Why upgrade to Vista when you can upgrade to Mac? Especially when you can move all your stuff from an old PC to a shiny new Mac in less time than it takes to add the memory, hard disk space, and graphics card you’ll probably need to install Vista. Here are three easy ways to make your move.
Let a Genius at your local Apple Store move your stuff from your PC to your new Mac. It’s free when you buy your Mac from an Apple Store.
You don’t need to be a genius to use a Mac. But you may want a Genius to help you move to a Mac. Bring your PC into any Apple Store and a certified Apple Genius — an in-store expert with a mastery of all things Mac — will move everything to your new Mac for you. It couldn’t be easier. But then, it’s Apple.
New Mac, free transfer
When you buy a new Mac from any Apple Store, you qualify for a free data transfer as part of your Standard Care service. That means you can walk into an Apple Store with your old PC and walk out with a new Mac that contains all of your data. And in many cases, you can do it all in one day. No muss, no fuss, no downtime. A real-life, honest-to-goodness, certified Apple Genius will take care of everything for you, including walking you through the process so you’re never in the dark.
To have a Genius transfer your data from PC to Mac at an Apple retail store, bring along your PC with:
- Windows 98 or later
- A working Ethernet port, FireWire port, internal Zip drive, 3.5-inch floppy drive, or parallel port
- Windows OS installation CDs
- PC keyboard and mouse (for desktop computers)
Basic and beyond
The Apple retail store offers two levels of data transfer service. Basic service transfers files from a designated folder to your new Mac’s hard drive, where you configure the files, applications, and settings yourself. ProCare members can take advantage of the complete data transfer option, which includes a basic data transfer, as well as limited conversion of your files to select Mac applications included on your new Mac or sold in the retail store. With a complete data transfer, your photos wind up in an iPhoto library, your music finds a new home in iTunes, your bookmarks arrive safely in Safari, and your saved mail messages appear the first time you open Mail. Even your movies and documents are filed away in the proper folders on your new Mac.
Reserve your spot
If you’ve already purchased a Mac from an Apple retail store and you want to take advantage of the free data transfer, you should make a Genius Bar reservation. Just visit the Apple Store directory, find an Apple Store near you, and make a Genius Bar reservation on your store’s website.
Never too late
Even if you purchased your Mac from the online Apple Store or a participating retailer — no matter how long ago — you can still have your data transferred by a Genius for a fee1. A basic data transfer that does not require removal of your old computer’s hard drive is $50. If the Genius assisting you needs to remove the hard drive, the data transfer costs $150. Just make a reservation, bring along your Mac and PC, and watch a Genius in action.
- Data transfer fees subject to change.
