The move to Mac: a CPA's firsthand experience switching operating systems.

• Author: Rogan, Patrick D.
• Position: Hardwarereview

I found it necessary last year to purchase new computers. I've been a fan of laptops over desktops and had already moved from Toshiba to Dell. With each new Dell, however, I became less happy with them when it came to quality and support. When I looked kw an alternative fir my most recent purchase, I pursued HP. My research told me HP laptops were the best. value on the market.

However, around that time, HP announced it was getting out of the PC business. I did not want to purchase a laptop with unknown future support issues.

So, I turned to another alternative: Apple. I have been using an iPhone and when I visited an Apple store, I was immediately impressed. With the sharp image and the all-inclusive machine, I became a Mac. convert. Especially after some research that indicated Windows runs exceptionally well maybe even better--with a Mac than a PC.

I purchased two MacBook Pro laptops: One with a 13-inch screen and one with a 15-inch screen. With the 15-inch screen, 1 was able to upgrade to 8 gigs of memory and a. 750 gig hard drive. These were designed to be used as the primary computers for my business and eliminate all desktops.

The Mac includes a software program called Bootcamp, which allows the computer to be booted to either the Mac or Windows operating systems. You can't run the machine under both at the same (line. Many Mac users who run Windows indicated that, if you use Bootcamp, you will tend to only use Windows and not utilize the Mac for the original intent. 1 decided that. I would not use the Apple 05, as I would rely on Windows programs that I am comfortable with and would waste the investment on the Mac.

I wanted to be able to run a Mac program side by side with a Windows program. This required me to run Windows software in virtual environment. There are a. number of virtual software options, and I narrowed it down to two: VMware and Parallels.

I chose Parallels as it is best supported by Apple.

I needed to configure Parallels to efficiently handle simultaneous operations of both Mac and Windows programs. It takes a little time to effectively manage the dual operating systems, and even through 24-hour a day tech support is via email only, the response is fast, helpful and accurate. Once configured properly, it becomes second nature. I am now able to access both Mac and Windows...