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    Last Minute Questions; upgrades, software and screens.

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by inkyquills, Jun 17, 2009.

  1. inkyquills

    inkyquills Notebook Consultant

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    Hello! I will be getting a new MacBook Pro 13" within the next few days, this weekend at the latest. I will be picking up the laptop, the free iPod, the free printer, and cases for the laptop and iPod, as well as AppleCare (might save that for the next couple of months though) at an Apple store. Anyways, before I make that trip to the Apple Store I have some questions as a first time Apple buyer.

    1. If I buy a laptop at the store, how difficult is it to get different specs for a laptop? Do they have a variety of different spec laptops to choose from or do they just have the base models? Like, let's say I want the $1199 MacBook Pro but with a larger hard drive, would they be able to do that at the store? Speaking of which...

    2. I was looking on the website, and it's just $50 dollars more for a 250GB hard drive over the 160GB. Would you guys suggest getting the extra space for that price? I checked prices for a 250GB hard drive and they're about the same price as that and I wouldn't have to worry about installing it myself.

    3. I tried looking around the Apple website for this but couldn't find anything on what software that comes PRE-installed on the laptop? Anything useful?

    4. I am debating whether or not to get iWorks or Word for Mac 2009. iWorks is $50 and Word is $120. I will just need it for writing essays and doing the occasional PowerPoint presentation. I don't need those specific programs, just compatibility.

    5. And finally, I don't know if this is a problem with Macs, but what is Apple's policy on dead pixels? If I find one, how difficult would it be to get the laptop exchanged for another?

    Thanks so much for your answers! I am really looking forward to picking up this laptop soon.
     
    inkyquills, Jun 17, 2009
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  2. squishydonut

    squishydonut Newbie

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    My answers are limited since I haven't received my first Mac in the mail yet (c'mon Fedex!), but here ya go:

    1.) Only basic specs at the Apple store I went to. Printer selection ($100 rebate), larger h/d specs etc = online order.

    2.) That's what I got (250gig). The 250 seemed like the sweet spot, best bang for buck. At least for me.
     
    squishydonut, Jun 17, 2009
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  3. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    3. It comes with iLife 09. <-Link

    4. You can always use Open office for free... :D
     
    Johnny T, Jun 17, 2009
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  4. sarahfox

    sarahfox Notebook Consultant

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    iWorks well with office docs, so you have no problems there for now http://www.apple.com/iwork/compatibility/

    However Microsoft like altering their office docs formats to force people to upgrade so you might need to get office at some point in the future. But for now, iwork is pretty awesome and free with your mac.
     
    sarahfox, Jun 17, 2009
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