MICROCOMPUTER CENTER
Differences between a Mac and a PC
If I have a Mac, can I take a class that is taught on a PC? or If I have a PC, can I take a class that is taught on the MAC?
The answer is: "*YES!*".
Although the Macintosh operating system and the PC operating system
(Windows) are somewhat different, once you are in the application, (Word, Excel, GoLive, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign or others) they are nearly identical. (With a few minor differences):
One of the differences between the Mac and PC is that a Mac has a one button mouse and a PC has a two button mouse. On a PC you can either Left click, which selects an item, or you can right click, which brings up a contextual menu. On a Mac all you have is the single button. There is no right clicking, or is there? On the Mac, you are able to simulate the right click by holding down the CONTROL button and clicking.
Another difference between the Mac and the PC are Preferences versus Options. They are one and the same, just named differently. One thing that you can do in Preferences and Options within an application is to adjust the default settings of the application that you are in. On a PC you go to Tools and then Options. On a Mac it depends on the operating system that you are running. For most programs in OS 9 and below, you go to Edit and choose Preferences. For OS X you go to the menu for the application (i.e., the Photoshop menu), and choose Preferences.
Listed below are some websites that you might find useful:
The Ultimate Mac Shortcuts Guide (OS 9)
This website is a good reference for keyboard shortcuts.
Top 10 tips for Mac users getting started with Windows
This refers to Virtual PC, (a PC Emulator for the Mac) but contains useful information.
The Macintosh versus the PC
For those of you who are thinking about buying a new computer and would like to see what the differences are.
*You will need Acrobat Reader to view the following two documents!*
PC vs. Mac (PDF)
A good reference for thos on a Mac that would like to use a PC.
So please do not be afraid to take a class that is one a different platform (Mac or PC) then you are. Our instructors are fimiliar with the differences and can help you discover what they are.
Mac Help (PDF)
Straight from the Mac help file.
Written by: Mike Lewis
Microcomputer Program Coordinator
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