Questions from a first time Mac-owner-to-be.

Hi everyone, I will be buying a Macbook sometimes this week or next, and I just wanted to iron out some possible misconceptions and questions I have.

Please bear with me, and if these questions appear elsewhere on the forum. Do forgive me for repeating them here, I have searched the forums but yielded either no results or more than 20 threads(far too many to pick through if you ask me).

Some background first, I will not be playing games on this. Perhaps some flash games now and then, but with a Macbook. I don't think I should really expect to play intensive stuff.

Productivity suites are important for me, to edit Resumes/CVs, to write reports and essays and to give the occasional presentation. I am not studying anything to do with Video/Photo Editing, more a Philosophy/Linguistic student.

Question #1 : How much space does OS X + iWork'09 + iLife'09 take up? I want a Macbook, but I don't want to spend so much at the same time so I'm wondering if I stick with the 160GB HDD option, how much space would I be left with out of the box?

Question #2 : I have heard and tried to research the rumours or more like concrete news about the new version, Snow Leopard. However I have not been able to find any solid leads on a release date. I can perhaps wait til June this year, should I wait for this version?

Question #3 : With regards to Q. #2, the present Macbook I intend to purchase should have no issues running Snow Leopard yes?

Question #4 : Because it is such an expensive product. I have spent some time researching everything Mac, but I am still uncertain about the Office '08 for Mac and NeoOffice.org programs, I am currently using MS Office 2007 and I must admit I like the interface a whole lot more than the OpenOffice.org I downloaded just to play around with. I realise this has more to do with personal preference, but in YOUR opinion, could I just make do with NeoOffice? Office '08 is just so expensive.

Final Question : Has anyone ever felt that the Macbook is perhaps more prone to theft than a PC? I ask this because I intend to bring it with me to classes and lectures on and off campus and also on holiday and all of that. Everyone knows a Mac is more expensive than a PC(most of the time), is a Mac user more at risk with thieves(desperate drug addicts etc) and the like?


This will be first Mac if I do buy it. And I appreciate all responses. I am new to this whole Mac thing, so I hope you'll cut me some slack and perhaps shed some light on my concerns.

Apologies for the long post and, thank you VERY MUCH for your time people!

 

1) Depending on your installation of OSX, it generally takes up around 6GB, +/- 2GB. I've seen custom stripped versions that take up only 4.5GB, while a complete one probably takes about 8. iWork is around 1GB, and iLife is about 5GB. Estimate about 13GB for them all. BTW, it seems like you're making the assumption that iWork is included with the mac - it's not.

2) This summer seems like a likely announcement, although that doesn't necessarily mean release. If you need it now, just buy it. Then, you'll make another excuse for USB 3.0, etc. It's just an endless loop. Ask yourself: do I need this computer now? If you can say yes, just buy it. And since Snow Leopard is not really a huge update in terms of features, I wouldn't wait.

3) You haven't specified which macbook you're getting (white, low end unibody, high end unibody). Regardless, all 3 should run snow leopard just fine.

4) Never used neooffice, probably never will. I guess you could "make-do" - I probably could. iWork ($79) is also not a bad choice. Some more open-source person will have to help you here.

Final) Probably. Macs are "more expensive" because of the Apple Tax. You basically pay a premium price over a similarly equipped PC because of the apple logo. They're not necessarily always more expensive - but PCs can be bought for $500, macs can't. I guess macs have the inevitable cool factor that may make them a bit more appealing - but a computer is a computer, right? Who wouldn't want one?

 

Weirdo81622 basically replied to all your questions. I will just add that the macbook is no longer weak. It has a 9400m in it. This cards reaches above 2000 points in 3dmark06. Nice score for an IGP! you will be able to play new games but you will have to lower your settings.

 

Thank you for the replies, and I do not assume iWork comes with a Mac. My research is fairly thorough. Also, I'm getting the 'low-end unibody'.

 

iWork is not supplied. iLife is supplied. Good luck for your purchase.

 

the 9400 is decent enough, especially for 1280x800 screen res.

the current crop of apple computer do not comes with any form of trialware, and that includes the iWork. so it will only be OS X+iLife.

for safe estimate, imagine that the OS and its files cosumes 15gb. i estimate you'll be left around 130+gb.

also, it is a good idea to left more than 35% HDD space free. mac os x needs this space to do defragmentation, and for swap file.

it is generally not a good idea to be the first one in line when it comes to technology product. but i suppose apple updates things fairly rapidly.

if you just bought a computer or OS cd, then a new one suddenly comes along within a month or two, apple will send you the CD for FREE... +shipping...

yes, should have no issue whatsoever, this isnt windows after all. apple makes only a small family of computer, they can maintain them over the generation very easily.

no need to hunt for driver too! its all in the OS.

iWork is a solid office product. i suggest you get that one if you can.

yeah, on top of the MacBook beautiful shiny looks, the resale value is very good.

if you really want to, you could uglify your notebook, i dunno, cover it with engraving or put some sticky tape?

i dont think you have the heart though. i know i dont

if you plan to keep your notebook for more than a year, i suggest getting applecare.

if you're a student, you might be eligible for student discount. 10% off.

 

Yes, iWork 09 is $79, and iLife 09 comes with your Mac. I researched my Mac heavily for months, to make sure I knew everything about it before I got it. It really paid off for me, taking the time to learn it before-hand so I could just be on my way when it came.

 

That would be the one I would get too, if I was buying a computer in that price range.
I just thought that since you asked how much space will be taken out of the box and included osx, ilife, and iwork, you thought that they all come with it. However, to clarify, iwork does come with it to some extent- it's a 30 or 60 (can't rembember which) day trial.

 

It's a 30 day download from the Apple site directly.

http://www.apple.com/iwork/download-trial/

 

Thank you Luke1708, wobble987 and Colton for your replies. I'm even more psyched-up now about my upcoming purchase!

So, if i order iWork'09, does the trial still come pre-installed?

While doing some research today though, I've heard that perhaps waiting for the 'revised'(is that what it's called, like a new-and-improved concept) version of the Macbook is more prudent? Because of potential hardware upgrades or improvements(like i don't know, processing speed or maybe a matte screen option or something along those lines)?I don't wish to sound long-winded here with my questions, but I'm sure some of you were as picky as I am.

And I guess I'll just have to be smarter about where I bring out my Mac then, seeing as how most people agree that it suffers a slightly larger threat of theft.


Again, I am very happy I got this many replies and thank you all for your time.


P.S. I know waiting for something better is an endless loop, it always is with technology, but I am asking for what you would do.

 

they never did install the trial in the first place.

as of now, Apple does not install any sort of trialware on the computer, and that includes the iWork. NO, It does not come pre-installed.

if you decide to download the trial off the apple website, you will need to supply your iWork with serial key.

however, when you bought box retail version. you dont need to give iWork the serial number. no serial is needed.

you never buy a computer that way, intel refreshes their hardware every 6 month or so usually. every year they do a major update.

you should be, as with any other notebook (regardless of the brand) never leave it unatended on public places.

glad we can help.

yeah, the current macbook is the first revision. but from what i've seen/read/heard, the macbook do not have many trouble. even second or third revision might have problem, eg. the 3.1 SR MBP with 8600m GT, which Nvidia STFU.
i would give the macbook the OK to buy.

 

No problem articulate! I'm glad I could be of help to you! For iWork 09, nothing associated with iWork will come pre-installed on your computer. You HAVE to download it for it to be on there. That's one of the benefits of Apple/Mac, as they don't have software that you don't want and have a choice if you want to download/have it or not.

Well waiting will always have it's benefits, technology is and will always be changing so fast that nobody can catch up to it. Things will come out faster than any of us can buy them. It's really if you need it now, then buy it now. There might be a processor bump in the summer, mabye a HDD bump, but nothing big at all that's worth waiting for if you need a computer now. Trust me, I was just as picky when I was about to get my Macbook.

Yes, just be aware of where you put your Mac, and be aware of who and what is around it. You should be fine though.

Hope that helps...

 

Glad we could help you! remember, apple mac does not come with bloatware. that's an advantage to the end user.

 

I don't believe this, I have a 500 GB hard drive and OS X wants 175 GB for defrag and swap files? Yeah I don't think so.
Unless some one can give me a article stating that, I think it's just something some one said and it's been spread around.

P.S I'm not attacking you or anything. :|

 

One word. Awesome.

You guys are awesome. Honestly I can't thank you enough!


And I've run out of questions, a good thing I think. I'll be heading off to buy myself a spiffy Macbook sometime next week. So thank you all again very much for your help, never expected it to be honest.

And with nothing else to say, I will DEFINITELY be enjoying my new Macbook!

 

Congrats! It's a good thing to run out of questions, as that means you know all you need to know! Keep us updated on the Macbook!

 

I just bought a macbook and an iwork 09 too. To be honest, if you mostly only do word processing, then iwork 09 is fine. Iwork pages(just like MS word) is fine for regular word processing.If you are planning to buy them together, there is a $30 mail-in-rebate for iwork09 from apple right now.

 

btw,it might be a good idea to get it from ebay-you ll save couple 100$ with cashback.

 

NeoOffice/OpenOffice vs MS Office ... MS office is definitely easier to use.. its set up nicer and more elegant.. but it doesn't have any features that neoOffice doesn't.. in fact neoOffice does some things that MS Office has dropped support in lately. If you learn the Open/Neooffice interface well, then you'll be able to use it fine... but.. I've had work documents that open up and look wrong in NeoOffice.. close but formatting messed up. Everything I've save in NeoOffice 3 always works good in NeoOffice and MS Office 2008... but some things I've done in Office 2008 just doesn't look right in NeoOffice.

NeoOffice works, not the top of the line, but its the best price... MS Office 2008 is a very nice product, and if I hadn't gotten it for free, I wouldn't have ever bought it because its way too over priced. I haven't used iWork extensively enough to know much about it... its prettier and easier to use the neoOffice, but thats about all I know of it.

 

Yes, I only ever do word processing. Philosophy doesn't seem to require much spreadsheet or presentation work.

Thanks, although I think I'll be getting it from a long time family friend(isn't an apple store, just a store that sells macbooks). So I would perhaps get a discount on top of the student discount. Keeping my fingers crossed

Well my major concern is that whatever work I do, be it on NeoOffice or iWork, I only require it to be read well by MS Office and not so much the other way around.

And yeah I have to agree with how MS Office 2008 is overpriced. That's why I'm seriously hoping that iWork and NeoOffice will fill that gap. Office 2008 for Mac is 3x the price of iWork and NeoOffice is free, so, I'm keeping my fingers crossed again.

 

It sounds like the mac is an ideal match for you. There are heaps of productivity packages for mac, and OS X itself is an outstanding operating system for productivity (eg. spaces, stacks, it 'works' out of the box, spotlight, time machine).

I personally find iwork pretty solid, I use that for most things.

As for the theft aspect, people do know Apple makes premium products, so a macbook pro is an attractive target. You could probably hide the fact it is a mac with a bunch of stickers, but I'd just pay attention to where you leave it.

 

Why thank you, I just hope my Mac loves me as much as I will love it.

And yes, a few of my friends have concurred with me on that theft aspect, but I guess it's inevitable with anything remotely stylish. And I think all the pointers everyone gave out were right. Just watch your company, don't leave it unattended and not be a show-off

 

I was playing around with the free trail of iWork 09... and I never expected it to be that good.. its very good... all the weird little issues I had in compatibility with NeoOffice didn't happen in Pages... all the MS Office documents worked flawlessly on Pages... I'm very impressed. Oh and also Keynote is waaaay better than Powerpoint.... Think I'm gonna keep using this free trial exclusively for 30 days and see how it goes... have high hopes.

 

That sounds great! I'm happy for you and even more confident about skipping out on Office '08 for Mac. I hope it doesn't disappoint you or me.

 

I haven't bought my Mac yet, tomorrow, tomorrow.

BUT, I have a question that for some reason refuses to get answered anywhere on this world wide web.

I just want to know if the game, Sins of a Solar Empire can run well(perhaps not in a full battle), with decent framerates and perhaps an enjoyable experience?

Any and all help is much appreciated as always

 

never heard of it, or know if it'll run good...

looks like a Windows game... and Wines app database says people have gotten it to work in Wine... which can be a bit tougher to do, since its open source and you have to kind of do some stuff yourself, which can be tough if you havent used Wine before. Crossover Games can probably run it, some people on that have gotten it to work they claim looking at their app list... but if you want to just install Windows and run it that way, it would probably be the best and fastest overall experience, just you cant use OSX while its running.

 

just my 2 cents on the theft thing

from my experiences in university with my laptop, in classes your never away from your machine, and if your studying with it, just make sure that you take the 5 seconds to pack up and take it with you if you have to move for some reason... the 5 seconds to take it with you are much much better than the money for a new one right..

depending on if your going to live at home or in residence it may be good to look into some kind of lock for your laptop, i have also heard of satelite protection so you can track your laptop (maybe this was just a weird dream lol)

overall when your studying if you need to move, take it with you , if your in class dont worry as much (unless its a mass section... than if you get up take it with you)

not entirely sure if it was looked into, since i skimmed the previous posts, but i would look into a laptop backpack to help protect your laptop as well as making it obviously easier to carry it to and from classes with you..

As a little Edit to my post: i have a backpack for my laptop and it works wonders, had a scary moment when i dropped my backpack watching it land on the concrete floor of the parking lot made me almost scream lol, but with my backpack + sleeve the laptop was fine

have fun with your laptop

 

Update.

Ok I just bought my new MacBook and it's gorgeous! I can't take my eyes off it, everything is perfect! No slanted keys, no nonsense..

EXCEPT.

It won't shut down properly, I googled around and realized this wasn't just my problem but I'm not experienced enough to know what resetting PRAM and all that mean. So, other than the initial delight of getting my first laptop. I'm quite confused, upset and sorely needing a cigarette(I've quit for 3 months now).

You can tell I'm none too pleased to be honest, and sorely disappointed.

 

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

em,right,so you are not able to do this 6 steps?

 

Ok I admit I overreacted, I thought it was the end of the world and that I had gotten screwed over. Sorry about that.

But NOW, I am UTTERLY HAPPY and AMAZED at what I've been missing all those years on the PC, granted I might actually just be overreacting again, but I am happy with my MacBook now, It's amazing!


Big thank you to everyone again for helping me out with all my questions, this MacBook is all that I hoped for and more!

And learning an OS is actually rather fun, contrary to the chore I first envisioned it to be.

 

We get that alot here on the Apple forum!