I’m thinking of switching

Hi there!

Mac computers can read Windows formatted disks (NTFS), but cannot write to them. Unfortunately, you cannot reformat to a Mac file system (APFS) without destroying all data on the disk.

My suggestion would be to purchase two new external disks:

• Use one, formatted as APFS, to move your data from the other external disks formatted as NTFS to it so you can read and write data to them and store new data.
• Use another, formatted as APFS, to use as a Time Machine backup disk for your Mac and the other external disk listed above.

Apple sells a variety of external disks for Mac.

Storage - Mac Accessories - Apple

Jack

Yes it is easy to migrate your data files. The easiest I found is simply copy the files/folders to an external HD. When you get the Mac connect the External Hard Disk and drag the files to the Mac.

To make it REALLY easy if you have photos to migrate (or Excel or Word or others)simply put the files in a folder by that name (for example Photographs) and when you connect the External Hard Disk to the Mac drag the folder to the corresponding app on the Mac’s Dock. Using the Photographs example simply drag the Photographs folder on the External Hard Disk to the Photos app icon on the Mac’s Dock and all your photos will be migrated to the Mac and also imported into the Photos app on the Mac so you can organize, edit and share them as you desire.

Dead simple , you can find LOTS of resources available to you, simple use Google to begin finding them!!!

Unless the files are part of some kind of software that requires specific software to be installed, you can still access your files.

See this Apple document: Move your data from a Windows PC to a Mac - Apple Support

Additionally here's some information to study before switching: There is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN* or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  

There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   

Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.

There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  

*Also, unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they aprovide false secutiry from a privacy standpoint.  Read these two articles: Public VPN's are anything but private and Former Malware Distributor Kape Technologies Now Owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Zenmate, and a Collection of VPN “Review” Websites.