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ForumsWith the Apple Mac’s breaking 8% of the market share at the end of 2007, it has become something us PC technicians can no longer ignore. With Windows Vista being such a poor product, more and more users are switching to Apple Macs. Many of us with pre-established computer repair businesses should expect to see many more Macs on our work bench.
As for techies just entering the IT field, having a Apple certification is a great way to make you stand out from the rest. If you look at any business that does some sort of design work, you can bet they have at least one Apple computer, or even all of them as Macs. So what certifications are out there and how do we get them? Read on.
ACMT - Apple Certified Macintosh Technician Certification
The Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) certification verifies the ability to perform basic troubleshooting and repair of both desktop and portable Macintosh systems, such as iMac MacBook Pro. ACMT certification exams emphasize identifying and resolving common OS X problems, and using Apple Service and Support products and practices to effectively repair Apple hardware.
Required Exams for this Certification:
- Apple Macintosh Service Exam (9L0-006)
- Mac OS X v10.5 Troubleshooting Exam (9L0-061)
Available Training:
- AppleCare Technician Training - Self-paced online program including training materials and diagnostic tools
- Apple Authorized Training Center - 2 to 5 day courses containing lectures, demonstrations and hands-on lab exercises
- Global Service Exchange - Self-paced training materials (only available to technicians employed by AASP’s and SSP’s)
ACSP - Apple Certified Support Professional
Required Exams for this Certification:
- Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-402)
Available Training:
- Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Course (Mac OS 101)
- Self-Paced Apple Learning Books
- Skills Assessment Guide
- Sample Test
ACTC - Apple Certified Technical Coordinator
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC) certification verifies a foundation in Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server core functionality and an ability to configure key services and perform basic troubleshooting of the essential Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server capabilities. The currently required exams are based on Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server v10.5.
Required Exams for this Certification:
- Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-402)
- Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-509)
Available Training:
- Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Course
- Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Course
- Self-Paced Apple Learning Books
- Skills Assessment Guide
- Sample Test
ACSA - Apple Certified System Administrator
Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) 10.5 certification verifies an in-depth knowledge of Apple technical architecture and an ability to install and configure machines; architect and maintain networks; enable, customize, tune, and troubleshoot a wide range of services; and integrate Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, and other Apple technologies within a multi-platform networked environment. ACSA certification is intended for full-time professional system administrators and engineers who manage medium-to-large networks of systems in complex multiplatform deployments.
Required Exams for this Certification:
- Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-509)
- Directory Services v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)
- Advanced Administration v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)
- Deployment v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)
Available Training:
- Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Course
- Self-Paced Apple Learning Books
- Skills Assessment Guide
- Sample Test
Pro Applications Certification
Apple certification programs create a benchmark for assessing users’ proficiency in Apple’s professional applications.
By passing certification exams, you become an Apple Certified Pro for a chosen application (eg. Final Cut Pro). You can then follow the path to Master Pro Certification by passing additional required exams. Or become certified to deliver Apple’s curriculum as an Apple Certified Trainer or Master Trainer.
Required Exams for this Certification:
- Depends on the application you specialize in. Here is the list of the applications.
Available Training:
How To Take The Exams:
1. Sign up for a Apple Tech ID if you dont already have one.
2. Find an Apple Authorized Training Center or a Prometric Testing Center
3. Register for your exams based on the certification you would like to attain.
Does anyone here already have one or more of these certifications? Drop us a comment.
Their market share status will return to its normal 3% to 5% as soon as Gates and his cronies get Vista on track.
In the early days of XP, Microsoft struggled to get it right and Mac sales increased….only to drop again as XP became more reliable.
Besides, its a much more complicated issue than just operating systems….
How much can actually be done to a MAC upgrade wise? Are they similar to PC’s once the tops off?
An Apple/Mac are a PC, Person Computer, however today we call a Windows based system a PC. So yes its got the same basic upgrade path HDD, RAM, Optical Drive, and now with Intel CPU’s you can probly do that as well.
Well, I’ve already received my Red Delicious certification, and I’m currently working on my Granny Smith…. oh.. wrong apples.
That joke seemed a lot funnier as I was typing it.
I really don’t know if Apple certification is needed in my area… Anyone notice an increase in MAC users in smaller towns? I honestly haven’t had a customer yet who uses one. I could see them being more prevalent in larger populations.
At the University I work for we service apple machines. I just finished my recertification requirements for the ACMT exams last week. As far as upgrading them goes, they have standard hard drives and ram. Being able to run Windows on the machine very easily with bootcamp has helped their market share alot.I am not sure if there is a demand for Apple Certifications in the business world very much though, they are still used alot in higher education and k-12 though.
Same vendor fair at a local community.
Two years ago — maybe one person asked if we did Apple/Mac
Last year — maybe 3 people asked
Yesterday — more than a dozen
I just ordered the online course. There are NO apple cert techs in this county…
Certainly you need to determine if the cost of the cert is worth it to your business, but I believe it can be advantageous. Especially if you are one of the few options in town for Mac repair…the “Genius Bar” at Apple charges an awful lot and doesn’t always live up to the name, if you catch my drift.
I didn’t realise so much could be done to a Mac, does the same go for the mac Latops agaisnt the traditional Windows based ones?
Macs can not be upgraded like a windows machine can.
Basic components can be changed out - Hard Drive, RAM and an occasional Video Card (it has to be a video card made specifically for a macintosh though)
If you are wanting a computer that you can customize, then get a windows machine, they are fully customizable, macs are not.
A few things to consider.
SLI or Cross Fire
Windows - Yes
Mac - No
Processor Upgrading
Windows - Yes
Mac - Very Limited if at all
Motherboard upgrading
Windows - Yes
Macintosh - Buy a new computer
RAM Upgrades
Windows - Yes
Macintosh - Yes but different systems have limitations
Hard Drives
Windows - Yes
Macintosh - Yes to an extent (some older systems will only recognize less than 120G and some newer wont recognize over 200G)
Basically - macs are extremely limited in the upgrading department and have a price tag nearly (or in some cases more than) double a windows PC
There is nothing a mac can do nowdays that a PC can’t do with the exception of running final cut studio (it’s not made for Windows) but there are options just as good as final cut out there for video producers if needed.
I am an ACMT (Apple Certified Macintosh Technician) and have worked on thousands of Apple computers over the years.
Another drawback to macintosh is the repair cost.
Compare this
A Windows PC has a DVD/CD Burner go out.
You want to replace it? Newegg.com - $30 for a new one (with lightscribe) and ANYONE can install it, just unplug the old, plug in the new and turn the computer on, no drivers needed, no software to install.
Same Quality DVD/CD rom in an apple goes out - $250 minimum for the part (after the retail markup at an apple store, you can’t order this unless you are an apple certified repair facility) and then you have labor on top of that (usually an hour) to have them put it in.
The drive in a mac is no better than one in the windows machine, yet it costs literally 8 times as much for the part.
We had a customer come in (video producer) and bought a Mac Pro from us, wanted 16G of RAM in it.
If we had gotten the RAM from apple, he would have paid about $4,000 MORE than what we got it for him by using 3rd party RAM.
The operating system is great, but the price increase and extremely limited technology/upgradability does not justify the cost of buying a mac in my opinion.
Waaaaaooooooo
this last one stunt me, I had to read it twice to make sure the man who is talking here is ACMT him self.
Thanks for input I started with PC and I think I will end it by PC but these days is wise to have any thing that can give you advantage over others.
I see if I can start learning more by using the links in this page.
Thanks a lot
What people are not explaining here is that overall Macs are much better machines than PC’s. There parts are more expensive to replace because they don’t break down as much. Apple’s market share might go down a little, but come on people, Apple’s overall share is high because they have better products. Vista is a piece of crap, we all know that, but that’s not the only reason Apple has gone up. PC people you need to open up your minds Apple is here and gonna take even more of the market in years to come.
agreed apple has some very nice stuff I love the OS, also apples are huge in the graphic design area.