Ask the expert: Switching to Mac

Q. I’ve been a PC user forever, but am finally thinking of making the move to Mac. Mostly for the multimedia side of things. What’s the best desktop set up that isn’t going to break the bank? Wireless printer would be good too!

A. Ditching the PC can be daunting, but choosing your first Mac shouldn’t be. Apple offers its computers in standard configurations, which you can then tweak if you need something extra. We’ve rounded up three of the best desktop systems, so there’s guaranteed to be something to suit you.

Solution 1: Best on a budget
As you already have a PC, it’s possible to use all your existing accessories and peripherals with a new Mac. Grab a Mac Mini and you’ll be able to plug in your existing monitor, keyboard and mouse to save a bundle, as well as re-using printers, external hard drives and pretty much any other accessory you have. Of course, if you have any obscure add-ons, there’s a chance they won’t work, but for the bulk of your accessories there’ll be no extra set-up needed. They’ll simply work, and save you a packet.
Best option: Mac Mini – From £375

Solution 2: Best for a clean start
Getting rid of your crumbly old PC can be a liberating experience, but re-using all the old accessories risks taking the sheen off it. Choose Apple’s all-in-one iMac, however, and we guarantee you’ll enjoy switching to Mac. Apple includes a gorgeous new keyboard and mouse, as well as all the extras you’d expect from a brand new computer. We’re talking a built-in webcam, slick, modern design and ultra-simple set-up. As you’d expect, Macs will work just fine with existing networks and external hard drives, so the oldest things you bring with you to a new Mac should be your existing files and folders.
Best option: iMac – From £670

Solution 3: Best for power
The previous two Macs have been firmly in the “mainstream” category. They’re good computers, and plenty powerful for most people, but if you’re into video editing, photographic work or want to do hard-core computing, you’ll want a Mac Pro. Like the Mac Mini you’ll need to provide your own monitor, although there’s a mouse and keyboard included. Inside the shiny aluminium case is a real workhorse of a computer, with up to two quad-core processors and space for four hard drives. There’s also room for extra graphics cards, making the Mac Pro a seriously powerful professional machine.
Best option: Mac Pro – From £1,560

Get chatting about Mac desktop computers over at the PriceRunner forum

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