Windows guy looking hard at MacBook Pro

Question

I have been looking at Macs for a long time and find myself in need of a laptop computer. I do 70-80% of my work in Photoshop/Dreamweaver/InDesign small amount in Illustrator. I currently run XP-Pro on all my computers. Vista isn't looking very attractive to me.
A lot of my work is database stuff and I need to use programs that aren't available on the Mac. Paradox, Access, Alpha5. I also use Corel x3 and I need to run Street Atlas USA.
I have been looking at the VMWare's solution for running XP applications and it looks really good from what I have seen.
I guess my questions are:
1. How much of a MacBook Pro do I need? I can't afford to max it all the way out.
2. Will the USB ports be available to Street Atlas USA when running under VMWare in OSX for my GPS?
3. Maybe there is a Mac program that is superior to Street Atlas USA?
4. I use a Spam software program on my XP by Cloudmark that is a really nice Spam killer program, it isn't available on Mac, is there a really good Spam program for Mac?
I have many more questions, but that should be enough for now.
Thanks,
Kirk

Answer 1

Kirk,
Given that you will be using your MBP to do mostly graphics-related things, I do think the 17" would be best for you, and further, that the Hi-Res display would be best. There are 4 options: Standard Resolution Matte, Hi-Res Matte, Standard Glossy, Hi-Res Glossy. While the glossy displays have more "wow" factor, the mattes have truer colors. Most graphically-inclined users will lean toward matte for the truer colors. My recommendation is for the 17" Hi-Res matte.
The power adapter for the Macbook Pro is the "Magsafe" adapter. The "brick" is about 3 or 4 inches on a side, and about an inch thick. Integrated into one corner of the brick is the AC power supply; it comes with 2 interchangeable, molded connectors that fit to the brick, and become the corner: one provides a 6-foot AC cord with 3-prong plug; the other has a flip-out (duck bill) 2-prong plug (for plugging the brick directly into the outlet). The cord on the DC side is phone-line thin, also about 6 feet, and has the Magsafe connector on the end. On the brick, there are 2 flip-out arms onto which you can wind the this cord for storage. The design of the entire setup is brilliant.
You'll get the most mileage out of a Brenthaven bag for your Macbook Pro. It has WAY more than enough storage space for the Magsafe adapter and much more. Brenthaven has designed these bags as complete transport solutions. In other words, not to be added to what you already have, but to completely replace it. For example, the "Pro" bags include a dedicated area for items typically found in an attache case (integrated document dividers, accordion-style storage, miscellaneous pockets, etc.). My bag accommodates: My MBP, the power adapter, my Bose QC2s, my iPod, my digital camera, external hard drive(s), my cell phone, a USB hub, optical media, all of my "office-type" items (pens, pencils, documents, etc.), plus all of the cables, connectors, and adapters I might ever need to use all of the above.
2 GBs is going to be more than enough RAM for most users, most of the time. When running Windows concurrently with OS X (in virtualization), it becomes much less likely that 2 GBs will be enough, but not certain. It's best to see how things go for you, then move one way or another accordingly. If it becomes clear that 2 GBs is not enough for you, a 4 GB "kit" can be had economically.
Scott