Since I wrote this tutorial I have switch to Rarify. SimplyRAR is for the Noob who needs to RAR a file NOT someone who compresses files all the time

If you're like me an hate command prompt interfaces then WinRAR for Mac is something you'd hate. Since I am an uploader on several sites, switching to Mac was really not a great idea. But there are ways to get around not having a PC to RAR files. This is the easiest way in my opinion. If you don't agree then write your own goddamn tutorial

For the first step, go to http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/21430/simplyrar and download SimplyRAR.

Once downloaded, open the .DMG file and drag SimplyRAR in to your Applications folder.

Open SimplyRAR.



Since you need to compress a file, drag a file/folder in to the area with gray and white lines.

Note: I have no picture for this as my picture is over 600px wide

Now, at the bottom where it says "Compression Method" change it to "Best" as that will give you the smallest archive. It also means it'll take longer to compress a file, so keep that in mind.



When you are ready to create the RAR file, go up to the top left corner of the program and click "Create RAR."



SimplyRAR will ask for you to name the RAR file. Once you have named it, press "Make."



Once your RAR file has finished being made, SimplyRAR will have a box that will look the following:



Congratulations you have learned the art of creating a RAR file in Mac OS X.

*NOTE* If you decide to Split the Archive then do not select "User Defined" as it DOES NOT WORK.

Now that I taught you how to archive in the RAR format you are probably wondering. "Hey. Totalled. How do I unarchive these files I just made."

Well there are two programs I recommend.

The first would be UnRarx. http://www.unrarx.com/
Its pretty self explanatory. Just right click the RAR file and click "Open With..." then find the Application where you have put it.

The second program I would recommend is The Unarchiver. http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/apps/unarchiver.html

It can do much more than RAR files. Its available in the Mac App Store via the link above. To use it you'll select the Application by right clicking the RAR file and clicking "Open With..."

I agree. I looked at the new Ultrabooks today at a Best Buy and then went over to look at the Macs. They did not impress me in the least bit.

Great Tutorial for you poor Mac People. I really feel sorry for you guys.

Another solution is to just install Windows on your Mac. I find Apple's business ways quite obsurd; selling the same hardware in PC's and Laptops. What is the purpose of selling it at double or triple the price of a PC? Because the operating system is surely not worth 3-400 dollars extra. Same with the iPad.

Well Giantsteen, this is the "Im to lazy to install Windows" method. I actually do have Windows install on this machine. I just happen to use Mac OS quite a bit more since I use PhotoShop, Final Cut Pro, etc.



I've yet to see something my Mac couldn't do, personally. Today I have done homework, created a video, played Portal 1/2, played Minecraft, FaceTime'd someone, seeded torrents and talked in IRC. These are all things I could have done on Windows. I just find that the interface is much easier to use. Yes. I know. Hackintosh. But I've never had a really good experience with it.

I actually have a MacBook Pro. Its not an "ultrabook" but its fairly light and amazing. I've yet to have a single problem. I spent the same on it for my HP laptop I got in 2009. Within the first 6 months I sent my HP laptop in 3 times. I've yet to even had to think about taking my laptop to the Apple store.

Way to go *completely off the point* man. If he wanted such a solution, I'm sure he wouldn't *have* invested that 3-400$ extra in the first place.

On that note though it's the same exact reason Rolex watches and Gucci handbags cost more than their counterparts. It is a status symbol, you don't usually get a well built, *very* sturdy aluminum piece of sexyness from Joe's Laptops. If you're also looking for a stable, well built Desktop *nix environment that can do just about everything *and* Microsoft Office, you're only going to find that with OS X. Desktop Linux, as much as I would love to run it, has a long way to go still before I would. Sure you could hackintosh, but it's not reliable at all (and before you ask, I go *years* before reformatting my systems).

Totalled: I'm a Keka fan, but to each his own. It's mostly drag+drop which I like. However, I never use it for much beyond expanding. Also, congrats on the switch =)

Isn't there WinRAR for Macs. Its not free, but they still let you use it after the trial or at least they do on Windows.

On Mac its only command prompt.

I hate command prompt.

I dont suck at using them. They make sense but they take longer to get through.

Ill write a tutorial for Rarity later as it uses WinRAR for mac but it gives it a GUI

Uh, as much as I agree with Macs and iDevices mainly being associated with being a status symbol, some people like myself have a legitimate reason to use a Mac. I own a couple and use them often in a few studios nearby (they are excellent platforms for Pro Tools). Macs are great in the field they should stay in, and that's multimedia development. Some of you may disagree and be like BUT LOL YOU CAN USE IT ON A PC AND VEGAS IS ON PC LOLOL, but the general opinion in this professional field is that Macs make superior jobs of these either marginally or greatly. Each to their own if someone prefers to use Vegas over Final Cut Pro for example, but I prefer Pro Tools on the OSX platform, despite it's availability for Windows.
</rant about Mac vs Windows fanboys/haters/chickens>
(This is a thread to discuss RARs on Macs, not bash Macs).
Just thought I'd chip in and suggest UnRarX if you need a quick util to extract RARs. It's worked excellently for me.

I agree soulman. UnRarX is what I use to unRAR RAR's. I also use The Unarchiver. Both are excellent and I probably should mention that in the original post.

Yeah, I highly recommend The Unarchiver--it's able to handle any archive I've thrown at it even when the built in OS X archive utility has failed.

I use "Archiver". Works as good as the default system one, only supports more formats.

I actually prefer Stuffit Expander for decompressing, it has been in this platform from the starts and it's free.
Apple should include it with every new computer like they did before.