Quote Originally Posted by EOSThree
Hi Jeff,
I've been a Mac user since 2008. After we got a Windoze Vista machine for use at work, I saw the writing on the wall. I made the switch and after the initial learning curve, I love my Mac. I think I can count the system crashes requiring a re boot on one hand, maybe even one finger. Macs are works of art that just work.

They aren't perfect though and like Michael said they can have their problems too. My MBP had a optical drive failure, but I precipitated it, by stepping on my MBP. I replaced the drive myself and it's been fine since. My parents are inheriting my 15" MBP and I just purchased a 17". I also picked up a 27" Cinema Display at a decent price and hooked that to my MBP. What a nice monitor!

First thoughts were that I'd just sell the monitor, what the heck would I do with such a big monitor. But now that I have it all hooked up, it's really nice to have all of that real estate. Many photos take on a whole new look on that big monitor. It's also nice to have several programs open and have them peeking out a corner out and just click to bring them forward.

Lastly, I've only found 1 program that I really miss on Windoze. I was able to get the Mac version of the rest of what I used without trouble. I finally bought VMWare and installed XP on a partition, but all I use it for is Proshow Producer, IMO the best slide show program out there. Looking at your specs, I see Parallels is included, but that's just a virtual machine that will run Windows on a partition. I think you'll still need to purchase a version of Windows and install it with parallels in order to use Windows programs.

It takes a little practice to get used to the OS, but if you put a little effort forward and use the internet when you get stuck(there's a lot of information out there on tips, tricks, and the basics) you'll have the new OS down in a short time. I've become a complete Mac fanboy: iPod x2, iPhone, iPad, MBP 17" and Mac Mini media center.
You are correct about needing to get a copy of windows if I want to use it. Everyone that I have ever talked with that has a Mac just goes on and on about how much they like it and how few problems they have with it. A buddy of mine told me that he has a Mac that he bought in 1968 that has never had any trouble and still works fine. It won't run any of the new programs that are out but it will still get on the web and check e-mail. Another friend of mine has this same machine with Parrallels software with Windows 7 and says that windows actually runs faster on the Mac than it does on his PC. After I get it I will post some pictures and let you know what I think about it, Jeff