Macbook questions from a n00b

richieboy

richieboy

richieboy

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29 Dec 2004
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2,253
Hi chaps,

I'm currently looking to invest in a MacBook Pro in the next month or so. I've never used OSX before, so its going to be a learning curve but im sure it'll be worth it.

My main question - i heard there is a new version of OSX coming out soon (cant remember the name), and i also read somewhere it would be worth waiting for that to come out before i buy my Macbook. What i'd like to know is, when is it coming out, and is it worth waiting for? I don't mind waiting.

I also can't devide on whether i want a 15 or a 17" display. I like the idea of a smaller/lighter laptop but would also like a large display. My current laptop is a 16" screen running at 1600x1200 - so im also worried that im going to miss my high resolution... :confused:

Oh, and if anyone has any tips/hints etc for buying/using/etc a Macbook i'd appreciate it!
 
You won't be disappointed. There are a few on eBay where you can save quite abit. If not and you are a student, you can get a large educational discount. Lepord is due out in Spring. I believe the resolution of both the 15 and 17 are the same. I'd go for the 15".
 
Lepord is also rumoured to have the windows API installed so you can run windows native apps on a mac just as if they were mac apps! :D

I honestly do love the sound of this and if it is confirmed then I will definately be investing in at least a macbook!
Somehow I find it hard to believe that Apple would lower the standard of their products :p
 
Here are some links that are a good starting place to get to grips with the difference between OS X and Windows:

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/
http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

Here are a couple of software lists so that you can start sorting out your application needs:

http://www.eskimo.com/~pristine/
http://www.opensourcemac.org/

There are loads Mac user groups and news sites etc., I have always found these two useful in getting the gen on what is happeining in Macland:

http://www.macrumors.com/
http://www.macworld.co.uk/

I can only add to what triggerthat has said, you won't be disappointed, far from it, I am confident you will be delighted. :)
 
Lovely stuff, thanks guys.

Another question - i have been looking at different configurations on the Apple UK Store. If i add a 17" model, i can select a 100GB 7200RPM HDD (which is better for me, don't need a huge capacity and would prefer speed), but if i choose the 15" model i can only choose 120GB+ all of which run no faster than 5400RPM. Weird, huh? Anyone know why?

Think i may go for the 17" because of the above...it's only an extra £100 after going for the smaller capacity (but faster spindle speed) HDD.

Lepord! That was the name...i guess i'll wait around for that before ordering, as from what i've read i'll have to pay to upgrade otherwise.

Thanks :) I'm all excited :D
 
Find someone or some place to play around with a macbook(or pro) and have a feel of OSX. I tried it at Toys R' Us - no attendant there, so I clocked about 2 hours worth of "exploration". I totally liked it and bought it (from Apple site @ Student Discount)

I've not looked back since.
(Also, one thing I've realized is, people give you a weird look when you use a Mac, especially in public. But they're not all negatives. You'll know what I mean when you use your mac in public...)

Anyway, I'm a MacBook user, so can't comment on the build quality of MacBook pros.

Good luck and hope you'll enjoy your mac :)
 
Don't forget that if you do use a 'must have' Windows only application that you can always use Boot Camp and dual boot or Parallels for running Windows. Another alternative is CrossOverMac but that is, quite frankly, pants. :)

I would go for the 17" myself, one thing that you need to remember in OS X is that most applicaion windows do not maximise and assume the optimal size for using/viewing unless you manually resize. This can get frustrating at first but after a while, especially with Expose, you will come to find it invaluable and your productivity will increase significantly. Hence, the more screen real estate you have the better. It's all about the multi tasking baby! :)
 
Just been looking into Leopard and am going to wait. Didn't realise any of OSX was 64-bit at all, so should go nicely with the Core2Duo in the MacBook Pro! It look's like Leopard is very close - so i'd be stupid to order now, i'll just have to be patient and wait for it.

Think i've decided - 17" version with 2GB RAM and 100GB 7200RPM HDD.

I deserve a late christmas present :D

Edit: Am unfortunately no longer a student, i should get a discount working for the NHS though :p
 
richieboy said:
Another question - i have been looking at different configurations on the Apple UK Store. If i add a 17" model, i can select a 100GB 7200RPM HDD (which is better for me, don't need a huge capacity and would prefer speed), but if i choose the 15" model i can only choose 120GB+ all of which run no faster than 5400RPM. Weird, huh? Anyone know why?
Think i may go for the 17" because of the above...it's only an extra £100 after going for the smaller capacity (but faster spindle speed) HDD.
Click to expand...

Looks like a bit of shady dealing by Apple there, but as for 5400rpm vs. 7200rpm issue if you partition the drive and place the os/programs near the centre of of the disk it reduces the read time perhaps lessening the need for a faster spindle speed
 
I do believe there are two main factors why a 5400 over a 7200 is used. Heat and battery life. Two BIG factors in laptops. If mine got any hotter on the underneath, I'd burn my leg. Also, whats the point in a laptop that can't last that long before a re-charge? I think it's a wise decision, especially when almost all users won't notice the speed difference in day to day use.
 
JonB said:
I do believe there are two main factors why a 5400 over a 7200 is used. Heat and battery life. Two BIG factors in laptops. If mine got any hotter on the underneath, I'd burn my leg. Also, whats the point in a laptop that can't last that long before a re-charge? I think it's a wise decision, especially when almost all users won't notice the speed difference in day to day use.
Click to expand...

I see you're point - but surely the difference would be minimal? As in, an extra 1800rpm isn't going to knock much more than 5minutes off a full charge, and the additional heat isn't going to cause the lappy to fall over?

If Apple offer it they have to support it - so i'll plum for the additional speed, and if anything goes wrong i'll use the warranty!

(Plus - it saves £70 as its a lower capacity HDD :p )
 
richieboy said:
MATTE OR GLOSS?! :p
Click to expand...

Depends what you are going to use it for?

Gloss it better for graphics, photos, and videos + watching DVD movies etc

better colour saturation :confused:

Matte has better anti-glare protection
 
Will_3rd said:
Depends what you are going to use it for?

Gloss it better for graphics, photos, and videos + watching DVD movies etc

better colour saturation :confused:

Matte has better anti-glare protection
Click to expand...

I wouldn't advise gloss at all if you're going to be working with graphics / photos and videos.
 
It'll be mainly used for web browsing/image editing (very NON-professional, just basic personal website stuff)/music/DVD's/word processing/little bit of gaming etc. I have heard the gloss looks better but (obviously) suffers from glare.

I'll mostly be using it indoors where i can control the light environment...would you guys go for gloss or matte in my situation?
 
toosepin said:
I wouldn't advise gloss at all if you're going to be working with graphics / photos and videos.
Click to expand...

Dunno, that's not what it says on the Apple website, but it's all down to personal preference
 
richieboy said:
I'll mostly be using it indoors where i can control the light environment...would you guys go for gloss or matte in my situation?
Click to expand...

Matte I guess, not sure if gloss is more susceptible to picking up finger prints?
 
Will_3rd said:
Matte I guess, not sure if gloss is more susceptible to picking up finger prints?
Click to expand...

Gloss is a bloody nightmare to keep clean, you don't notice it so much when the screen is on, but it doesn't half get dirty.

I'd go for gloss though.
 
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