Macbook advice/help
Ok. Right now im using a Sony Vaio. Its a nice computer but it has very short battery life and has a few problems that I just cant stand. I am able to but a new computer and need to know from current macbook users if the macbook is the right option for me.
So, im going to tell you what I use my Sony Vaio for and please let me know on your opinions. I am currently looking at the macbook that is the step below the black one so... here goes:
Right now, I currently use my laptop for:
MSN
Internet Browsing
Listening to music while doing EVERYTHING
Taking it with me everywhere
Playing World of Warcraft (my current laptop can play it at maximum settings very well and I am curious as to what kind of performance the macbook gives for this game)
Typing
Connecting to the internet wirelessly
and I have a Logitech MX518 gaming Mouse that I absolutely love, however it has about a bajillion buttons on it and one of the things I disliked about the macs is the one button mouse. Is it possible and not hard to use a two button mouse in the sort of way I use it on Windows?
Also, if I was multitasking (running MSN/itunes/World of Warcraft) how would the computer with a gig of ram operate? Will it have problems switching between programs? Can I switch between WoW and MSN with any sort of ease? Or will this slow my computer down to unbearable speeds?
thank you in advance for help/opinons/advice
Windows XP
Windows XP
Hi eric -
Hope I can answer a few questions...
MSN - it's def. not the same experience - Mac's MSN client is about 4 years behind Windows ...no video OR audio. There are a few 'make-shift' IM clients that simulate MSN for the Mac but they don't measure up in my opinion. I've installed Windows XP on a separate partition (yes, you can run your Macbook as a full blown PC) because it allows me to install MSN Messenger Live natively ...with audio/video/winks/games etc. so I can keep in touch with those Windows people out of province. There are however GREAT! IM clients for mac - Adium and iChat are the obvious.
Internet browsing is effortless - Safari is Apple's version of IE however most people use a Mozilla build such as Firefox or Camino for a better web experience.
itunes on a Mac ...well, it won't get any better than that.
It is portable so yes, you can take it anywhere.
For WoW ...see this post and this forum
Typing ...I like the keyboard - however I think most people are 50/50 about it.
Wireless internet is no problem.
Most mouse's will work to varying degrees - it's best to check with the maker for OS X compatibility.
Having just given you the PC-Mac breakdown on the points you mentioned, keep in mind there are MANY more things about the Mac that you can't really experience/understand until you actually get into the system for yourself. Mac's native applications work seamlessly with one another, the System is more user friendly and the book itself has options that you won't find in the Windows world.
The nice thing for a PC switcher is of course Apples Bootcamp ...it lets you run your Macbook as a Windows XP laptop - and at the switch of a startup disc your back into Mac OS X.
Macbook 1.8-) Mac OS X (10.4.8) Week 38 base model w/1G Ram
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You've got a nice project to keep you busy over the xmas!
1. You MUST first make space on the disk - you're in immediate danger of a very serious OS crash if you don't. The fastest way to do this is to move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external disk:
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Switching from a PC to a Macbook please help!
I have never owned a Mac but I'm very interested in switching to either a Macbook Pro or an air, I was kind of hoping some of you current mac owners could help me out?
Currently I'm using an Acer Aspire 5740-6491 which is a great laptop IMO except the batter isn't impressive and it's a pain to travel with.
I mainly use my computer for basic stuff, I'm not a gamer so my usage consists of: browsing the web, MS Office, Skype, downloading music, and watching some netflix/videos.
Here are a few questions I have that hopefully you can help me out with and also please feel free to chime in about which one would be the better fit for me (air or pro).
1) Pro has a built in disc drive while air doesnt. Pardon my ignorance but how would I install programs (for example MS Office) on an air?
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Any advice would be great. I've done some homework and it looks like the Air has a better display that the Pro (from a glare standpoint) but the Pro has more power and a better HD webcam built in which is a plus since I skype often so I'm on the fence. I look forward to reading some feedback, thanks in advance!1) Most software is now available for download from its developer's or online vendors' web sites. For software that has to be installed from discs, there's an accessory external drive for the Air.
2) Yes, very similar.
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Hi,
I currently have a G5 Powermac (dual 2.7 with 8GB RAM), outputting via a GeForce 6800 Ultra to 2 x 24" monitors via DVI. It is used predominantly for music (Logic) and Video (Final Cut).
I am considering 'upgrading' to a Macbook Pro but have a couple of questions first...
Is the Macbook Pro going to be noticably faster and quieter than my trusty G5?
Can the Macbook Pro ouput to my 2 monitors? (The monitors have VGA, DVI and HDMI connections if this offers options.)
To clarify, I don't want to use the Macbook's display as one of my screens - I want to use my dual monitor system already in place.
Sadly, I can't afford a Mac Pro
Thanks.Look at the evidence, Shootist...you were hardly overy-helpful or supportive.
Saying "Time to start saving for a Mac Pro" when I'd already posted that I couldn't afford one was plain idiotic. Then, to mention iMacs was even worse, since I'd made it abundantly clear that I wanted to use my existing screens.
Your Thunderbolt/USB combination comment is outdated and, had you done a Google search, you'd know that desktop extending IS possible at 1080p.
Then, you were plain rude, with "I'm sorry what did you not understand about my above post..."
I thought I responded very politely, and am still doing so. Maybe you should reconsider some of your contributions. If it's not helpful or accurately informative...don't bother. Just saying "no" is not much use to anyone. You should offer reasons or alternatives with positive and negatives attached. Manners cost nothing.
Do you really think I haven't searched Google already? I came here for some more specialist help/advice and to maybe learn from others who've encountered similar requirements and have overcome the issue to a satisfactory outcome.
Since no-one else has contributed, I will assume there are no satisfactory tried/tested solutions.
I am amazed that this hasn't been tried, though...
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/?productTabs=1
Still, anyone else's comments would be more than welcomed. -
Ok, I currently have use my Mom's dell and have been using it since Decemer when my 4 year old Alienware desktop broke. I will be going away to college in September and am set on buying a MacBook. I will only use this MacBook for about a year and then give it to my mom and buy a MacBook with Merom and hopefully a discrete video card. I have a few questions however.
I am set on the Black 2.0 ghz Macbook but I was wondering if I should upgrade the Harddrive to 100gb from 80gb. How much room does OS X take up and how much do room do you guys think I need. Also I would be able to go to Apple Store to buy it if I go stock and can also return it if it is faulty.
Ram wise I will be getting 512 from Apple. But I want to upgrade to 2gb immediately and I was thinking about going Crucial but I have heard that I can get it somewhere else for cheaper but I would rather get better quality and pay more. Could anyone enlighten me about these retailers.
I will be purchasing Apple Care as well.
Finally, I am thinking of holding off my purchase until later in the summer for 2 reasons: I have heard that Apple has a back to school sale and could someone enlighten me further about that. The second reason is that maybe some of the problems such as heat and noises can be ironed out if I order it later(if anyone has a MacBook could they please tell me about these problems I have heard of). Do you think they will be upgraded at all by September because I am a little hesitant about integrated graphics. But, I also want to get OS X ASAP.
Thanks for your time,
JulianIt's hard to give you accurate, helpful advice without knowing what you plan to use your MacBook for.
If you plan on using the iLife apps, for videos/pictures/music/etc, more HD space is a plus. But, I think 80GB will be fine. My previous 3-1/2 year old PC came standard with 114GB of HD space, and I used about 10GB. I'm pretty conservative, plus I really don't have a reason to hog up all my HD space (although with this brand new iMac, I'm finding reasons). So, I honestly think that 80GB will be enough. But, if you want to be sure/plan to use this thing to the max, 100GB wouldn't be a waste of money.
As far as memory goes... Purchase your desired 2 gigs from Other World Computing. They offer cheap, guaranteed compatible RAM for any Mac; you actually choose which Mac you have, and they list compatible memory modules. I purchased a gig from them at $141 with shipping. Compared to Apple's rates, that's a steal.
If you're not desperate for your own Mac right now, waiting a bit longer to give Apple some time to sort out initial issues isn't a bad idea, but I doubt you'll be disappointed if you purchase a MacBook now. Concerning the integrated/poor graphics support... Eh, yeah... If you plan on gaming, don't buy a MacBook, really; it'd be a waste of money. It comes with an non-upgradeable 64MB of shared RAM, and a grade D Intel GPU.
Other than the graphics support, the MacBook is a solid machine. If you really want OS X, buy it now. If you can afford to wait, it couldn't hurt, but it's not going to provide that much better results.
Enjoy your MB!
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