Few questions from a soon-to-be-Mac family :D

Hi everyone,

After 15 years of using Windows PC setups, we decided to make the shift to Mac. Currently, we have 3 computers at home (an XPS 410 desktop and 2 XPS m1330 laptops). The desktop will stay, but the laptops will be replaced with a 13.3" MBP (for my wife) and a 15.4" MBP (for myself).

Through education discount (with a free iPod Touch), the choices for the 13.3" are:
13.3” MacBook Pro 2.26GHz - 2GB RAM (1066MHz) DDR3, 160GB HD (5400RPM) - $1,099
13.3” MacBook Pro 2.53GHz - 4GB RAM (1066MHz) DDR3, 250GB HD (5400RPM) - $1,399

I am planning to buy the first one for my wife and get 4GB RAM, 500GB HD and AppleCare with the $300 difference between the two models. I dont think 2.26GHz vs. 2.53GHz will make that much noticeable difference for her based on how she uses her computer(s). What do you think? Is that a wise decision or should I purchase the second one? Although I've done multiple HD swaps and OS installation on Windows boxes, I've never done one on a Mac. Is it the same/easier/more difficult compared to the windows procedure?

The choice for the 15.4" MBP are:
15.4” MacBook Pro 2.66GHz - 4GB RAM (1066MHz) DDR3, 320GB HD (5400RPM) - $1,849
15.4” MacBook Pro 2.8GHz - 4GB RAM (1066MHz) DDR3, 500GB HD (5400RPM) - $2,099

Most likely, I'll be getting the second choice, since I do quite a bit of Photoshop related work. The best part is, it will be covered by my research funds

I am planning to buy the AppleCare from eBay to cover the computers. Can I just buy it any time (even before buying the MBP) and apply it to the computer to extend the warranty another 2 years from the purchase date?

Just in case, I'll install Windows (at least for the transition period and for some obscure programs). Does it matter if I install XP, Vista 32 bit or Vista 64 bit SP1 (in terms of installation, drivers, etc)? Eventually, I'll replace whichever I end up installing with Windows 7 when it comes out (will get it for the Desktop anyways).

That should be it for now. I am sure I'll have lot more questions. I found many many threads for the recent switchers and started digesting them already.

Thanks in advance for your time and help!

 

Since you didn't say what your wife will be using the computer for, I would assume that she doesn't need the 2.53GHz CPU nor even the 4gb ram. My computer rarely uses more than 2.5 gb and that's when I have many apps open at once including Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. Get a bigger HD if she needs the space. For yourself, get the upgraded CPU since you use photoshop. You can buy the AppleCare at any time.

 

Thanks. I'll get the AppleCare from eBay while the Bing CashBack is still at 10%. That should save some more

My wife will be using it for Word processing, Excel, GraphPad Prism (stat application), occasional Photoshop, web and e-mail. She'll most likely be OK with the 2 GB RAM, but she "really" loves keeping 20+ apps/documents open at the same time; so, the 4GB upgrade would be better.

 

Just order the 2 gig one and buy 4 gigs of RAM from newegg. Swapping it is pretty elementary. Unless of course you're scared of denting/scratching the brand new machine.

 

Thanks for the reply. Monday, I'll stop by the bookstore and pickup her computer with 2 GB RAM. As I mentioned, I'll order more RAM and a bigger HD for her. Unfortunately, my order for the 15.4" MBP will have to wait another month due to accounting, etc procedures

I am not really scared of opening the case for the upgrades (I've watched too many you tube videos already). What I haven't been able to see so far is whether it is an easy process to install OS X from scratch on a Mac. There are tons of videos showing how to install OS X to a "PC", though

 

Just a curious question for the OP: How long ago did you buy the deskop and laptops? I have an HP now (it's only 2 months old), but MIGHT switch to Mac in a few years. As a college student, I don't have a lot of money to go around. Maybe your situation is different?

Anyways, back on topic. You shouldn't worry about denting or scratching the 13" MBP when replacing the RAM. I think it would be smart to replace it with 4 gigs. A hard drive upgrade is also simple. The MBP user manuals are self-explanatory and very safe to follow when making your upgrades! I have experience doing this on my friend's Mac and a Powerbook G4 I fixed a while back.

As for your 15.4", if your research funds cover the cost, definitely go for the 2.8ghz model! You won't regret anything when you throw those resource-heavy programs at it!

 

The desktop was purchased exactly 2 years ago. I am going to keep it and install Windows 7 when it comes out (running Vista 64 right now). The laptops were bought together in January 2008. I bought them "loaded" for $710 each from a great deal at the time, and sold them at $650 each few days ago on CL. Being in the post-college/post-graduate school stage definitely helps with financing new "toys".

Will do both upgrades at the same time as suggested here.

That's my plan at the moment

 

One down, one to go!

Picked up the 13.3" from the bookstore and let it charge during lunch break. Wow! What a beauty! I picked up an 8GB iPod Touch and a $70 HP printer as well, since they were free after rebate.

As mentioned above, the 13.3" has 2 GB RAM and 160GB HD. When I asked about whether putting extra RAM and a bigger HD void the warranty or not, I was told that it would not void the warranty, however if I need to send the computer for a repair, I "may" need to put back the original RAM and HD? Is that really the case? I hate things that are not being used and sitting in a drawer, and I would hate to keep the 2 GB RAM (2x1GB) and a 160GB HD for the next 3 years, just in case I'll need a warranty work. I would appreciate any feedback from the Mac users who upgraded their RAM and/or HD.

That's it for now. I am going to configure it a bit more before handing it to her. Darn it! It's going to be VERY difficult to wait a month for mine.

 

Yeah I would suggest putting the old stuff back in if you have to send it back in for service.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Any more comments on the "necessity" of keeping the original RAM and HD for possible warranty claims in the future?

Thanks in advance!

 

Just picked up the 15.4" (2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD) from the bookstore as well. I was worried that it might be little too big for a "portable" solution, but it is just perfect. Not too big, not too small; just a bit heavy

Compared to the 13.3" MBP that I've been playing with since Monday, the screen "seems" to be much brighter and crisp. Of course, this is subjective at the moment, since I don't have the 13.3" with me. I'll take some side-by-side comparison pictures tonight.

Any recommendations for a good sleeve? They had few Tucano sleeves that looked nice.

 

Don't really have any recommendations, however there is a pretty extensive list of sleeve/bag manufacturers and resellers right here. Hope that helps

 

i bought a 3rd party neoprene sleeve on ebay and i must say it does the job pretty well.

 

Thanks for the reply. That's a huge list

I saw so many on eBay, too; however, I am not sure which one fits well, has quality materials, etc etc.

I tried the "Incase" sleeves at BestBuy last night (that's the only Mac-specific sleeve there); although, the 13.3 seemed OK, the 15.4 bag has lots of room around the computer which makes it bulky and hard to fit in my computer bag. Currently, the one I am considering buying is this (black for 15.4, and red for 13.3):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JMDT5C/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

 

I didn't sleep much last night, while setting up these beauties (e.g., program installations, customizations, file transfers, learning about Macs, etc etc). It's a fun process for anyone who switched recently. The novelty factor is incredible

 

so you like them?

 

A lot actually (if it wasn't obvious already)!

 

Is there anything we can help?

 

I am trying to resist the idea of installing Windows. So far, I haven't found anything that would not work on the Mac, and I dont play games. Is there any other reason that I would want to install Windows? I'd like to avoid it if I can...

I am still not 100% happy with the firewall solution so far. As I mentioned before, I'd like to control the outgoing traffic. In Windows based programs, you'll get a question of "Program X wants to access internet" and you choose, deny, allow, allow once, etc. Among the programs that I looked at for Mac, this process is setup as "allow access to the programs only listed in the hosts file". In order to block a program which is already in that list, I'll have to go in and edit it out - I think.

Lastly, I am adjusting my typing for the absence of the "DEL" key

 

install it when you find something that you can't do under mac os

"apple"+del key combination should do the job!

 

That's what I am adjusting to...

 

Here is another question regarding HD usage:

Since I've always used Windows machines before, the default setup of my HDs was "have a small(er) partition for Windows and programs and a bigger partition for personal data". Since Windows required regular formats, recovery, defragmenting, etc, this way I was just dealing with the C drive without touching the D partition. Is something like this necessary on a Mac? Are you guys partitioning your HDs (for other than installing other OS)?

Thanks in advance!

 

I don't think any need for it... All you will need to do is repairing partitions from time to time, but I don't think that partitioning will help! Mac OS takes care of defragmenting, you won't even notice anything. And if you are using Time Machine as backup, there is no need of partitioning as well bc TM will just back up everything and you can restore back HDD's contains to almost any moment-say 2 days ago.

 

Sharp!

Does the 15" version feel that much more heavy compared to its 1 lb. lighter cousin? Was considering ordering one next week to carry / use in med school.

 

The 15" doesn't feel heavy at all. Especially, when you compare it to the 13" version. As you said, there is only 1 lb difference between the two. I definitely recommend it

 

Mine is very portable, but when i add 2-3 exercise books in my backpack+ my bottle of water, the weight accumulates.

 

Here is another question: How many of you guys are still using the white, thin foamy sheet that goes in between the screen and the keyboard when closed? With all the other laptops I've owned before (e.g., DELL, IBM, etc), I always had to keep something in between the screen and the keyboard, because the keys made nasty impressions on the screen. I am guessing with the precision unibody design, this may not be an issue with MBPs, but I wanted to double-check with you guys before ditching that sheet

Thanks!

 

that doesnt happen with me. my screen is as clean as possible. i do not use this piece of foam.

 

well,keep it for couple of days

 

Well... if I keep it, I'll keep it for a long time. When I sold my m1330 18 months later, it still had the foam piece that came with it

 

Today, I installed Skype and did a video chat for about 30 min. The bottom of the 15" MBP got pretty hot. I am not worried or anything, but I'd like to know the CPU and GPU temperatures under certain conditions (a habit from owning an XPS m1330 with an nVidia ticking-bomb inside).

What would you guys recommend for a temperature reader? So far I located "Temperature Monitor" and "iStat".

Again, thanks in advance!

 

run smcfancontrol... i leave it sitting in the top bar so i can always see my fan RPMs and CPU temp. I also mae pre-sets in it for changing fan speed at 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000... if it gets to hot i quickly click it and up the fan speed some on my own. Changing speed in smcfanconrol only changes the minimum speed of your fans.... so if you set to like 4000, and it still gets too hot it will still raise up past 4000 if the computer wants to.

 

Thanks for the reply. That's what I was looking for!

 

I started monitoring temps, speeds, etc using iStat Menus, since I wanted to see what the baseline is and whether it needs any tinkering. I am just loving how cool my 15 MBP runs. The idle temp with Thunderbird, Firefox (multiple tabs), MS Office open is 35-37 C CPU, 36-38 GPU and 26-28 HD; fans always below 2,000 rpm. Compared to my last laptop (XPS m1330), this is cold as ice

I'll keep monitoring to see how temps change under different conditions (e.g., Skype, video editing, etc).

 

For some strange reason, Thunderbird was constantly using 20-25% CPU in the background. I didn't feel like troubleshooting and decided to configure the built-in Mail client which is very good. Is this a known problem with Thunderbird? I am running the most recent version.

 

To be honest, my screen gets dirty ALL THE TIME!

I am a very clean person, yet no matter what, over time the keys get dirty and the screen gets their impression on it...


And my keys are starting to get shiny on some spots like the spacebar, enter and delete keys...




All in all, I LOVE MY MacBook Unibody 2.4GHz <3

 

Here is my first complaint about my shiny/brand new 15 MBP: I've been listening to music while using the computer on battery power and everything was fine. Then, I moved to a different table at Starbucks and connected the power adapter to charge the computer. As soon as one song finished and there was a silence, I heard a "cracking" noise -not too loud, but there- from the headphones. If I pause the music or mute it or if the song has a relatively low sound level at different parts, the noise can be heard continuously. If I disconnect the power cord, then it goes away. If I re-connect it, the noise comes back. I wonder if it will go away once the battery is fully charged (17 more minutes). Update: The battery is now fully charged, and the noise is still there as long as the power connector is plugged. It's like listening to old vinyl records with the a background crackling noise

This seems to be related to the headphone jack connection, because there is no noise through my stereo BT headset whether the computer is charging or not.

Not a big problem, but just an "observation" and annoyance at this stage...

 

To be honest, I get static like shocks when I put my wrist close to the laptop when I use the 2 prong power adapter...

When I use the 3 prong extension I don't and I also don't get the noise...
This is probably due to grounding?


This is also a big problem with Audiophiles, they have special power chords and adapters so you don't get hum...

 

Thanks for the reply. I am actually using the 3-prong extension right now and hearing the cracking noise

I'll try this at home with different headphones. I wonder whether the "magnetic" nature of the power plug contributes to this or not...

 

Well... we know it's not the MacBook itself...

So it has to be the power cord, adapter, magnet or power source...