Thinking about switching to Mac

LRussoPhoto

I am thinking about switching over to a Mac. My concerns are bringing things from pc over to Mac. I have 2 external drives, one that has my light room database and another that has a back up of all my photos plus numerous files. So my first question would be, will I be able to just plug my external drives into the mac and be good to go or is there a convertion process ill need to go through? I also use ms word and exel on my pc, does mac have similar software and can pc files be imported? Does mac offer an Outlook type email program?

cmason

If your drives are FAT formatted, you can use them as is. If they are NTFS, Mac can read them, but not write them.

MS makes Word and Excel for Mac, and the files are completely interchangeable. Outlook is included in the current version of Mac office, but the Mac also includes Apple Mail, which I find quite serviceable.

When I migrated from the PC, I took my LR database and literally dragged and dropped it from my networked Windows PC to my Mac. I then had to tell LR where my photos were, as the sarddrive name had changed, but that was it. At this same time, I decided to get an external drive, so I formatted it HFS+, and copied my photos there. If you want your external drives to be readable by both Mac and PC, you need them to be in FAT format. The only downside of FAT is they can not access or store files larger than 3GB (4GB?). Anyway, probably not an issue with photos, but if you have any DVD images, it can be a problem.

LRussoPhoto

How do I tell if they are FAT formatted? If they aren't by what your saying it seems like I'd be able to pull the photos off the externals and put them on the mac, then reformat the drives for mac and put them back, correct?

So with excel and word it would seem I need to buy the mac version then copy the files over?

My entire LR database is on my external so I should be able to copy it onto the mac again so I can reformat the external if needed.

cmason wrote: »

If your drives are FAT formatted, you can use them as is. If they are NTFS, Mac can read them, but not write them.

MS makes Word and Excel for Mac, and the files are completely interchangeable. Outlook is included in the current version of Mac office, but the Mac also includes Apple Mail, which I find quite serviceable.

When I migrated from the PC, I took my LR database and literally dragged and dropped it from my networked Windows PC to my Mac. I then had to tell LR where my photos were, as the sarddrive name had changed, but that was it. At this same time, I decided to get an external drive, so I formatted it HFS+, and copied my photos there. If you want your external drives to be readable by both Mac and PC, you need them to be in FAT format. The only downside of FAT is they can not access or store files larger than 3GB (4GB?). Anyway, probably not an issue with photos, but if you have any DVD images, it can be a problem.

Andy

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

Does mac offer an Outlook type email program?

You can get Outlook for Mac. But I personally hate it. Apple's Mail app is super fast and so easy to use.

cmason

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

How do I tell if they are FAT formatted?

From Windows, with your drive attached, Choose Start>Computer. Right click the drive in question, and it will list its File System.

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

If they aren't by what your saying it seems like I'd be able to pull the photos off the externals and put them on the mac, then reformat the drives for mac and put them back, correct?

yes, correct. In fact, the Mac will likely read the disk no matter what format, as it can READ NTFS (native XP and Win7 format) it just can not write to NTFS. So getting the files off the drive is simple, then you can simply format to Mac format (HFS+)

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

So with excel and word it would seem I need to buy the mac version then copy the files over?

Correct. Of course any number of Mac apps also read these formats, so don't feel like you are forced to buy Office for Mac. If you have used Office 2008/2010 for Windows, then you will recognize Office Mac. If not, the new Office UI is different (on both Mac and Windows). Apple also sells iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) that are file compatible with Office docs, as do a number of other vendors.

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

My entire LR database is on my external so I should be able to copy it onto the mac again so I can reformat the external if needed.

Actually, it may be simpler, depending on disk format. You can try attaching your harddrive, installing LR on the Mac, and opening the LR database on the drive. Assuming the drive it is not in NTFS format, you are basically done, aside from telling LR where your photos are. Otherwise, copy as above, reformat, and copy back if you like.

Richard

FAT is an obsolete format. Both native Mac and NTFS file systems are more robust, so you should not base any migration strategy on staying with FAT. There used to be some third party products that would enable Macs to write to NTFS, but I have lost track of whether they are still around or still work with OS-X. If you are migrating to Mac--and you won't have any Windows machines on you local net--then I would advise biting the bullet and doing a proper conversion to HFS+. Be very careful to copy and move anything that LR manages from within LR itself--it doesn't handle networks very intelligently and can easily get confused if you do stuff from the OS rather than within the application.

cmason

Richard wrote: »

FAT is an obsolete format. Both native Mac and NTFS file systems are more robust, so you should not base any migration strategy on staying with FAT. There used to be some third party products that would enable Macs to write to NTFS, but I have lost track of whether they are still around or still work with OS-X..

You can download Mac FUSE which provides the ability to read and write NTFS. Richard is correct that FAT is old, however, if you have both Mac and Windows machines and you need to maintain file compatibility, FAT is basically what you need. All memory sticks/thumb drives come formatted in FAT as well. By the way, in this instance FAT likely means FAT32, since both Mac and Win can read and write FAT and FAT32. About the only devices i know of that still use FAT are cameras.

LRussoPhoto

Ok, my Buffalo portable drive which has my LR database on it, is Fat32, My Western Digital external back drive is NTFS but can be reformatted for Mac. I will be keeping my pc based laptop for business purposes, this laptop also gets taken on the road when I do race photos, so yes I will have a pc and a mac, so having the Buffalo drive being able to go back and forth is a major +. I would assume that I can just dl LR3 onto the mac from the Adobe site and my serial # from when I purchased it for windows would work, right?

colourbox

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

I would assume that I can just dl LR3 onto the mac from the Adobe site and my serial # from when I purchased it for windows would work, right?

You can do that if you need the latest version. If you bought it on disk, I think it has both PC and Mac versions on it, but might be out of date now. LR is one of the rare Adobe apps (the only one?) where the serial number works for both PC and Mac.

LRussoPhoto

Thanks

digismile

Just a couple of things regarding NTFS ...

I made the switch to an iMac a couple of months ago and left all my photos and LR catalogs on my previous machine in their original locations (Windows 7, NTFS drive volumes). I have a network share from my Mac to the drive volume with the photos/LR catalogs and I have full read/write to the NTFS drive volume without any special utilities/hacks.

If you want to mount an NTFS drive directly (in R/W mode), you can also get third party apps such as NTFSmounter. I don't know if it is Lion compatible or not.

Regards,

elgauchogrub

Andy wrote: »

You can get Outlook for Mac. But I personally hate it. Apple's Mail app is super fast and so easy to use.

Agree, but will say that Office 2011:Mac actually has pretty much the same version of Outlook that ships on the Windows side now instead of Entourage for mail.

elgauchogrub

cmason wrote: »

If your drives are FAT formatted, you can use them as is. If they are NTFS, Mac can read them, but not write them.

MS makes Word and Excel for Mac, and the files are completely interchangeable. Outlook is included in the current version of Mac office, but the Mac also includes Apple Mail, which I find quite serviceable.

When I migrated from the PC, I took my LR database and literally dragged and dropped it from my networked Windows PC to my Mac. I then had to tell LR where my photos were, as the sarddrive name had changed, but that was it. At this same time, I decided to get an external drive, so I formatted it HFS+, and copied my photos there. If you want your external drives to be readable by both Mac and PC, you need them to be in FAT format. The only downside of FAT is they can not access or store files larger than 3GB (4GB?). Anyway, probably not an issue with photos, but if you have any DVD images, it can be a problem.

I've since switched back to Windows for my desktop, but when I was using a Mac Mini I had an app installed called Macfuse http://code.google.com/p/macfuse/ that lets you R/W from OS X to pretty much any type of drive format.

LRussoPhoto

Well since my portable drive is fat32 formatted no need for any of that. I can just plug it in and go.

lilmomma

I have no technical information for you. I just want to say, once you go Mac you never go back
true story.

LRussoPhoto

That's good to here lilmomma, lol. I think I'm convinced. Went to the Apple store the other day, played around with the iMac and spoke to a sales man and I liked how it worked as well as what the sales man had to say. Probably going back to get it over the weekend.

LRussoPhoto

Picked up the iMac from the apple store last week, so far I love it! My Buffalo back up plugged right in and the Mac read all the files just fine. The WD external drive I have i needed to reformat and that works fine too. All is good, lol.

cmason

Welcome to the dark side Padawan

augustmelody

My first thought upon reading the title was, "Whoa! People are still using Windows?!"

LRussoPhoto

LMAO august

DavidTO

From xkcd.com

This site supplies the link specifically for embedding their images.

augustmelody

Indistinguishable perhaps until the browser makes solitaire on the screen....

LRussoPhoto

Now thats funny!

lifeinfocus

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

I am thinking about switching over to a Mac. My concerns are bringing things from pc over to Mac. I have 2 external drives, one that has my light room database and another that has a back up of all my photos plus numerous files. So my first question would be, will I be able to just plug my external drives into the mac and be good to go or is there a convertion process ill need to go through? I also use ms word and exel on my pc, does mac have similar software and can pc files be imported? Does mac offer an Outlook type email program?

What is the cost comparison between Mac and PC computers for photography, including monitor?

Here is a site that does a good analysis on PC Components for Photography if you are into building your own. I am in the process now of selecting the parts to build one.

Phil

r3t1awr3yd

I'll never switch to MAC or Canon.

I've also never purchased a computer.

theprincereturns

Just curious what your reasons were for switching? I like a lot of the Apple products (love my ipod touch), but can't bring myself to buy one of their computers yet. Price for the performance you get just can't compare.

Couple other thoughts: Windows limits the size of FAT 32 partitions to 32Gb when creating them. You can get third party tools to do it though if you need to migrate the data.

LRussoPhoto

theprincereturns wrote: »

Just curious what your reasons were for switching? I like a lot of the Apple products (love my ipod touch), but can't bring myself to buy one of their computers yet. Price for the performance you get just can't compare.

Couple other thoughts: Windows limits the size of FAT 32 partitions to 32Gb when creating them. You can get third party tools to do it though if you need to migrate the data.

I needed a new computer, the desktop pc I had was only about 2.5 years old has had increasing problems. So sick and tired of error messages. I didn't really buy the mac because i thought it was better for photography although thats what i always here.....But if I'm using LR3, what the difference if i use it on a mac or pc. Point is a needed a new computer and wanted to give the mac a try, plain and simple. Things are different but not to hard to figure out. So far I have seen many pro's and some con's. Time will tell if it was the right decision. But so far I'm happy with it.

cmason

A Mac gives me Mac OSX, plus the ability to run Windows and Linux. For those that know UNIX, Mac OSX is Unix, so its interesting to use the Terminal to get things done.

The iMac I bought includes at 24" IPS display, equivalent to a Dell costing $450-$600. Having an IPS display is nearly mandatory for photo editing. Add that to the cost of building a reasonably high end PC, and a refurb Mac is about the same money.

Not to mention that I have eliminated a few Windows headaches. Won't go into them here, but if you are using Windows, you are used to them and don't really notice. When you get off Windows, you will understand. I use both Windows and Mac at work, so this isn't some fan-boydom speaking here.

I have since purchased a Mac for my wife and one for my in-laws. I never touch their computers. I used to spend the weekend with my in-laws computer cleaning crap off it. I don't any more.

theprincereturns

QuadRacer041 wrote: »

I needed a new computer, the desktop pc I had was only about 2.5 years old has had increasing problems. So sick and tired of error messages. I didn't really buy the mac because i thought it was better for photography although thats what i always here.....But if I'm using LR3, what the difference if i use it on a mac or pc. Point is a needed a new computer and wanted to give the mac a try, plain and simple. Things are different but not to hard to figure out. So far I have seen many pro's and some con's. Time will tell if it was the right decision. But so far I'm happy with it.

Just to be clear, I have no problem with MAC. I mainly use Windows machines, but am also a System adminstrator for several Unix/Linux systems. MAC OS 10+ is really a quality OS, so no complains there. Hope it serves you well.

theprincereturns

cmason wrote: »

A Mac gives me Mac OSX, plus the ability to run Windows and Linux. For those that know UNIX, Mac OSX is Unix, so its interesting to use the Terminal to get things done.

The iMac I bought includes at 24" IPS display, equivalent to a Dell costing $450-$600. Having an IPS display is nearly mandatory for photo editing. Add that to the cost of building a reasonably high end PC, and a refurb Mac is about the same money.

Not to mention that I have eliminated a few Windows headaches. Won't go into them here, but if you are using Windows, you are used to them and don't really notice. When you get off Windows, you will understand. I use both Windows and Mac at work, so this isn't some fan-boydom speaking here.

I have since purchased a Mac for my wife and one for my in-laws. I never touch their computers. I used to spend the weekend with my in-laws computer cleaning crap off it. I don't any more.

I agree that the IMac is definitly the best deal in the Mac lineup at the moment and definitly the one I would consider if bought a Mac. Not a lot of upgrade room, but better then the Mac Books. Not to many Thunderbolt devices yet as well (hopefully remedied soon), relying on esata for my external storage at the moment (no adapters available yet) so that would be a pain.