I have a question I don't think I've seen covered in the forums yet. I hope I use the correct terminology and that this question makes sense.

I was checking out Apple computers today and was talking to the guy at Best Buy and telling him I wanted to start a home-based business. He said the Apple computers are not able to "connect with client's servers/programs". Do some of you connect with your clients servers to say, pull reports, process payroll, etc. and, if so, can you do this on a Mac or do you have to have a PC (non-Mac computer)? How many of you have a PC vs. a Mac?

Thanks in advance for your help. I really love the look of the Mac and all that it offers and I've heard wonderful things about it but sure don't want to buy one if I won't be able to perform certain functions.

PS - I don't have my own VA business yet but am deep into the research phase. Also, by "programs" I'm not referring to MS windows-based programs.

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Sandy

Hi Sandy, I don't have first-hand experience with this issue, but thought you might find some info and insight in the Mac Virtual Assistants part of the forums.

Good luck making your decision!

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Thanks Tess. I'll check it out. I find it hard to believe in this day and age that it won't work but, one never knows.

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Sandy

Hi Sandy. Although I don't have a Mac either(I wish I had) but I would like that using a web based program such as google or officezilla or zoho would do the trick. However I would look out what Tess suggested too.

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Marian Carter
Don't say " I should've had a VA"

Sandy,

I do have a Mac, and while I'm not set up as a VA yet, I can still somewhat answer your question.

Using my Mac, I am able to connect and work off of my FT office server easily. That is, I can open and work off the files on the server.

I also use logmein.com to connect to my work PC and can work off of it virtually, although it is rather slow and tedious.

In addition, the newer Macs have an Intel chip, which allow you to run Windows. You'd have to purchase Windows separately, but I do find it is worth it. You can either use Apple's free Bootcamp software, which allows you to either start up your computer as Mac or Windows, or one of the other software options Fusion and Parallels, which allow you to run Windows virtually WHILE logged into your Mac. I find Bootcamp and the one operating system at a time to be easiest to maneuver and less confusing. I use this sometimes as well.

There are definitely ways to do it!

Carmen

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www.carmenolivo.com