Ordering... Last minute suggestions?

Congrats on switching!

First things first: Don't buy RAM from Apple! There's nothing special about it (and it's incredibly easy to install RAM on your own), and it's overpriced.

Only get AppleCare if you think you'll really need it. My personal reccomendation would be to skip it, though.

.Mac is incredibly useful, and worth the $99. The webstorage is great (I use my iDisk to host the images I use at my website). If you've got the $99 to spend, you should go ahead and get it.

Obviously you'll want a good case, too. But I won't bother with suggestions. There are tons of threads about good laptop cases already around. Try searching the forums and looking through some of those suggestions.

As for other stuff, I'd say an iPod is becoming the greatest Mac gadget out there (especially once "Home on iPod" is added to Panther). I use my iPod to take files between home and school using the FireWire disk mode.

If you don't have the backlit keyboard (which is just so cool), you might want that USB Flylight gizmo (I think Belkin makes it). Though that's not particularly necessary.

Hope that helps, and enjoy your Powerbook.

Re: Ordering... Last minute suggestions?

Originally posted by Kingsnapped
Is there anything else you would suggest to a new Powerbook owner? .Mac? applecare?

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Personally I love .Mac and would highly recommend it. It is pricey but if you're going to use all the features and member gifts it's well worth the price.

If you're buying with a student discount AppleCare isn't really worth getting since you'll receive the full 3 year hardware warranty anyway, though I don't think you get the extended phone support.

Oh yeah get an iPod while you're at it, if you can afford one Aside from the music it comes in very handy as an external HDD for backups.

As to the rest of your questions I'm not really sure.

Re: Re: Ordering... Last minute suggestions?

Originally posted by Finiksa


If you're buying with a student discount AppleCare isn't really worth getting since you'll receive the full 3 year hardware warranty anyway, though I don't think you get the extended phone support.

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Would you by chance know if that applies to purchases through the federal government employee store? Thanks.

Originally posted by pyrotoaster
.Obviously you'll want a good case, too. But I won't bother with suggestions.

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I will, Crumpler Wack-O-Phone or Very Busy Man. Accept no substitute.

That is all.

Re: Re: Ordering... Last minute suggestions?

Originally posted by Finiksa
If you're buying with a student discount AppleCare isn't really worth getting since you'll receive the full 3 year hardware warranty anyway, though I don't think you get the extended phone support.

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Hua?

Am I totally missing something here? Since when do education purchases receive a 3 year warranty? Could you please share where you got this information. I hope it's true, but I've never heard this before.

Thanks.

Congrats on the purchase. I have one of these myself (using it to type this post, in fact) and I love it. A few suggestions, however (in no especial order):

1. A case (or sleeve if you want to carry it around in your backpack). There are a million threads on this already, so I'll refrain from making a suggestion.
   
2. If you're going to be using this as a desktop replacement, a laptop stand would be a good investment. Otherwise, you'll develop backaches from stooping to
   see the screen when it sits on your desk.
   
3. iKlear wipes, though you don't necessarily need to order them right away. The Powerbook's aluminum finish shows fingerprints and stuff really easily, so these are nice to have when you want to make your laptop spiffy looking.
   
4. A laptop lock, if you live in a dorm. Hopefully, you won't need it, but paying $40 now for peace of mind is much better than having your computer stolen.
   [/list=1]
   
   Have fun and enjoy!

congrats & remember ram is OSX's best buddy.

Re: Re: Re: Ordering... Last minute suggestions?

Originally posted by KLFloyd
Hua?

Am I totally missing something here? Since when do education purchases receive a 3 year warranty? Could you please share where you got this information. I hope it's true, but I've never heard this before.

Thanks.

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My bad!

Sorry, looks like it's three years for the Australian EDU store only. I just checked the sales policy for the US store it only lists one year.

dr_fate The Gov store policy also lists only one year.

Sorry to get your hopes up people.

Sorry, looks like it's three years for the Australian EDU store only. I just checked the sales policy for the US store it only lists one year.

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YAY for being an Aussie!!!! Although the exchange rate makes it cheaper to buy a mac from the US (even with shipping!!) the included 3yr warranty for students here is just ~~~~~~.

Originally posted by Kingsnapped
-Does the Albook include a firewire to miniDV cable?

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I assume you mean a 6 pin - 4 pin FireWire cable, No one isn't included.

-Does it include a component video cable?

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Yes an S-video to composite adapter is included.

networking

Plug the DSL into the WAN port on your Airport, and a regular hub (el cheapo) into the LAN port... the Airport will take care of assigning IP addresses and firewall duties, and your wired boxes will get the protection too.

Correct

So I don't have to follow the radio shack loser's advice and get a router to run them all at once?
/noob

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Right. Short answer: Radshack sales drone didn't know the Airport had a pass-thru, or didn't care as the expensive router may have had a commission bonus.

You want the Airport inbetween your DSL and everything else, and you don't need another expensive router, as the Airport already has a router built-in. A hub will do well for your needs beyond it. (There are some 3rd party wireless access points that have a 4-8 ports on the back for wired machines already built-in, negating the need for the extra hub. They're generally cheaper, but use their own configuration tools, usually accessible through your web browser.)

If you already have an Airport, then you look on the back and see two RJ45 ports, one with a circle of dots, one with <---> printed above it. With the Airport unplugged from power, plug the DSL into the circle of dots, and plug the hub into the <---> port. turn it on and wait until it completes its boot-up sequence. Make any adjustments as neccesary via the configuration panel (either Apple's Airport Administration Utility, located in the "utilities" folder within the "applications" folder... or the 3rd party's configuration panel via the webbrowser. Any changes you make will make the Aiport/WAP reboot.)

Now, all of your machines will have connection at the same time, will get an IP from the Airport, and be protected from outside prying.