Some questions about just the OSX :).

Alright,

People always come here and ask about the Macbook and Macbook Pro, but I just have some questions about the OSX, because I have already decided that I am going to buy either a Macbook or Sony SZ650.

For what I am going to be doing:

Schoolwork, and lots of it! (going to college next year )
Watching DVD's and Movies
Photoshop
Listening to music
Watching videos online/playing games online
Chatting on Aim

Is OSX perfect for that or what? Because I have Photoshop CS, which I got from my cousins uncle who works for Microsoft for free, which saved me about $400, but I don't want to spend a bunch of money putting Windows on a Mac if I get it because I could be more susceptible to viruses.

So will OSX suffice? I am a musician who records, so I figured garageband would work well for that, I am just scared to switch to OSX, but I don't like Vista either...

Is the file saving the same format as in XP? I love having everything organized... .

Thanks in advance!

 

Not sure what you mean by this. If you're talking about saving pictures in Photoshop, yes, those files should have no problem moving between the Mac and Windows. Same deal for most audio and movie files as well.

 

Yes, well I thought that the macs need to save video in Mpeg or something instead of WMV?

And I also mean when I save word documents are they in a folder called "my documents" where I can make separate folders for every class?

 

All the files are the same format EXCEPT instead of .exe files, OS X used .dmg. Also, it sounds perfect for what your needs are, especially garage band, great app. However if you want to do some serious gaming you may need to get windows on it, unless you're talking about WoW which is mac compatible, and apple.com has a list of Mac games available.

EDIT: Yes, there is a documents folder, and you can make folders yourself just like in Windows.

 

Yes, most file formats work fine across both platforms...such as JPEGs, PSDs, PNGs, PDFs, Word Docs, MP3s, AVIs, etc. Most of the files you use will be supported by both Windows and OS X.

The tasks you listed are done very well on a Mac. No worries, if you ask me.

 

Well I don't ever game. My sisters boyfriend has an Alienware 5550, and I use that if I want to play some games.

 

agreed that you are likely to have a good experience with those things.

except online gaming, maybe. does that mean like, flash games on the internet or like counter strike source...

flash games are good, top shelf games are not.

 

Flip4Mac allows you to play .wmv files within QuickTime. If you are encoding movies, it would be best to use QuickTime, DivX, or XviD.

Yes. There is a Documents folder where you can put any of that stuff.

 

I mean flash games online to pass some time .

 

Oh I see, I thought you meant retail games, sorry

 

Oh no haha! If anything I'll play solitaire

 

Yeah amcs are good for all of which you listed. You will be fine.

 

Alright great I will be making my final decision by Christmas

 

Also, I highly recommend you wait until mid Jan because something new is going to be unveiled at MacWorld(mid Jan) and you may be more interested in that new product, than anything out currently. Just a tip.

 

I'm sure he doesn't have to wait since the Macbook probably isn't going to get updated until sometime in May.

 

Yeah, there are rumours of an ultraportable MBP as well as possible MBP Penryn update. Good idea to just see what comes out of Macworld, since its so soon.

 

actually, .dmg is a disk image format, OS X applications are .app

 

Yeah I actually made the really huge thread about the Ultra-Portable Macbook .

I know that it's coming out, but I like the current Macbooks. But I suppose I can wait, my Birthday is May 29th...a perfect gift idea .

 

Also Dustin most musicians use Macintosh as OS X is the preferred format for recording and if you want to take it further than Garageband there are nothing but top notch applications for musician recording and mixing and DJ's mostly use Mac OS X for scratching. Definitely invest in the Macbook. You will be paying quite a premium for the Sony and you have less options since it only runs Windows.

 

the folder organization system in OS X is much more logical than in XP, so you should definitely enjoy that, as it is much much simpler and easier to follow, in Vista, the folder structure is even simpler, and very similar to OS X, it is funny how the 2 seem to copy little things from one another hear and there.

 

Great! I have been playing guitar for 5 years now, and am dabbling a little bit in Techno/Trance with guitar riffs. Think Daft Punk

The only thing I do not like about Garageband is having to pay so much for every single set of different instruments

Also, what affects how fast apps in OSX run? The Memory or RAM right? Now what is the CPU for then? And is 2.0 any different than 2.2 for the apps in OSX?

 

RAM mostly. The current CPUs are much more powerful than applications need them to be right now, so you don't have to worry about them. The difference between 2.0 GHz and 2.2 GHz is not much, you probably won't notice a difference in everyday tasks.

If you want really good performance, best to get 2 GB of RAM, or even more if you want. 2 GB of RAM is a good idea, although 1 GB is fine also.

 

Is 3 any good? Or should it be 2 or 4?

 

I'd say 3 GB is the "awkward" number...I mean, there's nothing wrong with it, but personally I'd go with either 2 GB or shell out for 4 GB.

 

Alright so the OSX apps run on RAM. Thank you!

 

Hi Dustin,
I also recommend OS X for your requirements, but one thing I wanted to check was whether the Photoshop you got was a Windows or Mac version (don't remember you mentioning it)? It has to be mac version for you to be able to install it on mac.. Hopefully it is, since it is quite a big investment to buy a new one. I, for example, am using both PC and Mac and one big reason for this is that I have Creative Suite for Windows. As a side note, Lightroom, however, has installation programs for both OS's on the DVD, which is great because now I have it on my PB laptop and PC desktop!

However, if you need to buy a new one, be sure to check out the student versions, which are exactly same as "normal" full versions, only a lot (about 1/3-1/4 fo price) cheaper.

good luck with your new laptop!
--patrik