I'm leaving the cult.. I'm buying my 1st Mac & I need some advise.

I'm buying a MacBook to take advantage of some of the great apps for the Mac. Yet, I have no idea what to look for. I buying a new one and have a couple of questions.

(My current machine is the Lenovo x300 with a SSD and it's blistering fast..)


1.) I need to the specs that will comfortably run the following applications:

- Flow
- IMovie
- Keynote
- Adobe AF & Premiere
- Recording audio & maybe video...

2.) What other apps do you recommend that are killer apps for the Mac?
( I'm a writer, speaker, and serial entrepreneur. )


3.) My wants:

- Lightweight
- Cool (temperature.. not hip.. because all Macs are hip, right?)
- Decent Battery Life
- To avoid the 17" notebook (had one.. and I prefer a smaller notebook)
- VGA out
- Audio In/Out

----- Here's the one I'm currently looking to purchase: Please advise

Key Features
Processor Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz
Installed Memory 2 GB (DDR3 SDRAM)
Display 13.3 in. LED

Processor
Processor Type Core 2 Duo
Processor Manufacturer Intel
Processor Speed 2.26 GHz

Motherboard
Bus Speed 1066 MHz

Display
Display Tech LED
Display Size 13.3 in.
Display Max. Resolution 1280 x 800

Technical Features
Security Features Kensington Lock Slot
Expansion Ports 2 x USB 2.0, RJ-45 (NIC)
Special Features Integrated Video Camera

Hard Drive
Hard Drive Capacity 250 GB
Hard Drive Rotation Speed 5,400 RPM
Storage Controller Type Serial ATA

Memory
Installed RAM 2 GB
RAM Technology DDR3 SDRAM
Max Supported RAM 4 GB
RAM Speed 1066 MHz
Installed Cache Memory 3072 KB

CD / DVD
CD / DVD Type DVD±RW Dual Layer/CD-RW
Optical Drive Read Speed 24x (CD), 8x (DVD)
Optical Drive Write Speed 24x (CD), 4x (DVD+R Dual Layer), 4x (DVD-R Dual Layer), 8x (DVD+R), 8x (DVD-R)
Optical Drive ReWrite Speed 10x (CD-RW), 4x (DVD+RW), 4x (DVD-RW)

Video
Graphic Processor NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Max. Video Resolution 2560 x 1600

Audio
Audio Input Type Integrated Microphone, Line In (3.5mm)
Audio Output Type Headphones, Line Out, Sound card, Speaker(s)

Networking
Networking Type Bluetooth, Integrated Wireless LAN
Data Link Protocol Bluetooth, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n

Thanks for your guidance...

Saltwater

I think those specs are for the current white macbook?
Anyways, that machine will do fine for what you want. I would recommend upgrading the RAM and HDD on your own. Cheaper than ordering it that way from Apple. Have a look at sites like newegg.com and OWC for those items.

Oh, and welcome!

Don't have any idea what your budget is, but you may want to look at the MacBook Pro (13 & 15 inch models w/SSD) and/or the MacBook Air.
The first would give you more options on audio video recording (the standard MacBook doesn't have firewire) and the MacBook Air would be thinner and lighter than either.
I just checked the standard MacBook also only has analog audio in, although you could use a USB mic for input.

Don't you mean you're joining the cult? Anyway, base line pro is nice.

I am using a unibody MacBook without firewire. Just 2 usb ports, analog audio in and analog audio out. I record through my preamp and go track by track into my macbook's audio in. I plan on upping to the 15 inch pro at some point so I can get a more complex firewire interface running.

Okay.. maybe you're right. I'm joining the cult... Mom will be proud.

Here are some new concerns that I haven't thought about since my Lenovo X300 is 100% digital (SSD) and a Centrino processor.. it's cool (temperature) and it has a removable battery.

I've learned that some Unibody models are running hot and some have internal (fixed batteries).

So I need to add to my list:

• Runs cools
• Detachable battery
• Has a Matte Screen
• Good Power Supply that will charger during use.

Does anyone have an opposing views on this list?

Also, could you share your experiences and these options?

thanks,
Saltwater

Saltwater said:

Okay.. maybe you're right. I'm joining the cult... Mom will be proud.

Here are some new concerns that I haven't thought about since my Lenovo X300 is 100% digital (SSD) and a Centrino processor.. it's cool (temperature) and it has a removable battery.

I've learned that some Unibody models are running hot and some have internal (fixed batteries).

So I need to add to my list:

• Runs cools
• Detachable battery
• Has a Matte Screen
• Good Power Supply that will charger during use.

Does anyone have an opposing views on this list?

Also, could you share your experiences and these options?

thanks,
Saltwater

Click to expand...

None of the current MacBook models have a removable battery. You would have to look for a used (late 2008) MacBook Pro. Additionally, the matte display is an add-on option and might be tough to find as it's limited to the newer 15" and 17" models.

All Mac notebooks (and most Windows notebooks) come with a power adapter that charges and powers the machine simultaneously.

In my opinion, the Mac notebooks run pretty cool providing you're not doing anything taxing (i.e. the standard browsing, word processing, email reading type of work). It's only when you start playing games or running heavy-hitter apps that you'll start to feel the heat. Of course, the same goes for most common Windows notebooks.

I wouldn't get stuck on the "Centrino" brand. It's really just a marketing tactic that means the machine has a certain chipset coupled with a certain processor line and wireless card. Used lightly, you'll get the same cool use and long power life (in fact, the MacBooks with fixed batteries are rated for 8 hours of continuous operation between charges).

They all run hot, but this is nothing to be concerned about.....
See this

Detachable battery- only the Macbook! However, even though Apple claims that it wil void the warranty, they are removable, and easy to do, but the chances are that you will not have to change the battery until well after the warranty has run out, even if you get the extended warranty, which will cover the battery anyway.
Matte screen option- you'll need to go for the 15" Macbook Pro if you want the upgrade option to matte screen.
Good Power Supply - they all charge during use, and it is recommended for max life out of the battery that you keep it plugged in when you are using it near a power source. You only have to use the battery every now and then to keep the juices flowing, and calibrate the battery once a month.

cwa107 got in there while I was reading and typing

Great guys.. keeping the good advise coming.

They all run hot?? Bloody no.. I had 17" HP that would fry meat about two years ago. This X300 is completely cool.. so it looks like I'm going back to a hot one, eh?

Well, the next question...do I WANT a matte or glossy screen?

All my notebooks have been matte finish. Please advise...

Cheers for all the input.

Matte or glossy is personal choice, and depends on what you will do with it ... Photoshopping ??
I prefer matte ... no reflection and just looks so nice and comforting

Cheers

Saltwater said:

They all run hot?? Bloody no.. I had 17" HP that would fry meat about two years ago. This X300 is completely cool.. so it looks like I'm going back to a hot one, eh?

Click to expand...

Yes and no.... intel laptops run hot, it's just the way it is!
If you read that thread I posted it will give you a little more insight, but as for frying eggs or meat on a Mac, not going to happen!

As for the matte or glossy, as tattooedmac mentioned above.
Also, I have the MB with the glossy screen, and I love the vibrant display I get with it.... the major downfall for me is that I use it in natural light majority of the time, and the reflection drives me crazy at times... So my next Mac purchase will be the matte display on a MBP 15" or 17", but this has it's downfalls too, other than not as vibrant a display, it is also more susceptible to fingerprints, smudges, and scratches.

Thanks everyone.. I'm off with AMEX in hand.

I spread the love around as well.

thanks!
Salt

If you're not going with the matte, you may wanna check these out
Refurbished Mac - Apple Store (U.S.)