Up until now I've used my quad core desktop for most things and my MBP 13 only as a laptop, having replaced an old Windows lappy last year. On a bit of an impulse purchase while walking past an Apple store today I bought the mini DP to dual link DVI cable. I've heard very bad stories about this adapter not working with other manufacturers TFT's but as Apple have a 14 day returns policy I thought I'd give it a try. But I have to say, so far it hasn't missed a beat and worked perfectly for several hours tonight. Time will tell if it stays that way.
I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the plucky little 13" performed. It's a poverty spec 2.16ghz with 2gb RAM and while it was clearly less instant than my quad core with 4gb, it was certainly fast enough for everything except hardcore gaming. I think that with some extra memory it could easily replace my desktop for most things. I loved the complete and utter silence even compared to my watercooled system. And of course it starts up and shuts down pretty instantly which is a joy. I'm going to play around with it a bit before making a decision to keep the adapter... it's £69 so too expensive to keep if I decide not to use it and put it in a cupboard. But I have a few questions / issues:
1) I can't seem to get my the back/forward thumb buttons on my MS Habu mouse to work in a browser (Forefox or Safari). I have downloaded the MS Intellipoint drivers but it doesn't make a difference.
2) The one game I do still play, and is essential for me, is QuakeLive. I can't seem to install the plugin. Which directory do I drop it into? I've tried Libraries --> Internet Plug-Ins but it still didn't work.
3) The audio quality is not as good. On my PC I'm using a Sennheiser USB audio dongle (the audio jack on my soundcard is faulty so I dropped back to using the spare dongle I had and found it was superb!). I might have to use this on the MBP but that's no great problem.
4) Does anyone have any recommendations on docking stations? I'd prefer something which holds the MBP vertically because I don't have much desk space and with a 30" I'm really not short of resolution so have no need to use the MBP's screen.
5) Does anyone have a recommendation for a good mac keyboard? I'm currently using a wired full size Apple keyboard from my wifes old Powermac. I don't seem to get on with her new flat wireless jobbie. Are there any good third party OSX keyboards that have regular laptop style keys (I use an old Logitech Ultra X with laptop style keys on my desktop).
If anyone has any thoughts on those I'd be grateful.
I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the plucky little 13" performed. It's a poverty spec 2.16ghz with 2gb RAM and while it was clearly less instant than my quad core with 4gb, it was certainly fast enough for everything except hardcore gaming. I think that with some extra memory it could easily replace my desktop for most things. I loved the complete and utter silence even compared to my watercooled system. And of course it starts up and shuts down pretty instantly which is a joy. I'm going to play around with it a bit before making a decision to keep the adapter... it's £69 so too expensive to keep if I decide not to use it and put it in a cupboard. But I have a few questions / issues:
1) I can't seem to get my the back/forward thumb buttons on my MS Habu mouse to work in a browser (Forefox or Safari). I have downloaded the MS Intellipoint drivers but it doesn't make a difference.
2) The one game I do still play, and is essential for me, is QuakeLive. I can't seem to install the plugin. Which directory do I drop it into? I've tried Libraries --> Internet Plug-Ins but it still didn't work.
3) The audio quality is not as good. On my PC I'm using a Sennheiser USB audio dongle (the audio jack on my soundcard is faulty so I dropped back to using the spare dongle I had and found it was superb!). I might have to use this on the MBP but that's no great problem.
4) Does anyone have any recommendations on docking stations? I'd prefer something which holds the MBP vertically because I don't have much desk space and with a 30" I'm really not short of resolution so have no need to use the MBP's screen.
5) Does anyone have a recommendation for a good mac keyboard? I'm currently using a wired full size Apple keyboard from my wifes old Powermac. I don't seem to get on with her new flat wireless jobbie. Are there any good third party OSX keyboards that have regular laptop style keys (I use an old Logitech Ultra X with laptop style keys on my desktop).
If anyone has any thoughts on those I'd be grateful.
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