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Apple to Windows...Questions

Currently running a 24" iMac bought new in 2008 and I've recorded a ton of LPs to .aiff files via Audacity which now reside in iTunes. Due to financial setbacks/major life changes I doubt very much that this computer system will be replaced with another Mac when it eventually fails. How seamlessly can I expect the transfer and utilization of these music files to be going to, say, a $600 (new) Windows machine? Currently I'm using a fairly basic wireless setup for music consisting of computer>Airport Extreme>Airport Express>stereo receiver/speakers in which iTunes is controlled by the "Remote" app on my cell phone. The info I've encountered via Google search thus far hasn't been fully explanatory...Any input/advice here would be welcome.
lg1
altbrewer
24 posts
 
The current version of Windows Media Player will play AIFF files, but I don't know if there is a remote app for WMP to use on a cell phone.

The most important thing for making the transition will be for your audio files to be on a medium that can be read by Windows - not the standard Macintosh file format. I suggest backing up your audio files on DVD or on an external drive that has been formatted in a Windows compatible format. The Mac can format a drive as MSDOS(FAT) or ExFAT using Disk Utility, and you will be able to save files to a disk formatted this way.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
You can get a copy of Max (freeware for Mac) here, and do bulk conversion of your AIFF files to FLAC, or most other formats that are PC-friendly. Max is also (arguably) a better ripping software than iTunes. It uses CD Paranoia for error correction, which is much more vigorous that iTunes in that respect. In some instances I've had audibly better rips from Max than from iTunes. Good luck with your transition. I'd agree with Albert about backing up, which should be routine for everyone regardless of their circumstances. Always a good idea to have a backup off site too if possible.
paul121
3 posts
 
Why not just replace it with a $600 Mac Mini and avoid any possible issues?

However, iTunes runs just fine on Windows and will play anything in your curent iTunes library. You just have to copy the media over and your iTunes library, and you are "in business."

-Paul
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