Does SPSS work on a Mac?

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joetro

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Does SPSS work on a Mac? I'm thinking of buying a new Mac laptop, and I currently have a PC. I know I need to buy MAC's Office as it won't come with it, but will SPSS work? I have an older version on my PC that I don't think I can transfer over, so I'd just have to get a new version or see what the lab has.

Thanks.
 
I'm pretty sure it does (or there is a Mac version if not). If it doesn't, its a bit of a pain in the butt, but you can always install Windows on a Mac as well and switch over when you need SPSS.
 
There is a version of SPSS for the Mac. You have to get the special Mac version. I believe that previously the Mac version lagged behind the Windows version, but I think that has changed with the most recent version, so now you get most of the functionality.

I've also been thinking of going Mac when I replace this computer. Those "I'm a Mac"/ "I'm a PC commercials" are awfully compelling, and Windows can be such a pain sometimes. Anyone know of any pros/ cons?
 
The mac version is now up-to-date in terms of functionality, I believe, but I think it's still "different" in some ways visually (so, screenshots of the PC version may be less useful to a mac user).

Just don't get vista. I think spss runs on it now, but don't get it, anyway. 😛
 
Macs are good if you're not a giant computer nerd.

Windows is better if you are.

At least that's what I've picked up from my own computer work and using friend's computers. Macs are generally MUCH more user friendly, but I'll take a less user friendly computer if it means I can delve into its innards and change things, which is "generally" more feasible to do in Windows (at least as far as I know). Plus, I do some software programming, so Windows is necessary for that too. Or well I guess I should say I DID software programming and WILL in the future. Its been a busy year so the present tense wasn't completely appropriate there😉
Plus, I like the big long hideous Windows errors. They usually tell me exactly what I need to fix. My friend's Mac was famous for producing very user-friendly but very generic "Something, somewhere, isn't working right" errors that are less scary, but also less helpful.

The biggest reason not to do Mac in the past was software compatability, but now that you can dual boot into Windows when you need to, its less of an issue. Unless you're a programmer or just occasionally feel the need to dive into your system registry, Mac is a fine choice.
 
Yes. I have a Mac (and I'm a computer nerd) and SPSS works fine.

I personally would never get another PC...but that's just me 🙂
 
Macs are good if you're not a giant computer nerd.

Windows is better if you are.

At least that's what I've picked up from my own computer work and using friend's computers. Macs are generally MUCH more user friendly, but I'll take a less user friendly computer if it means I can delve into its innards and change things, which is "generally" more feasible to do in Windows (at least as far as I know). Plus, I do some software programming, so Windows is necessary for that too. Or well I guess I should say I DID software programming and WILL in the future. Its been a busy year so the present tense wasn't completely appropriate there😉
Plus, I like the big long hideous Windows errors. They usually tell me exactly what I need to fix. My friend's Mac was famous for producing very user-friendly but very generic "Something, somewhere, isn't working right" errors that are less scary, but also less helpful.

The biggest reason not to do Mac in the past was software compatability, but now that you can dual boot into Windows when you need to, its less of an issue. Unless you're a programmer or just occasionally feel the need to dive into your system registry, Mac is a fine choice.

Even if you are a nerd, Mac's run Unix (essentially) now and as such you can open a unix shell window and be a geek. Yes, there is a Mac version of SPSS.

Mark
 
The mac version is now up-to-date in terms of functionality, I believe, but I think it's still "different" in some ways visually (so, screenshots of the PC version may be less useful to a mac user).

Just don't get vista. I think spss runs on it now, but don't get it, anyway. 😛

I am running SPSS 14 and Vista on my laptop. 0 problems so far.

Mark
 
Thanks, all. I'm definitely not a computer geek, nor am I very knowledgeable (i.e. would have no idea how to switch from Leopard to Windows) but if I get a MAC I'm sure I'll figure it out.
 
Good point, I always forget Mac is unix-based now.
 
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