The title says it all. After 20 years as a PC user, I'm going to make the switch to Mac. I'm going to grad school this August, so I figured if I got it now, I could learn it/get used to it over the summer. I know that I want the Macbook Pro. I'm leaning towards the smaller screen. What software/accessory recommendations do you Mac-o-philes have for me?
Good place to start is with these: http://www.tammycamp.com/2009/04/03/must-have-mac-applications.html
The iLife'09 software should come with the computer for free. Try out the iMove, iPhoto, etc ... I'd be sure to get iWoks'09 software also for about $79. It is Apple's MS-Office software set. Apple's Pages == MS Word Apple's Keynote == PowerPoint Apple's Numbers == Excel Get familiar with those over the summer, especially Pages and Keynote they are much better than the MS versions and improving fast. I'd also explore the iTunesU (university lectures) section if iTunes, to see what lectures there are in your field of study.
I've heard good thing about Keynote, but I don't think that iWork is essential by any stretch of the imagination.
Something to write documents is essential. Really the only two options are Microsoft Office 2008 for the Mac and Apple's iWorks'09 (with Pages and Keynote). If you are going to spend a summer getting familiar with Mac software this is "the" place to start. It will only cost $79. If you finds once your in school that you need to bow down before the Microsoft monopoly then you can pay the $300 tribute for Microsoft Office in the fall. So, giving iWorks a try during the summer IS essential IMHO.
I am now a Mac-owning person. That gets me into the cult meetings, right? I had some extra time this afternoon, so I drove up to Delaware (tax free) and got it. The sales guy was a douche, though. I supposedly got a free i-pod touch with a mail in rebate, but I have no rebate paperwork in the bag. I am NOT driving back up to DE if that jack-a-ninny forgot to print it out. Haven't opened it yet. A bit tired at the moment. It will probably have to wait until tomorrow.
Congrats, I jump over back (after 20 years of Windows onlys) in October. a) Apple's has some really nice video tutorials at there web-site. Watch those. b) The manual for thing like iMovie is in PDF format by clicking "Help -> Getting Started PDF" c) www.macrumors.com is a good site to ask questions, with a forums sections similar to bigsoccer.com. When I opened up the iMac, it took all of 5 minutes to create a really nice movie from videos of our kids without even reading the manual. It was that moment I know I would never go back. Also if you have an Apple store near by (and it sound like you might not) attend the seminars they have and use the Genius Bar for any really though issues. You've got to get the iPod you can't get into the cult meetings without it.
Jacen - Happy to hear you're coming over to our side; you'll not regret it...ever... envious about the MacBook Pro... my own basic unibody MacBook has performed flawlessly since its opening and my only regret was not coming up with more change to buy a MacBook Pro instead.... In terms of software you can start with Office 2008 or use the Mac equivalent - Apple's office suite iWork 09 or iLife 09 (chances are one of these came free with your MacBook purchase). I would also recommend a small back-up portable hard-drive like an Iomega or Toshiba, so you can use your MacBook Pro's backup utility; TimeMachine. Buying an AppleCare Protection Plan extended warranty (beyond the 90 days) would also be useful. Should you be independently wealthy, I would also purchase Adobe's Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Acrobat, et al.) for graphic design utility since they really enhance your MacBook's true design potential. Best of luck....
If you haven't picked one up yet, make sure you pick up a cable that you can plug in to a TV for a dual-monitor setup. My brother has the white MacBook with such a cable and no need for a DVD player. He was using a XBOX 360 as a DVD player (when not playing games), but not anymore.
OK, I've been playing with the Pro for a bit now, and I'm LOVING it, but I have one problem that I can't quite figure out. I bought Microsoft Office for Mac 2008. Every time I try to install it, the disk goes in, it sounds like it's reading it for about 20 seconds, and then the Mac spits the disk out with no message or anything. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong? I've shut down all programs. I checked to see if I had a trial version (don't think I do). Why isn't it working? Thanks for any tips! Also, is there any way to play .wmv files on a Mac, or do I need to convert them?
It's obviously your wonderful, beautiful Mac vomiting out anything manufactured by Microsoft! Seriously though, does your Mac do the same thing with other discs, or just the Office disc? Nail down whether it's a problem with the drive or the disc. You may have to exchange one or the other. You want this: http://www.telestream.net/flip4mac-wmv/overview.htm
Yes, Flip4Mac for .wmv files. Keep us posted, I'm interested in hearing how the transition works out for you.
The learning process continues... I've since learned that others have had the same problem with Office 2008, but I have not seen anyone post a solution to it yet. I installed the Flip4mAc download, and it sort of worked. My Macbook Pro will now play wmp files in a Quicktime format, but all I get is the audio (no images whatsoever. Just a black screen). Am i missing a plugin of some sort?
weird. I use flip4mac with no trouble .... seamless, and I have an older powerPC mac. don't know if you've been there yet, but the support forums on Apple.com are excellent and have answers to many questions.
I think the issue lies in the fact that the wmp files I'm trying to open were made with Photostory3. It seems to have some difficulty in reading that kind of file. It gave me a message saying that it couldn't read the file completely, and provided a link to a webpage with Apple Quicktime component downloads. Does anyone know which component I need to download to view Photostory3 videos?
Did you sort this out? I think there is a rebate page on the website or through itunes. You should be able to do it without going back. Their rebate program is awesome. I got my check in like a week.
Yup. Got that all taken care of. I think I solved the flip4mac issue as well, but I'm not going to test it until later today.
The learning process continues as the aggravation grows. I'm typing this on my 6 year old Toshiba because my Macbook refuses to open any webpages. The Airport shows that I am connected to my network, and I've tried shutting down and restarting both the airport and the computer, but it still refuses to open up any webpages. I've tried with both Firefox and Safari. Nothing. It's not a network problem because, as I said, I'm typing this on my 6 year old Toshiba. Grrr.
And you are sure it's connected to your network and not some random neighbors? Try going into network preferences and deleting your network from your known list, and then trying to connect again.