Hi since the release of the Mac Mini im am interested in switching over (spyware & viruses has made windows a lot less fun)

However there are a few things im interested in knowing

If the mac proved successful i would like to get a Mac Laptop, i currently use my Windows Laptop for the following and was wondering if there are similar apps which i could use (i know i could google the info, but i find ppl who use the macs / pc's etc.. know the in's and out's)

Act! 6 Client Contact management - i have looked on their site and they don't seem to have a mac version. Is there anything where i can have a database of clients (names, address, phones, mobiles) and add entries, such as phone calls taken, notes etc..

Database - I use Delphi, MSDE and Access to make small database driven apps. I know i can get Filemaker on the Mac, however at the begining of the test i don't want to spend too much money in case i dont' get on. I checked the site and filemaker is a little expensive (filemaker pro 7). Is there a cheap Microsoft Access type database system?

Word and Excel - im not too woried regarding this as i know there is a Mac version of office. However i noted in another post that open office is available on the Mac, if this software any good. The PC version works fine and im just wondering how well the Mac translation is.

Wirless networking - Can you connect apples to other wireless networks apart from the airport system? Would my Netgear DG Wireless router work?

Microsoft Exchange Server - We currently use a Microsoft Exchange 2000 server, is there any software which can fully connect to the server (calendar, contacts etc..) or is it just pop3 access?

Many thanks

I'm new to the area too, but here's some info I remember.

Wireless: Yes, if you've got a wireless base, say, 802.11g then the mac would need 802.11g also (as long as the protocols match).
Office: Yes. Microsoft's MAC Site

DJM - Avoid calling Mac's "MAC", or you'll have someone jump on you.. MAC as you know, is acronym for something completely different to Apple's line of computers.

networking is easier on mac than on windows, my roomie has a windows laptop, it was frustrating making it work on my airport network.. stupid windows...

and as far as I know anything that is in some way office related mac has a version for somewhere.. check out download.com in the mac section. or http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/ and look around.

also check out apple.com and look at their sofware section you can see what is available there.

go with the mac. its so easy, I switched from pc to mac. i will NEVER go back to windows. NEVER

Oops, but yeah, sorry about that - I should of said:

"Microsoft's Mac OS X Area" <-- or something to that effect.

Here are some CRM packages.

Steps to connect mac with wireless card to unprotected Wifi G network.
1. Turn on Airport extreme card
2. Select network.
3. There is no step three.

Steps to connect mac with wireless card to protected WiFI G network.
1. Turn on Airport extreme card
2. Select network.
3. Enter passphrase/hex code
4. There is no step 4.

I use a DLink "G" router.

If they would enable IMAP support on exchange and Outlook web access, you can use either Mail.app and address book (included with OS X) or MS Entourage (included with MS Office)..

Thanks guys sorry i haven't posted sooner, these posts are pushing me closer to getting a Mac, as soon as some funds appear i will order one. I downloaded the keynote speech from Jobs and i have managed to get 30mins in.

The Versiontracker web site is a good one which im having a good look around.

The wireless setup sounds good, so i don't have to worry about that side.

If i get any more problems i know where to come

Thanks