to your new Mac either via WiFi or Ethernet.
I'd also suggest looking into getting AppleCare for the machine. Even though you probably won't use it for the endless technical advice that you can get through the three year period, it easily pays for itself if you need any hardware repairs - plus, you can even get onsite repairs free of charge if you're close to a repair center.
New macs use the thunderbolt port instead of mini-display to connect external monitors IIRC
That's just for using the iMac as a screen for another computer I think. It can still output as if it were a regular mini displayport but because they could they changed it so only thunderbolt outputs are accepted for target display mode. While they were at it they also changed to some proprietary version of SATA power connectors so you can't just stick any SATA drive in there if you'd like to change it.
It was quite a hassle in the older models too though: [url]http://www.tested.com/how-to-take-apart-an-imac-and-replace-its-hard-drive/47-281/[/url]
[QUOTE=BlackDeath292;32708708]New macs use the thunderbolt port instead of mini-display to connect external monitors IIRC[/QUOTE]
The port's physical shape is exactly the same. However for some strange reason, you can't use older MDP based Apple Cinema Displays on newer Thunderbolt based Macs - however the MDP adaptors still work as expected.
I don't really get that one, myself. If it was just referring to Target Display Mode, I can understand.
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