Top five reasons small businesses dump their PC for a Mac
Thanks to Apple’s multi-million dollar advertising campaign, a record number of small businesses are tossing their PCs and switching to Macs. According to Jason R. Rich, the author of Mac Migration: The Small Business Guide to Switching to the Mac ($17.95, Entrepreneur Press, October 2008), the reasons to make the move can be credited to more than just advertising.
Rich comments, “For years, Apple was known for offering computers useful to students and to creative people who dealt with graphics, animation, music and images. But now, due to their ever-growing lineup of popular business-oriented applications and their focus on compatibility, Apple’s Mac computers are now in high demand by business people working in all jobs and industries.”
Hot, business-friendly applications and compatibility are just two of the many reasons small to mid-sized businesses are considering the Mac. Rich identifies a few more deal breakers for those who’ve decided to part ways with their PC.
[B]1. Free, Fast File Transfer From Apple[/B]
If you buy your Mac from an Apple Store, you can bring your PC into the store and have a certified Apple Genius (a Mac Specialist) transfer all of your files and data from your old PC to your Mac. In most situations, this is a free service and can be completed within one business day (providing an appointment is scheduled).
[B]2. Mac OS X Leopard-More Intuitive, Crashes Less, Runs Faster[/B]
Unlike Windows Vista (which has four separate editions: Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate), there is only one current edition of the Mac OS X Leopard operating system, and it comes preloaded with all new Mac computers. When you combine the capabilities of this operating system with the other software applications you ultimately install onto your Mac, chances are, all of your computing needs will be met.
[B]3. Unlike PCs, Macs Aren’t Plagued By Viruses and Spyware Downloads[/B]
The likelihood of a Mac user getting a virus is slim to none. Here’s why:
- Newer Mac operating systems, such as the Mac OS X, are built on UNIX kernel, one of the oldest and most secure operating systems available.
- Microsoft Windows has a larger share of the market. Because more users use Microsoft Windows, it is a more attractive target for hackers.
- Most virus writers are familiar with the IBM platform and Microsoft Windows, and therefore are only going to be able to create a virus for that platform.
- Many of the tools and scripts used to help hackers create viruses or other malware are designed specifically for Microsoft Windows.
[B]4. Hundreds of Business Applications to Choose From[/B]
There are a variety of applications that come bundled with a new Mac such as Address Book and iCal. The iLife, iWork, and Microsoft Office suites of software are all useful to business professionals for handling common tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and editing and view graphics. In addition to these popular applications, Rich identifies 14 more “must-have” business-oriented applications in his book, Mac Migration (http://www.entrepreneurpress.com/cgi-bin/books/00373.html). Mac users can access a variety of applications, most available for free 30-day trials, at Apple.com.
[B]5. Apple Support-Accessible, Knowledgeable and, Actually, Helpful[/B]
After the initial 90 day’s worth of free technical support (plus one-year hardware warranty), regardless of where you buy your Mac or which system you buy, you can purchase one of several support plans. All support plans offer access to English-speaking, friendly, and knowledgeable Mac experts. This is something that PC manufacturers don’t offer.
Jason R. Rich is the bestselling author of more than 37 books that cover a wide range of topics, including computers, eCommerce, personal finance, career-related topics, travel and entertainment. He also contributes regularly to major daily newspapers, including the New York Daily News, as well as national magazines and popular websites.
Mac Migration: The Small Business Guide to Switching to the Mac explains how current PC users can easily migrate to a Mac-based computer, transfer their data, and stay fully compatible with their office network. Written primarily for business people and entrepreneurs, this new book is easy-to-understand and walks non-technologically savvy people through the process of buying a Mac, setting it up, installing software, and transferring data from their old PC.
This book is available at all major bookstores and online booksellers.
