Switching to Mac Interviews Paul Garay and Derek K Miller, hosts of the "Inside Home Recording" Podcast. The best Podcast to learn everything you need to know about home recording.

Visit us @ http://www.switchingtomac.com

My real world experience using a MacBook and running Windows XP with "Parallels Desktop for Mac" and "Apple's Boot Camp" The Pros and the Cons, it may surprise you, I was surprised.

Check-out the Video Examples in our text verison of this Podcast:
http://www.switchingtomac.com/macbook-mac_and_a_pc.html

Visit us @ http://www.switchingtomac.com

MacBook vs MacBook Pro

Now that we have the new MacBook why would I get the more expensive MacBook Pro?

Lets talk about these two new models and find out what the similarities and differences are and which one may be right for you...

Visit us @ http://www.switchingtomac.com

MS Office Pro for Mac Giveaway with VPC

SwitchingToMac has teamed up with Microsoft and Futurelooks to giveaway this fantastic piece of software to folks that want to transition to MAC easily, or who require Windows Functionality on their Non-Intel MAC's. Valued at over $499 US , this package will give any MAC user or PC user working with MAC's the ability to use both platforms successfully.

"Microsoft Office for Mac Pro is designed to help you work smarter – it provides new tools so that you can effortlessly manage information, share ideas and create with confidence. The Pro version includes Virtual PC 7 which is an emulation program that creates a separate Windows environment on the Mac desktop. It ensures seamless access to PC-only software, files, devices and networks, while offering the important Mac-quality output. Virtual PC 7 for Mac enables you to run Microsoft Windows and Windows-based operating system software with ease, to work the way you want to while doing the work they need to."

We're also giving away a new Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 with that new copy of Microsoft Office for Mac Pro with Virtual PC! Ooo... Scroll button too! Great for those of you with single button Mac Mice! "Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 comes equipped with smart features such as a Magnifier tool and a Tilt Wheel for easier navigation and control. The mouse also delivers proprietary High Definition tracking technology for ultimate precision and responsiveness on a wide variety of surfaces. With its ambidextrous grip design, MS Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 maximizes comfort and efficiency."

So how do you get yourself into the running to win this very expensive and cool prize?

Full Contest Details and Forums can be found at the following:

Details

MS Office Pro for Mac Giveaway with VPC:
http://www.switchingtomac.com/msofficecontest.html

Forums

SwitchingToMac Forum:
http://www.switchingtomac.com/smf/

Futurelooks Forum:
http://www.futurelooks.com/forums

Visit us @ http://www.switchingtomac.com

Switching to Mac just got easier with Boot Camp.

What is Boot Camp?

Boot Camp is an Apple solution that allows you to install Windows XP on an Intel based Mac without having to alter your existing Mac configuration in any way.

Boot Camp uses a graphical interface to:
- Burn the Macintosh Drivers CD.
- Creates a Windows Partition.
- Restarts your computer from the Widows CD
- The rest of the Install is Windows as you already know it.

Boot Camp includes a very detailed and straight forward Installation PDF Manual.

Once Windows is installed you can switch between Mac OS X and Windows XP by simply restarting your Mac and by holding down the (Options) key. This will take you to a startup screen that gives the option of Windows XP or Mac OS X, just click on the operating system icon you want to boot into. You can also set a default Operation system preference so your Mac will automatically boot into Windows or Mac OS X.

Now Unlike the OnMac.net project which has been to date the best solution for getting Windows on your Intel Mac, Boot Camp includes all the Drivers that you need to support the Intel Mac such as:
- Graphics Cards.
- Networking.
- Audio.
- Airport Wireless.
- Bluetooth.
- Even the eject key and brightness on Apple keyboards, built-in displays.

What does this all mean?

Well firstly, even though Apple still states that they will not support Windows on a Mac, they have definitely facilitated a simple and easy way to get Windows on your Intel Based Mac. Boot Camp is Bata as of right now but will be integrated right into the next version of Apple OS X - Leopard. Not bad for being unsupported...

Now in the real world this means if you are a PC user and have been thinking about "Switching to Mac" but have not been able to because of a need to run some Windows based Software, you are now in luck!

Windows on a Mac using Boot Camp is just like using Windows on a regular PC with the exception of the fact that you can at anytime reboot into Mac OS X and enjoy everything that using an Apple computer has to offer.

I can arguably say that you will find yourself spending less and less time on the Windows side of your Mac.

The choice is up to you, buy a PC and have the limitations of PC only software or buy a Mac and run any program you want to, PC or Mac...

Visit us @ http://www.switchingtomac.com

I have been in the Apple corner for over a decade, I guess when you have been using a solution for that long you kind of get used to it and maybe even take it for granted.

Just over a year ago, work took me in a direction away from my Apple roots, to a very reputable PC company called HP.

Being a Mac person for so long I thought this would be a great opportunity to check out the grass on the other side of the fence so to speak...

I have to say HP is a gigantic company with a massive reach into the consumer and business retail market. Their product lineup is also very full covering everything from Computers, PDA's, Printers, Scanners, Cameras, Monitors, TV's and more.

I worked for HP for just under a year, in this time I did my best to embrace Windows and use it for not only my work related tasks but also my personal Digital Lifestyle.

Companies like HP offer a good selection of pre-installed programs for your Digital Lifestyle but what I quickly discovered is that the Integration from one program to the other just wasn't there. Because each program came from completely different companies I had to learn an entirely different mindset for each program which of course took time and in some cases deterred me from using these programs.

For these programs Navigation, Compatibility of Files and Integration was nothing like what I was used to on my Mac!

So why is it such a different experience on the Mac? Apple has always focused on Creativity and Simplicity, that is why so many Professional Desktop Publishers, Graphic Designers, Web Publisher, Music and Video Professionals and Photographers all seem to gravitate towards the Mac.

For instance, let's focus on Apples iLife 06 Application geared for everyday people. Here is a breakdown of what you get with iLife 06:
- iTunes for Music and audio playback
- Garageband for creating your own music and even Podcasts
- iPhoto for organizing and editing all of your Digital pictures.
- iMovie HD for making Movies and Photo Slideshows.
- iDVD for taking all of this digital content and making it DVD player friendly to share with everyone!

The best part is that all of these programs verge on Pro-summer as far as how much you can do with them.

Because Apple is in the drivers seat for aspects like Navigation, Compatibility of Files and Integration, it all just works and everything in your Digital Life is right at your fingertips just waiting for you! Once you learn one of these great programs you are already on your way to learning the rest because they all share the same mindset.

I have used several Professional Programs that do many of the same things that iLife will do for you and at the end of the day I find myself using iLife for all of my creative needs because it's just so easy, I get stuff done with Apple's iLife!

I am gladly back working in the Apple related field, I am however glad I got the opportunity of experiencing the PC side, it definitely made me appreciate my Mac even more.

I like to use this analogy when asked about my time working with HP...and PC computers... It's kind of like renovating your house, your glad you did it but don't really want to go through it again any time soon!

Visit us @ http://www.switchingtomac.com

In this Blogcast I wanted to talk about the iPod and its significance to Apple.

I would imagine the majority of you listening to this Podcast are people who for the most part have downloaded iTunes on your PC and may also own an iPod?

The reaction I hear over and over again from people with PC's using iTunes is how easy iTunes is, I know your Windows computer comes with Microsoft's Windows Media Player and I guess if you dig deep enough it probably can do allot of what iTunes does, but why not just use the easy one!

Apple made a great decision to make iTunes and the iPod PC compatible, not only did this increase their potential buying market significantly but it has also put Apple Products and Software in the hands of consumers who may have never even given Apple a second look.

I see people everyday Switching to Mac just because of their iPods and the love they have for them!

Take a look at the MP3 accessory isle in your local electronics store, you tell me how much of it is iPod related! Doesn't it make sense that if Apple can make the Best and most successful MP3 hardware and software in the industry then they can also do the same with Computer hardware and software?

So if you love your iPod and iTunes combination and your already thinking about Switching to Mac? It only gets better!

Visit us @ http://www.switchingtomac.com

Welcome to our Switching to Mac Blogcast - No frills Blog Style Podcast for people who are considering "Switching to Mac".

You will not hear - a high quality audio feed - any fancy intros with ambient backing music - you will not be interrupted at any point with commercials and intermissions.

You will get - Real-time real-life Blog style Switching to Mac information as it happens and where it happens.

We make no apologies about the audio quality of this feed, the goal here is to make this content as accurate and real as possible. It may be recorded on a Laptop in a coffee shop, a PDA on a bus, an iPod in a parking lot, a Cell Phone in the car and who knows, maybe even in the studio. You'll just have to listen in and see where our content takes us...

There has never ever been a time in the history of Apple computers that so many people are considering Switching to Mac. If you are Switching to Mac, Upgrading your Mac or even getting a computer for the first time and it is a Mac, we welcome you!

Visit us @ http://www.switchingtomac.com