Well, I got a new MacBook Pro with the 17-inch widescreen display today. Man, that's one

[Redstone]

big ol' honkin' mammajamma of a laptop, right there. Almost feels too big to actually USE on your lap.

Of course, now I gotta get used to using OS(u)X, and all the newest Adobe / Macromedia software, which I bought as a bundle. I'm moving up FIVE VERSIONS for some of the applications, which tell you how infrequently I "upgrade" software.

At least with the big screen, I'll be able to work sitting on the couch more often, which is MUCH easier on my shoulder.

By the way, if anyone's interested, Mac Mall is selling them at a bargain price of less than $1800.00 on closeout, with all the bells & whistles, which is over a grand less than the original price for that model. The only difference between this model and the one that replaces it is a bit less processor speed.

Redstone

[TOhioLiberal]

1. Sounds like a sweet laptop.

It does sound a little big for actually using on your lap.

How are you tonight, my friend?

[Redstone]

3. I haven't been able to work since Thursday, but I think I'll be able to tomorrow. At least

I sure hope I can, because I have a $36,000 project that's within a day or two of being finished and billed.

Thanks for asking.

Redstone

[GOPisEvil]

2. My honey has one. It is a BEAUTIFUL machine!

I'm plotting to steal it from her, but don't tell her. ;)

[Redstone]

5. Well, I already figured out how to get rid of those annoying "traffic lights," so

I'm making progress. I think tomorrow I'll get Drag Thing so I can kiss that stupid Dock goodbye as well.

Redstone

[TommyO]

4. Congratulations, Redstone!

I have a year-old PowerMac and lust after the 17" MacBook Pro! The PowerMac was my first foray into Mac-dom and I'm definitely not looking back.

[Redstone]

8. Well, I'll still use the TiBook for posting on DU and stuff when I might have a drink

near the machine or be using it outside on the screen porch.

And do you want to know how durable Apple's hardware is? If I'm going to be in a dusty environment (like the screen porch), I still use my old black G3 Powerbook that is NINE YEARS OLD and still gets used two or three times a week!

All I do is give it a new keyboard every couple of years, and it soldiers on.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. That sounds wonderful, my dear Redstone!

Have fun playing with your new machine!

I'm in the market for a laptop too.......

My brother has convinced me that for my modest needs, all I need is a simple one from Fry's...

I plan to take it on our trip to Europe this spring!

I will download my pics every day from my dig camera, and that way I can label them as I go along.......

And I can stay in touch with all you good people too......

Enjoy your new toy.....and I'm glad you're feeling a bit better too!

:bounce: :bounce:

[Redstone]

13. Didn't you tell me that Mr Peg uses a Mac? You should, too. If for no other reason than

the fact that their build quality is so much better than the cheapoid brands.

I have one of the original Macs, made in May, 1985, and it still works!

I can't actually DO anything with it, but it's fun to take a trip down Memory Lane once iin a while.

Redstone

[Nevernose]

7. I swore my next comp would be a Mac & a laptop

But after three months of saving, it looks like another 12-18 months and maybe a third job.

I'm perfectly happy running my Windows machine at home or even my office desk, but I have a thousand uses for a laptop (powerpoints, showing videos, editing videos, recording grades at a basketball game, writing lesson plans on the airplane, surfing the Internet while watching "Snakes on a Plane," etc.).

The biggest problem I have is my eyesight -- I need a laptop w/ at least a 17" screen, which seems to seriously drive up the price.

[Redstone]

10. Dell or someone has a real monster with a 20-inch screen, but it's damn expensive.

Did you see my note about the closeout price at Mac Mall? I think they have some other closeout 17-inch models for even less.

Redstone

[Nevernose]

16. Yeah, I checked it out

About 16 or 17,00. Still more than I can save in a short period of time, and I'm a firm believer in "credit cards are for EMERGENCIES."

I want the mac for the ease of use at school.

I had only Apples, or my family did, from 1981 until 1998 or so, and still use Apples sometimes at school. They're reliable and good at what I need a laptop for (school stuff).

Someone once told me that, "PCs are computers for problem solvers. They're just as good as Macs, but they have lots of problems that need to be solved. Macs rarely have problems." I enjoy the problem solving in my private life (I need to download what and install it where so I can do it how? Why?), but need the reliability at work.

[Redstone]

17. You could always buy a used PowerBook. They're pretty damn durable, so a used one

would not be a risk.

Redstone

[WindRavenX]

9. I want that one

not gonna get it, but I might get a smaller one for graduation.

Enjoy--those are amazing gadgets.

[Redstone]

11. The wide screen is very nice for working with stuff like Photoshop with all the

external menu windows. I have always used two monitors with my desktop computers for just that reason - you can have just your document on the main screen and all the menus on a smaller monitor next to the big one.

Redstone

[WindRavenX]

12. yeah, but I'll be fresh out of college in May--I don't have the moneyz for that

But one day...

[Omphaloskepsis]

14. If you use Photoshop download CS3 Beta..

It is native on Intel.. It is so much faster..

17" iMac Core 2 Duo here.

[Redstone]

15. Whoa, I haven't even fired up CS2 yet! I'm still using 5.5 on System 9 until I get used

to the new version.

Redstone

[Starbucks Anarchist]

18. I have the basic 13" Macbook.

I love it. :D

[Redstone]

31. And the 13" screen is enough for you?

Redstone

[Starbucks Anarchist]

33. Yep.

I use it for personal use, though -- not business or anything. It works for me.

[ghostsofgiants]

35. Man, I use a 20" monitor for personal use and I wonder how I ever got by without it, haha.

13" would kill me.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

37. Freakin' Canadians with readily available space.

:P

[ghostsofgiants]

38. Up until Christmas I was rocking a horrid 15" CRT though.

How the hell I managed to live with that I'll never know.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

39. I do have a 17" PowerMac back in Texas, though.

It wouldn't fit in my NYC apartment, though. :rofl:

[Omphaloskepsis]

41. I use..

My 17" wide screen (16:9) on the iMac and a 17" Dell CRT as a second. Spanning works fine. It rocks with CSSEdit and TextMate.

http://macrabbit.com/cssedit/

CSSEdit rocks.. I just couldn't imagine using it with a single monitor.

edit : and the smiley monster screws up another post..

[ghostsofgiants]

45. Hmm...CSSedit...

I'll have to check that out.

Edit: Gah, is it only available for Mac OS?

[Redstone]

49. Uh, I think I'm going to just BUY that CSS edit, never mind the demo. Hard to go wrong

at only thirty bucks, and it looks like a great tool.

(I've used two monitors since 1994 (21 inch, 19 on the side for menus). Can't imagine going back to only one with my desktop unit)

Redstone

[Pierre.Suave]

62. I agree

CSS edit is a nice program.

now all I need to do is learn css...lol.

[Kutjara]

19. Careful using it on your lap.

The first generation MBPs run very hot. My 15" model is quite capable of giving my thighs a nice "heat tan" and, under heavy use, it can become hot enough to burn. This is due to the aluminum case being an excellent conductor of heat. Apple were able to make the MBP so thin because of this.

Other than that, I love my MBP. It's very fast, OSX is great compared to Windoze (which I can run on the MBP anyway when I need to), and the screen and keyboard are a dream to use.

Once Photoshop CS3 is released as an Intel-native app, I'll have everything I need.

[Redstone]

20. I have one of those laptop-cooler fan things that goes underneath the computer.

Works great on my TiBook, so it should be OK with the MacBook, too.

And only 15 bucks at Staples during the Christmas sales.

Redstone

[Kutjara]

22. Great idea.

That should save you from "odd looking thigh" syndrome.

[Redstone]

23. Yeah, I use my laptops plugged into mains power 90% of the time, so

there's no problem with the power draw through the USB connection.

And the fans in that thing are REALLY quiet.

Redstone

[Kutjara]

40. My fans were quiet, but then...

...one of them started to rattle like a bicycle wheel with a playing card in it. It's apparently a fairly common problem, and my local Apple Store installed two new ones under warranty in a couple of days. Now my baby is as silent as ever, and even a little bit cooler.

[Redstone]

42. I'll remember that. Thanks.

Redstone

[Poiuyt]

46. Like Torgo?

[SeattleGirl]

21. I have a 17 inch widescreen on my Compaq

I love it.

[Redstone]

26. But I thought all of us Lefties were supposed to be Mac users? And Volvo drivers?

We actually have two Volvos in the driveway, but one if them is a politically-incorrect hotrod.

Redstone

[SeattleGirl]

32. Oh my, I don't have a Volvo either. Will I be banned, or will the

fact that I live in liberal Seattle and drink lattes save me?

[Redstone]

43. Yes, you're saved by your location and coffee choice.

Redstone

[SeattleGirl]

44. Cool!

:thumbsup:

[Ellen Forradalom]

24. Yeah, but can you look up your nose with it?

Huh?

[Redstone]

27. Yes, you can! It's got a camera built in.

Soon as I figure out how to work it, I'll send you pictures of my sinuses.

Redstone

[Omphaloskepsis]

34. Applications/Photo Booth

Click on the middle button for a count down..

[Omphaloskepsis]

36. You can.. I just did..

Trust me.. You don't want me to post the pictures.

[wildhorses]

25. i am SOO0o0o0o0o jealous and yet--

happy for you, enjoy :hi:

[Redstone]

28. I'll be happy with it when I figure out how to work all the stuff.

Reactionary that I am, I'm a bunch of versions behind on everything.

But it does have a nice big display. Think I'll watch a movie on it tomorrow night.

Redstone

[bullwinkle428]

29. That's a helluva deal! I've been thinking about making the giant leap

from PC to Mac, as my home PC (old POS Dell) is over 6 years old and long overdue for a replacement. I was originally thinking about getting a big laptop to replace the desktop, but then I thought I might be better off just getting a Mac Mini to start with.

Once I'm convinced that the Mac is a superior experience, I could buy one of the smaller iBooks on closeout to enjoy the best of both worlds - a desktop with a nice, big monitor (that I already have) along with something small and light that I can take anywhere. I checked out MacMall, and could get both items for around $1300 total.

[Redstone]

30. Yes, you can buy a smaller iBook and hook it up to a large monitor.

And use the iBook's monitor for menues and such.

Redstone

[GOPisEvil]

47. Redstone. I think I am joining the revolution.

My craptastic Dell laptop just died. Again.

Screw it. I think I'm doing a little shopping at Mac Mall.

I guess I'll be ripping music again. 1gb of music lost. Oh well. I own it all; it's just a pain.

[Redstone]

51. If you want a good used Mac from honest people, you can try megamacs.com - I've bought

numerous dirt-cheap (I mean like $89.00) old iMacs and stuff from them to give to the battered-women's shelters my friend runs, and they've NEVER screwed me, not even on things as cheap as that.

Redstone

[grace0418]

48. Congrats Redstone! I have the 15", got it a couple of months ago and I love it.

I decided on the 15" so it would be more portable, but bought a second monitor and a wacom tablet for design work. I seriously thought about the 17, though. I was upgrading several versions too. I'm still getting used to CS2 (coming from Illustrator 9 and Photoshop 7!) but it should get easier when we upgrade at work and I'm using the programs all day. Yes, I work for the last office on earth still using OS9 and trying to do design work on it. :eyes:

[Redstone]

50. You think that's bad? Here are my current software versions:

Photoshop 5.5, Quark 3.31, Illustrator 6, Dreamweaver 4.

Hey, I'm used to them, and would continue on forever with them if I could. But my customers are demanding Flash, dammit, so I figured what the hell, get the new versions of all the stuff.

I can always go back, like when I threw away (actually, gave away) Illustrator 8. What ungodly awful software!

Redstone

[grace0418]

60. Yeah, AI 8 is terrible. It's what I'm stuck with at work and it sucks. Photoshop

is a different story though, the newer versions have had some amazing improvements. One thing I'm really loving is the Adobe Bridge. It allows you to flip through all your files without opening anything. Great when you're doing a layout and you need to find the perfect element to add out of the jillions of scans, photos, drawings, and discarded ideas you already have. It also allows you to reorganize, rename and make some other batch changes to files without having to open each one. It's great for organizing a disk full of photos. Oh, and lastly, I hate Quark. I always have. I am so glad to have a document layout program that ISN'T Quark. Even though InDesign takes some getting used to (for me anyway), I am so happy to not have to use Quark. YAY!

[Kajsa]

52. Congrats, Redstone.

I'm reading this on my 4 year old ( that's OLD in computer land)
14 inch ibook.Yep, it's much easier on the back and shoulders to
sit on the couch and type away.

If you can, get an Applecare Protection Plan, that covers it for an
additional 2 years after the 1 year warranty.
It's well worth it.
The video card went out twice on this thing- it was covered.

Have fun with your new laptop!

[Redstone]

55. Hey, I'm using the 4-year-old TiBook right now, and I still use the *1998* G3 Powerbook

as well!

I just give them a new keyboard every two years or so (I type WAY too hard), and they're perfectly happy.

Yeah, I got the Applecare; I had to have the screen replaced twice in the first year on the TiBook, but it's been fine since.

Redstone

[ikojo]

53. May I come and touch the laptop?

It'll be awhile before I can afford a new Mac.

[Redstone]

57. The buy a used one. I've bought nume3rous used ones from megamacs.com - they're

good, honest people. And a used Mac is not much of a risk, because they're so durable. I have a Powerbook made in 1998 that I still use several times a week.

Redstone

[Singular73]

54. Whats nice with these is....

I got a naptop for my 17" MacBook from www.naptop.com

Works nicely to keep the heat of your lap, and keeps it scratch-free.

[Redstone]

58. the link didn't work. But I have one of those bases with the fans to put underneath it, so

the heat's not a problem.

Redstone

[ContraBass Black]

56. I generally don't think of anything that costs $1800.00 as a bargain

Unless it has four wheels and takes me places.


But then, I don't have much of a job, either.

[Redstone]

59. Well, the last two PowerBooks I bought (1998 and 2003) were $3,400 plus each.

So, yes, it's a relative bargain.

And I can't use cheap tools in my business. I bet you're much the same with your basses and amps, yes?

I remember when I was a musician and poor, but still paid $1200.00 for a guitar at a time when that would buy a new Volkswagen.

Redstone

[ContraBass Black]

61. I'm a desktop computer user, with a PDA for mobility.

I'm a vocal contrabass, but I would spare no expense if buying a cello.

[reyd reid reed]

63. Ooooooh....fun!

There's nothing quite like playing with a new toy. Especially one with bells and whistles. Is it fun?

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[Pierre.Suave]

64. I sure hope

you didnt open your adobe photshop and stuff yet?

Seriously, take it back and wait for CS3.

CS2 and all previous versions are not optimized for the intel chip and because of that will run slow.

You can download the beta of CS3 right now and be using that instead, it is a universal binary and will run natively (at full speed) on your intel mac.

Now, with that out fo the way, I have a 15 inch Macbook Pro with 2gb of ram and the 2.16ghz Core 2 Duo and a 160gb HDD. I love this thing. it is freakin fast.




one more thing, OSX does NOT suck. lol.

[NC_Nurse]

65. My husband is a graphics person.

He just got a used Powerbook a few months ago. They are going cheap now that all the geeks are upgrading to the Intel dual processor
stuff. He got his for $1200 from a prgrammer who had put tons of extra memory in it and used it for grad school.

I got one of the new iMacs with the Intel provessors last March. It's way cool. :D