So tell me about the macbook pro

[magman007]

Well, ive had my laptop for about a year and a half now, and its starting to become out dated (toshiba portege m200) and frankly im getting tired of windows. Id like to try something new, and mac has done nothing short of impressing me, especially now that all compatibility issues seem to be solved.

So, im looking at a 15.4" mac book pro 2.16 ghz core duo processor with

2gb memory

100gb 7200 rpm hard drive

microsoft office

airport extreme wireless card

and osx 10.4 tiger

so im wondering, A why isnt the wireless card included for this price? thats a little rediculous, and why isnt the latest operating system pre installed?

also, would i work be a good purchase?

and what do i need to know? what should i know about the macbook pro over a comperable windows notebook like an alienware, dell xps, etc. i realize these are gaming books, but they will also provide the highest in performance to my knowledge.

also, does the mac book pro come with the magnetic powercord? or just the standard macbook? this is actually a feature im quite interested in, as the majority of note book related accidents in my time have been attributed to the powercord being tripped over, hell, my dog the other night pulled my toshiba off the coffee table, luckilly everything seems to still be ok, but its still a worry of mine.

How durable are macbooks in your experience? im not necessisarily rough on my equipment, but it gets alot of use. Also, will the mac play ,wmv videos? i know it will not play .wma music, which isnt that big of an issue, as all of my music i would be transfering off of my ipod with the help of ephpod or similar software.

what minor compatibility issues might i run into? what is going to be rediculously different to me comming from a life long windows user?

im sure il have more questions, but this is enough to get me started

[Yudanja]

Airport and Bluetooth are built in, so is Tiger. The Magnetic power adapter is included (that is the only adapter for the macbook pro's)

iWork is 2 applications, pages and keynote. Keynote is like power point, its a presentation software. Pages is an app to help create flyers, menus, newsletters...stuff like that.

Im not big into windows, so I can compare them to alienware and the like.

The whole PowerBook line is very durable, treat it well and it will last a very long time.

The mac can play WMV, there is a windows media player for mac as well as VLC. WMA, im not sure of, I know iTunes cant play it, but there maybe another app out there, musicmatch maybe?

There are only 2 issues right now with the macbook. 1 is compatibility. Apple just switched over to intel chips and software companies are working to get things compatible. Like Abobe is working to get a new version of photoshop/CS2 realeased that is mac compatible. A lot of apps work thru rosetta though.

The 2nd issue is heat. MacBook pro's run a little hot as is, but Apple is working to solve the heat issue.

[Hexis]

No need for iWork if you get Office. Office is still a PPC app, so it will run under Rosetta.

From what I hear there will not be an Intel version of Photoshop CS2. Instead CS3 will be a universal binary. Not sure if you plan to un Photoshop, so that may not be an issue for you.

I have a now almost 4 year old Powerbook. It's held up quite well. The metal case (Ti on mine, Al on the MBP) holds up to wear quite well. Apple puts a lot of effort into design.

[edweird]

my roomie likes hers...

heres what Engadget sez:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/24/apples-17-inch-macbook-pro-reviewed/

[maxama10]

id wait for a month or two to let them work out some of the bugs, mainly heat, but hey by then they might release sometghing better!
/bought powerbook a month before they introduced better one
//love powerbook and macintosh
///this is my first apple
////osx is great i highly reccomend it

[bofh]

Well, ive had my laptop for about a year and a half now, and its starting to become out dated (toshiba portege m200) and frankly im getting tired of windows. Id like to try something new, and mac has done nothing short of impressing me, especially now that all compatibility issues seem to be solved.

So, im looking at a 15.4" mac book pro 2.16 ghz core duo processor with

2gb memory

100gb 7200 rpm hard drive

microsoft office

airport extreme wireless card

and osx 10.4 tiger

so im wondering, A why isnt the wireless card included for this price? thats a little rediculous, and why isnt the latest operating system pre installed?

also, would i work be a good purchase?

and what do i need to know? what should i know about the macbook pro over a comperable windows notebook like an alienware, dell xps, etc. i realize these are gaming books, but they will also provide the highest in performance to my knowledge.

also, does the mac book pro come with the magnetic powercord? or just the standard macbook? this is actually a feature im quite interested in, as the majority of note book related accidents in my time have been attributed to the powercord being tripped over, hell, my dog the other night pulled my toshiba off the coffee table, luckilly everything seems to still be ok, but its still a worry of mine.

How durable are macbooks in your experience? im not necessisarily rough on my equipment, but it gets alot of use. Also, will the mac play ,wmv videos? i know it will not play .wma music, which isnt that big of an issue, as all of my music i would be transfering off of my ipod with the help of ephpod or similar software.

what minor compatibility issues might i run into? what is going to be rediculously different to me comming from a life long windows user?

im sure il have more questions, but this is enough to get me started

I can see why you want to upgrade your computer, it seems your shift key is broken.

I'll address the durablity aspect. I have a 12" AL PB from about 2 1/2 years ago. I've dropped it, where it landed corner first onto concrete, edge first too. I love the metal body, as I could just bend it (mostly) back into shape. I've seen toshiba m20's and Thinkpad t43's and x40's shatter the plastic from similar drops.

I also generally take the 12" in my motorcycle tankbag to work, or client sites. I'ts a durable little thing.

One thing, everytime I drop it, the airport card gets unseated.

[mag_lover05]

i have one....i love it!

[LudavicoSoldier]

I also have one. I have owned one of almost every series of Apple laptops, and I have to say, this MacBook Pro kills them all. Its blazing fast, and I can rock Aperture on it. Whut whut!

[Hexis]

How is Aperture on there? I need something to deal with all of my CR2s so badly.

[LudavicoSoldier]

Aperture runs great. I got the top model 15" Macbook Pro w/the 256mb videa card, and have 2 gigs of ram in it. My kingdom for a FW800 port though...

[Kevmaster]

yeah, i was kinda disappointed they couldn't get us a FW800 on the 15" model

[Hexis]

I hadn't noticed that the 17" actually had FW800. That's annoying.