compatibility of mac filesystem and windows pc
 

I'm thinking about buying a powerbook but till now I've just got a windows computer at home. what's the best way to copy files from my pc to the mac and back?

cheers for your help

I used ftp transfer via LAN. However the file sharing should work in both directions between a mac and a windows pc if you enable the windows sharing from the mac. I haven't tried it yet. You can also connect to a windows pc with smb://(the ip of the windows computer) if you have shared something with the windows pc.

Also, I seem to remeber hearing the a Mac can read PC files but a PC cannot read Mac files.

Can anyone verify this?

-Alex

Well, mac can read all usual files like .doc, .zip, .xls, .txt, .jpg, .avi, .mpg etc but mac cannot run pc executables (.exe). Mac uses .app (application), .dmg (disk image), .sit (like zip) etc.

However mac can run the exe-files in virtual pc (must be bought separately). Virtual pc is a software which emulates pc and x86 processors. You install windows from a cd like any windows with a real pc computer and the windows thinks that it's installing to a pc machine. Then you open the virtual pc in a window and there you have the windows with usb, sounds, internet etc. and you can run the exe-files or any files because it is windows. Of course it runs slower than a real pc with windows but it's useful if you absolutely need to run something in windows.

When the intel macs come, you will be able to run windows or linux under the osx x86 without noticable speed loss... At least when apple begins using the new intel chips which have the feature built in. Of course windows and linux can be installed as a separate operating systems in addition to the osx and you just pick the one you want to start at the start up.

So basically, all windows files work in osx and vice versa but not the applications. All files made with a mac work just allright in windows.

OK, that's what I meant...pardon the beer.

:wink:

-Alex

it works with file sharing. I've just tried it.

cheers, mates