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General discussion

Opinions needed on purchase of new MBP

Oct 11, 2007 8:14AM PDT

I plan on purchasing my first mac once Leopard is released (by the end of the month). I have been lusting after it for a year now. I am a History/Pre-Law student in my last year before I go off to grad school next Sept. So I've finally decided to take the plunge. I use my current notebook which is a Compaq for word processing, powerpoint, and personal finance. However, I am a heavy internet user as most of my time is spent blogging and vlogging, as well as downloading videos from veoh, guba, and divx sites. And I play a lot of flash and java based internet games. I also download books using mobipocket and adobe reader. I plan on using Open Office when I get my mbp until Microsoft releases Office '08 for macs or my current laptop as I don't see the point of purchasing a bad soon to be out-dated suite.

I've listed the mbp configuration I plan on buying as well as accessories, however, I am unsure if there are certain add-ons/accessories I might look into buying or not buying. I am open all suggestions so please reply. Thanks.


MacBook Pro 15in.
-2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
-1440 x 900 resolution
-2GB memory
-160GB hard drive1
-8x double-layer SuperDrive
-NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 256MB SDRAM
-Glossy Wide Screen
with:
-AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro (w/or w/o Display)
-AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes


optional accessories (are they worth getting, I am open to all suggestions):
-Canon MP470 Photo All-in-One (I need a new printer and this will be free with a rebate)
-Speck SeeThru for 15-inch MacBook Pro
-Incase Neoprene Sleeve for 15-inch MacBook Pro
-Apple USB Modem
-.Mac package (not sure if I would need this as many of the services are free on the internet)

Discussion is locked

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re: Office 08
Oct 11, 2007 9:09AM PDT

I was looking at the apple store offerings and I believe apple offers a free upgrade to the new office 08 suite if you buy the old one right now. I could be wrong though.

Don't forget, as a student, you also are also eligible for education discounts.

grim

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thanks
Oct 11, 2007 9:32AM PDT

Thanks for that info about the office upgrade. I just checked it out myself and it offers the upgrade for $10. so that's taken care of.

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Re: Education Discount
Oct 11, 2007 12:35PM PDT

Like grim said, you can use education discounts since you're a student. Consider getting your MBP with the discount as it can save you $200, plus upgrades you buy when you configure it are cheaper (RAM, HD, and AppleCare is a bit cheaper). Your specs are fine, and you shouldn't have any problems with it's hardware.

I have an Incase sleeve for my MBP and I love it. Makes it fit perfectly in my backpack's laptop compartment, and it's easy to carry and use. I don't know much about the printer or the hard case, but why do you need a USB modem? I mean, if you use it on-campus and etc. you probably won't use dial-up, unless you have it at home or I'm just mistaken. AirPort stuff is great, but I don't know if you'll really need .Mac unless you want an email with Mac in it or you like using Apple's upload services.

But if you want to go for this, it looks like all systems are go. This "package" will surely give you a great Mac experience. Kudos on the new Mac.
-BMF

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reason for modem
Oct 11, 2007 12:55PM PDT

I definitely plan on using my discount. And there are several reasons for the modem: 1)I have travelled a lot working on my undergrad thesis and I have done study abroad courses as well and there have been times when the only availble connection is with a landline. 2)Because of the first reason I just wouldn't like to travel without a modem and I feel all computers should have a modem.

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Modem
Oct 11, 2007 9:46PM PDT

Before you decide on a modem for use abroad, you may want to check with Apple regarding the suitability of their US modem for use in other countries.

Not all modems are capable of supporting the different phone systems that are found throughout the world. It "could" be that because this is a Sofware Modem, support for different systems is built in to the software and only needs a preference setting to accommodate a different system.

Just a thought and certainly not a deal breaker

P

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(NT) If it works for you, then just go for it then ;-)
Oct 12, 2007 7:05AM PDT
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MBP purchase
Oct 15, 2007 9:16AM PDT

You may be interested in checking out Randy Singer's pages, he is an attorney, and he writes apps for Macs, too. Famous for the Mac Bible!
http://www.macattorney.com/rbs.html

Also, you may get a bigger savings by checking out a refurbed MBP:

-Check out, the Apple Specials which post after midnight:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=A35F9A4&nclm=CertifiedMac
-Search via dealmac.com, or, smalldog.com, powermax.com,
expercom.com,macsales.com,

**You can p/u extra Ram & Applecare ( a must) for less by doing a dealmac.com search or from dealers above, or off eBay.

-Discounts via Mugs: http://www.apple.com/usergroups & http://MacOSG.com

*You might benefit by using the Free Apple Personal Shopper:
http://www.apple.com/retail/personalshopping/ Talk about apps, peripherals, etc. The staff is not on commission!

- http://www.apple.com/getamac/whichmac.html
- http://www.apple.com/getamac/movetomac

*Switch from PCs?
- http://www.apple.com/support/switch101
- http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/cdb_whatcalled.html

*Basics:
- http://www.apple.com/support/mac101
- http://www.apple.com/support/quickassist
- http://www.apple.com/support/tiger

*Check out: http://www.myfirstmac.com and http://www.macinstruct.com/node/124

-See which combinations, are best for which jobs:

- http://www.apple.com/pro/
- http://www.apple.com/pro/profiles
- http://www.apple.com/business/
- http://www.apple.com/pro/resources/
- http://www.apple.com/retail/procare/

After Purchase:
- http://www.apple.com/retail/onetoone/costs $99 for a year.
- http://www.apple.com/retail/procare

Get one of David Pogues the Missing Manual edition for Switching

Enjoy your Mac.

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Thank You
Oct 15, 2007 11:33AM PDT

Thanks for that information. I decided not to wait for the Leopard release and bought the MBP. I decided to go for the matte screen and I cannot wait for it to get here which should be this Wednesday. I just want to thank everyone that has responded and given me very helpful advance.

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You know, if you went ahead and got it,
Oct 16, 2007 9:14AM PDT

then it's possible that you can get the upgrade next week for just $10, depending if the model fits the accepted list.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/

Saves you quite a bit. I recommend it. Wish I could get the family pack for that price LOL. I need to upgrade both of my Macs. Congrats on the MBP. You'll love it. Now go and get yourself Leopard!

-BMF

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THANKS!
Oct 16, 2007 9:31AM PDT

You know I asked the guy at the Apple store last saturday if I would be able to get a rebate of some kind since I was buying the computer so close to the Leopard release and he said I would have to pay the full price. So upon much needed advice I called Apple and I got the link http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/ to get Leopard for $10. So thanks for the tip. And I received my NEW MACBOOK PRO this morning so I am very giddy today.

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I felt the same way when I bought mine LOL
Oct 17, 2007 7:41AM PDT

Glad you got it and hope it works as long as you have it.
-BMF

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Congratulations!
Oct 17, 2007 7:50AM PDT

Also suggest getting Applecare & a stand for it!
See the previously supplied links, I gave you.
Have fun!

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If you read his original post, the list has AppleCare.
Oct 17, 2007 7:51AM PDT

Just letting you know that's all.
-BMF

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He is a She
Oct 17, 2007 9:03AM PDT

I'm a girl, therefore, I should be referred to as she. I just had to post that BeatleMegaFan, no offenseWink

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Sorry my bad. Typo.
Oct 17, 2007 9:22AM PDT

Sorry, I multitask when reading forum posts. I was reading some lowendmac articles while typing it. My apologies.
-BMF

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Not Fair!
Oct 17, 2007 9:49AM PDT

I understand that you should be referred to as she but let's be fair to BMF.

How would he know whether to refer to you as He or She?

Your Bio does not tell us and neither did any of your posts.

Happy

P

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Chill
Oct 17, 2007 11:24AM PDT

I was not critizing, I was meant to be informative and humorous.

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Look here, it was my fault. I made the wrong assumption
Oct 17, 2007 1:33PM PDT

okay? Please, I didn't mean to make anyone mad or anything. mrmacfixit is right, and I checked parannoyed's bio, but it was a 50/50 chance. If I offended you or anything, I'm sorry again. Please, I just made a mistake, that's all. No harm done I hope.

Sorry about the mixup. Now I'm going to have to choose my words more carefully LOL. Oh well. Enjoy the laptop.
-BMF

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As was I.
Oct 17, 2007 9:52PM PDT

Hence the smiley face.

P

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LOL :-) See this thing:
Oct 19, 2007 3:02AM PDT

This is a random post but you got to read this article I found.

http://www.lowendmac.com/hodges/th07/0912.html

This is sad. THOUSANDS of perfectly good computers and no one to use them! And the schools won't sell. What kind of district buys new Macs and PCs every year? Hello? Not cool LOL. I feel so bad for the people who paid their taxes into this... $40 mil...

Read it! It will show you how stupid people can be LOL.
-BMF
P.S.- the author of the article said in the lab he was in, there were some older iMacs and a Power G4 Cube. Man, I would love to get my hands on a Cube and throw in a screaming 1.8Ghz G4 chipset... Dang, you can do almost anything with those. LOL.

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Never needed a modem
Oct 19, 2007 1:06PM PDT

I have traveled from Los Angeles to the East Coast and back, stayed in all kinds of hotels and never had a connection problem with my MBP. I have taken it all over Europe and most recently, New Zealand. With the addition of SKYPE it is my communication center. You will soon feel free enough to leave your modem at home. I am still amazed when I find myself in a small town hotel, sitting on the bed and talking to my friends and family on the other side of the world ... and the best part is that it's free.