Buying a Macbook today.. anything else I need?

IceBus

IceBus

IceBus

Soldato
Joined
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, Washington DC
Well I'm finally taking the plunge and as a lifelong PC user I'm going Mac :D I'd like to say it was a hard decision, but having played on the Air/MBP multi-touch, seen how you can integrate all your music/photos/video and truly make the system your own it was a no-brainer.

I'm going for the 2.4Ghz version - will they be able to put in 4GB of memory while I wait or will I have to go away and come back?

Apart from that I'll get a slip case, remote (can't believe that's not free any more), Office for Mac and a VGA connector.

Anything else I need and any other things I should do switchover-wise for a smooth Mac experience?

Can't wait :D!
 
Sounds like you have the setup ready to go. ;)

Depends how busy they are in store for the 4GB, it isn't a big job to do though. :)

Enjoyeth
 
TheVoice said:
Surely it would be cheaper to upgrade the RAM yourself?
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Nope, currently Apple are doing quite a good deal. Also the new Macbooks are a bit finicky about working with 3rd party RAM.

I've already got a 500GB external HDD so I think it looks like I'm all set. I'll post some first impressions assuming I get it alright this afternoon before I head out for NYE.
 
IceBus said:
Nope, currently Apple are doing quite a good deal. Also the new Macbooks are a bit finicky about working with 3rd party RAM.

I've already got a 500GB external HDD so I think it looks like I'm all set. I'll post some first impressions assuming I get it alright this afternoon before I head out for NYE.
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Apples RAM prices are very high. If you go with Crucial memory, they make memory that they guarantee to work in the Macbooks.

I'd also wait til next week as there is a Macworld conference where Apple annually release new products and they could update the macbooks there.
 
gazfocus said:
Apples RAM prices are very high. If you go with Crucial memory, they make memory that they guarantee to work in the Macbooks.

I'd also wait til next week as there is a Macworld conference where Apple annually release new products and they could update the macbooks there.
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I doubt there'l be a Macbook refresh. If anything it'll be new Mac Minis/iMacs with the new Nvidia chipset.
 
I just drove into Birmingham today to the Apple store and bought a Macbook Pro 15" 2.4Ghz model, I've been doing some research lately, I wanted a laptop that's both realtively lightweight and compact yet also powerful enough to use as a 'proper' computer, and allow me to play Eve and World of Warcraft and a few other older games I enjoy. Thus I decided to give a Mac a try, I've been curious for a year or so now, I just always found a reason not to. Im using it right now, and thus far I am impressed with the quality and Mac OS seems really quite nice so far, surprisingly intuitive, infact if anything, coming from this community of enthusiasts as I do, it seems a little too easy and I am used to things being a little more tricky to accomplish, so my own 'knowledge' is working against me right now :p

I have almost finished installing WoW, so I will be firing that up shortly and seeing how it handles.

I can't believe I have bought a god damn Mac, something must be wrong with me!
 
Well I'm back, with my Mac :D And it's great. Very slick and enjoyable so far. Is there a way to open up spaces using the trackpad? I've got Expose working but still finding my way. My internet connection keeps dropping a bit so I may be on the hunt for a new router tomorrow.

I'll post some more detailed impressions tomorrow, but so far I'm extremely happy :D
 
Well, I like it so far, but I'm not really seeing what all the fuss is/was about with OSX, but I also have some issues with black screening while playing World of Warcraft, which is a rather major problem for me.

I have detailed my issue and what I have found out in the New Macbook/Pro
 
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Man... I honestly never knew computing could be this... simple. I'm in love with OSX already. Having the application option at the far left beside File, Edit etc. makes controlling application preferences so much easier. I've just transferred all my iTunes across and now just getting other things like Firefox etc. all set up. I'll try and get some pictures up at some point, but not sure if I'll manage it today.

I had one crash when Apple Update locked up so I just restarted and everything seems fine since. I maybe didn't need a restart, but it messed up due to my cruddy router which I shall be replacing with a Linksys today. I'm really pleased :D

Think I might get an iPhone later... ;)
 
I just had my macbook returned and refunded today, first one I picked up before Christmas had dust under the screen which showed up as sparkly bits on anything but pure black, second had a huge splodge of some white stuff under the screen, a dodgy keyboard, chipped case and a wonky displayport / usb socket (not properly aligned had to force the plugs in), third one they cracked open when I returned the second today had obvious dead pixels and a streaky grey effect under the right hand side of the glass.


Gutted.
 
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Slogan said:
Sareth, I would beware when crossing roads and the like this year.
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This might be a good idea, I mean what are the chances ? I was sure the third would be okay, the feeling I got when I realised my only sensible action was a refund* was terrible.
There's this horrible empty space on my desk now in front of my mini.






*only option on third return was a refund, that or keep the second one which was a lemon.
 
Thought i would post in here... erm can someone give me the price for a macbook pro with a HE discount please and i would also like to know how much the 3 years apple care is?

I was also curious to exactly what happens to the apple care plan as in you have the standard 1 year so if i get the 3 year plan does that give me a total of 4 years cover?
 
Mattitude said:
Thought i would post in here... erm can someone give me the price for a macbook pro with a HE discount please and i would also like to know how much the 3 years apple care is?

I was also curious to exactly what happens to the apple care plan as in you have the standard 1 year so if i get the 3 year plan does that give me a total of 4 years cover?
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3 years of Apple Care comes with any new Mac as standard when purchased from the HE Store. So from day one of owning your Mac, you have 3 years hardware warranty on it.

Prices are as follows:

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Don't know about the others (did it in person as only part time post grad so not on a campus) but a standard config 2.4ghz macbook with HE discount + Applecare from an Apple store was £1012.
 
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