Looking at getting a MBP

First post here... So hey everyone.

I'm looking at getting one of the new updated MBP's, which will actually be my first Mac. And since I have never really looked at Macs/Apple before I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can help me with...

• Are there any known problems with the MBP? Like you see on the Dell M1530, I'm looking at that laptop also? Such as a screwy power supplies that zaps you? Or CPU whine?
• What is the screen like on the MBP? Are they all the same quality / model, or do you have about 4,000 different screen models of varying quality like on the Dell?
• Whats the best place to, legitimately, order the AppleCare warranty from? I read somewhere you can get them from resellers for less than the $400 Apple charges. I am in the US by the way...
• Is there a 32 bit Mac? Because one of the programs I use, Zend Studio, says it works only on 32 bit Macs. But I though Mac was all 64 bit? Am I wrong? I spoke to a sales rep at Zend, still waiting to hear back back from him so I was hoping there is someone here who uses it that can confirm that compatibility quicker.
• Any chance or reason to think Apple will be giving a discount / sale anytime soon? I can tell they don't do them often.
• Any reason to believe a long time XP/Vista user couldn't get used to the flow of a Mac?

Brandon

 

I actually do get some very slight CPU whine (absolutely nothing close to as loud as I heard some of those XPSs get), but only when I'm in Vista for some reason. My backlight also makes a low buzz, which I assume is because my 17 inch is not back lit with LEDs like the 15 inch ones. I think I have these problems just because I'm unlucky though....lol.

Mac OS X is 64-bit, yes.

The biggest discount right now is on refurbed older models, which had a price drop when the new ones were released.

As for getting used to OS X... there shouldn't really be a problem. It's much easier to use than Windows is, with a low learning curve.

 

-No real problems with MBPs. Everything has been ironed out by now.
-MBP screens are the best. They're not as high resolution as they proably should be, but they're LED backlit and gorgeous.
-I buy everything straight from the apple online store, with a student discount, so I can't help you there.
-Zend shouldn't give you any problems. The main difference is PowerPC versus Intel. The Intel Macs can run PowerPC programs through a protocol called "Rosetta", so you wont have to worry about that.
-Apple doesn't do random discounts or sales. If you're a student you get a hefty discount all the time, though.
-I used nothing but 2000/XP until I bought my MBP almost a year ago, and OS X is much much better than XP. I still use XP for work, but I never use it at home. There's also no program that doesn't have an equivalent in OS X.

 

my comments in red

 

The screen is great...best Ive seen on a laptop.

Quiet as can be.

Strong

 

I just bought the new penryn macbook model with the 256mb video card. My previous computer was the 12 inch ibook g4 which worked flawlessly for me for 3 years. I originally purchased the macbook but I hated the glossy screen. Went with the new macbook and my only concern is the heat it produces. So far it seems to be pretty cool to touch under normal usage and the screen is absolutely stunning. It's bright and crisp and offers a lot of workspace.

definitely go for the macbook pro esp. now since it uses a more power efficient processor and many of the problems that have plagued earlier macbook pros have been solved (hopefully)

my friend just took in his santa rosa mbp in to apple b/c the motherboard died.

 

the current Macbooks still use SR.