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<p>Yes. I know you can open Office files if you have the Mac program. I’m not sure about your other programs, but I think you can also run Windows on a Mac if necessary.</p>
<p>For microsoft office files, I transfer them via memory stick virtually every day. I prefer to work on my Mac but have to use a PC in the office. So, when working at homeI use my mac and move things to the PC as a back up and to take to the office.</p>
<p>Big thanks to everyone!! I hope Adobe stuff (Premiere, Illustrator, Dreamweaver etc. files) can be moved in a similar manner since Apple markets itself as THE graphics designer’s platform.</p>
<p><3 love my Macbook Pro! Would never have an IBM compatible laptop ; D</p>
<p>Pizzagirl,</p>
<p>I just bought one of my kids an Apple last week (also financed by a loving grandparent). The printer was free and there was either a $200 refund or a free ipod, with college id and email. They seem to have the same promotion every year around this time of year. </p>
<p>I own a pc and my kids who have laptops, are split but I can assure you the Macs have spent very little time in the shop and I sure can’t say that for the pc.</p>
<p>I purchased a Mac for myself last year and absolutely LOVE it. I’d never use an IBM for college, and I’m not “art” major–I’m actually pre-med. That being said, I haven’t seen anyone showing some appreciation for the 15’’ MacBook Pro. My roommate has the 13’‘, and frankly, I like mine a lot more. Though there is a significant price difference between the two, I think the extra 2 inches are worth it! My laptop is still portable without being too small. My advice is 1) GET A MAC and 2) Get a 15’'. There you have it! :]</p>
<p>McCormick, I wanted intelligent points of view, not rants on “what will get you respect.”. No one “gets respect” based off the brand of computer owned. Thanks to the rest of you for perspective.</p>
<p>LOL! Everyone is getting a Mac. This thread makes me worried. With so many new Macs there will be an uptick in hacker activity directed at Macs. Are there any antivirus software options for Macs? The dude at the Apple store was 100% sure that DD would not need one.</p>
<p>Sorry, Pizzagirl, for taking over your thread with my stupid questions! I’ve never touched a Mac before :)</p>
<p>We were a 4 Dell family, but we’re down to 1 Dell (DH’s desktop) and 3 Mac laptops.</p>
<p>Biggest advantage of the Macs for our family: everytime there was a problem with a Dell, which happened frequently, the kids or I would turn to DH who would try to fix it, fail most times, and then spend hours on the phone with customer support. Now, if one of the kids has a problem with their Mac (maybe a total of twice in 3 years of owning them) we say “go online and make an appointment at the Genius Bar and I’ll drive you over”.</p>
<p>We are a much happier family, especially DH!</p>
<p>I used to hate macs out of mostly ignorance and envy. Several years after switching, Id never go back, although macs have their own quirks. Having bought 8-10 of them over the past few years for my faculty and after outfitting my family with them, here are some personal opinions.</p>
<p>The 17" is beautiful but hard to tote around. Great for movies, but if you need a screen that big, get a mac mini, iMac or Mac Pro and hook up a big monitor. A mac mini plus a 24" monitor or dual monitors is a great cost effective solution to the need for a big screen.</p>
<p>The 15" MBP is a great machine, especially if you are switching back and forth between windows (SPSS and word for a paper, photoshop and dreamweaver, pick you combination). Its at the top limit of what I’m willing to carry, the battery life is quite good on the latest versions thou.</p>
<p>For basic college and work life tasks like web surfing and word processing, I’d opt for the 13" MBP athough the regular 13" macbook will work well too. Its very light and has great battery life.</p>
<p>I don’t know enough about the air to comment.</p>
<p>As far as transferring files for setting up a new computer, check this link [How</a> to transfer data from a PC to a Macintosh](<a href=“Transfer from PC to Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support”>Transfer from PC to Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support)</p>
<p>transferring files from an old to a new mac is easy, not much harder for a pc. Remember to deactivate/authorize your old software first, especially for iTunes.</p>
<p>If you are switching from PC to mac, all your adobe application files will work fine, but you will probably need mac versions of your adobe apps. remember that college bookstores sell academic licenses of these products at a big discount if you meet the license terms.</p>
<p>Enjoy your new mac!</p>
<p>Both of my kids wanted Macs when they went to college. I didn’t really understand why - it seemed they wanted them just because the Mac was “cooler”. A year ago my Sony laptop died, and I bought a Mac. I am now a convert. Our other laptops/PCs constantly had issues - the Mac is much lower maintenance in all respects. No issues with printers.</p>
<p>I switched from a Dell to a Macbook pro a few years ago and wasn’t able to transfer my Photoshop, but it was an old version (7, I think). </p>
<p>My H has the 13" and has said several times that he wished he’d gotten the larger. Portability is not that important to him, and he works with photos a lot on his laptop. I think if you are using it for visual stuff – editing photos, watching movies, it’s preferable to get a larger one.</p>
<p>I have the 15" and it’s pretty heavy in a carry on bag. I would think the 13" would be better for a backpack toting college student.</p>
<p>mousegray, attach a monitor to it…just about any monitor will work…college son has a 13 inch macbook pro but also has a 28’’ monitor,</p>
<p>D1 bought a Mac at college at the beginning of her senior year when her IBM thinkpad died (right after I refused the extra year warranty 
) So when D2 went off to college, she ended up buying a Mac for her college computer. Both are the 13 inch Macbook Pro. Both love it.</p>
<p>D2’s computer came with a free iPod touch (as if anything is really free). She’s happy as a clam (except for the fact that M&D won’t spring for an iPhone).</p>
<p>I find it to be a pain to use a laptop hooked up to an external monitor. Its hard to keep track of which screen the mouse is on and you usually have to keep the laptop open to use its keyboard (or use an external keyboard but if you go to that much trouble why use a laptop). also having both the laptop open and looking at the monitor on the desk takes up lots of desk space. In my opinion if you need a bigger screen get the 15" MBP.</p>