Would I be wise to convert to MBP?

Please forgive my questions that may have been covered before. I know nothing about Mac operating systems, but for various reasons, frustration with Windows being one, I am considering converting.

My number one reason for getting a new notebook is for displaying photos and doing Photoshop image editing while away from the home/office. I also do some CAD work as well as have some business based apps, one in particular uses Excel to run. I really want a great and accurate display primarily, though want a great overall performer. A fair few folks have suggested going to the MBP for my purposes.

Would it be wise for me to convert to a Mac when all I have ever used is Windows? All my software is Windows based and I sure would not want to replace it all with Mac based stuff, it would cost more than the computer would.

I do understand that MBP will runs Windows programs. Can I just load all my windows based programs and have them run with no issues?

I use a phone and my PC which all link Outlook together to keep my contacts, schedule and email accounts synced. Would this be possible when using a MBP?

I have read of about 3 different software I would need to load in order to run Windows, but don't know which would be best.

Again, sorry for all these questions, I actually have tons more if this converion to Mac seems at all feasible.

I do use a hp Compaq nc8430, and for the most part it works good, but the display is terrible for my photos.

 

I would suggest that you get a large LCD monitor and connect to your laptop.

 

Yes, the MBP can run Windows now. There are several ways and yeah yeah you know about it . Once you've set up Windows on the Mac, whether natively through Boot Camp or virtually through Parallels/VMware Fusion, then all Windows programs will work (note VMware Fusion has limited graphics support right now).

If you choose to Boot Camp anything that runs on Windows will run on the MBP. So that's good for you, considering your huge amount of Windows software.

The MBP looks great for your tasks. It has a bright and beautiful display and tons of power in a lightweight and thin case. Although if you don't plan to use OS X, I'd say just get a PC. If you do plan to use OS X and you want to able to use Windows, the MBP looks really good for your tasks.

If you're interested in knowing which method of running Windows is best for you, you can post on the Running Windows on a Mac thread.

 

fan of laptop, taking a large LCD screen on the road is not an option, I need a good screen on the notebook.

I would use OS X wherever possible, and slowing convert from Windows based programs to Mac or Universal based ones. It sounds like Boot camp is the right program to run Widows virtually. If I do go with a MBP I will replace my desktop in time with a Mac as well.

 

I was in the same boat as you. My work was asking what laptops we wanted... so naturally, I asked for the most expensive one out there. 2.4ghz 17" MBP HD.

Anyway we are a Windows based company. I installed bootcamp and vista and have never looked back. It is a wonderful machine for all my Windows software and hardware. I'm starting to switch over to the OS X side for personal stuff like home movies (iMovie) and photos (however, i REALLY still like Picasa2), web surfing, blogging, and dvd watching, and iTunes. But overall I'm still on the Windows side of things about 95% of the time. If you're in the market for a new laptop, I totally recommend the MBP (especially the HiRes Glossy).

good luck

 

Thanks thetruthkc, it is great to hear from a convert such as yourself. I guess the one cost I would have to look at besides Boot Camp would be having to buy a full version of Windows to load on the MBP. I will be going for the 15.4" for better portability.

 

Just a correction: Boot Camp runs Windows natively (so that OS X is not active when Windows is, and vice versa), its Parallels and VMware Fusion that runs Windows virtually, so that you can simultaneously run both OS X and Windows.

 

Sam, thanks for that clarification. Which offers the best performance for Windows base programs? I could see an advantage to simultaneously running both OS X and Windows if I was multi-tasking using programs run by both at the same time. Is is easy to switch back and forth using Boot Camp, or do all the open programs need to be closed first?

Thanks,

 

The best performance will be by Boot Camp, because in Parallels and VMware Fusion, system resources are being used to run both OSes simultaneously, while in Boot Camp all resources are focused on running one OS, either OS X or Windows.

To switch to the other OS in Boot Camp, you have to restart the Mac, which is pretty time consuming. That's why if you need quick access to the other OS, or you like to multi-task between both OSes, I'd recommend Parallels/VMware Fusion.

 

rob galbraith's review of the LED screen. that review is the biggest reason I'm leaning away from an HP 8510p/w. working with photos is going to be a primary use of mine, so the display quality is pretty important. too bad there's no media reader

 

great info on this guys. thanks.

 

lefty, thanks for that link, they sure do tout the display as being the best available, and that is what I am after. I use CF cards in my Canon cameras and very few notebooks have readers for these cards. I have to use an external card reader anyway.

Sam, I re-read your Windows on a Mac Guide again, and this time it was making more sense to me. Still not sure which way I would go, but at least I am now better informed. One thing that is still unclear is do I need to have a stand alone copy of Windows when using Parallels or VMware Fusion? I know I would with Boot Camp.

 

Yes, you need a licensed copy of Windows for Parallels and VMware Fusion. If you want, you can direct Parallels/Fusion to use the partition that you created in Boot Camp. So you can install Windows in Boot Camp and then use Parallels/Fusion on the same Windows install in Boot Camp.

 

Gotcha, thanks.

 

You will need a Windows license no matter which method you use if you want to use Windows. If you intend to use one of the virtualization options with Vista, you have to have a Business or Ultimate license.

 

I am currently running XP but would plan on upgrading to Vista for this new computer. What is this virtualization option you are referring to? Sorry for the bad questions.

 

By virtualization taelrak means running Windows Vista virtually, through Parallels or VMware Fusion. Microsoft's EULA states if you want to run Vista virtually on a Mac, you have to get Business or Ultimate. If you Boot Camp Vista then all versions are fine.