My next computer... Mac or PC?
Posted on tirsdag, januar 13, 2009 @ 07:34:25 by david
This is an OLD post from my old blog that I have moved over, good memories, but time to update it a bit.
I ended up with a MacBook Pro 15.4" 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo...
Why a new Mac?
With the latest news regarding Mac and its ability to run on PC hardware... This means all i will need is one computer that can run both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows - maybe even Vista?
Update thursday January 24th 2008 .
I've been doing some thinking about this... why do i need to run Windows Vista? To test my websites... What about using my old Dell Latitude C840 with XP SP2? It still works fine right? And my HP Compaq 1100 Tablet PC with XP SP2 works fine as well
....;; Update Tuesday January 13, 2009 ::.....
Christmas 2008, I sold my Dell Notebook... sad to see it go, but it went to a good home. But I still have the HP Compaq Tablet PC.
VMWare Fusion - October 2007
I've rethought my previous statement above... I ended up spending the $100.00 for VMWare Fusion which works AWESOME! I took my old Dell and HP and packed them away at home... It was worth the money to get rid of that old hardware and consolidate everything on the same machine. Why did I not purchase Parallels desktop for Mac ? Not really sure. I've read all sort of articles comparing the two, but really no real difference. They both work great!
I have am running different versions of Windows for testing with different browsers:
- Windows XP with IE6 (license from my old Dell)
- Windows XP SP2 with IE6 (pirated norwegian version)
- Windows XP SP2 with IE7 (pirated norwegian version)
- Windows 7 Beta (recently downloaded from Microsoft TechNet - January 2009)
ACER AL1916W - December 2007
This was also a good excuse to purchase a new LCD monitor for running Windows on its own screen.
Did som research here as well... Maybe I should wait until the 24" LED, TFT LCD Apple Cinema Display is available later next year ?
Could not wait until Apple comes out with a 24" LED Cinema Display, so I just bought a cheap 19".
Kingston 2GB RAM upgrade, from 2GB to 3GB - December 2007
Since the MacBook Pro comes with 2GB of memory, everything runs fast. After installing VMWare and running Windows a while, I found out that an extra 1GB of RAM would be prefect for running Windows in its own window, on its own screen. Since the upgrade from 2GB to 3GB, I havent seen any performance issues.
First experience with Apple Support - January 2008
I was in Trondheim yesterday (January 23,2008) to deliver my new MacBook Pro for service. Since it is within the 1 year since purchase, everything is covered under warranty.
MacBook Pro LED Screen issue: The LED screen began to "act up" in September 2007, by not displaying the lower 2/3 of the screen when booting up. I tapped on the screen with my index finger and it "woke up"... since it has been getting worse. Until it started doing a Northern Lights dance across the screen. Cool effect, but this is my ALL IN ONE work machine so not so cool.
Intel MacBook with Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard
Since I dont have my MacBook Pro to work on, I had to borrow a backup machine from our Graphic Designer, Jorunn Dahling. She just bought a new Intel MacBook in December 2007 for personal use. I had to configure a few things and install some software, but its working great with my monitor and now today with the HP deskjet 5850 wireless printer. I am having fun looking at some of the cool features with Leopard, havent tried Time Machine yet, but its definitly something cool... Not quite sure I like the Cover Flow feature for folders... works great for album covers in iTunes, but not if you just have a bunch of folders.
Still waiting for the next greatest thing... Leopard
I am still looking at upgrading to Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, which will offer some exciting new features as well as the ability to run Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista. Again I think to myself why? Then I looked at the video from Steve Jobs's Keynote at the opening av WWDC 2007 and just need to have it... :)
January 2009 - Never upgraded to Leopard, going to wait until Snow Leopard this spring.
MacBook Pro vs Dell
I did the comparisons, ended up that the Mac was my choice. Its still D-day (delivery day) so I havent done much more than spend a few hours installing apps like, Open Office, Photoshop CS3, Flash CS3, Firefox, Opera, and the HP deskjet 5850 wireless printer drivers... drivers went in smooth, nightmare was the setup.
My Apple Favorites:
ThinkSecret - got to be the best for rumors the day they happen, these guys and MacRumors know first.
The latest 15.4" MacBook Pro is the model i purchased, it came in today July 6th, 2007!
I waited until the LED, TFT LCD display was available... I need to look at an older model to see if it made any difference.
Potential problems...
Software Issues
Since Apple has gone over to the new Intel processors, this means a new programming method for software that runs on Mac OS X. Adobe Photoshop CS2 does not yet fully supports this processor, so it will run slower. Here is a PDF from Adobe's support for new the intel macs. This new version Adobe Photoshop CS3 should be out in 2007... with possible demos at Apple WWDC 2006 in August 2006.
Update friday, July 6th 2007 (d-day, delivery-day):
Ended up buying a Photoshop CS3 license... Hopefully it runs well and is worth it.
Communication Software:
Skype for Mac OSX
Microsoft Messenger for Mac 5.0
Web development Tools:
Mac SFTP for Mac OSX
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
- 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
- 1 GB of system memory.
- A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2.
- 128 MB of graphics memory.
- 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
- DVD-ROM Drive3.
- Audio output capability.
- Internet access capability.
Hardware Issues
Dell Axim X5 Pocket PC 2002 (PDA) and Mac OSX
I guess the only option here is to buy a 3rd party program called MissingSync which should work great.
Nokia 6600
After searching around, I found that using iSync for Mac OSX will work great with my Nokia 6600
hp deskjet 5850
Sounds like this could be and issue, but I have downloaded the hp driver for Mac OSX already and have read up on what its going to take to get it going.
Update friday, July 6th 2007 (d-day, delivery-day):
WELL as i had expected... this printer was a PAIN IN THE ASS... Read the rest of the story of How I setup my hp deskjet 5850 wireless printer with my new MacBook Pro - Mac OSX 10.4
Logitech Quick Cam Pro 4000
Update friday, July 6th 2007 (d-day, delivery-day):
Looks like there is a driver for Mac OSX available and i have it downloaded, I hope it works.
I dont need the camera... MacBook Pro has iSight built in... reminds me of this Apple Commercial called Tech Support
