Configuration Help

[omybelovedearth]

About to make the switch. Please brilliant Mac techie types, and I mean that in the most sincere way, select and configure a notebook for me based on my expected uses for the machine, including the software and accessories I would need, based on the info below:

Will use to write dissertation moving what’s done already from my Dell/Word to Macbook

Most committee members I am sending dissertation drafts to use Word and PC’s

Need to put together “PowerPoint” presentations often for professional talks

Moderate sized itunes collection and 5th Gen. ipod

Blogging from the road (uploading short films and pictures from Canon SD 1000)

Very occasional playing of games (like the Sims; Bejeweled)

Work and study at coffee shops often so would like wireless connectivity in public places

When working at home, want to do away with cables that permit access to high speed Internet access

Will keep notebook about three years

Will upgrade to Leopard in fall

Use speech recognition technology when I can (have Dragon Naturally Speaking 9)

I’m impatient and like my systems to work rapidly

I think I could probably add RAM and possibly upgrade the hard drive by myself based on a video I saw at OWC if this would not invalidate the warrenty.

Thanks,

OMBE

 

[freakonguitar]

Well sounds like a Macbook to me. If you dont' care about Black or White, get the White Macbook.
Get the 2.16 core 2 duo
just leave it at 1gb of ram because you can buy two 2gb sticks for 100 bucks cdn and probably cheaper in the US
I'd upgrade to the 160gb hdd. but just do it through apple cause its only 80 ish dollars more and is cheaper than buying a whole new drive.
its got a DVD burner already
you will want to buy a mini dvi to VGA adapter for hooking it up if you want to use it with a projector.
They ALL already have bluetooth and Wireless N
If you want fast wireless at home get a Wireless N router. Apple Airport Extreme is easy to setup if you aren't sure how.
Of course if making powerpoints and word documents buy microsoft office for mac.

that should have plenty of power. (As much as you can get out of a laptop) and it should be super quick and you won't run out of disk space for quite a while. If you get into movie editting buy an external hdd.

 

[Edandlindz28]

I would agree, a MacBook would do you just fine. I got the White one, stock, will upgrade on my own. I wish I had the 160HD for traveling, but I will using an on the go external so no bid deal there. I do lots of PPT and docs using MS Office.
Good luck with whatever you decide on.

 

[omybelovedearth]

Do I need to purchase paralells?

Thanks for the help.

 

[chriscorbin]

Do I need to purchase paralells?

Thanks for the help.

only if you need to use windows the same time as OS X