Problem leaving Microsoft for Mac

[Broadback]

I have been considering replacing my Microsoft PC with an Apple. However The programmes I use most are:
Memory Map (I also have all the UK walking maps for this application)
Mapsource
Quicken Deluxe 98. I'd be happy to use another accounting program proving I could integrate all my existing data.
Having spent some time browsing the net it seems these applications are not available to run on an Apple machine. I know I can emulate Microsoft, but I cannot see the point of doing that, I may as well continue with it. Can anyone put me right on this please? 
I am going to Bristol in the next few days so will call in at the Apple Store there and pick theire brains.

[pctech]

Stick with your PC and enjoy an Apple of the edible kind (I recommend British Jazz Apples myself)

[Broadback]

For the edible variery I prefer Brambleys for cooking and cox's for eating raw.

[pctech]

Cox's are also beautiful and yes indeed you can't beat Bramleys in a pie or crumble.

Damn I could eat some apple crumble now 

As for your other issue I'm sure an Apple expert will be along shortly.

[Gary]

Try one out, its simple yes there are bugs in Lion but its very secure, you don't really need any extra tools to start apart from what comes in the box, no defragging, use what browser you want, built in 720p webcams on new iMacs, Pages which is Apples version of word is £9 from the online store, works well you can save documents as Word documents, for the average user its intuitive and does what you need if not the built in text editor is fine. A great Calendar, address book, dictionary, simple email client, yes there are things that bug me, but there are things that bug me about Windows and Linux and Googles set ups. My 67 year old mother picked an iMac booted it up entered her details and was online at the finish of the setup safely! She worked out how to browse the net, Sort out emails, no worries updating drivers, etc as its all in house. You don't need to understand a computer to use a Mac which for most people is all the want, my mother loves hers I quite like mine as well really now its sorted. The machines do look amazing you pay for aesthetics  (that is important to some) Its a striking piece of technology not just a black/white or grey box. OS X runs very well, she needs no extra programs to do what she needs its all built in The Mac comes with a very comprehensive package of Apple applications and no third party junk trial apps to remove. That for most is a great experience.  Customer service is very good, very helpful and on the ball, I will say CS is one of my big beefs with some companies, Apple are excellent at this.

Some here have a hatred of Apple, but try a machine out for yourself, I went from being an Apple hater to loving my iPhone and tbh tried Android etc out and the phone just works without me having to tinker, if that's what you want in an operating system you have it on a Mac. You also have a great store to buy applications that work well with your Mac, all downloaded no box sets etc and you can re download if you need to. You have Time machine built in to back up your computer every hour to an external drive, so if you need to grab an image you deleted from yesterday, an email or document or reinstall your whole system you can easily, with a great graphical interface. In lion documents are saved also in what is called versions. Sound quality is good, I have an old set of Z2300 Logitechs  connected and it sounds amazing, better than many PC's unless you have a soundcard installed. The built in Intel High definition gives you 192 kHz/32-bit quality and you have an optical output and it is compatible with the optical input of  pretty much any 7.1 system so long as you get an appropriate fibre optic cable.  You have two 20 watt amps built in for each speaker as well. The screen on say an iMac is IPS LED backlit, great viewing angles superb clarity.

There is much more, Thunderbolt connections etc loads on the OS I have missed, but try one, don't listen to the Haters or fanboys just decide if you like what you see and get someone in a shop (resellers are less evangelical than Apple stores) to show you what the machines can do and decide if that what you need, there are even free classes in store to help you get the most from your machine.

[pctech]

I was just joking Gary.

[D-Dan]

Try one out, its simple yes there are bugs in Lion but its very secure, you don't really need any extra tools ........

Or install Linux on any PC, get everything Gary has described, and it's scot free

[TheMonkey]

Or install Linux on any PC, get everything Gary has described, and it's scot free

Linux on a PC can't be compared to OSX on an iMac. Thats just madness.

[Gary]

I was just joking Gary.

I was just saying...Mitch 

[Gary]

Or install Linux on any PC, get everything Gary has described, and it's scot free

Linux is great but for my mum....OS X is plug and play, Linux not so much. We just get what we needs, no rights or wrongs