New to mac, storage questions!!!

NastyNars · Jun 20, 2012

hello, mac forums

I've been all over this site trying to take in all the info I can since I've ordered my new Macbook Pro w/ Retina display last Monday. It finally came today, and I've been messing around with it for a little bit. I was pretty good with windows computers, but this is my first Mac and I've got some questions. First off, I have the 2.3ghz quad core i7 MBPR with 256gb SSD. My question deals with where "other storage" is coming from when I haven't really put anything on my computer yet. In "about this mac">>more info>>storage.. it shows 228.49gb free out of 250.14gb... with over 15gb in "other" storage, This is bothering me because I almost went with the 512gb SSD, but stuck with this one instead. I'm going to be very strict with what I keep on the internal drive, and the last thing I want is being behind before I even start. What could this 15gb of "other" stuff be? All I've done is update to the newest iTunes, added my gmail account to "mail' (added over 600 emails... may have something to do with it),installed "flash" player, and installed Microsoft Silverlight so I could stream Netflix off their website. There was also 5 "system updates" that I installed, but I don't believe it was anything major. I've read that OS X Lion takes up 10gb, is that 10gb of the 15gb? Also, there's 5.45gb of apps, and I haven't installed any extra ones.. (so 15.18 of other, 5.34 in apps, and minuscule amounts in everything else) Sorry for the long post, just wanted to be thorough.

Also... is Windows Office for Mac 2011 worth it? I'm using my Macbook for work, with a lot of other people who have PC's, and like I said I've used PC's all my life.

Any insight/advice would be much appreciated!

chas_m · Jun 21, 2012

"Other" is any kind of app, document, preference, library or file that doesn't fit any of the other categories. As you surmise, most of "other" is in fact your system (and probably the 4GB recovery partition, which you're probably not counting).

I wouldn't worry about it.

Here's two more things you should install, both small and free: Flip4Mac WMV Player and Perian

As for Microsoft Office, you have three main options on that:

1. Buy and install Microsoft Office. It's good, it works well, one of MS's most polished programs.

2. Buy Pages, Apple's alternative program. Many of us like it a lot better. Keynote, Apple's "answer" to PowerPoint, is WAY better in every measurable respect. Files can be saved in Office format for exchange with PC users, but that's an extra step. If you like your documents to be BEAUTIFUL, you want Pages/Keynote and maybe Numbers (the somewhat less successful and powerful but still gorgeous alternative to Excel. To be quite frank, for power users Excel is still the better choice). The "iWork" suite of programs (as they are collectively known) are cheaper ($20 each) and have iOS dopplegangers ($15 each, separate purchases) that can be synced together over iCloud.

3. If you just need basic Office functionality on your Mac, and for whatever reason don't like iWork, then try LibreOffice or OpenOffice for Mac, the well-known open-source alternative office suite. I personally find it far to fugly and "Windows-like" to put up with (also more buggy/less efficient than MS Office), but YMMV on that depending on how up-to-speed you were with Office.

Great choices all around.

NastyNars · Jun 21, 2012

i appreciate the well thought out reply. couple questions regarding what you suggested. What do the two programs do exactly that you recommended?

Also, have you ever heard of anyone having trouble opening up a pages or keynote on a PC computer, even after it was saved as one of those documents? I like the fact that all three iWork programs work very well interchangeably, and definitely something I need to consider since I don't ever plan on going back to PC. The one drawback is that I've taken college courses that have went extensively into the advanced use of the Office programs, and it would be hard to throw that down the tubes (down the road may consider purchasing both programs). The killer is excel. I'll be starting work as a Financial Advisor soon and will be needing to use excel a lot. I guess what I'm saying is, the + right now outweigh the -'s for going with office, but would it make sense down the road to try both?

Lastly, do you know any tricks on keeping storage space to the max? While I haven't loaded my iTunes yet, I do plan on using iTunes match when i do. Also, I've downloaded App Trap, which will help take away multiple files not deleted along with the initial app, but any other help would be appreciated.

chas_m · Jun 21, 2012

NastyNars said:
i appreciate the well thought out reply. couple questions regarding what you suggested. What do the two programs do exactly that you recommended?

Yeah, my apologies, I should have mentioned that.

Flip4Mac allows Windows' WMV files to play as QuickTime files. Perian (sadly discontinued but still working) allows almost any OTHER kind of non-standard video file to play in QuickTime (or your web browser, etc).

Between the two of them, you should be able to play any video that comes your way -- from email, from a web site, whatever -- exactly as they should play (by double-clicking on them).

Also, have you ever heard of anyone having trouble opening up a pages or keynote on a PC computer, even after it was saved as one of those documents?

Well of course they'd have trouble opening a Pages or Keynote document. There is no Pages or Keynote for the PC (poor sods), so they simply can't open them.

If you meant to say have I ever heard of anyone having trouble opening a Pages or Keynote file after they'd been converted to a Word or PowerPoint document, then no I've never heard of that. I just finished a project where a client would create her slides in PP and send them to me to "make beautiful" in Keynote, and I'd convert the file BACK to PP and send it back to her. No problems once we agreed on a set of fonts to use.

The one drawback is that I've taken college courses that have went extensively into the advanced use of the Office programs, and it would be hard to throw that down the tubes (down the road may consider purchasing both programs). The killer is excel. I'll be starting work as a Financial Advisor soon and will be needing to use excel a lot. I guess what I'm saying is, the + right now outweigh the -'s for going with office, but would it make sense down the road to try both?

I agree with you that it makes the most sense to use Microsoft Office for your Mac in your situation. Certainly you can have both if you like, since Pages (et al) are so cheap. But I'd suggest in your particular case that real, genuine Microsoft Office 2011 for the Mac is the way to go for you if you have to choose one.

Lastly, do you know any tricks on keeping storage space to the max? While I haven't loaded my iTunes yet, I do plan on using iTunes match when i do. Also, I've downloaded App Trap, which will help take away multiple files not deleted along with the initial app, but any other help would be appreciated.

I always used to say that if people didn't keep the media files and porn on the internal drive, few of us would need anymore than 80GB.

It's funny, but that's still largely true. iTunes Match is a good idea but I'd still suggest setting up an iTunes library on an external HD. That's also where I'd keep any iPhoto libraries and iMovie or Garageband projects. If you limit the internal drive to programs and your personal files you likely have PLENTY of room that will take years to fill up.

Don't overthink it. I've talked to a LOT of MacBook Air owners who have 256GB or less and they seem to be okay once they move the media libraries off their boot drive and onto an external (or in the cloud).

DavidHH · Jun 21, 2012

Media Files on iMacs

chas_m said:
Yeah, my apologies, I should have mentioned that.

Flip4Mac allows Windows' WMV files to play as QuickTime files. Perian (sadly discontinued but still working) allows almost any OTHER kind of non-standard video file to play in QuickTime (or your web browser, etc).

Between the two of them, you should be able to play any video that comes your way -- from email, from a web site, whatever -- exactly as they should play (by double-clicking on them).

Well of course they'd have trouble opening a Pages or Keynote document. There is no Pages or Keynote for the PC (poor sods), so they simply can't open them.

If you meant to say have I ever heard of anyone having trouble opening a Pages or Keynote file after they'd been converted to a Word or PowerPoint document, then no I've never heard of that. I just finished a project where a client would create her slides in PP and send them to me to "make beautiful" in Keynote, and I'd convert the file BACK to PP and send it back to her. No problems once we agreed on a set of fonts to use.

I agree with you that it makes the most sense to use Microsoft Office for your Mac in your situation. Certainly you can have both if you like, since Pages (et al) are so cheap. But I'd suggest in your particular case that real, genuine Microsoft Office 2011 for the Mac is the way to go for you if you have to choose one.

I always used to say that if people didn't keep the media files and porn on the internal drive, few of us would need anymore than 80GB.

It's funny, but that's still largely true. iTunes Match is a good idea but I'd still suggest setting up an iTunes library on an external HD. That's also where I'd keep any iPhoto libraries and iMovie or Garageband projects. If you limit the internal drive to programs and your personal files you likely have PLENTY of room that will take years to fill up.

Don't overthink it. I've talked to a LOT of MacBook Air owners who have 256GB or less and they seem to be okay once they move the media libraries off their boot drive and onto an external (or in the cloud).

Chas,
Do you also think the "keep the media files and libraries" off the internal drive is a good approach for iMac Desktop Computers also, or is your thinking just for Laptops to conserve space?
Currently I keep my Media Libraries on my iMac Internal Drive (1 TB).

Your insight would be appreciated.

DavidH

Smalltowntech · Jun 21, 2012

Just have to add a little something to your thought process on the whole Office debate. I am also a lifetime PC user and just recently switched to mac. After looking at some of the videos and more importantly the cost I decided to go with the Mac versions of the files - Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. I have not regretted it since.

The Mac Apps will open Office documents, but Office will not open the Mac Apps. Worse case, you decide that you do not like them and can't deal with them you buy Office anyway. Best case, you decide you do like them and they open any file you need at a much reduced cost.

Also, keep asking questions here. This is an amazing source of information for new and old mac users.

NastyNars · Jun 21, 2012

iPhone photos to iphoto/icloud??

thanks for the help so far guys!

Another question.... what's the relationship between iPhoto and photos that are in your iTunes? aka once I sync my iPhone to my new macbook, where will my whole "camera roll" go? and is there a way to put all those photos, wherever they may go, to iCloud? I've watched the Keynote from WWDC and there seemed to be something about iCloud and iPhoto, so that may not be til Mountain Lion, but maybe not. I don't have any extra cash right now and can't afford the external HD, so the cloud storage is important to me and I just would want to get it done right the first time. Also, I guess included with that would be not just my photos, but movies, app etc synced from my iphone, is there anyway to put everything in the cloud, and not keep any of it on my laptops internal?

Thanks!

RavingMac · Jun 21, 2012

NastyNars said:
. . . I don't have any extra cash right now and can't afford the external HD . . .

I read this and was just going to ignore it and walk away, but in good conscience I can't.

You truth is you can't afford NOT to have an external HD (or other guaranted accessible backup). Hard drives fail, even Solid State SSDs. When (not if) they do, your data, your cherished memories, and in your case, the client files that constitute the basis for your livelihood disappear.

SSDs may be more reliable than conventional mechanical HDs. The articles I have seen seem to show this, BUT . . . and it is a big but, SSDs tend to fail catastrophically with little or no warning and no chance for data recovery. Traditional HDs often give tell-tale signs of imminent failure, and even when they don't data can often be recovered from them.

Ask yourself this, "Is my data worth $100?" which is all that a decent external HD will cost. If it isn't, fine. I suspect the answer is your data is worth a whole lot more than that or you wouldn't have spent well over $2K for a new Mac to work with.

NastyNars · Jun 21, 2012

trust me, an external hard drive is in my near future, more so within the next month... thanks for the insight though regarding the lack of warning an SSD will give prior to failing.

Deckyon · Jun 21, 2012

Smalltowntech said:
Just have to add a little something to your thought process on the whole Office debate. I am also a lifetime PC user and just recently switched to mac. After looking at some of the videos and more importantly the cost I decided to go with the Mac versions of the files - Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. I have not regretted it since.

The Mac Apps will open Office documents, but Office will not open the Mac Apps. Worse case, you decide that you do not like them and can't deal with them you buy Office anyway. Best case, you decide you do like them and they open any file you need at a much reduced cost.

Also, keep asking questions here. This is an amazing source of information for new and old mac users.

This is all dependent on who you deal with the most. Nearly everyone I work with and trade documents with is on Windows with MS Office. Compatible? We ran into more problems trying to downsave and convert that it was a nightmare - and that was dealing with Libreoffice and Openoffice. Nope.

I have to say, if you still communicate with people in the Windows world on a regular basis, the extra money saved is nowhere near the frustration of finding a compatible format. and forget about any kind of Macros in the apps converting to/from Office and Apple.

No, 100% go with the MS Office for Mac - compared to the price for the Windows version, it is a steal.

Ramimac1 · Jun 21, 2012

Down the road I would be willing to bet that if you wish to increase the Hard drive Performance Upgrades; FireWire USB SATA Storage; Memory, more at OWC will have a drive upgrade for it. as they do with the macbook air line at a lower cost that apple offers.

chas_m · Jun 21, 2012

DavidHH said:
Chas,
Do you also think the "keep the media files and libraries" off the internal drive is a good approach for iMac Desktop Computers also, or is your thinking just for Laptops to conserve space?
Currently I keep my Media Libraries on my iMac Internal Drive (1 TB).

Your insight would be appreciated.

DavidH

I prefer (if I have the space) to keep the media libraries on my boot drive, since I use hard drives still and space is not really an issue.

As everyone moves to SSDs for boot drives, however, this becomes more of an issue (since SSDs are still ridiculously expensive and small by comparison (hopefully things will change in the future). Apple appears to be moving towards (at least for laptop owners) suggesting that you offload your media libraries onto an external drive (and of course you'll need another external to back that up!).

There was definitely a tone of that at the last keynote. It's ironic, of course, because it's Apple that's egging you on to buy more and more digital content!

Obviously this is one of those areas where Apple policy is by necessity in flux: if SSD storage became cheap and plentiful in a few years, they'd "reverse" themselves on that (but it's really more like addressing the changing realities).

rpg51 · Jun 23, 2012

I just made the switch. Like you my work involves heavy use of Office (Word mostly) and I have developed a certain skill level. My decision was easier because my employer has a plan with MS and I was able to buy Office for Mac for $10. But - even if you pay full price - I recommend you get Office for Mac. Keep in mind though that Office for mac is not identical to the current 2010 version for windows. It is similar to a version of two ago. But everything is there and it all works very well - took me a bit to learn the interface which is not exactly like 2010.

chscag · Jun 23, 2012

I have to disagree. I have both Office for Mac 2011, and Windows Office 2010 and see very little difference between them. Yes, there's certainly a difference in the way things are done on a Mac versus a PC running Windows, but not in the program itself. Of course I don't use everything that is available in both programs, but really, who does?

Also... few people realize that MS first developed Word and Excel for the Mac before they developed the Windows version.

And I agree with member Deckyon, if you're dealing with the business world, legal, or on an educational level, MS Office is the de facto standard. There's a reason why all other suites including Apple's iWork offer the option to save as an MS Office document.

Demapples · Jun 23, 2012

I am a year ahead of the OP. I went with Office for Mac and have zero regrets. Easy compatibility with work PCs. I got Pages but never use it. Open Offices munges formatting in Word documents.

NastyNars · Jun 24, 2012

how would i go about loading office for mac on my laptop? (new mbpr has no disc drive) will apple eventually put it on the app store?

chscag · Jun 25, 2012

If you buy Office for the Mac from Apple, it comes on CD only. And that would be from their on line ordering not the App store. However, you can buy it from Microsoft as a download direct to your computer. LINK They will also send you a CD in the mail.

chas_m · Jun 25, 2012

NastyNars said:
will apple eventually put it on the app store?

It's not up to Apple, really. It's up to Microsoft to make that decision.

New to mac, storage questions!!!

NastyNars

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Deckyon

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