Vista on my new MacBook Pro: zippy, but oh so expensive!

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mgo · #1 Post by **mgo** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:55 pm

Ok, so I got the "itchy wallet syndrome" and bought a nice MacBook Pro. It has the hi res 1920 X 1200 17" matte screen.

160 gig HDD running 7200RPM, with four gigs of RAM. (The RAM cost for two 2 gig sticks? Oh the humanity.....$400.00. Geeze what a markup, eh?

"Boot Camp" installed Vista Biz with no problems.

What I love: The amazingly clean, flawless screen. Even better than my best hi res ThinkPads.

The speed! Man, the speed! The machine is quiet. Only brief fan noise under heavy load, but not that irritating ThinkPad sound we all know and love.

The backlit keyboard is a dream!

What isn't too good: Apple's applications, or lack of them. Hardly anything useful from the factory install. I think I will stick with my Vista Office 2007 apps for the time being.

Apple's file management isn't as clear and intuitive as Windows.

Well, any tips or hints from other "Mac-enstein" users would be welcomed!

crazyeddie1 · #2 Post by **crazyeddie1** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:18 am

Google "leapord features" you will come across many apps which are there but maybe you do not know what stuff they do, it really helps new mac users.

There are also very useful apps in iLife then there is Automator, dashboard, spaces, expose, screen sharing, photbooth, front row, movie maker and so forth. Time machine is my favourite it has saved my behind various times. Of course leapord does not come with any advanced word processor other than the default .txt writer and that trial keynote processor in iLife (if you chose to install) Lookup on ebay if you wish to buy ms office 2008 for mac, you can find a legit copy there for a reasonable price.

Apple also hosts useful free apps on its website, from the top left corner in leapord inside the apple sign choose software download it will take you to the source.

Further in future do not buy ram and hard disk drive from apple, mbp will take these two parts from any good first or third party companies.

mgo · #3 Post by **mgo** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:32 am

crazyeddie1 wrote:Google "leapord features" you will come across many apps which are there but maybe you do not know what stuff they do, it really helps new mac users.
Further in future do not buy ram and hard disk drive from apple, mbp will take these two parts from any good first or third party companies.

Many thanks for the reply and the tips. I am starting to think that I need to buy iLife and use it if I really want to get serious and productive with this new system.

At least it claims to be compatible with my Office files.

Even the people in the Apple store were unsure about Time Machine. It's nearly incomprehensible to me. I have gone to SuperDuper which makes more sense to me.

Temetka · #4 Post by **Temetka** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:01 pm

What is so confusing about Time Machine? It's ridiculously easy to use and setup. My buddy set his up with a few clicks across a RAID 5 array. It's been working great for him sine 10.5 came out.

It's hard for people like me. I prefer Thinkpads (but Apple's backlit KB wins, sorry) but I prefer OS X. Windows is windows and with my MCSE and years of IT work in the trenches I can say, "been there, done that."

OS X is simply superior for my workflow and it doesn't get in the way.

NOTE: Superiority is defined by my years of OS X and 9 experience and my history with PC's starting with my old XT and orange screen.

mgo · #5 Post by **mgo** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:41 pm

Temetka wrote:What is so confusing about Time Machine? It's ridiculously easy to use and setup. .

Well, I'm not stupid....so excuse me for a simple statement about my initial impression of Time Machine. I will keep messing with Time Machine and see if I finally "get it".

wearetheborg · #6 Post by **wearetheborg** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:18 pm

How does the screen compare to
1) Other 17' WUXGA screens ?
2) Other 15.4" WUXGA screens ?
3) Flexview UXGA ?

mgo · #7 Post by **mgo** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:05 pm

wearetheborg wrote:How does the screen compare to
1) Other 17' WUXGA screens ?
2) Other 15.4" WUXGA screens ?
3) Flexview UXGA ?

The screen is georgeous. Zero flaws, bright and super-sharp. Problem is, Apple does not scale as well as Vista, so one needs sharp vision or good glasses to enjoy the screen.

Yes, one can zoom objects on the screen, but then things look a little ragged.

This machine is very new to me, so in time I may be able to enlarge fonts, etc, as I get past the learning curve a bit more.

Vista, by the way looks fabulous on thie machine. It's a snap to scale everything on that side.

phubai · #8 Post by **phubai** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:18 pm

mgo wrote:
crazyeddie1 wrote:Google "leapord features" you will come across many apps which are there but maybe you do not know what stuff they do, it really helps new mac users.
Further in future do not buy ram and hard disk drive from apple, mbp will take these two parts from any good first or third party companies.
Many thanks for the reply and the tips. I am starting to think that I need to buy iLife and use it if I really want to get serious and productive with this new system.

At least it claims to be compatible with my Office files.

Even the people in the Apple store were unsure about Time Machine. It's nearly incomprehensible to me. I have gone to SuperDuper which makes more sense to me.

As a suggestion, if you already have Office on the windows side, just get Parallels or VMWare Fusion and you can use both windows and Mac apps side by side, at the same time. Also, don't confuse iLife with iWork. iWork has a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software. There are at least a couple of good Open Source office alternatives as well. NeoOffice and Open Office both have delivered Mac office suites and they do a pretty good job.

Enjoy your new machine...I'm envious!

Vista on my new MacBook Pro: zippy, but oh so expensive!

Vista on my new MacBook Pro: zippy, but oh so expensive!

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