Planning to purchase a MBP?!?!

hi guys,
so im new to this forum thing so im sorry if i ask like stupid questions..aah. but um..next year i'll be heading off to uni and i need a good, reliable, portable laptop so im really interested in the macbook pro. however, iv never ever used the OS X and iv got a few questions.
1) are macbook programs compatible with windows programs? ex. if i did a word document, is that transferrable to mac and vice versa?

2) does mbp support msn messenger?

3) does mbp have like the office package? microsoft word, excel, powerpoint..etc...or does it have better programs?

4) what is the average life span of a mbp? i plan to be able to keep it for at least 3 years.

5) is the memory/hardrive expandable? if so..up to what? 3 gb of ram adn 160gb harddrive?

thanks alot

 

1) There are programs made for Mac that do the same thing as windows ones (e.g. there's Microsoft Office for Mac and Office for Windows) but there aren't actually any programs that run on both. (Unless you use Crossover but that's different)

2) You can use Microsoft Messenger, Amsn, Mercury Messenger or Adium for Msn. I prefer Adium.

3) Yes (answered in 1) and there are different programs, but if you like word, you might as well stick with word. Or you would try out iWork but I don't think that has any spreadsheet programs just yet.

4) You SHOULD be able to keep your MBP for 3 years. (Don't quote me on that thought because I'm not 100% sure)

5) You can upgrade the RAM and HD when you buy it and I think you can also upgrade the RAM at any time. I think if you upgrade the HD yourself then it voids the warrenty. I say just stick to 2 GB of RAM for now. I don't think you would need 3 GB at the moment.

 

If you go with an MBP, I would feel safe to say it will be usefull for atleast 3 years, especially if you're not a graphic designer. I have an Ibook from 1999 i still use from time to time and it's still more than capable to surf the web and do word documents. Mac also has great support for older models historically for software and OS updates. many Ibooks and powerbooks from 2001 can run OSX 10.39.. that's not to bad conidering we're in 2006. I wouldn't worry about compatibility between mac and pc with simple document types. If you send a word doc to your teacher..they will be able to read it with word on windows, or mac. There is also OpenOffice, a free program with said file compatiblity, available for windows and mac.

as for RAM, you wont' need 3 gigs unless you're doing some hardcore Photoshop, 3D cad, or Video editing. 2 is more than enough atm. I'm not sure, but I believe programs have a limit to how much they'll use. And I seem to think that number was about a gig. Anyone aware if this has changed in programs like Photoshop under OSX??? Or was I dreaming? =P

 

does the mbp have a dvd burner instaled?

 

Yes. All MBPs do.

 

You'll really have to define question #4 better. What do you mean by it's lifetime?

 

I've heard of Macs (i.e. iBooks and Powerbooks) that last 7-8 years without too many difficulties. And even if you buy AppleCare, you can't extend the warranty beyond 3 years so once that expires, just get a new hard drive and put it in.

 

That is not entirely true. Macromedia apps for example have both a Windows and OS X installer on the same disc. Same with World of Warcraft. So, in many cases you would need to rebuy the specific Mac-version, however, some already have both installers on one disc.

 

what is the motion sensor for on the mbp?

 

To stop the hard drive from spinning when the MBP falls. So if there is a sudden change in position the MBP 'braces' itself.

 

And also to use as a Human Interface Device
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