How can I get an education discount on a new Mac?

If you are a student in college or a teacher, administrator, or staff member at any grade level, you qualify for special pricing on Apple computers and software and select third-party products. Visit the Apple Online Store for Education to place your order. Quantity limits apply. See terms and conditions.

Is Microsoft Office available for the Mac?

Yes.Microsoft Office 2008 for Macis available, and it works like the Windows version. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files created on a Mac are compatible with Windows. You can also open Office documents created on a Windows PC.

Can I run Windows on my Mac?

Yes. In addition to Microsoft Office, most popular applications are available for the Mac, too. But if you want to use a particular Windows-only application and you have a copy of Windows XP or Windows Vista, you have a few options:

• If you want to run Windows natively — as if your Mac were a PC — you can use Boot Camp, which is included with Mac OS X Leopardon every new Mac.
• If you want to run Mac OS X and Windows side by side, you can purchase Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMware Fusion. Install one of these applications, and you can use Windows programs right next to your Mac applications, without having to restart.

Want more details? Read Good to Know: Windows on a Mac.

Watch video tutorial: Windows on a Mac

Can I work with my existing documents, music files, and photos on my Mac?

Yes. Your Mac can open most files from your PC, including Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), PDFs, MP3s, iTunes songs, WAV files, JPEGs, GIFs, and more.

How do I move my files to a Mac?

It’s easy to transfer your photos, music, documents, and other files. Here are two ways to do it:

• Copy files from your PC to an external hard drive, connect the drive to your Mac, and move the files over.
• Use a local network to move files directly from your PC to your Mac.

For detailed information on moving your files to a Mac, read Switch 101: Migrate Your Files or Your Windows System.

Watch video tutorial: Move to Mac

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

Almost any device that connects to a computer via USB, audio cable, or Bluetooth will work with a Mac. For example, the Mac includes support for over 2000 of the most popular printers from Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark, and others. 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.

If you have questions about a specific peripheral or accessory, visit the manufacturer’s website to find out about Mac compatibility.

Read Switch 101: Connect Your Peripherals

Will my keyboard and my “right-click” mouse work with a Mac?

Yes. The Mac is compatible with virtually any keyboard and multibutton mouse, even the ones you use with your PC. Just plug them into the USB port on your Mac and start working. You can also use the multibutton Mighty Mouse, which comes with every iMac and Mac Pro. And the trackpad on MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air offers “right-click” capability — just press the control key when you click.

Will my current email service work on a Mac?

Yes. You can access your current email in two ways:

• View web-based email — such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, and MobileMe mail — in the Safari web browser.
• Use the Mail application in Mac OS X Leopard. Simply enter your email account information and you’re good to go. If you have email messages in Microsoft Outlook on your PC, you can transfer them to your Mac using inexpensive third-party software.

No matter which method you choose, you can continue using your current email address.

Will my Mac work on campus?

Yes. No matter what kind of network you want to use, whether wired or wireless, a Mac will fit right in. You can share files with any computer on your network, browse the web, access school servers and files, and get all your email. You can also access secure networks with the built-in VPN support.

What about Wi-Fi?

All new Mac computers are Wi-Fi capable and work with standard wireless routers. Whether you’re on campus or in a cafe, available wireless networks appear automatically. Just select the network you want to join, enter a password if necessary, and you’re connected. The Mac supports industry standards such as 802.11 and WPA/WPA2.

Watch video tutorial: Wireless Basics

Can I instant message on my Mac?

Yes. Your Mac comes with iChat, Apple’s instant messaging application. iChat supports AIM, Google Talk, and MobileMe. In addition to text messaging, iChat allows you to video chat with friends and family on campus or around the world.* Microsoft and Yahoo! offer Mac versions of their instant messaging applications, too.

Which web browsers will work on my Mac?

Every Mac includes Safari, the fastest web browser in the world. You can also use Mac versions of Firefox, Opera, and others.

What software is available for the Mac?

Thousands of titles, including the most popular applications you need for school, are available for the Mac. You’ll find everything from Microsoft Office and Rosetta Stone to Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Creative Suite.

A huge collection of games covering every genre is available for the Mac, including top sellers such as Age of Empires III, The Sims 2, Guitar Hero III, and many more.

Shop Mac software

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. So a Mac rarely freezes or crashes. And Mac OS X resists most viruses, so you can do almost anything — without worrying about losing everything.

Are Mac computers secure?

Yes. While no computer connected to the Internet is 100 percent immune to viruses and spyware, the Mac is built on a solid UNIX foundation and designed with security in mind. The Apple web browser, Safari, alerts you whenever you’re downloading an application — even if it’s disguised as a picture or movie file. And Apple continually makes free security updates available to Mac owners. You can even have them download automatically.

Is it easy to learn how to use a Mac?

Yes. 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 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, and the other software that comes with your Mac.

Watch video tutorial: Anatomy of a Mac

I still have questions before I make my purchase. How can I get them answered?

We have lots of ways to answer your questions. You can call our Mac experts toll-free at 1-866-410-2220, start an online chat, or visit a nearby Apple Retail Store and talk to our friendly staff.