ExAFO 0 #1 January 8, 2007 My Dell (FUCK Dell!) died. I have decided to get a Mac Book, the Black 13inch: * 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo * 1GB memory * 120GB hard drive1 * Double-layer SuperDrive I saw how Apple is prepping to release an updated version of OS X, "Leopard." Anyone know when the new OS is due out? I don't want to get it and have to immediately turn around an upgrade the OS... Also, is MS Office for Mac a good option for school? (am in Law School) ThxIllinois needs a CCW Law. NOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CloudOnMyTongue 0 #2 January 8, 2007 Wait until after Mac World. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikhail 0 #3 January 8, 2007 Good point, but you also have to remember that waiting for technology is pointless. There will always be something just around the corner. If you want it & you like it, just get it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carpediem 0 #4 January 8, 2007 QuoteMy Dell (FUCK Dell!) died. I saw how Apple is prepping to release an updated version of OS X, "Leopard." Anyone know when the new OS is due out? I don't want to get it and have to immediately turn around an upgrade the OS... Also, is MS Office for Mac a good option for school? (am in Law School) Thx Updating your OS won't be much of an issue when the time comes. Get a MacBook, you'll never go back to a Windows PC again. (I just bought my macbook in sept, 1st ever mac, and love it) MS Office for Mac works great. I've had no issues with Word or Powerpoint when giving presentations Those who do, can't explain. Those who don't, can't understand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #5 January 8, 2007 That is pretty similar to what I just bought but I would advise one change: Order with the maximum RAM . What sounds like a lot of RAM today won't sound like all that much 2 years down the road. (My iBook lasted me 3.5 yrs). Also, no matter how much RAM you have in your MacBook, both slots will be filled. That means if you want to upgrade to 2G later, you can't just buy 1G; you will need to buy (2) 1G modules, and then pull out the (2) 512M modules that came in it."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #6 January 8, 2007 i am still using my Power book G4...with no problem. bought a 500 gigabite from lacie to store video. Also, if you plan to edit alot of video, check which video card setup you are getting, a few years ago Nvida was the fastest... ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #7 January 8, 2007 Not when macworld is this week. There is a possibility there will be new books introduced. also I wouldn't buy the black mac book...your wasting your money. get the middle of the line one. that's why I bought and then upgraded the hard drive my self. super easy to do. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stitch 0 #8 January 8, 2007 It is if you're broke. "No cookies for you"- GFD "I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65 Don't be a "Racer Hater" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #9 January 8, 2007 As noted by several people...wait until after Tuesday's Macworld keynote by Steve Jobs. If you take a look at macRumors' Buyer's Guide you will see that they say now is a good time to buy because the MacBooks were updated in November so there likely won't be new processors, etc for a while. But, I think you should wait until after MacWorld because the iLife suite will likely be updated so you want to be sure that the one you buy has the latest version of iLife (iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto). Otherwise, you will pay an extra 90 bucks I think it is to upgrade. The keynote speech will also give, I think, a release date for the next version of OS X, Leopard. If it is fairly soon you may want to wait so that you also get the latest OS and do not have to pay to upgrade that as well. Although, to this point in time there is NO copy protection on OS X. You can install it on as many computers as you want....no codes to enter....no checking to see if you have a legal version, etc. that you would have to go through with Windows. Who knows, this may change with Leopard but I don't think so....Apple makes its' money selling hardware. But, I throw that out as a reason for you to hang on at least a couple of days before buying. If you buy after the keynote from other than the Apple Store online, be sure that you are getting the software versions you should be getting. I just came into a few extra bucks and am going to pick up a Macbook as well...but not until after I see what Stevie-boy has to say Tuesday am. Edited to add: I use OS X Office all day, every day (Excel mostly) and it is great. You can buy a fairly inexpensive student version. The keynote may also have an update about how soon Microsoft's Mac Business Unit will be releasing the next version for the Mac. I don't expect it to be very soon....maybe this summer or fall. In the meantime, if you can find a friend with a present-day copy you may be able to use it as you can install it on 3 machines with no problems. Blue skies, Black Macs!!! Murray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
faulknerwn 38 #10 January 8, 2007 Apple always used to give free OS upgrades to anyone who had bought a computer from them in the last (60?) days or something like that.. So if you buy direct from Apple, you should get free software updates if they come out soon. But I'd wait till Tuesday just to be sure :-) W Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #11 January 8, 2007 My mac helped me survive law school! My mac always works, is completely compatible with the school's networks (and chapman's network is quite literally held together with duct tape, so it certainly isn't new or sophisticated, and it's built for PCs), and I've had no issues at all with sending Office files from the mac to the professor's PCs. I've loaned my computer to three other students who had their PCs in the shop. Two bought macs. My professor, after cursing his school issued PC for failing to properly load his PC created power point presentation: "Can I use that? I need something that works." The only down side of having a mac in law school is that in California, at least, you can't use it to take the bar exam. That's certainly not going to stop me from acquiring a macbook after the bar. Not that there's anything at all wrong with my iBook. You can just never have too many macs. There's a reason why PCs have users and Macs have evangelists. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nickkk 0 #12 January 8, 2007 Quote There's a reason why PCs have users and Macs have evangelists. No truer words can be spoken. This is the reaosn why every Mac owner LOVES thier Mac. I <3 my Macbook pro. What do you do when someone throws a big planet at you? Throw your pilot chute in defense! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #13 January 8, 2007 QuoteOrder with the maximum RAM . $575 for one gig of RAM is a a lot to ask IMHO. That is the current quote to upgrade a Macbook Pro from 2 gig to 3 gig.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katherine 0 #14 January 8, 2007 office for mac is great, no compatability issues usually for mac->pc->mac. sometimes in powerpoint, an image that displays fine on my mac won't on th uni pc's - gives a bix saying the pc needs a quicktime tiff compressor or decompressor or something, so just make sure pics are in jpg if that could be an issue. office is the only thing on my mac that crashes, esp when copyingfrom powerpoint slides to word or vice versa, but i have a way old version (2002) so am sure thats all fixd by now.Leeds University Skydiving Club www.skydiveleeds.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #15 January 8, 2007 QuoteQuoteOrder with the maximum RAM . $575 for one gig of RAM is a a lot to ask IMHO. That is the current quote to upgrade a Macbook Pro from 2 gig to 3 gig. He was talking about the Black MacBook, (not the "Pro"). It comes with 1G standard, and cost $175 to upgrade to 2G when ordered."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #16 January 8, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteOrder with the maximum RAM . $575 for one gig of RAM is a a lot to ask IMHO. That is the current quote to upgrade a Macbook Pro from 2 gig to 3 gig. He was talking about the Black MacBook, (not the "Pro"). It comes with 1G standard, and cost $175 to upgrade to 2G when ordered. I think the upgrade to 3 gb is way too expensive. I'm sure that 2 gb will be fine. I've edited tons of video, etc on a now 4 1/2 year old iMac with 768 mb of ram.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #17 January 8, 2007 general question to macbook users: the main difference between the macbook and macbook pro (other than screen size) seems to be that the pro has discreet video memory and the macbook uses a chunk of system memory. the latter usually results in piss poor video pereformance on a windoze system, how does a mac deal with it?"Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrismgtis 0 #18 January 8, 2007 It's always a bad time to buy a Mac. Sorry I had to. Rodriguez Brother #1614, Muff Brother #4033 Jumped: Twin Otter, Cessna 182, CASA, Helicopter, Caravan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #19 January 8, 2007 QuoteQuoteOrder with the maximum RAM . $575 for one gig of RAM is a a lot to ask IMHO. That is the current quote to upgrade a Macbook Pro from 2 gig to 3 gig. The RAM is easily user serviceable in the mac laptops. Crucial.com carries all the compatible RAM for much cheaper than ordering it from the factory. Apple's memory is good, but it's four times as expensive, and it's the same stuff with the apple label on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #20 January 8, 2007 Quotegeneral question to macbook users: the main difference between the macbook and macbook pro (other than screen size) seems to be that the pro has discreet video memory and the macbook uses a chunk of system memory. the latter usually results in piss poor video pereformance on a windoze system, how does a mac deal with it? MacBook Pros have a dedicated video chip. MacBooks don't. The macbook has plenty video performance for anything you're going to do except gaming and video editing. It's okay for video editing (works fine for the basics) but not great for graphics intensive gaming. James can turn all the graphics on on Warcraft and get 70 frames a second. In my iBook, I have to shut some video options off to keep it smooth. He says he wouldn't hesitate to buy either, but don't do it today, wait til after MacWorld tomorrow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #21 January 8, 2007 we do still have a PC laptop though...my wife is a realtor, and the MLS system and realtor online forms are pretty much PC oriented. you can access it through a mac, but it is a total hack job...and sloooooow. so be aware of what you will be using the mac for. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #22 January 8, 2007 cool, thanks. i was planning on waiting for leopard anyway. there is also supposed to be a 13" mbp on the way. that would probably be my choice if it is available, nicely portable and powerful too. a docking station with a bigger monitor and you're all set! "Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #23 January 8, 2007 Quotecool, thanks. i was planning on waiting for leopard anyway. there is also supposed to be a 13" mbp on the way. that would probably be my choice if it is available, nicely portable and powerful too. a docking station with a bigger monitor and you're all set! I watch a lot of Mac rumor sites and I've never seen one for a 13" MacBook Pro. Doesn't make sense to me as it seems they cut off the overlap they used to have between the consumer and pro lines when they introduced MacBook and MacBook Pro. Where did you see that rumor?? All of these laptops will connect to an external monitor...you just need the appropriate adapter....no docking station required.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxx 1 #24 January 8, 2007 I have an 12" iBook at the moment, but I will sell it, if this comes true tomorrow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #25 January 8, 2007 Quote Where did you see that rumor?? took awhile to find it, but here is the story i read. it's a month old, and still a rumour, but an interesting one. rumour edited becuz eye kant spel."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
