MacBook questions

Phaser

Phaser

Phaser

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Joined
17 Mar 2004
Posts
1,562
Right, instead of dropping questions in everyones threads I thought i'd create one of my own. :p

I'm hoping to join the Mac club with the purchase of a new 2.2GHz MacBook.

The main reasons are as follows:

- I like the way it just "works" - i'm sick of tweaking/virus scans/defragmenting etc
- I've been running a 3200+ with 1GB RAM for the last 2 or 3 years, this will feel nice and quick compared to it and will hopefully last me another 2 or 3 years
- The Front Row will work really well for me
- I want to get experience with OSX in general
- It's not that much more expensive than a similar specced Windows laptop and it will hold its value better
- I feel like I deserve a new toy!
- It looks cool!


Questions:

- Will video playback look OK at on my MIRAI DTL-527V200 - 27" LCD TV? (1366 x 768)
- How short is the mini-DVI to VGA adaptor? It looks tiny from the photos, not sure if it'd even reach my tele if it was on the same desk?!
- Can you get HE discount in the Apple stores? My GF is at uni, will she be able to order it in her name but still set it all up in my name?
- Chances of blagging a free adaptor/case?
- I'l be using it as a desktop (treating myself to a new Samsung 24" monitor too) but I like the fact that I have the option of using it anyway around the house/taking it to work occassionally etc. Anyone else do that?
- Would it be OK to play films off a 500GB external hard drive or would it be best to copy them on to the HDD first?

Secondly if you could post a pic of your MacBook up to persuade me even more that'd be great! :D
 
Thanks all.

The external HDD does have Firewire. It'd be really handy if I could keep the majority of movies etc on there as i'd only be getting a 120GB HDD with the MacBook.

Is the warrenty void if you open it to upgrade to 2GB?
 
Another question, would I be able to select the movies off an external HDD via Front Row? Kind of defeats the object if I have to copy them all across before I can see them in FV.
 
Nice, this just gets better and better.

Nearly pressing the buy button now, but think I ought to at least pop into the Apple store and have a play around with it first. :o
 
Toys r Us stock MacBooks?! Might have to give mine a ring and see if they've got any in, saves taking a day off work and going all the way to Meadowhall.

Will the MacBook work with any USB mouse/keyboard? Wanted the Apple set but i'm not paying £100.

Also can you still use the external monitor if the lid of the MacBook is open?

Cheers.
 
Also regarding the discounts...

The further education discount will get me the white 2.2 MacBook for £779.

Will a normal uni student be able to apply for higher education discount? If so how much will that save me?

Thanks!
 
Is that actually £14 or did you mean a %?

Yeah, just had a look on the bay after I posted that and found I could save myself a few quid. Not sure if i'l bother to start with, already costing me enough for the addons - extra RAM, case, mini video adaptor etc!

Rang my local Toys R Us but they dont have any in, looks like im off to the Apple store!

I think my questions have pretty much been answered, thanks! :)
 
Just spent half an hour having a play in the Currys store.

Seemed nippy and this was the older model with just 1GB. I was going to get the 2GB automatically but might wait a couple of weeks and see how I go with the 1GB.

Was initally put off by the 13" screen but after browsing a range of forums, websites and looking at the applications in the shop it's fine. Most of the time it'l be hooked up to the TFT anyway.

What are the speakers like? I know you can't expect much from laptop speakers on the whole but are the MacBooks any good?

Edit: Also how long roughly for delivery?
 
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Nice one, my Dad has a cheap laptop for web browsing and the speakers are awful.

My MacBook will be plugged into my seperates system most of the time so it's not that much of an issue, was just wondering if they were a bit better than the usual rubbish you get on laptops. :)

Like i've said, i'l be using it at a desk with a monitor most of the time, is it best to remove the battery? Seems pointless charging it up etc for the sake of it?

Think i'm definately going to order one now, hopefully tonight as i'l be at my gf's and she can get me the 14% discount! :D
 
Yep that sounds about right, using it at a desk 90% of the time with enough use on the move to charge it up a few times a month.

How long did it take for your MacBook to be shipped?

Thanks. :)
 
Ah not too bad, I thought of waiting around till December and ordering it as a Christmas present for myself but I don't want to wait. :D

Just taking a look at the sticky in the software section, i'm actually looking forward to installing all my programs etc on. :o
 
Just read this on the Apple site.

If the battery is removed from a MacBook or MacBook Pro, the computer will automatically reduce the processor speed. This prevents the computer from shutting down if it demands more power than the A/C adaptor alone can provide.
Click to expand...

As i'l be using it as a desktop this is going to be a problem, is there any way around it?
 
Ahhh, seems like it should be OK then. Hopefully ordering tonight.

Slightly off topic - has Apple removed their live chat thing from the website? Sure it was there yesterday!
 
Very nice Mohinder, i'm hoping to have the exact same spec although I may find myself prefering to lounge about on the sofa with it than sit at a desk, although I guess i'd still need the larger monitor etc for the web design side of things.

What size is that monitor mate?

Edit: I rang up the education bit of sales tonight and asked about the student discount (HE) and he said 12%. He then went on to say he could do me the £829 2.2ghz MacBook for £786. That ain't even 12%?! I started to question him then he cut me off?!!

I was hoping to get the 14% which would make it just over £700. I don't know if I can stretch that much more, especially as I was in Currys today and saw a much better spec Tobisha lappy for £500. I know it's not Mac OSX but still.

Gonna ring up again tomorrow and have another go.
 
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Just rang them again and they said with the discount it should be £713. Gonna have to get my girlfriend to ring up again and order, hopefully she won't get through to a clown insisting on charging me nearly £780!
 
Oh tell me about it, anyone else think it's a sheer cheek to be paying the best part of a grand for something and they can't even be bothered to pay an English person to speak you? I rang somewhere the other day, non Apple related and I got through to an Asian gentlemen who assured me his name was Steve Smith. :rolleyes:
 
Ordered this yesterday, it came to £773 with the DVI adaptor and the 3 years Applecare. Lets hope it's worth it as it's a lot of money to me!

Got to wait till December 3rd for it to be delivered though. :(

On the email I got, it said iLife and then not installed next to it? Is that because it comes with Leopard and I haven't purchased it seperately as an add-on?
 
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