I am about to start a project - yes another one! - which involves using a Mac and the Apple website.  I have to insert some photographs which I have on my PC in jpeg format.  My daughter has just bought herself a new Mac laptop and says I can use it to do the job so I don't have to buy one myself.

My question is, how to get the photographs on to the Mac?  I have a 1 Terabyte external drive which has the photos in it - with a USB plug on it.  Can I plug it into Kate's Mac?  Do they have USB ports?

Will there be compatibility issues?  I know there have been with Lokprogrammers and the like.  All help will be appreciated.

Cheers  Max

. . . supplementary question.  Do they have ethernet ports?  I thought I might be able to plug it into my router to save her download allowance.

Cheers

Simple.  Mac and PC both recognise jpg / jpeg files so if you place the required files onto a USB stick and take them from one computer to the other it all works.

What will not work is trying to load the files from iPhoto on your Mac.  That is configured to prevent direct copying so you must physically copy any files stored there one by one via the desktop or another location first.  I keep mine as image files in a document folder which I find to be easier.

Macs will recognise Quick Time and similar PC-based image management software and in some cases will display the image just as per the PC or in others will ask for the Mac version of the program to be downloaded first.  What you get depends on what software (and which version) is on your Mac already.

Any Mac except the Mac Book Air (the slimline laptop) will have USB ports and it should be possible to use a router and ethernet cable as an alternative.

We transfer images all the time.  Mac desktop and Mac laptop to and from PC desktop.  No problems.  You can also email them between the different systems without issues.

Rick said it all and more :thumbs

So far, all good, Thanks lads.  Now about the ether net plug.  If I bring the Mac here can I plug it into my router and save Kate's download useage?

I am told by a higher authority on these things that it should work as you intend.

Why the issue with the download limits?  I can understand that may apply if you are emailing lots of big images but surely not if you are simply plugging in an external device and dragging images off that.  

As I understand a download limit this applies to data served from a third party to your computer by internet and not to any other data input.

I have to go to the Apple website and use one of their generic software packs.  The process could take me an hour or so and I don't want to use Kate's download time.  She has a wireless broadband stick and it's very expensive compared to my landline internet access.

I'm on unfamiliar ground here, so I could be making incorrect assumptions.  Bear with me, mate.  Thanks for your help so far.  Cheers.  Max

No worries Max.  At least I understand the reason for the download issues now.  We used a wireless stick on our Mac laptop while visiting the UK which proved to be extremely helpful and a much better bet than relying on accommodation which has a plug-in facility.

At home my Mac is on cable and the laptop has a dongle.

Thanks, Rick.  I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. :thumbs