Mac and PCs on same system?

You will have a wireless router that throws out the IP addresses for all of your systems. There's no problems at all mixing these in the wireless environment. The only issues you might have would be sharing files without tweaking. But even if you just copy files on a usb key, there shouldn't be a problem.

 

Very good! I'm going to stick my neck out here and *guarantee* you won't be disappointed!

As Randy said, you shouldn't have any issues, but why are you proposing to connect the Mac to the wireless router? [You could, but you certainly don't need to.] Assuming the router is set up as a DHCP server both the Dells and the Mac will "see it" and quite happily get their addresses from it. In fact, if you're used to PC's you'll be amazed when you first plug it in and it says (something like) "I've found a wireless network called XYZ, do you want to join?" - Provide any password you've set and off you go - Easy peasy! [Plus, you don't need to spend the rest of the day removing all the crap the the evil empire has "given" you......]

As to file sharing between the two - "It depends" - PC's can't read the Apple file system but Macs can read and write to FAT32 (not NTFS IIRC) - If any of your Dells are formatted with FAT32 you can "share" either the entire drive and/or specific folders that the Mac can read & write.

Good luck! Cheers,
Ian
PS - Any idea yet on which Mac you're going for? Feel free to post if want any recommendations or suggestions.

 

If you just want a desktop, the iMacs are all in one. Less cables, less clutter. Only disadvantage would be if something goes wrong, everything goes into the shop. Not really user serviceable by any means. Get the apple care warranty.

Look up the model number on Canon's site to see if there is a mac driver, or if it is compatible. It should say the drivers are included, etc.

Also, there should be a few refreshes on mac's in mid-June. Check http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

 

Last question first - What model is it? [Most of their stuff has what you know as "drivers" for both Macs and PC's, but we need to check their site to be sure - Chances are good though that the Mac will simply recognize it and do it's thing automagically.]

Given that you said a desktop (more bang for the buck) I'd choose between:

1. The Mac Mini - Only if (a) your budget it really tight and (b) you've already got a decent monitor, keyboard and mouse. (Starting at $600)

2. The iMac - I purchased one for my son back in the UK and my G/F also recently got one - Truly a great machine IMHO and it's just been upgraded so you won't have buyers remorse next week.

Two models - The 20" and the 24" - You pays your money and takes your choice - Remember however that it's a single "box" that's fairly tall - Make sure it'll fit under any shelves etc (don't ask!)

A quick look in their store http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac suggests to me that right now the 2.6Ghz 24" model is the best value - It's already got 4GB installed and a 640GB hard drive (the 20" model is 2GB and 320GB by way of comparison) and the price is only $300 more.....

For your uses, don't bother upgrading to a faster CPU - You won't see any difference. But, if you go with the 20" iMac I do suggest maxing the RAM to 4GB [And, don't buy that from Apple - Many places cheaper.]

I'm getting excited for you! iTunes and picture management are *so* much nicer on the Mac.

For "simple word processing" (and spreadsheets etc) I recommend "Neooffice" - It's free and is probably more Microsoft Office compatible than Office itself!

Good luck - As I said, you won't regret it!

Cheers,
Ian

 

+1 I don't know if you can get to a store, but you may want to study the keyboards available - By default it doesn't include the good old "numeric keypad" off to the right. But, you can get one with the keypad as a no cost option if you like a bigger keyboard. I wouldn't bother with a wireless keyboard and/or mouse upgrade as it's a desktop.

Hmmm - I've never bothered with the extended warranty, and only wish I had once (my iPhone broke after the usual 12 months + 3 days....) - I'm of the opinion that these things are going to break in the first year or not at all. OTOH, I have friends who swear by AppleCare - Your choice.

I don't think so (but no one ever really knows with Apple of course) - The iMac's just got upgraded a month or so back - I doubt there'll be anything significant until either very late this year or early next.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I was just thinking about snow leopard as the OS itself. But not much difference. I'm still running Tiger on my MacBookPro.

Apple care has helped with batteries and power supplies. With an iMac, I'd do it. Otherwise, iPhones and iPods, nada. Just depends on the cost to replace or repair factor there.

 

+1 I didn't know that Applecare was so "cheap" for that machine - At that price, I'll change my tune and say "go for it".

If you post the model of your printer I'll check it out. Does your wireless router have any USB ports? - If yes, you could connect the printer to it directly and it'll be available to all 'puters on your network.... Just a thought. [OTOH, connecting it to the iMac and sharing it is just as good as long as it's never turned off.]

Randy - Good point on Snow Leopard - I guess it'll be *another* $80 upgrade - I wouldn't let it deter a purchase though.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Some of 'em, not all - Post the model and we'll check that out as well.

 

Uro, good to hear you're able to go the new machine route and you're really lucky you don't have to worry about old files because the Mac sounds like your ideal situation as Schatten and Fast_Ian have suggested.

It's already been said but I'll just reiterate that you will have no problem being on the same network. I've got a Dell PC (desktop) and the G/F has a Macbook pro (laptop). We could swap the PC & Mac on the hardwire line instantly when we didn't have a wireless router but once we got a wifi system setup, it worked as fluidly as it did before.

As for file sharing on a network, I didn't even know you could do this but did a search and found this video. Looks like you can network them to transfer files that would work on both systems like jpegs, mp3s, PDF, etc:
http://video.about.com/macs/PC-Mac-2-Way-File-Sharing.htm

For other things like MS Office (excel, word, etc), Mac has programs that'll run those too if you needed.

She's been really happy with her Macbook Pro and can haul it around anywhere and grab a wifi hotspot and connect right away. She's added a seperate mouse and keyboard so it's the best of both worlds for mobility.

 

Adobe products run fine fine fine. Something specific with a particular version of some particular adobe software on a mac?

 

awesome!

 

Very nice! Congrats.

I wouldn't be too worried about Adobe really. Honestly, I love the functionality of their Acrobat professional product. That glitch issue is just one of those oddball things and may not entirely be an Adobe problem. For your purpose and usage, I doubt you'd run into that. Remember, any piece of hardware or software can and will have problems. That's just computing.

 

A turtlenecker!

If you need to run windows apps, grab this:

http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/

 

Nothing wrong with that!

Whoa! Lets get him going in OSX first!

Any reason why you suggested Fusion over Parallels?

Uro - Plug in your printer and all will be well with the world.....

Congrats on the purchase!

Cheers,
Ian

 

iHave no iDea what you're referring to.