- can BF2 and most games like that play on Macs?
With the Boot Camp functionality on the new Intel Macs, you'll be able to use both Windows and OS X on the same machine, so yes, you'll be able to play any PC game on a new Mac. Even though the game section of Macs is rather small in stores, the Mac runs the
top selling games, which doesn't necessarily mean the most famous ones. All the versions of the Sims and whatnot are there, but games with large followings such as Battlefield (which is currently being ported) or Half-Life/Counterstrike don't usually make it due to the cost-effectiveness of porting.
- how about hardware? is it interchangeable?
Not necessarily. RAM and hard-drives, sure. But the Mac desktops take different graphics cards than PCs, especially if you are using an AGP card. They haven't come out with a MacTel desktop yet, (though I have one at work (I'm an Apple Developer)), but when they do, I'm sure most hardware will become interchangeable. Apple makes most of its money on their hardware, so they are going to do what they have to in order to get people to buy their stuff.
- Will programs such as AIM work on macs?
AIM works on a Mac. OS X comes with a built in chat program called iChat, which logs into the AIM and Jabber servers. Other multi-network programs such as Adium are available, plus Yahoo, MSN, ICQ, IRC, etc all work on the Mac.
- what's the difference?
This is a tough, politics driven-issue. The difference is that you can hand-build your PCs with completely customized components, and the Mac hardware and OS is all Apple-based, meaning that they can focus on Hardware/software interoperability a lot better. Macs are generally better when you need a graphics/video/audio workhorse, plus a lot of the graphic design software was initially built to run on a Mac. The difference can be subjective...it really depends on which file-system/Operating system you find more comfortable to use. I personally like Mac OS X a lot more due to the *NIX system base and how easily everything just runs, plus there are currently
No viruses for Mac OS X.
- what if the rest of my family has PCs, can we network?
Sure can. Plug the Mac into a hub with the other PCs and the Mac will instantly recognize everyone on the network. You'll have to configure the PCs to see the Mac, usually, and handle all the necessary file-sharing protocols and whatnot, but there's instant interconnectivity in almost all cases.
- what programs should I get as far as word processors and ?
OpenOffice or NeoOffice. I cannot stress that enough. They open microsoft documents if you have them, and can save out as them if you need to, plus have all of the functionality of Microsoft Office and more. The major difference is that they are
FREE and open source. Otherwise, if you buy a Mac, it will come with Pages, which was formerly known as Appleworks, and functions fairly well as a stand alone word/document creator.
- what is the best mac for beginners/students/not hardcore gamers(but still play games)?
The Desktop G5s will give you all the hardware upgradability you'd need to raise yourself to a hardcore gamer if you want to. A beginning Mac would be any of the Powerbook/Macbook/iBook lines, or the iMac. The iMac is powerful, but not really a total gaming machine. A MacBook running any of the Universal/Intel native programs absolutely SCREAMS in comparison to PowerPC Native programs. Even running Shake, an extremely high-end compositing package that film-houses use, the MacBook can nearly stomp my Dual 2.5GHz G5 into the ground. The MacBook might make a good choice for work and gaming as long as you pay attention to what graphics card/memory it comes with.
- anything else you want to add
I strongly suggest you go to a computer store and try both systems out. Threads like this will always turn into a huge PC's are Better!!!/OMG Macs are better!! clusterfuck with both sides trying to outdo each other. While we can suggest systems to try, it's just going to come back to you making your own personal decision based on your experiences with both platforms.