10 Tips for Managing a Mixed Mac and PC Environment

Updated: July 20, 2010

My 10 tips for you:

1. Become familiar with the ins and outs of both Mac and PC especially where one lacks some capability. Both can use SMB networking but the PC has difficulty with an Appletalk network.

2. Often times software is made for both platforms and if so, take care to test interoperability under your conditions as the filesystems on Mac and PC are different.

3. VNC remote desktops are standard items available for both platforms and should be kept in mind should that serve a need.

4. Consider using ssh tunneled X terms to access some server resource.

5. Keep track of the allocation of Mac and PC for software licenses, intranet device tracking and maps, etc. You should know who has which platform in order to plan operations.

6. Keep the support staff trained on both in terms of repair, and security issues. They should be given one of each to use so interop problems can be duplicated and rectified.

7. You can run virtual PC on a Mac or even dual boot a Mac into Windows.

8. Do not assume interoperability based on advertising, test it well in advance.

9. Plan a few steps down the road so that upgrading both is always possible and you are not left with a "dead" platform.

10. Develop a user training program and documents that allow for the most efficient operations possible.