Need advice - 1st Gen MBP or 2nd Gen MB?

I have been considering crossing over from a PC to an Apple for a long time and have finally made the decision to go for it this year. I do not know a lot about Apple computers so I am hoping to find some solid advice here. I was at CompUSA today and they have a MacBook Pro (MA600LL - 1st generation) on sale for $1299. From what I have researched online this evening it looks like it has the following: 15 inch display, 2.0 GHz CoreDuo processor, 512 MB Ram, 80 GB hard drive, a 4X Superdrive (no DL write capability), and ATI XL1600 w/ 128 MB RAM for video.
The MacBook (MA700LL/A - 2nd generation) that I was looking at is also $1299 and has the following: 13.3 inch display, 2.0 Ghz Core2Duo processor, 1 GB Ram, 80 GB hard drive, a 6X Superdrive (with DL write capability), and 64MB shared video RAM.
I do plan on installing XP on it to play a few of the games that I would like to carry over, but I don't plan on playing a lot of new/intense 3D games on it. I do plan on working with music (writing and recording) and video editing - both in a limited fashion at this time, but possibly more often if I like the software as much as I have been told that I will like it. I will use it for web editing, web browsing, online chatting, photos, e-mail, word processing, and other general things like that on a regular basis.
Could someone please give me some advice as to which model would be a better long term purchase? As I mentioned before I am not very familiar with Apple computers or the OS, however I am very familiar with PC's. Thanks in advance!

You need to answer a few questions:
1. Why a laptop? For the same $ you can get an iMac with better specs
2. Will you be doing anything video intensive? If so, then you won't do well with MB shared video RAM.
3. You will need to boost your RAM on MBP--how much will that add? The 1 GB on the MB should be adequate.
4. What outputs are available and how will you use them?
Personally, I opted for the MBP because I need the bigger screen to work and I wanted the Expresscard/34 slot. If you can live with the smaller screen, don't need a video card and don't need an expresscard/34 slot, then the MB may offer more for the future as it will work better with Leopard when it is released (for $129).
In either case, get Applecare--Don't get any support from the store. In my experience it is much less efficient than applecare.

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New to Mac...Need advice...MBP and My Book external drive

I'm new to Mac. Getting my MBP 2.4GHz/15" in tomorrow and this will be a migration from the Windows world to the Mac world for me. So I need some advice.
I received my My Book Pro 500GB external HDD in today and have a friend's MacBook running the current version of OS X to do any work I need to do to this HDD.
I'm going to have Windows XP Home available via Boot Camp and Parallels (depending on whether I need to run natively or not) in case that matters.
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I'm a little overwhelmed with all that I've been trying to digest regarding this move and just found out my laptop will be here tomorrow. I thought I had some extra time but that hasn't turned out to be the case.
What doesn't make sense to me right now is how to get my data over to my new machine, move what isn't critical to have on the laptop's HDD out to external, and how to figure out which file system I'll need on this external drive. My laptop will be partitioned with 30GB available to Windows and the other 130GB for Mac. Do I need to format this external drive with the Mac file system only? Or do I need to leave some space formatted FAT32 in case I need some overflow on the Windows side? Will the Windows environment be able to see any of the Journaled space on either the internal or external drive? I assume not.
I'm so confused right now, I can't even put anything down but these fragmented thoughts. Hopefully somebody knows where I'm at and can give me some advice.
Thanks-
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MacBook Pro 2.4GHZ Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Start with Switching from Windows to Mac OS X and Basic Tutorials on using a Mac.
Since I don't have an ICBM (Intel-chip-based Mac), I can't help with the external HD stuff. However, you should be aware that file system formats and partition mapping schemes are two different things.
OS X requires the Mac OS Extended (HFS+) file system formatting—applies to both PPCs and ICBMs. Details on file system formats are in http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Performance/Conceptual/FileSystem/Artic les/MacOSXAndFiles.html
ICBMs the GUID Partition Table scheme. Details on partition mapping schemes are in http://developer.apple.com/documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/universalbinary/universal_binary_tips/chapter_5_section10.html
Whether or not you can use both the Mac OS Extended and FAT-32 formats on separate volumes, I'll leave to the other experts.

Need advice before buying MBP please!!

Hi everyone, sorry this is AGAIN a "need help before buying" post.
I'm basically looking to buy a MBP for movie production : I will do data transfer (footage into USB3 to TB2 drives/USB3 drives).
And maybe some playback of very large 4K video files.
I was looking at a few options :
First of all I missed my chance and saw a rMBP 15inch 2.4ghz(ish) for 1900 (canadian) and didn't order it.
I've got my eyes on either another rMBP which is a 2.7 with Geforce 650M (june 2012) for 2400$ or a brand new one with maybe 2.5ghz for 2200$.
Your advices on these models? Is the Iris Pro GPU good enough? Is 2.2ghz enough for my tasks?
Thanks soooo much!!

Hi pbearr,
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. I’m glad to hear that you are in the market for a new Mac! I wanted to chime in here and make a quick comment about 4K video support. Are you planning on purchasing an external 4K monitor? If so, keep in mind that a 2012 MacBook Pro with Retina Display does not support 4K video. To learn more, please check out this resource:
Using 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs with Mac computers - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202856
You can use 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs with these Mac computers.
MacBook Pro (Retina, Late 2013 and later)
Mac Pro (Late 2013)
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013 and later)
Mac mini (Late 2014)
Every user, task, and configuration is different. I wish you all of the luck in determining which Mac is the best for you!
- Matt M.

Need advice on new MBP for College

Hey everyone, I am currently a Senior in High School and will be attending UMass Amherst in the fall and will most likely be studying Computer Science there. I have narrowed my search down to either the 13 inch 2.9ghz MBP or the 15 inch 2.3ghz.
Now with the 13 inch, I wouldn't be upgrading anything as I don't believe spending $270+ on a SSD is worth it. But if i get the 15 inch, i would upgrade the RAM from 4gb to 8gb and I'm thinking about adding the Antiglare screen. However, which would be easier on the eyes for starring a computer screen for hours programming, the 13 inch or the 15 inch? I know the 15 inch supports a couple more screen resolutions than the 13 inch but is it worth the extra money?
Also, which would be more portable to take to places like the library and to classes? I know its about a 1 pound difference but which is actually easier to lug around everyday?
Thanks for the help everyone.

If you are looking at the standard mac notebooks, not a retina model, then don't upgrade anything from apple. Just buy the base system that apple offers and you can do the ram and hard drive upgrade yourself for much less money then what apple charges for those same upgrades. Doing those upgrades yourself will not void your warranty. In fact the aftermarket ram and hard drive will come with a longer warranty than apple supplies.
I also suggest you buy the applecare warranty because to fix any mac computer once the standard warranty runs out can be costly. The applecare extended warranty will give you 2 more years of hardware warranty, making it a full 3 years of warranty, along with increasing the free phone tech support from 90 day to 3 years.

Need advice: Buy current MBP model or wait for the new MBP?

I am a commercial photographer. I shoot tethered with my medium format digital camera system using firewire 400 on my Powerbook g4 1.67ghz. I am 90% certain the rumors are true that the new MBP being announced today will not have a firewire 400 only Firewire 800. Now, my camera system is, lets just say, sensitive when it comes to connectivity to the laptop. If I use a firewire 800 to 400 adapter on the new MBP will I be apples to apples when it comes to firewire specs with regards to connecting my camera? Opinions everyone, please...
- Rudy Torres

Wait until today's event ends, see what results, and if the new MBPs are not what you want, there will still be plenty of the older ones available from retailers (smalldog.com for example). They'll be cheaper after today too.

I need advice on 1st gen wireless keyboard

I have a 1st gen wireless white with numeric pad keyboard (A1016). About 6 months ago, I upgraded my laptop to a 13" i7 Macbook Pro, and since then the keyboard doesn't always connect at startup and often disconnects on its own. I often have to turn on/off my bluetooth as well as the keyboard before it would connect again. It also has very slow response time too.
Does anyone know why is it doing this? I can't find any bluetooth firmware update for this keyboard. I guess because it's obsolete.
Any help will be grateful because I'd like to keep this keyboard.
Thanks.

Barry Hemphill wrote:
Hi again:
You could also try resetting the PRAM and SMC (probably will not change anything, but cannot hurt).
What does this do?
Barry Hemphill wrote:
The new aluminum keyboards are neat! They do not, however, have a numeric keypad.
I know. Wished they come in numeric keypad. I would buy them within a heart beat.

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If they both use the same type of cord, 30-pin or lightning, then yes, you can. There is no difference to the internals of the cords, just the connectors. Just match what you need.

Returning 1st gen ipod touch for 2nd gen?

Does anyone know if I could return my 1st gen ipod touch for the 2nd gen or even give it to them and get money off the 2nd gen? I want to return my first gen because i have noticed that some of the apps that I want to download require a mic. If you no if i can trade mine in please respond. Thank you

... and the second generation Touch doesn't have a mic anyway. Chris will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe, if you want to use a mic-dependant App on a 2nd gen Touch, then you need to buy a headphone/mic combination to plug in instead of standard headphones. I don't know +at all+ about the 3rd gen.
Non-mic Apps can run on a 1st gen Touch if you purchase the software upgrade, but whether that also includes mic-Apps, well, once again, I don't know. (Not much I do know really, is there? )
Perhaps you need to consider how much you need mic dependant Apps before rushing into the major expense of a Touch which may not actually meet your needs. There's always the iPhone of course.
Phil
Ah, there you go, in this post - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2322224&tstart=30 - sparky67 says the 3rd gen 32G and 64G Touch comes with a microphone/headphone combination.
Message was edited by: the fiend

1st Gen iMac died-cloned HD onto new iMac-software needs to be deactivated?

My old G5 iMac (1st gen) died - capacitors. The Genius Bar confirmed and in a thoughtful gesture removed the HD so that when I purchased a new iMac it would be easier for me to transport the HD & for them to clone (he said they would do it free).
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Everything is hunky-dory. Knock-on-wood, the eBay used iMac is working fine (this is still the first week).
Today I launched Photoshop to discover that the app would be valid for only 5 more days! It seems that I am limited to 2 users: my old iMac and my laptop. If I deactivate the old iMac the message says I can activate the new iMac as a user.
Make sense? But my old iMac is just a chassis and a separate(d) HD. How do I communicate with it to deactivate it as a 'user?'
(1) Am I going to need to take my old HD back to Tekserve (auth service) within the next 4 days and have them hook it up and deactivate?
Since my new iMac is cloned & running & backed up, I was thinking of erasing the old HD and selling it for parts.
(2) Is there a way for me (I'm not very technically savvy) to erase my old HD that is separated from the iMac and sitting in an anti-static bag in order to sell it?
(3) Is my best option to have Tekserve do both: 'deactivate' and then erase it? Their charge will impact the potential profit I might make selling it for parts...
(4) Short of me launching every software app, are there any others that, in your experience, will have this same 'deactivation' issue (before I erase that old HD forever)?
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I ididn't think Adobe would be helpful. Nut lo & behold, they were understanding and I was able to activate the software on my cloned iMac.
I didn't think it could be so simple!
Meanwhile, I have taken the old 80 GB hard drive into Tekserve for a clean install and will put it up on eBay for parts/repair along with the 'chassis.'

1st Gen V.S. 2nd Gen

In need of opinions...
Refurb (from Apple) 1st Gen iPod Touch 8GB - $190.64
New 2nd Gen iPod Touch 8GB - $243.89
From what Ive seen, the differences are: Volume Buttons, Speaker, New Design, Genius
Do you think those differences are worth $50 more?? I know its early and no one has one...but Im just lookin for some thoughts.

I'd go for the new Gen2, but that is me. The one thing that has always drove me nuts with the current version is no speaker. There are times when I'd like to just check out a video or review something in the news where there is audio and I either have to go get earphones or plug it into a speaker system. That alone would be worth the difference.
I am honestly considering selling my current 32gb and buying one of the newer 32gb even if it cost me a little more. The sleek look is nice, but not worth the upgrade. I am still pondering my options, but would sure love to have that speaker! Wish I could hear one. I also really like the volume buttons along the side.
Everyone has different needs and wants so you'll have to decide based on that. If the speaker and volume controls aren't that worthy to you, then keep the refurb Gen1 and save your money.

Differences between 1st Gen + upgrade and 2nd Gen?

Hi all. I was looking into purchasing a new iPod touch, but before I do so, I was wondering if there is any difference between getting an iPod touch 1st generation and purchasing the software upgrade and simply purchasing a 2nd generation? Reason being that I can get a 1st gen much cheaper than the $10 that it would cost to get the software upgrades, so if I can do that it would be great.
So is it a seamless upgrade or will there be some small differences between the two? Thanks in advance for the replies!

Updating a 1st gen Touch to 2.1 is the way to go if you don't care too much about the primary differences, where the 2nd gen Touch has the speaker, external volume control, and slimmer at the edges. I've had both and am glad that I have updated to the 2nd gen Touch.
Note that the 2nd gen Touch does not have the same charging circuit as previous iPod models, so if you have 3rd party chargers that rely on the 12V (firewire) pin on the iPod's dock connector, those won't work. For the 2nd gen Touch you need to have "Made for iPod" designated charging accessories which use the 5V (USB) pin of the connector. Chargers don't specify which pin of the connector they use, so if you go with a 2nd gen Touch be sure that any accessories you buy for it are designated specificatly for the 2nd gen.

Can't decide between the 1st gen and 2nd gen 32GB iPod Touch, please help.

I would like to buy a 32GB iPod Touch, the problem is that i can't decide whether i should buy a 1st gen or 2nd gen.
Obviously 2nd gen is "better" but is it worth the extra $$$?
Best Buy has the 1st gen for $310 and the 2nd gen is $400, that's $90 difference.
Any advice would be appreciated.

that's $90 difference.
Actually, it's only $80 because the 1G touch will come with the old 1.x software and it cost $10 to upgrade to 2.x software.

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I would like to able to input my work schedule onto my ipod touch 1st gen, iOS 3.1.3 and then have it auto sync to my iPad 2, and my wife's and mine MB and MBP (OS 10.6).
I assume Google's calendar might have to be involved which is fine.
Know of a good calendar app that would have to support the older iOS for my 1st gen iPod Touch and do the aforementioned auto syncing?

Know of a good calendar app that would have to support the older iOS for my 1st gen iPod Touch and do the aforementioned auto syncing
Just use the included Calendar app on the touch
-> Google Sync: Setting up Google Sync with your iOS device.
1.Google Sync is only supported on Apple iOS versions 3.0 and above

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I am aware these problems have not been solved anywhere on the internet but im praying someone has the answer to it.....maybe even someone from apple (but i dont think they care)
Lets start with my 1st gen shuffle
2 years ago it was accidently washed with my bottoms. Let it dry, charged it in the pc and everything seemed fine until i tried to listen to the songs that were still on it. The battery indicator showed no light even though while it was in the usb port, it showerd a solid green light (fully charged). Weeks later the new shuffle came out so i packed this 1 away and bought the 2nd gen.
Now my 2nd gen isn't working, so i thought i'd try again with the 1st gen. The same problem occurs even now. It charges fully but it seems dead outside of the usb port. I'm guessing the battery is dead but i await confirmation from someone with more knowledge than me.
Ok now the 2nd gen. I've had it for nearly 2 years and after a itunes update, the laptop or any other computer doesn't recognise it is connected. It still has a slight charge, the battery indicator is red (low batt) but still won't show up on windows or itunes. No lights flash when it is plugged in either.
With both shuffles i've tried EVERYTHING!! I've searched so many forums and tried everything. I even rinsed my 1st gen and let it dry off in rice (which made it completly dry over 24hrs, i'd recommend it if you ever drop your phone/ipod in water). I've heard too many people say they have the same problems with their 1st, 2nd and even 3rd ipod shuffles
I thought apple made the best mp3 players, but if the shuffles are just going to die all of a sudden with no hope of reviving them......then why else would apple keep making them and not allow people to return them? Its not our fault it happens.....1st gen was my fault.......but the 2nd gen looks BRAND NEW! I loved these shuffles but if they don't start working soon then i am not going to recommend them to anyone or even buy myself another 1. I'd rather have a cheap mp3 player that i wouldn't mind throwing away
All help is truly welcomed and thank you in advance

Is there anything that can be done?
Sorry about my spelling people

I cannot back up my iPad 1st Gen on the new version of iTunes, I get an error saying it is incompatible. I need to back it up so I can then restore into my new iPad Air.

How do I get around this? The iPad one has the most current iOS allowed for the 1st gen per settings.
Help!

this is a follow up from the profane post earlier....
i have done this twice in two other posts..
here is my problem.. i started off trying to update itunes, it failed twice and said i needed to install manually via tools.
the only place to get to tools is the pop up box that appears when you click check for updates.. if there is an available update then the pop up shows up with the quick time and itunes files to download. so i finally figured that out. i clicked on tools and manual update, four files were saved to a file. Apple mobile device support, another one similar, itunes, and another one i cant remember. I only downloaded the itunes file seeing as though thats all i needed to accomplish in the first place.
so then i restarted my computer bc you need to reboot and then reopen itunes for update to take effect. once i have itunes back open i plugged in my new 5s which i am trying to sync to my computer to get all my stuff back bc i lost my previous phone over the weekend.. once i plugged the phone in an error stating i needed to unistall the apple mobile device support and itunes and then reinstall. well i dont know where those files were originally stored on my computer AND since my itunes was updated, just not the other 3 associated files, when i click check for updates it says its up to date and then pop up containing the quick time and itunes does not pop up thus i cant get back to the tools tab to manually save the 4 files again.
so i was just going to uninstall itunes all together and then i thought well what happens if it erases all my photos apps songs etc... which would defeat the whole purpose in the first place of me trying to sync my new phone to get all my stuff back.
so i literally have no idea what to do at this point.. if you have read this you are probably just as confused as me...

Need advice - 1st Gen MBP or 2nd Gen MB?

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