Educate me on Mac Notebooks

[Z-man]

I'm Mac illiterate, so I need help from the Pelican braintrust. Looking to get one for Mrs. Z-man for her birthday (Shhh - don't tell her!!!)

Will be used for surfing the web, hulu, online shopping, listening to iTunes, maybe watching movies on airplane trips, and possibly some work-related stuff (She's a teacher).

Thinking of the MacBook Pro 15 or this one which is currently on sale.

Some features:
4GB DDR3 SDRAM
DVD RW/CD-RW Super drive
Intel Core Dual Processor
250GB / 320GB SATA hard drive
1 FireWire 800 and 2 USB 2.0 ports
Built in AirPort Estreme wireless LAN card (802.11 b/g/n) (Note: I have a wireless (g) network at home)
Built in bluetooth 2.1 + EDR wireless interface (higher model)

Software:
Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard"
iTunes, Time Machine, Spotlight, iChat, Safari, iCal, DVD Player, Front Row, Photo Booth, Xcode Developer Tools, iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)

So the questions:

1. Can I get a Bluray player / writer instead?

2. Any additional software that I should consider?

Thanks!
-Z-man.

[dad911]

Z-
I bought the 'cheapest' Macbook last year (about $1000) and it does everything from your list.(surfing the web, hulu, online shopping, listening to iTunes, maybe watching movies on airplane trips,....)

In addition to supplied software, I use NeoOffice & Firefox.

[PorscheGAL]

I have a Mac Book. I love it. Will never go back to Windows based machines. Because there are so few macs in comparison to windows machines there are virtually no virus. No crashing. Since your wife is a teacher I would suggest IWork. It has Keynote(Power Point), Pages(Word) and Numbers(Excel). The mac is a little different than windows but it is easy to learn with a little play. IChat is nice if you have two macs. It works like a video phone. Let me know if there is anything else you want to know.

[varmint]

can't help with the blu-ray

but there is no need to buy too much computer. any mac made will do what she wants.


i can't imagine a machine without photoshop. but that's just me.

[Moses]

Macs do not play Blu-Ray (yet).

The software that comes with a new Mac is nothing short of spectacular. Unlikely that she'll need anything else. Interestingly, the Mac program "Pages" works with Microsoft "Word" documents better than Microsoft "Word".

My wife has the 17" Macbook Pro. I have a 13" Macbook (the cheap one) My son has the same 13" Macbook. The 13" Macbook is easier to travel with and they have been bullet proof.

If she's going to travel with it, I highly recommend the 13" MacBook. It's under $1000.

[Z-man]

Thanks for the replies so far...

What about onilne security? Virus protection? Should I be concerned?

-Z-man.

[hcariss]

Norton makes specific anti virus modular system for Mac, its a very good tool once purchased you re subscribe yearly for around $20. Available from their website.

[126coupe]

Daughter 4 years w a Mac Book no issues, I have one too, love it.
Never a PC again!

[Moses]

Originally Posted by hcariss

Norton makes specific anti virus modular system for Mac, its a very good tool once purchased you re subscribe yearly for around $20. Available from their website.

Absolutely unnecessary, IMO. I have run my medical practice for 20 years on a network of Macs. I can access confidential data remotely. My employees also use their Mac's to surf the net and do personal banking, etc. NEVER HAD A VIRUS OR SECURITY BREACH. Never.

[craigster59]

I don't think you'll need to get the 'Pro", basic has everything she'd need. I've always bought "refurbished", same warranty and you save a few bucks..
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=MTE3NjY

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by varmint

but there is no need to buy too much computer. any mac made will do what she wants.

I would like to get at least a 15 inch screen - it will be used 90% of the time at home, and I think a bigger viewable screen is better.

The non-Pro MacBook is only available in a 13 inch screen.

-Z

[MFAFF]

Just received my iMac...Ok its not a notebook but its is so much better than my previous Pcs and my work machines... just shame that the primary programme we use is not Mac compatible and way too slow when used in emulation mode...

I'll not go back to PC for my main home use machine.. Mac is just so much easier and more versatile at home.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by MFAFF

Just received my iMac...Ok its not a notebook but its is so much better than my previous Pcs and my work machines... just shame that the primary programme we use is not Mac compatible and way too slow when used in emulation mode...

I'll not go back to PC for my main home use machine.. Mac is just so much easier and more versatile at home.

If you set the partiion correctly, Bootcamp should allow you to run Windows very fast.

[cairns]

Concur with all that's been said and more....it's tough (I've dropped it, had things fall on it left it in hot cars etc). I have NEVER had a security concern (we have had a home network of Macs for years). Our current laptop is almost four years old and keeps chugging.

It's fantastic for photos and, for me, music. All my CDs and other music are on it and I run the stereo from the laptop in the kitchen. It of course works seamlessly with I pods and I phones. The newer versions of OS X (Leopard) allow you manipulate your home hard drive from anywhere in the world. Updates are free and automatic.

It's so seamless and logically easy to use you'll wonder why anyone would want a PC. The dashboard has thousands of free widgets that allow you to access information instantly- from the local weather to Ulan Bator weather to Shakespeare to recipes etc.

Microsoft is nowhere near Apple's ballpark. But if you want to play Microsoft and kludge up your Mac you can- they're compatible now.

[Neilk]

Love our 13" aluminum Macbook. It feels super solid and runs great.

I would get a new one with the SD card reader. It's annoying to get a usb cable to import pictures from your digital camera. Get VmWare or Parallels to run Windows on her Mac if you really need to.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Z-man

Thanks for the replies so far...

What about onilne security? Virus protection? Should I be concerned?

-Z-man.

No. No need for concern.

Also, As a teacher she should get the 'educational' discount. I don't know what it is now, but it used to be about $100, and a free ipod.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Z-man

I would like to get at least a 15 inch screen - it will be used 90% of the time at home, and I think a bigger viewable screen is better.

-Z

If you are using it in your lap while sitting, the 13" is really nice. My wife actually prefers using my 13" Macbook. Her 17" Macbook pro is a lot heavier and less portable.

[Don Plumley]

Ditto on the 13. I have a unibody 13", just bought my wife the basic 13" macbook - refurb from the apple store for 749 w/ free shipping.

[dad911]

Z -
Just noticed your above links are to BestBuy. You are better off buying from the Apple Store.

[Don Plumley]

You might appreciate this: My wife was using my daughter's macbook for the past year. When I set up my wife's new computer, it took me maybe 30 minutes to install office, copy over the firefox, thunderbird and other settings along with her files - most of that time was waiting for files to transfer over the NAS. The first time she opened firefox, not only do the bookmarks come over but so does the browsing history, stored passwords, etc. along with all the email settings, etc. 100% identical to her original setup. That's a 1/2 day or more process for me on Windows. BTW, you can use Mozbackup on a win box to bring over to the mac. Bringing over the itunes library (with ratings, etc.) is a little more complicated, but not for a tech geek like you.