Some quick questions...

I'm in the same boat as many newbies.......long time PC user getting ready to make the leap to a macbook (I think!)...

A couple of concerns I was hoping someone could answer. I do plan to read through this forum, to learn as much as possible, but was hoping to get some quick answers to help finalize my decision....

1. With the 13 inch screen size, do you end up having to do a lot of scrolling horizontally on websites? I like photography, and I'm wondering if I'll be spending all my time scrolling? I'm coming from a 17inch Vostro. One of my reasons for selling it is I wanted something smaller/lighter, but not sure if 13 will be too small...

2. If I get Office for Mac, are the files I create with it compatible with Office for Windows (and vice versa)?

3. I notice that iLife is now included with the MacBook, and it looks really cool, but is the 160gig HD too small for anyone planning to have a lot of photos and music?? I know I could spend the extra $300 for the model with the 240g HD (and slightly higher processor and keyboard lights), but its not really in the budget...

4. I occasionally enjoy playing FS2004 (not the newer FSX). Would the new 9400 integrated card do an OK job running it? I know it won't compare to the 8600 GT in my Vostro, but just want it to run..

If I buy it, I do plan to get it from Futureshop (Canada), so I figure I'll be able to play with it for 2 weeks, and if for whatever reason I hated it, I could return it. But I am sick of dealing with Windows....slow, and I feel like I have to wipe/reinstall every few months as it gets slower and slower...

I have an Iphone and love it....Apple seems to make really great products.
Last time I had an Apple computer I think was about 28 years ago, Apple IIE I think...
thx!

 

1. the physical screen is unimportant, the resolution counts. the macbook runs at 1280x800, which will probably be lower than your 17" Vostro. ergo, you'll (probably) have to do more scrolling than now.

2. should be compatible, yes. not so sure about the new .docx format though.

3. 160Gb isn't a lot and fills up quickly (i should know, i got one too... luckily my 1Tb WD Elements external HDD arrived today ). but if you don't install many games, 160Gb should last you while.

4. from the specs i could find on the interwebz, FS2004 should run okay on the 9400m.

hope that helped.

 

Another question, I use ConvertxtoDVD to convert AVI's to DVD's.
Is there an easy utility/software for Mac that will do the same??

 

You mean burn avi movie files onto a movie DVD? You can try iDVD, which comes free with iLife, or purchase Toast Titanium, which will allow you to burn anything you want.

 

1.) I don't think you'll have to do much extra scrolling.

2.) Yes, its completely compatible.

3.) 160gb should be fine. Its dead simple to upgrade at a later date if you need.

4.) Yup - should run fine.

 

I have received and sent attached files from my colleagues (excel, word, ppt) in two weeks of intensive work with my new MacBook Pro and I can tell that is 100% compatible. But I have other complains with excel: it does not have several functions that the 2003 version for windows has (data analysis) and you will not able to compare two sheets in parallel like in the windows version. I think this version of excel for Macs is a step back.