[Stanhope]

So, as it turns out, my three year old desktop PC, running Windows Vista with 3 GB of RAM and a 250GB HDD, is taking a ****. It’s been my hard working companion, used for almost 12 hours a day, and not a single BSOD yet. I need to replace it, and have been looking around at what stores have to offer and for how much. I found out that I’m going to need some money to get what I want, so I’m looking at buying maybe a year, give or take a few months.

A Mac friend suggested I take a look at the MacBook Pro’s because he know how much I use my computer. I looked at the Apple website and on Youtube, and after seeing that have as much power and durability as my desktop, I think it’s the one for me. The only problems are that for one, I’ve only used Mac at the Apple store so it will be something new to me, and I’m going to need something to run Windows, so I checked into VMWare Fusion and it looks like it would work fine to run my Windows Programs.
So here's what I need from ya:

• What is this DMG thingy? Is it like an EXE?
• Is FileVault easy to use? I currently use BitLocker and have the peace of mind knowing that my data is secure. I've heard it slows down the Mac, does it, and by how much?
• How do External HDD work on the Mac? I don't remember ever seeing any My Computer thing. Where do they show up and how would one go about adding files to it.
• Is the 17inch worth it?
• Does the OS take up a lot of room like Vista?

Sell me.

Thanks.

[Serge_N_Gin]

Originally Posted by Stanhope

What is this DMG thingy? Is it like an EXE?

Basically, a .dmg file is a container and holds the app (as a package form) and any related text files. On Macs you also download apps that come in .zip, .bin, .mkpg, .sit and .tar formats too.

Originally Posted by Stanhope

Is FileVault easy to use? I currently use BitLocker and have the peace of mind knowing that my data is secure. I've heard it slows down the Mac, does it, and by how much?

I don't use FileVault as I concluded that it wasn't a place I really wanted to go. It does slow things down AFAIK and by how much IDK, but it can be useful if your needs warrant it. It's just that when I read the pitfalls of some who have enabled FV, I decided to leave it alone and concentrate on other areas where I could tighten security up.

Originally Posted by Stanhope

How do External HDD work on the Mac? I don't remember ever seeing any My Computer thing. Where do they show up and how would one go about adding files to it.

External HD's show up in several places, but primarily on the Desktop next to our equivalent of the "My Computer Thingy". On a Mac "My Computer" is called Macintosh HD but you can rename it if you like or even change its icon too:



So when you connect and mount an ext HD it's icon would show up on the Desktop and you would just double-click it to open it. To unmount the ext HD you can drag the icon to the Trash or Control/Right-Click its icon and select 'Eject'.

Originally Posted by Stanhope

Is the 17inch worth it?

If you can afford it then I'd say so ...

Originally Posted by Stanhope

Does the OS take up a lot of room like Vista?

Mac OS 10.4.x (Tiger) or 10.5.x (Leopard) take up around 5 - 9GB depending on the type of installation you choose. A clean install would result in the smallest amount of room occupied .... AFAIK, Vista is quite the resource hog
whereas Mac OS X runs great providing you have the required amount of RAM as per the Mac OS System Specs.

Hope this helps

[pseudofire]

Hiya... I bought a macbookpro about 3 months ago, and all I can say is, I love it. I'm in the Army and all the army uses is windows, so the reason I had never bought one before is cause I was worried about compatibility issues. When I heard they came out with the intel chip for the mac, and how compatible it was supposed to be with windows programs, I was all for it, So I did all my research online while I was in iraq. When I actually picked it up from the store, I picked up a copy of VMware fusion, which is a windows enviroment inside macos.. basically you install it, then insert your windows disk, and install that, and you can then run .exe files from mac os. well, I ran into a problem, playing a game called City of heroes, Fusion uses emulated drivers on windows, so it couldn't play the games, cause it couldn't read the Geforce chip. I got mad, then I did some more research. it winds up, there's a program called Bootcamp that comes with mac os leopard, and is a free download for tiger, that lets you set a partition on the harddrive for setting up a dual boot, so now, when I start the computer, if I hold the option key, it gives me the option to boot to windows, or mac os, otherwise mac os is the default. when you boot to windows, because it's an apple, you don't have to waste time searching for drivers for your hardware, cause apple knows what's in your computer, lol. so bootcamp preloads all the drivers, and it just runs flawless, in fact, I've raced it against my falcon northwest fragbook DR, and the mac booted 40 seconds faster. I have to say I'm impressed with it. City of heroes runs great on it too, no lag, but I had to buy another mouse so I'd have 2 mouse buttons, but it was worth it.

Ok, so the army has some form fillers and a couple catalog programs that I needed to use, and those run fine inside fusion when I boot to leopard. and since I have the enviroment, and the dual boot, there's nothing I haven't been able to do with it. anyways, hope my experiences help ya decide.

[Serge_N_Gin]

That's a great story pseudofire, thanks for sharing the good vibes!

[Headrush]

Although I prefer OS X, you have the option of continuing to run Vista on the MBP natively also.

[MSM Hobbes]

When you do decide to purchase, don't forget that the Apple Store has refurbished models, just as good [if not even better, IMHO, as they are each and every one quality reviewed, plus can also get more than what is listed ], and ya save 100's of dollars. While my MacBook was bought new [no refurbs of that model available when I made my buy] , the 24" iMac is a refurbed - and runs great.

FWIW, I convinced my mom to buy a MBP a couple years ago, and she loves it - so much that she just bought a new 24" iMac too. She is in real estate, so must use BootCamp and Fusion for those applications that require Windows.


ps: pseudofire, best to ya! Serge_N_Gin - great explanation there...

[Serge_N_Gin]

Originally Posted by MSM Hobbes

ps: pseudofire, best to ya! Serge_N_Gin - great explanation there...

Thanks, muchly appreciate the feedback., MSM Hobbes

[Stanhope]

Thanks everyone. Yea, I figured I'm going to need to run vista. There are also some rumors floating around that the MBP line is going to get some updates in 08 which is great for me.

[dannyn]

i would not go for the 17 inch if you want a portabgle machine, that is why i bought the 15 in. If you do go with the 17in. i would definatly get the HD version.
I would not use anything other than bootcamp to run Vista, all the other alrenatives are way way to slow.
Just my two cents.
Danny

[ferrija1]

Originally Posted by dannyn

i would not go for the 17 inch if you want a portabgle machine, that is why i bought the 15 in. If you do go with the 17in. i would definatly get the HD version.
I would not use anything other than bootcamp to run Vista, all the other alrenatives are way way to slow.
Just my two cents.
Danny

I agree, if your MBP is going to be a desktop replacement, get a 17 inch, otherwise get a 15 inch since the 17 inch so big!

[exegete]

I have been using Macs since 1990, but only desktops until I bought a new MBP 15" (matte) the day after the latest upgrade because I beginning a new career/job. It is absolutely great. I just returned from traveling 29 out of 32 days, and having everything there for me was essential.

I haven't even had time to install Boot Camp or Windows, but plan to do that as time allows over the next few months. But really, I haven't needed it.

[ferrija1]

Originally Posted by exegete

I haven't even had time to install Boot Camp or Windows, but plan to do that as time allows over the next few months. But really, I haven't needed it.

And you probably won't ever need it. One of the first things I did when I got my 15 inch was install Windows, but I found that it just sat there and was never used, so I got rid of it.