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Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
.....2(b)) Can you run Adobe acrobat and create and open pdf files on a macbook?.....
in macosX 10.4 and higher, you can not only run acrobat, and open pdf's but creading a pdf has never been easier. in the print dialog box there is a button labeled "pdf" with a drop down menu and on that menu is "save as pdf". simply give your file a name and use the std dialog box to save the file where ever you'd like and you're done. |
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
I'm considering buying a new laptop...and given the rave reviews for macs here and elsewhere, they seem like pretty good products. However, before I actually buy a macbook, could someone answer the following questions for me?
1) At my local Apple store, they are selling a 13 inch 2.16 ghz with 1 GB RAM and 120 GB Hard Drive for $1299, and the same model (but with 2 GB RAM) for $1475. Both are available to take home today. However, on Apple's website, the 2GB RAM model doesn't show up--but you can get the 1GB RAM model for $1299, and add another 1 GB of RAM for $150, which gives you a grand total of $1449....or $26 cheaper than what it would cost in their own store. Is there any reason for this price discrepancy? Am I missing something here? Buy it at the store and tell them it is cheaper on the website they will honor that price. 2) I understand that you can run Windows on a macbook through either parallels or boot camp. However, I also understand that you can buy Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and run those on Mac's operating system (and, thus, not need to get Windows). So, if all I really want is to use Word or PowerPoint, is there any real reason to get Windows for a macbook? No Reason to Run Windows unless you use programs that are not avlb on the Mac. Office runs great. 2(a)) Are there any "portability" or "translation" problems in creating Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents on a macbook (on the mac-based Microsoft software) and then reading, modifying, or using the same documents on a Windows-based computer? Hopefully that makes sense....in short, if I create a Word document on a macbook and then send it to someone who has a pc, will there be any translation problems? Yes, on PPT there are times when a photo will be reversed and can not be returned to the original state, you would need the original photo to make it back to normal. But other than that no problems. 2(b)) Can you run Adobe acrobat and create and open pdf files on a macbook? Yes, and to make them, choose the Print and create PDF. 3) It does not appear that the macbook has a "backspace" key. If this is the case, how do you delete letters in a sentence without going to the front of the sentence and just hitting the "delete" key? I honestly don't know as I just got used to using the delet key on the MBP. 4) Is there anyway to disable the touchpad on a macbook when you are using a mouse? Yes, in the Pref's panel you can choose that, but I choose to keep it always open and running, even with a mouse attached. 5) I'm a little confused as to what an Airport Extreme Card is. Does this allow you to connect to wireless internet anywhere in the world? it is the 'wireless' card that you would use for WiFi (Linksys router). It is not a wireless card like a Verizon/ATT card that you dial up. 6) I notice that an attribute of macs is their "stability." What exactly does this mean? That the computer won't crash? That it can handle running multiple programs at once? That you don't have to update the operating system very often--or at all? Something else? I hardly ever have a crash. It is just a stable OS and most programs run without hitch. 7) For those who are actual macbooks users who used to use a Windows-based machine, is there anything that you miss having or that took you a very long time to get used to? I have told all switchers to give it 4 weeks before you throw it out the window. Be patient it is a different thinking of how it runs and is used compared to PC. I have yet to have anyone go and take it back because they didn't like it. 8) Lastly, for someone who is only looking at using a computer to create documents, do some internet stuff, and store home photos and the like (no real gaming or anything of the sort), is there some rule of thumb as to how much hard drive space you should get? As big as you can afford and is avlb is my rule of thumb (plus the speed). I go with Big, fast speed, and price. Thanks! Hope that that helped clear a few things up. |
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
I'm considering buying a new laptop...and given the rave reviews for macs here and elsewhere, they seem like pretty good products. However, before I actually buy a macbook, could someone answer the following questions for me?
1) At my local Apple store, they are selling a 13 inch 2.16 ghz with 1 GB RAM and 120 GB Hard Drive for $1299, and the same model (but with 2 GB RAM) for $1475. Both are available to take home today. However, on Apple's website, the 2GB RAM model doesn't show up--but you can get the 1GB RAM model for $1299, and add another 1 GB of RAM for $150, which gives you a grand total of $1449....or $26 cheaper than what it would cost in their own store. Is there any reason for this price discrepancy? Am I missing something here?
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
2) I understand that you can run Windows on a macbook through either parallels or boot camp. However, I also understand that you can buy Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and run those on Mac's operating system (and, thus, not need to get Windows). So, if all I really want is to use Word or PowerPoint, is there any real reason to get Windows for a macbook?
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
2(a)) Are there any "portability" or "translation" problems in creating Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents on a macbook (on the mac-based Microsoft software) and then reading, modifying, or using the same documents on a Windows-based computer? Hopefully that makes sense....in short, if I create a Word document on a macbook and then send it to someone who has a pc, will there be any translation problems?
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
2(b)) Can you run Adobe acrobat and create and open pdf files on a macbook?
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
3) It does not appear that the macbook has a "backspace" key. If this is the case, how do you delete letters in a sentence without going to the front of the sentence and just hitting the "delete" key?
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
4) Is there anyway to disable the touchpad on a macbook when you are using a mouse?
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
5) I'm a little confused as to what an Airport Extreme Card is. Does this allow you to connect to wireless internet anywhere in the world?
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
6) I notice that an attribute of macs is their "stability." What exactly does this mean? That the computer won't crash? That it can handle running multiple programs at once? That you don't have to update the operating system very often--or at all? Something else?
Under the covers, it's a Unix machine with a fancy GUI.
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
7) For those who are actual macbooks users who used to use a Windows-based machine, is there anything that you miss having or that took you a very long time to get used to?
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
8) Lastly, for someone who is only looking at using a computer to create documents, do some internet stuff, and store home photos and the like (no real gaming or anything of the sort), is there some rule of thumb as to how much hard drive space you should get?
Thanks! |
<snip> UNLESS your app relies on direct access to hardware or requires good 3D performance.</snip> |
It seems that many of the particular questions have been addressed. I got my first macbook mid-July and love it! It took a little while to get used to but now I actually have a harder time going back to the pc.
The biggest thing that irks me on the mac is that the touchpad doesn't have a right click button (yes, you can get there by holding down the "Control" key and tapping) so I use a mouse a lot of the time so it's not as big of a deal. |
4) Is there anyway to disable the touchpad on a macbook when you are using a mouse? |
Originally Posted by skAAtinsteph
(Post 8229858)
The biggest thing that irks me on the mac is that the touchpad doesn't have a right click button (yes, you can get there by holding down the "Control" key and tapping) so I use a mouse a lot of the time so it's not as big of a deal.
I work in the Mac industry and absolutely love the products. Its great to see so many switchers coming over to the platform :D Yes, Micro$oft still dominate the market and you'll run into the odd issue now and then when you cant run something on your Mac, but with Boot Camp and Parallels, and also the Mac community, its likely that there is a way round most issues. I use only Linux or Mac, and have Windows VM's on Parallels for those rare occasions when i need Windows for testing or running a Win only app. I haven't missed those BSOD's at all! |
your definitely going to love your macbook. I got mine a few weeks ago. If you think you might need windows for anything. get parallels. Its VERY easy and works great. Id be willing to bet after a few months, you will rarely use it anymore. Me, i run Ubuntu linux, Windows 2008 server, and XP in parallels on my mac book pro. I love this laptop!
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Originally Posted by kanebear
(Post 8229844)
Given that it's a Macbook, the 3D performance is going to lag no matter what the OS.
merc...... |
Originally Posted by merc669
(Post 8230173)
You want to expand on that blanket statement! My 2.1 GHz MBP with 2G Ram does just fine with 3D as opposed to my DELL XPM 3.6GHz Windows Machine..
merc...... The poster mentioned the Macbook, not the PRO. The Macbook has a very slow Intel 950 with shared Ram, the Pro does indeed have a decent video card for a notebook. 3D performance on a MB is going to always be slow, the GPU is slow, and of course the shared ram is slow too. |
Originally Posted by merc669
(Post 8230173)
You want to expand on that blanket statement! My 2.1 GHz MBP with 2G Ram does just fine with 3D as opposed to my DELL XPM 3.6GHz Windoze Machine..
merc...... I have the original 15" 2.16Ghz MBP; quite speedy on 3D. The MacBook, unfortunately, doesn't share that trait thanks to the aforementioned shared graphics. Welcome to FT by the way! |
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
...2(a)) Are there any "portability" or "translation" problems in creating Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents on a macbook (on the mac-based Microsoft software) and then reading, modifying, or using the same documents on a Windows-based computer? Hopefully that makes sense....in short, if I create a Word document on a macbook and then send it to someone who has a pc, will there be any translation problems?...
The other translation problem you'll have for a few months will be if your Windows-using friends and colleagues upgrade to Office 2007. The Mac version (to be called Office 2008) should be out next year. Until then you can get file converters (free download from Microsoft on this page) or ask people who send you files to save them in Office 97-2003 formats. (Windows users who haven't upgraded yet are in the same situation, other than having the option to upgrade now if they want to spend the money.) |
The other questions seem to have been well covered. The mystery of the delete key? Well, on a full extended Apple keyboard, both forward and backspace delete keys are labeled "delete". For someone who has never experienced it, I suppose that could be confusing. But they do exactly as their positioning on the keyboard would suggest. In other words, on the Macbook you're looking at, that one key at the top right which is where the "backspace" key should be does, in fact, backspace delete.
What's missing on the Macbook keyboard is a forward delete. If you use that a lot, you'll have to get used to not having it, or using a two-key combination. For a long time in earlier days Mac keyboards never had a forward delete, hence this convention. Backspace is alive and well and always there. It just doesn't say that word on the key. :) PS If you press Fn-Delete on the MacBook it will forward delete. |
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8229362)
3) It does not appear that the macbook has a "backspace" key. If this is the case, how do you delete letters in a sentence without going to the front of the sentence and just hitting the "delete" key?
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1) Check with the Apple Store... They'll normally do what you want from them. Bring a copy of the prices you've got, and if its Apple Store online vs Apple Store Retail, they'll honor the lower price.
2) Office 2004 is a very nice product. If you've got a child or are doing a college/university course, you can buy the Student and Teacher edition of Office at 1/3 the cost normally. If you use VMWare Fusion or Parells (or use BootCamp), you can run your Windows applications natively. Depends on what other applications you use. 2a) There are issues, and also there is a compatiblity checker. Use it ;) 2b) You Can PDF Directly in any Print Dialog box (little button that says "PDF" gives it away ;). If you need to edit your PDF's post production or annotate them, then you need Acrobat 7/8 3) fn+Backspace is your friend as has been stated. 4) System Preferences -> Mouse... depends how heavy handed you are when typing. 5) Airport Extreme is a Wireless B/G/PreN card that will do your WiFi for you. Simply click on the airport icon, select your network, enter the key if needed and off you go. 6) Hmmmm. They're normally pretty stable in operation, but "Blue Screens" do happen (its called a Kernal Panic in Mac/UNIX Land). I've found it to more often than not hardware related (as my sad EX iBook will testify - its been withdrawn from service after the 4th repair attempt to be swapped for an iBook). Multitasking is not a problem (especially with Exopse, the Dock and DashBoard). OS Updates come often (Through Software Updates), although a major revision of the core operating system is due October time. 7) I'm using a IBM ThinkPad at the moment (from an iBook) so i miss the touch pad and Expose mostly. The file management in OS/X can be diabolical (a decent file manager would be useful one day Apple). Like everything, it takes a short while to adapt... and perhaps my problem is sometimes the keys are not in the place I expect them to be! 8) As MUCH space as possible (the same rule is that whatever your current requirement is, double it and add a random number on top) ! Thankfully the MacBook hard drive is easily swapable (unlike previous generation notebooks). 120/160/250Gb are all good starts. Also consider an external HDD if you're using it at home to back up with. I'd SERIOUSLY recommend spending time in the Apple Shop, Talk to the staff, Play and try out some of the tasks you want to do (For example: Office type things, iPhoto for your images, Safari and FireFox etc). I think some Apple shops will do 1-to-1 shopping.. it could be worth asking about it. Happy Shopping! |
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Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8236363)
Thanks everyone.
Last question: It seems that the only difference between a white and black model (all things being equal, like RAM and hard drive space), is the color, and (of you can get an educator discount) the color difference is around $133. If that's the case, is there any reason to get a black model over the white model? Unless, of course, your computer just has to match your outfit? |
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8236363)
Thanks everyone.
Last question: It seems that the only difference between a white and black model (all things being equal, like RAM and hard drive space), is the color, and (of you can get an educator discount) the color difference is around $133. If that's the case, is there any reason to get a black model over the white model? Unless, of course, your computer just has to match your outfit? |
In a shell... its a marketing exercise... much like the 8GB Nano (any colour you like as long as its in black)
Personally, I'd prefer a matte screen as opposed to a matte case.... Depends if you want to scream out "I brought this black Macbook... and I got a different coloured case for more coins!!!!" |
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Thats good.. even by my standards ;)
Happy shopping - the educational discounts are worth it (and you'll be able to get office on the cheap too) Welcome to the world of Shiny Computers :) |
Go for it - I switched to a MacBook a couple of months ago, used the educational discount, and now find it a real pain to use a PC at work....
Enjoy! and welcome to the bright side. :) |
Actually, I've handled both the white and black models. One guy in our company has the black, and it does look cooler at first, but it picks up every little bit of oil from your hands. The matte finish is not your friend so much in this case. Very hard to keep the fingerprints off. Plus, it costs more just because it's black, yes. I'd go with the glossy white and put that cash into some other accessory.
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Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8237370)
Pun intended? :D
Thanks again everyone. It looks like I'll be getting a white macbook within the next week--my significant other is a teacher, so with the educational discounts and all the "freebies" that they are giving away at the moment, it seems like a 2GB with either 160GB or 200GB hard drive is the way to go. no regrets at all. after 7 years of windows and dell, it is really a pleasure to compute this easily. there is no reason to buy parallels or any windows software. the only software that doesn't run on mac that i use is Miletracker ;) so i just boot up my old dell when i want to update my mileage balances. and every time it serves as a reminder of what i hated about windows! :D p.s. my main issues so far are (1) lack of a dedicated delete key (can one of the function keys be re-assigned?) and (2) inability to do select-print, i.e. select text and then print the selection rather than the whole friggin page. other than that i haven't found anything lacking. and unlike dell (and most places) you can get free help in person at any mac store, instead of relying on some bozo in india. |
[B]Boraxo/B], remember you can always "waste" 3Gb of space on a VMWare Fusion or Parells installation, and install a copy on it to run your Windows software.
If fact VMWare supports a function called "Unity" that'll allow you to run your programs nativity from the Dock... could be worth investigating... (or you really can be mean to your MacBook.. and install BootCamp...) |
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The in-store help is free (as is access to The Genius Bar), and they'll help normally without question (an example - I was getting my iBook looked at, and someone brought in an eMac with an airport query, trying to work out why the airport wasn't fitting in correctly - they got the eMac second hand)... so its as long as you have a Mac.. or a question.
You can also get ProCare (how to book the Genius Bar way in advance) or 1 to 1 (for deep in depth training in-store) Apple repairs: Most jobs are done "in store" (if sent via The Genius Bar). They're normally done pretty well and tested. AppleCare: As you're getting an MacBook, I would say yes. Laptop computers have far tougher lives than desktops. I didn't get it... and was hit pretty hard for repairs (£125 for a Airport repair which went horribly wrong), but Apple came through with different solutions until it was working and working long term correctly. If your repair fails, your repair goes to the top of the queue baring parts. (If its a physical damage, they may choose not to warrenty the repair, and you could find yourself paying for it) |
At this stage I always get AppleCare on the laptops, just so much more likely something goes wrong sometime within the 3 years. That said, I don't order the package from Apple. I get the exact same thing from this place (authorized dealer) which is cheaper http://www.expercom.com/ (AppleCare is sold as a retail box software. You have to get the box before you can activate it, so any dealer can sell it. The service still comes from Apple.)
Also, you can wait until just before the end of the first year to buy it, thus using that as a gauge for whether or not you need it. My first generation MacBook Pro has been a bit of a lemon. |
Personally, I don't get AppleCare. After nearly 15 years of using Apple laptops, going back to a PowerBook 100 (not even counting a borrowed Apple Portable I lugged around a bit) I haven't had a problem it would have helped on. Mine have either come up under warranty or were the result of physical accidents (dropped four feet onto a marble hotel lobby floor, FA spilled milk into it ...) that wouldn't have been covered. I've saved enough in AppleCare premiums over that period to buy a new MacBook if it came to that.
That said, YMMV. I self-insure for most everything when I can afford the loss if it happens: I don't get rental car coverage on my car insurance, etc., etc. On balance I come out way ahead despite the occasional loss - after all, insurance companies make money! (One $300 and one $150 car rental bills when mine was in the body shop are a lot less than the total I'd have paid for this coverage over the years.) This is a personal preference issue as much as a rational decision. |
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Applecare
Applecare nowadays is insurance, pure and simple. Years back you could call apple tek support and with apple care get help with wide variety of issues. Now that they have outsourced, you normally get someone reading from help manual in India or Philippines. Better off going to FT or better yet the apple discussions forum for help (see genius bar)
Genius bar is available to anyone, you merely make appointment on-line or in person and usually they are extremely patient and helpful. It's free for diagnostic and tek support (they are really nice about this) but if hardware problem that's when apple care kicks in (usually)....it's basically an extended warranty plan that covers you for repairs as long as problem isn't from spilling coffee onto keyboard or dropping onto floor, etc. etc. I've purchased applecare for my ibook (now 4 yrs old) and needed it twice to fix/replace logic board and second time I forget exact problem. On my iMac, never had to use it. My son bought powerbook (now 4 yrs old) without applecare and fortunately never had to use it...although the hard drive is now on it's last legs. So - insurance: expensive (?), good to have and if you play the odds will never need to rely on it. But if you do get zapped, you'll be thankful you had it. IMHO |
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Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8242791)
...am I correct in assuming that a 120GB hard drive is sufficient for normal household use?...
Besides, 320 gig (more or less) drives will be cheap in two years. Any store that sells them will be able to swap your existing one out and put it in an external enclosure from which you can start up, copy everything to the new internal drive, and then use for backup. Regarding which, any store that sells memory will be able to install that too - probably free. |
[delete - inadvertent duplicate]
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Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 8242791)
Okay...well, after talking to my significant other, it seems that she wants the computer NOW and does not want to order it online. So, that being the case, the options are now either a white 120GB hard drive with 1GB RAM for $1199, or a white 120GB hard drive with 2GB RAM for $1334. (A 160GB or larger hard drive is out because apparently they don't sell those in white models at the stores).
I have read in other threads that it is cheaper to buy more memory for a third party and install it yourself. However, I am completely incompetent when it comes to technological issues, so doing any sort of installing myself is out of the question. That being the case, any views on which one is better for the prices given? We may, although I doubt we will, load Windows on the macbook....but considering that we don't play any computer games and all we really need is Word, Excel, and Office, I think we can stick with Apple's OS just fine. Plus, I'm a little suspicious whether I would even notice a difference between having 1GB memory and having 2GB. Lastly, am I correct in assuming that a 120GB hard drive is sufficient for normal household use? Any thoughts? You could, of course, consider saving that as a later upgrade. It's quite possible you don't need 2GB of RAM based on the uses you have mentioned. I saw a recent test where someone got a new iMac with 2GB, pulled out 1GB and didn't notice a significant difference in performance. But, the new iMac does have a dedicated video card, whereas the MacBook does not. I think my mother is still limping along with 512MB to run her mostly word processing and web surfing MacBook. Tough call, could go either way. I'd probably wait and see, but PowerPoint may like some extra. (I don't do PowerPoint much at all.) Personally, I think 120GB HD is more than adequate. I have 80GB drive, more than half empty at this stage after almost a year. But I don't have any huge libraries of music or photos on it. PS Yes, very true on edu price of AppleCare. I had forgotten you were edu eligible. |
What did you buy?
As another educator who is looking at the MacBook, I am curious as to what you finally purchased. I am looking at the 2GB RAM model, since I want to use the MacBook for PowerPoint presentations.
I am curious about the educator discount. My district is very Windows and Microsoft oriented, so no information about Mac discounts is distributed. When I visit the Apple Store website, there is no mention of educator discounts. Also, locally, only Best Buy and CompUSA are the only Apple retailers. I would appreciate any information on the discounts.:) |
Got to http://store.apple.com/ and on the right hand side you'll see a graphic that says "Education / Savings for Students, Faculty and Staff" Just go in there, navigate to your school, and see the discounts you have available.
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Originally Posted by skAAtinsteph
(Post 8229858)
It seems that many of the particular questions have been addressed. I got my first macbook mid-July and love it! It took a little while to get used to but now I actually have a harder time going back to the pc.
The biggest thing that irks me on the mac is that the touchpad doesn't have a right click button (yes, you can get there by holding down the "Control" key and tapping) so I use a mouse a lot of the time so it's not as big of a deal. |
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