Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Yosemite Edition

Introduction

What’s going on with the Mac these days?

Apple was the only computer company whose sales actually increased during the recession. The Mac’s market share has quadrupled since 2005—it’s now around 20 percent of computer sales in the U.S. And then there’s the most significant statistic of all: you, sitting there reading this book—because, obviously, you intend to switch to (or add on) a Mac.

What’s going on?

Maybe it’s the “halo effect”: the coolness of all those iPads and iPhones is rubbing off onto the rest of Apple’s product line. Maybe people have grown weary of boring beige and black boxes. Maybe it’s the convenience of the Apple Stores. Maybe potential switchers feel more confident to take the plunge, since more and more of life is moving online, where it makes no difference what kind of computer you have.

Or maybe people have just spent one Saturday too many dealing with viruses, worms, spyware, crapware, excessive startup processes, questionable firewalls, inefficient permissions, and all the other land mines strewn across the Windows world.

In any case, there’s never been a better time to make the switch. Mac OS X version 10.10 (nicknamed Yosemite) is gorgeous, easy to understand, and virus-free. Apple’s computers are in top form, too, complete with features like built-in hi-def video cameras, built-in Ethernet, illuminated keyboards, and two different kinds of wireless connections. If you’re talking laptops, the story is even better: Apple’s laptops generally cost less than similarly outfitted Windows laptops, and they weigh less, too. Plus, they look a lot cooler.

And then there’s that Intel processor that sizzles away inside today’s Macs. Yes, it lets you run Windows—and Windows programs—at blazing speed, right there on your Macintosh. (Hell really has frozen over.) Chapter 8 has the details.

That’s not to say, however, that switching to the Mac is all sunshine and bunnies. The Macintosh is a different machine, running a different operating system, and built by a company with a different philosophy—a fanatical control freak/perfectionist zeal. When it comes to their missions and ideals, Apple and Microsoft have about as much in common as a melon and a shoehorn.

In any case, you have three challenges before you. First, you’ll probably want to copy your Windows stuff over to the new Mac. Some of that is easy to transfer (photos, music, Microsoft Office documents), and some is trickier (email messages, address books, buddy lists).

Second, you have to assemble a suite of Macintosh programs that do what you’re used to doing in Windows. Most programs from Microsoft, Adobe, and other major players are available in nearly identical Mac and Windows formats. But, occasionally, it’s more difficult: Many programs are available only for Windows, and it takes some research (or Chapter 7 of this book) to help you find Macintosh replacements.

Finally, you have to learn OS X itself; after all, it came preinstalled on your new Mac. In some respects, it resembles the latest versions of Windows: There’s a taskbar-like thing, a Control Panel–like thing, and, of course, a Trash can. At the same time, hundreds of features you thought you knew have been removed, replaced, or relocated. (If you ever find yourself groping for an old favorite feature, see Appendix C.)

Note

In OS X, the X is meant to be a Roman numeral, pronounced “ten.” Unfortunately, many people see “OS X” and say “Oh Ess Ex.” That’s a sure way to get funny looks in public.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION: All About “Yosemite”

Why is the operating system called “Yosemite”?

Most software companies develop their wares in secret, using code names for new products. Apple’s code names for OS X were first named after big cats: OS X was Cheetah, 10.1 was Puma, 10.2 was Jaguar, 10.3 was Panther, 10.4 was Tiger, 10.5 was Leopard, 10.6 was Snow Leopard, 10.7 was Lion, and 10.8 was Mountain Lion.

(A mountain lion is actually the same thing as a cougar, which is the same thing as a puma. But let’s not quibble.)

Usually, the code name is dropped as soon as the product is complete, whereupon the marketing department gives it a new name. In OS X’s case, though, Apple thought its cat names were cool enough to retain for the finished product.

But then it pretty much ran out of species. What was left? Bobcat? Cougar? Ocelot?

So beginning with OS X 10.9, Apple’s naming system moved on—to famous places in California. Mavericks is a big-wave surfing spot in Northern California. Yosemite, of course, is a breathtaking national park in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Now you know.