Apple Mac FAQ

Can a Mac run Windows and Microsoft Office?

Yes. Microsoft Office is available for the Mac and Word, PowerPoint and Excel files created on a Mac are fully compatible with Windows. Most other popular applications are available for the Mac, too. But if you need to use a particular Windows-only application, you have a few options: Boot Camp comes with every new Mac and it lets startup the Mac hardware in Windows XP or Vista. VMware Fusion will run Windows inside a window on your Mac without having to restart. A minimum copy of Windows XP Home CD and some Anti Virus software is required.

Will my PC devices (cameras, printers, hard drives) work with a Mac?

A Mac has hundreds of drivers for peripherals pre-installed. Just connect your device and, in most cases, you’re good to go. And a Mac is smart enough to know what to do when you plug in your digital camera: It opens iPhoto and asks if you want to import your recent photos. This can be turned off for professionals using alternative software.

Can I join Windows networks?

Yes. If you have a network at home or at work, whether wired or wireless, a Mac will fit right in. You can share files with any computer on your network, browse the web and get your work or home email. Although Mac’s can see Windows XP and above additional software is required to allow multiple PC’s to see external hard drives on a Macintosh. Speak to us first before making a decision and get the most efficient cost effective solution available from quality third party hardware not normally found in Apple Retail stores.

What about Wi-Fi?

All new Mac computers are Wi-Fi capable. Available wireless networks automatically show up. Just select the network you want to join, enter a password if necessary and you’re connected. UDS Pty. Ltd. supplies Netgear switches and routers to network your computers together, and to the Internet. Netgear supply 80% of the worlds consumer network hardware and work very well with Apple computers. Using Netgear you can get faster network access, avoid complexity and reduce power consumption.

Is a Mac reliable?

When you buy a PC, you’re buying hardware from one company and an operating system and software from other companies. Not so with a Mac. Because Apple builds both the computer and the software that comes with it, they’re literally made for each other. This means that a Mac rarely freezes or crashes. Occasionally an application might quit, but it won’t affect the rest of your system. And Mac OS X resists most viruses, so you can do anything — without worrying about losing everything. Unknown to most new buyer Mac’s come with a 7 day DOA (Dead On Arrival) guarantee, meaning Apple will swap over your faulty hardware for a NEW one. UDS Pty. Ltd. tests all hardware for a minimum of 24 hours which helps to further reduce any chances of hardware issues.

What kind of support can I expect?

Every Mac comes with service and support that’s consistently voted the best in the business. If you have a problem in the first year of owning your new Mac, you can contact us or any Apple Reseller to get it fixed or figured out. And if you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan, you extend your service and support to up to three years.

Do I need virus software for a Mac?

No. While no computer connected to the Internet will ever be 100 percent immune to viruses and spyware, the Mac is built on a solid UNIX foundation and designed with security in mind. The Mac web browser, Safari, alerts you whenever you’re downloading an application — even if it’s disguised as an innocent picture or movie file. And Apple continually makes free security updates available for Mac owners. You can even have them download automatically. For added security against trojans we do recommend an active zone firewall similar to what is built into Vista.

Is it easy to learn how to use a Mac?

Every Mac is created with the guiding principle that computers should be easy to use, so you can spend more time doing what you love and less time figuring out how your computer works. If you’ve never owned a Mac, you may need a little time to get used to it. But within a week or two, chances are you’ll get along like old friends. And because all Mac applications are designed to work in the same, intuitive way, once you learn one application — iTunes, for example — you’ll quickly pick up iPhoto, Mail or any of the other software that comes with your Mac. UDS Pty. Ltd. provides additional software that unlike any other computer system supplied world wide will give you feedback just like driving a car as to how the Mac is performing and what it is running low on.

Why should I spend more money on a Mac?

When you compare the cost of a PC and factor in the additional software, memory and other extras you have to buy to go along with it, the difference in price between a Mac and PC isn’t as great as most people believe. And because the Mac comes with so many built-in applications that you’ll enjoy using for both work and play (rather than useless freebies you’ll want to uninstall), a Mac makes good financial sense. Finally, a Mac is built with the most cutting-edge technology by some of the smartest hardware engineers, software developers and product designers on the planet. So you’re getting the latest technological advances and a computer that isn’t in danger of becoming obsolete anytime soon.

How do I move my files to a Mac?

The easiest way is to let us do it. Or you can use a USB or FireWire hard drive or a local network to transfer photos, music, documents and more.