The majority of the computer-using world chooses between Mac and PC computers, with loyal customers on each side of the fence. With rapidly changing technology, sometimes computer users find themselves having to cross over. For example, if you are a dedicated Mac user, you might need to check your email while on vacation, and you might discover that the library only provides PCs. Fortunately, there are ways to access your Mac email on a PC.

Mac and PC Email Programs

Your Mac most likely came with a program called "Mail" already installed if you have Mac OS X. This does not mean it's your only email option for the Mac computer. Research other Mac programs that also run on PC to determine which works best for you. That way, you can easily read your emails on a PC if necessary. Some popular programs that run on Mac and PC include: Mozilla Thunderbird, Eudora, Mailsmith and Outlook Express.

Online Sites

When you use an email program, there is a way to leave your messages on the server. Simply go the account settings and select this option under your send and receive settings. This way you can access sites such as Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail straight from the Internet, and all your emails will still be there. All you have to do is go to the email site and put in your password and user name on and Mac or PC. In these account settings you have the option of deleting message from the server immediately (in which case you can't read your email from a PC) or deleting the messages after a certain period of time (this prevents the online email box from getting too cluttered) or keeping the messages on the server forever, which makes the messages always accessible from a PC.

IMAP

Set up an IMAP server to transfer emails and folders from a Mac to a PC so you can read your email on the PC. Download a program such as hMailServer, then add a fake domail and user. Add your IMAP account to your Mac and PC using the PC's IP address, then drag and drop all the emails and folders you want to transfer into the IMAP inbox. Once they are in the inbox, drag and drop them off the box to their destination on the PC.

Source:

BBGeeks.com on Gmail

Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.: Forum on Email Export

More Information:

Free Email Server for Microsoft Windows