Macbook pro OS Lion / Laptop Protection

I'm planning to start the IB Diploma Program and am planning to get a new laptop for the first year. I'm probably going to get a Mac because my desktop is windows.

1. Does anyone actually know what date the new OS Lion is going to come out? or if it's early/mid/late summer?

2. Do you recommend getting it because it's new so it might have bugs?

3.Which do you recommend for school and for travelling (give combinations if you want): sleeve, hardcase, laptop backpack to put with textbooks, messenger laptop bag just for the laptop

4. If you've had experience with the Speck See Thru Satin Hard Case, does the outer layer kind of wear away after a while? it seems like the type of material that would. Would you recommend just the normal See Thru Case then?

5. How do you care for the battery? What should I do to make the battery last as long as possible?

 

It's an incremental upgrade, not a re-write. Most of the new features of Lion are already in use via third party apps. So it is unlikely that some radical departure is going to be the cause of major issues. Sure there might be some minor glitches that get ironed out in subsequent updates. Snow Leopard obviously had subsequent updates to add a little polish too.

I'm more worried that I might not like the transitioning to a meld of IOS features in OS X than anything else. I like the current Mac paradigm and am hoping that I don't have to install a retro version of Finder to bring back functionality that IOS "idiot-proofing"/simplicity is intended feed us. I think that's why my ipad has been put away in a drawer, and I've grown to appreciate my MBA even more. Don't get me wrong, IOS is awesome for its intended purpose. I just don't like it much for a fully functional computer.

 

That's a bold statement when you have zero facts to back this up. Nobody accept Apple knows what Lion's full potential will be. And what are these new features in Lion that 3rd party apps can do?

@OP, you'll have to wait and see how Lion pans out. I'm sure of it that it will be much more than an incremental upgrade, in fact it should be a major upgrade. Apple never shows all the new feature sets in future versions of OS X because they know they will be copied by Microsoft, so they generally reveal a small set of features until they are ready to release it to the public. The features that Apple revealed were just to show that the Mac is coming together with the iOS devices as it should so everything will be seamless, especially for iPhone users that are considering a Mac.

 

Read Apple's website. They have given quite a bit of information on this subject. Apple - Mac OS X Lion

While Apple has not told us everything, they don't need to. I don't remark on the potential, just the feature set as Apple has presented it. I imagine there is a "boatload" of other minor changes and upgrade of capability that we can't help but favor.

If you think that I am somehow denigrating the change, I am not. But Lion certainly does have departure functionality that is already available, if not through apple (like the App store), then the new launching facilities which are readily available through alternate means.

 

I already know the preliminary features in Lion, I mentioned that in my last post. You are making bold statements that have no backup. You have no idea if it will be an incremental upgrade. Unlike Snow Leopard Apple did not fully disclose features in Lion and say that they were not adding new features. Honestly I think you should wait until Apple announces the final feature set before giving advice like you have to the OP.

 

HLdan,

Sure you can wait until Apple announces things, that's your prerogative. But they have done a good job at not keeping it all a secret. In fact, I'd say that Apple has made much more information available about Lion than any previous release, and the consensus is pretty widespread. I just don't subscribe to your vision of mystique.

BTW, I don't recall giving the OP "advice", other than that implying that there is not much to be afraid of (bug-wise).

I think instead you are supposing that Apple's information releases thus far do not inform us of the highlight features. I guess we'll have to see.

Please do not turn this into a pissing match. In order for you to save face, I'll grant you a ceremonial victory of opinion. We done?

 

Well, we can agree to disagree but as far as them "not keeping it all a secret", I think you're underestimating what Lion will truly be about and I don't think they've disclosed even a fraction. You do realize that MS is probably working on the next version of Windows and it would be foolish of Apple to give us even 50% of what Lion will be about in such an early stage as many of us know that future versions of Windows always seem to mimic the Mac OS rather than innovate.

 

1. No idea, but I the website says "Mac OS X Lion arrives in summer 2011." If it doesn't get delayed, then you should have it on August or so.

2. With Apple stuff, newer is better. If there are bugs, they'll fix them. No reason to be using outdated software.

3 & 4. No idea, sorry.

5. Don't worry about it. Plug in the laptop it's not too uncomfortable to do so. Use it on battery otherwise. The battery will last more than you would care about it.

P.S. AFAIK, Lion is just 10.6.7, so it should be a free update. In that case, the only thing you should wait for are the refreshed MBPs if you wanna get that. If you're good with MBA, you can get it today instead of waiting for no reason. Another potential reason to wait for summer is the "buy macbook for school, get free ipod touch" promotion they tend to have.

Edit: Sorry, Lion is actually 10.7 so it won't be a free update from 10.6.6. But they're usually not that expensive either.

 

one thing im not sure that woiuld be upgraded is the screen resolution... would they upgrade the 15" to 1680x1050 by default if the 13" is 1440x900 and offer 1920x1200 as high res upgrade and kepe the 17 to 1920x1200 (lol 2560x1440 XD).

maybe theyll just do 16:9 lol

 

rocker030594 said:

I'm planning to start the IB Diploma Program and am planning to get a new laptop for the first year. I'm probably going to get a Mac because my desktop is windows.

1. Does anyone actually know what date the new OS Lion is going to come out? or if it's early/mid/late summer?
I don't know the answer and I'm pretty much in the dark about it same as you.

2. Do you recommend getting it because it's new so it might have bugs?
I wouldn't let the OS version sway me one way or the other on when to purchase/choose a Mac. Eventually all newer/latemodel Macs will end up on Lion anyway. Leopard rocked, SnowLeopard rocks... Lion will likely rock even more. Although I'm not too excited about the iOS integration much either. But as long as that stuff doesn't interfere too much then I won't mind.

3.Which do you recommend for school and for travelling (give combinations if you want): sleeve, hardcase, laptop backpack to put with textbooks, messenger laptop bag just for the laptop
I carry mine in a laptop backpack made by OGIO with various storage pockets for my accessories, notepads, folders, etc. I've also got a sweet Tumi but I use that mostly for my other laptops when I travel. Use whatever is most comfortable for you to get around with. For me it is the backpack. The photo below is a newer model backpack than what I have but the pockets looks about the same. I like it alot.


4. If you've had experience with the Speck See Thru Satin Hard Case, does the outer layer kind of wear away after a while? it seems like the type of material that would. Would you recommend just the normal See Thru Case then?
Sorry, I don't know how well the Satin finish holds up but I've had the same thought that it may peel or scratch off over time. But I'm not much of a fan of any skins or cases/covers. If I were to choose one though it would be the clear. My niece has one on her 15" MBP and it is nice looking as far as hard plastic cases go. Her's is now bejweled and covered in stickers. But when it was new I remember it looked okay. ha. I like the black satin too but then your really hiding that beatiful aluminum laptop. Mine will always be uncovered, but it will pay the price with scratches and dings. I'm okay with that.

5. How do you care for the battery? What should I do to make the battery last as long as possible?
I can't help you much regarding how to preserver battery life other than the obvious like turning down the brightness, turning off backlit keyboard, running off the less power hungry gpu, making sure that spotlight isn't trying to index my virtual machines, etc. I almost always have mine plugged in with the AC adapter.