I just made the switch after running Windows since the 3.0 version.
I just bought the machine you are considering...2.16 intel core 2 duo 24 inch MAC with 1 GB Ram and the 128 NVIDIA graphic card. I love it!!!
The first thing I did was to partition the HD using a program called bootcamp (free download from the Apple web site) and installed XP on one partition. You will need the full install disk with SP2. These are available now at very steep discounts. I can now boot to either system, however, after a month I am using the OS 10X almost exclusively.
If you bootcamp your HD you will be able access your Windows C drive and open any file that is Mac compatible (jpeg, txt, mpeg, etc.,) while in OS 10.X. This saves a lot of time backing up and copying files.
I see no need to upgrade the video card and HD unless you are a hard core gamer, or really need a 500 GB drive.
The only problem I have had is finding a print driver for my Lexmark 1200 series printer/scanner. Until I work this out I just boot to XP and print from there.
As far as I can tell the price is the same at all retailers. As for software that does not come installed drop me a line. You will also find a lot of freeware and shareware at the Apple site, like Open Office, which is the equivalent of Windows "Word".
The only thing I don't like is the way windows are resized in OS 10X, but I am getting used to this.
Think no longer...buy one.
Message was edited by: admin to remove email address
I am finally getting ready to make that switch to a Mac and need a few last questions answered if anyone knows the answers out there, thanks in advance for everyone's help.
- Will all my USB printers/scanner/external HD/PDA make the switch fairly easy? Will it be difficult to find drivers and softwares to run them on the MAC?
- Will all my current graphics/pictures/data files convert fairly easy from my external HD? examples of files are avi, mpeg, jpeg, doc, xls, etc.
- Use my PC for picture and video management, light office work, internet browsing and email. Looking at getting a 2.16intel core 2 duo 24 inch MAC. Anyone have any comments on upgrading to a 2.33? 3 GB memory versus 1 or 2? 250 versus 500 GB HD? graphics card with 128MB versus 256 MB? Also does anyone recommend buying MAC from any particular store for a better package? I am in the military and qualify for a government discount from Apple but they do not mail to APO for some reason.
- Any other issues I should consider before making the plunge? Thanks again for all your help out there any Happy New Year from overseas!

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