Mac files and Windows files are completely compatible. Mac files don't natively attach file extensions to the file though. There's an option somewhere to add the file extension on the Mac, or when you bring a Mac file over to a Windows machine, you'll just have to add the .xls to the file so that you can double click to open it.
You can get the Office Suite for the Mac that will be almost exactly like its counterpart, or you can download an open source program like Open Office for free to emulate the Suite. It works pretty well, though I haven't tried to open a Mac Open Office file in Windows Word (Open Office is free though
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I use Windows at work and own a G4 desktop and a G4 iBook at home. And I recently managed to get my parents to switch over to a G4 Powerbook. I love my Macs and would never go back to a Windows machine. But there are some things to consider.
- Macs will always be more expensive. If price is a key point, they're probably not for you. I bought my iBook as a refurbed model though, and saved about 15%. If you go to the Apple website, look down the side of the store page for the big red savings tag. You can easily save 15-40% off by buying a refurb.
- Macs and PC's spec differently. If you put a 1GHz G5 and a 1GHz Celeron processor next to each other, they are not the same speed.
- Macs will be switching to Intel chips in Q1 or Q2 of 2006. It shouldn't be an issue, especially if you upgrade systems a lot.
- There is definately more software availabe for a PC, but I find more open source and small developer software available for the Mac. There is more of a support community for the Mac, I think, that will offer up good software or help with the computer if you have issues.
- The OS's are definately different. I prefer, no love, the Apple OS. I use the keyboard shortcuts much more on the Mac than I do on the PC. I also open a lot of programs and program windows at once, and think that the Mac handles them better. I love that with one F key, I can see the desktop, do work on it, and with another F key press I can restore all my programs. I think I work faster on the Mac too. Dashboard is beautiful.
- I don't have the OS issues with the Mac that I do with the PC at work. The system is more stable, and if something does crash, it only takes down that program - not the whole system. The PC at work gets it's fair share of four letter words at least once a week.
- If you stick with the bundled Internet browser, then I think Safari is better than IE. It defenitely displays websites better. Beware though, not every web developer in the world thinks that Macs or Safari is worth supporting. So if you do a lot of online banking especially, you might have to download Firefox or Camino to get some sites to work. This is mainly with websites that have intense coding or security systems though.
- Macs will come with a one button mouse, but if you use the keyboard a lot it isn't a problem. You can also hook up any mouse you want, or buy the new Mighty Mouse. Macs have an Option key instead of Alt and Command instead of Control, but they basically do the same thing.
- I've never had a problem with my Macs that needed warranty. And I never buy any extended AppleCare or anything. That being said, I never had good luck with Dell's call in help center. Though I'm not sure how many people have ever had good luck with call in warranty/help centers located in India.
- If you do end up buying a Mac, my advice is to buy as much RAM as possible and to buy a good Tiger book (I highly recommend Peachpit Press and their Visual Quickstart guides) to ease any OS switch frustrations. My G4 desktop is five or six years old now, and other than sticking more RAM in it and upgrading OS X, the thing will still push Photoshop and video editing without a problem.
That may be incredibly long already....if you have any specific questions though, I'd be more than happy to add more.
Hope that helped.
It also drives up the price!
