Hi Jerry,
I am a newbie to this forum.
Maybe you can get a bit of encouragement from what I have to say here.
I am a Macintosh man myself and retired from gainful employment about 8 yrs ago. I have a MacPlus and SE still in working condition. Up until recently we had at home here 6 Macs networked together. At the present time two are down, an iMac DV and a G3. I am trying to revive a Quadra 605.
Now to your problem. I have used Real PC in the past but recently switched to Virtual PC. If I have a zipped up application I use Stuffit Expander to unzip it, open up Virtual PC, run Windows 98 and drag the application folder on to theWindows desktop and Voila!
For PIC programming, (I am still a learner) I use MacPic which runs on the Quadra or Performer 475 here. However the newer PICs are not handled by MacPic. I have not tried it over USB port, but I read somewhere that the timing on the USB link up doesn't allow it to work.Check
http://www.macrobotics.com/MacPIC/MacPIC.html
for the latest on MacPic.
By the way you did not mention which Mac model you bought. You probably will need to run OS.X for the new MacPIc when it comes.
Never mind doze laughs by the windoze guys. The Mac functions like two computers in one.
I have downloaded several limited versions of PC circuit simulation programs but am still to learn how to use them and interperet the results.
Drop me a private message with your e-mail address and I may be able to send you something(s) of interest.
In the meantime I say to you "illigitimi non carborandi" don't let the bastards wear you down.