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So I want to buy a MacBook…

post #1 of 43
3/27/08 at 4:06pm
Thread Starter 
So anyone own one? Do you like it? Pros / cons? Are you running windows? If so, what program are you using?

I'm looking at the regular MacBook with the 2.4 dual processor and 2 gigs of RAM; not the Pro.

Jon.
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post #2 of 43
3/27/08 at 4:44pm


Tokyo Slim?
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post #3 of 43
3/27/08 at 4:58pm
I have an older white Macbook, and it has been great for me. I used to run Parallells for some windows programs (but mostly just for interest/geek factor), but now I rarely ever boot into a Windows environment. The release of Office '08 was the final piece of the puzzle in my basic computing world (student - basic note-taking, internet, finances)

I have had the Macbook for 1.75 years, and have had no issues with dependability other than shitty battery life (mostly expected, I am plugged in 98% of the time anyways)
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post #4 of 43
3/27/08 at 5:11pm
I've got a first generation macbook (32-bit, oh noes). Never had any problems with it. It came with just 512mb memory which was way too little. Upgraded to 2gb by now and it's much better. I stays plugged in most of the time though, so can't tell you much about battery life.
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post #5 of 43
3/27/08 at 5:30pm
have had my macbook for almost a year and a half now. love it. no windows on it. never had a mac before and some things took a little getting used to, along with finding software that would play all the divx movies and the sound updates. otherwise, i dread every time i have to use a windows machine now, i'd never go back. as long as you don't play videogames you don't need anything else. since someone spoke about the battery i definitely noticed mine taking a hit. when it was brand new and with wireless turned on it'd go for 5 hours, now it's more like 2.5, but still more than enough. if you turn the internet off you can go for good 3.5-4 hours. my old pc laptop the battery crapped out in 7 month and i couldn't get 45 minutes out of it.
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post #6 of 43
3/27/08 at 5:37pm
FYI, I think using any type of electronic device while the battery is still inside and plugging it into the wall has a negative effect on the life. You may want to try refreshing it by fully charging it, then using the device until it full drains the battery, and then recharging it all the way. That should give it some pickup. And as cool as it is to see new computers and new technology, I can't understand why nobody has improved on something so basic as battery life.
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post #7 of 43
3/27/08 at 6:33pm
Does a Mac allow you a full screen view of the web browser? I've played with them and can't find out how to do it. I like a minimal desktop look and would get annoyed if the active window has a bunch of stuff cluttered in the periphery of the screen.
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post #8 of 43
3/27/08 at 8:26pm
I have a macbook pro and I run fusion on it (best Window emulator imo).

With fusion you can run windows apps without running them in windowed mode (or rebooting into a different OS), you can copy/paste from a windows app to a mac app, drag to the desktop from each side, browse hard disc and desktops on both sides. You can minimize windows or windows app to the dock, basically allowing it to funciton seemlessly.

@greg_atlanta - yes, of course you can run full screen web browser. In addition, you can utilize some of the F-keys. If you press F9 your active windows will tile in thumbnail form (size depends on how many apps are currently active) and you can simply click the app you want to bring to the front.

F10 if I recall (I'm at work on a PC so I can't 100% remember if it's F10), simply moves all active windows off the screen so you can access the desktop.

F12 brings up the dashboard which is customizable and has the calculator, clock and various other things.
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post #9 of 43
3/27/08 at 11:21pm
I have a white macbook and use vmware fusion as well. I use it to run a few ashlar vellum and , and rosetta stone language software. when I use the design programs I usually use it at my desk with a external monitor ( i know i should have bought the pro) and a pc keyboard; if you use a pc at work I would reccomend getting a pc keyboard so they feel the same and you don't get slowed down trying to retrain your fingers.
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post #10 of 43
3/27/08 at 11:30pm
I bought a Macbook Pro not long ago. Got a great deal on a six-month-old one from some moron. Graphic designer who is "upgrading to a Macbook Air" for design work. His stupidity is my gain. Pretty happy with it. Battery life isnt great, and I had wifi connection issues early (which apparently were a 10.5 vs Macbook Pro issue for a lot of people). This has since been fixed with Software Update. Very good machine. Very fast. Multitasks brilliantly. Other than the mediocre battery, I love it.
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post #11 of 43
3/28/08 at 12:15am
Nice thread tags. I wish you the best of luck in purchasing your status symbol.
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post #12 of 43
3/28/08 at 4:20am
i enjoy using my Macbook
i get better productivity with my thinkpad x31

I currently have both the macbook and the the ibm thinkpad x31. i use both depends on where i'm at. i bring the x31 with me to work, school, etc. b/c it's light and i love the nipple mouse (allows me to be more productive with my fingers than the trackpad). on the other hand, i keep my macbook next to my bed and use it in my pleasure time (surf the web, watch dvd, listen to music, radio, etc.) i also have a pc desktop just in case i need to burn dvds, etc.
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post #13 of 43
3/28/08 at 10:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim View Post
Nice thread tags.

I wish you the best of luck in purchasing your status symbol.

I haven't drunk the kool aid.

First of all, I don't like laptops, for all their convenience, I find them lacking when compared to desktops, which tend to be more powerful and comfortable to use. Secondly, I objectively looked at similar units* from Sony, Dell, Toshiba and HP, and the Apple is in some ways better and in some ways worse.

For instance, I don't like the apple logo sticking out of the top of the laptop, lighting up like a giant advertising beacon. I also don't like the fact that the black-colored version is $110 (using student discount prices) just because it's black (I'm planning on getting the white one, btw).

At the same time, I like the one-on-one question capabilities of walking into any apple store and getting help with any questions; without getting bullshit answers. I also like that I can use OS X and Windows on one machine (and before you ask what I want to use in OS X that I can't use in Windows: Logic Pro), and frankly Vista sucks and I really don't want to buy a machine with it.

Also, a friend of mine works at the local Apple store and he can hook me up with any program I want...so that's like $7000 worth of fully working, no problem-free software right there, sans charge. And frankly, everyone I know that has a Mac, including the tech guys at work are happy with it.

Jon.


* Price, tech specs including: RAM, processor speed, architecture, USB ports, wifi, HD space and
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post #14 of 43
3/28/08 at 5:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jakejake View Post
i love the nipple mouse (allows me to be more productive with my fingers than the trackpad).

I thought it was a clit, not a nipple.
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post #15 of 43
3/28/08 at 11:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imageWIS View Post
I haven't drunk the kool aid.

You can come up with every possible reason in the world to buy a Porsche...but it's still a Porsche.
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