If you’ve recently switched jobs, changed industries, or taken up creative endeavors on the side, you may be faced with the critical question: How do I go about switching from Windows to Mac?
In the most recent update to the Switching from Windows to Mac course, author David Rivers shows you how to switch from Windows to Mac OS X Lion, and he demonstrates smart ways to use files, folders, search, and applications in your new Mac interface. If you’re a Windows user ready to discover the Mac interface, efficient ways to get your work done, and new Mac shortcuts and tips that will save you time, David’s course is a good place to start.
In this tutorial from chapter one of the course, David discusses Mac terminology, and shows you how to understand, and refer to, the Mac equivalents of the Windows tools you may be used to using:
Here are a few of David’s favorite tips to help you switch from Windows to Mac:
1. PC and Mac files have never been more compatible! If you currently use Microsoft Office on a PC, you can save your Office files to a DVD or a USB drive and work on those same files with Microsoft Office 2008 or 2011 for the Mac. No conversion necessary—the file formats are compatible. You’ll also find the same easy compatibility within other applications like FileMaker Pro, Quicken, QuickBooks, and many more.
2. You may already be familiar with Windows Explorer as a tool for finding things on your computer. Once you switch, Mac’s Quick Look feature allows you to preview files you’re browsing before opening them. The Quick Look feature can be found by opening any file folder, and then clicking on the eye-shaped icon at the top of the window (see the image below for a visual). Clicking the Quick Look icon allows you to preview your files in a Quick Look pop-up, an instant slideshow, or full-screen. If you are a keyboard shortcut user, you can also highlight the item within your folder you want to preview, and press Command + Y on your keyboard to call up a Quick Look preview.
The Quick Look button can be found when you open any folder, or the Finder window.
Previewing an image with Quick Look.
If you found these highlights helpful, check out the full Switching from Windows to Mac course for more tips and tricks to help you make your transition as seamless as possible.
Interested in more?
• The full Switching from Windows to Mac (2012) course on lynda.com
• All business courses on lynda.com
• All courses from David Rivers on lynda.com
Suggested courses to watch next:
• Mac OS X Lion Essential Training
• Small Office Networking to Connect, Share, and Print
• Word for Mac 2011 Essential Training
• Excel for Mac 2011 Essential Training
Tags: Mac, mac tutorials, switching to mac, Windows
Are you also planning to do a title that goes from Mac to Windows?
Apple is quickly becoming a consumer products company and they’re paying less attention to high end professional solutions. Unfortunately, there is an increasing need for creative professionals to learn how to switch the other way.
Roger, thanks for the excellent course suggestion. At this time, we don’t have a Mac to Windows course planned, but it’s a topic we’re keeping a close eye on. We appreciate the feedback!