[Brad5689]

Alright,

After my dell laptop decided to go ahead and fry, I'm in the neighborhood for a new computer. I've been drooling of a Mac for about 4 years now and don't know why I haven't decided to get one yet, but that's beside the point. My real question is can I take my 2.5" notebook PC hard drive that was used on windows and turn it into an external then move my files to the MAC? This is a huge concern, and by the way I was going to transfer through USB2.0.

Any help?

[bourgeoisie]

you shouldn't have any trouble doing this as long as your hard drive isn't the part of the laptop that "fried." good choice on switching to mac, you'll never look back.

[lookmark]

Will the notebook boot at all at this point?

If you purchase a Mac from an Apple Store, Apple will provide a free data transfer from your PC. (See here.) It might be worth a call to see if that offer includes a PC whose HD is (hopefully) OK but doesn't boot.

[f1000]

Originally Posted by Brad5689

My real question is can I take my 2.5" notebook PC hard drive that was used on windows and turn it into an external then move my files to the MAC?

Yes, but I recommend that you access them using a Windows front-end. The Mac can read FAT32 directories, but the way the files are displayed can be confusing to a Windows user.

Virtual PC should work. Better yet, borrow a friend's PC and use it to transfer the files from your external HD to your Mac via Ethernet.

[Brad5689]

alright thanks yeah the notebook with boot its a dell defect and come to find out there are thousands of people with the same problem with this notebook model and Dell won't do a RECALL. Imagine that....

Actually here's the messed up part...if I complain to the Better Business Bureau then Dell will extend me another warranty option and replace the mother board but the problem is a phsyical defect where something becomes unsoldered on the motherboard and will continue to happen after further use so I'm pretty PO'd......

Thanks though by the way I have easy access to computers without problem do you think I should wait to see if 10.5 comes out later this year since i'm not in a rush to get it also if not what about waiting for a Rev. B of the Intel iMac? just wondering....thanks for the advice though much appreciated

Brad

[LagunaSol]

Originally Posted by Brad5689

Thanks though by the way I have easy access to computers without problem do you think I should wait to see if 10.5 comes out later this year since i'm not in a rush to get it also if not what about waiting for a Rev. B of the Intel iMac? just wondering....thanks for the advice though much appreciated

Brad

Why prolong the agony by waiting? Sure, Rev. B will be better than Rev. A. And Rev. C will be better than Rev. B. And Rev. D will...

If one waits for the "next big thing," one will be forever waiting. Say goodbye to Windows hell now and make the jump! There's no better time than the present. The Intel iMacs look fantastic. As soon as I get my $50 Apple Store credit (for the iPod battery settlement), I'm placing my order.

[lookmark]

I wouldn't wait for 10.5 unless you're patient enough to wait another 10-12 months.

As for the iMac, I'm not one of those "never buy a rev A" people, but I do think it's smart to wait a few weeks after the initial release and see if people are reporting any problems en masse. So far, reports seem to be pretty positive. It looks like a great machine -- as long as you're not planning to use professional software like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, etc extensively, in which you should wait.

[nickw311]

I have found that the easiest way to transfer files is via FTP. Mac OS X has an FTP server built into the OS and it is increddibly easy to set up and use. I just turned it on and FTP'd into my Mini from my Dell Laptop and then picked files off of the laptop and placed them on the Mini. While this may not be the fastest way to transfer files, I think it is about the easiest.