First timer - be gentle

[mmaubergeek]

Hello everyone!

First off I have to say this community is great. I have been a lurker for some time now, finally making the plunge and signing up.

I am a PC user (yes, I can hear the boo's now..but hear me out lol). I've been using PC's for as long as I can remember. I am now finally starting to see the light and I'm looking at getting a Macbook Pro.

I have a couple of questions, I'm sure they have been answered a 100 times, so if you dont mind 101. Here I go

First off I'm looking at getting the base model Macbook Pro 2.2ghz, 128 vid card (you know the model). I'm looking to add another 2GB ram for a total of 4.

Now I would like to know

1) how would running CS3 Master collection (meaning the works) be on this? could I have photoshop, flash, Illustrator and DW running at the same time?

2) could I do a little video editing? (just starting out, wanting to test the waters so to speak)

3) I would also like to know if there is a Mac version (software) of (dont hate me for saying this name) Microsoft Visual Studio

I'm sure there will be more, but this is what came to mind.

Thank you in advance.

 

[bigandy]

First off I'm looking at getting the base model Macbook Pro 2.2ghz, 128 vid card (you know the model). I'm looking to add another 2GB ram for a total of 4.

buy the rest of the ram from a third party. depending on your locale, Crucial, OWC, and the suchlike.

1) how would running CS3 Master collection (meaning the works) be on this? could I have photoshop, flash, Illustrator and DW running at the same time?

I have the Master Collection running fine on a 2.16Ghz C2D MBP 15", with 3Gb RAM. It runs fine with DW, FL, PS, FW, Coda, Textmate, iTunes, Safari, and a few more running simultaneously...

2) could I do a little video editing? (just starting out, wanting to test the waters so to speak)

Final Cut Studio 2. Spiffing. I use this almost daily, and it's fine. I know a good few pros who use MBPs for this stuff too. Check if you can get an education discount, and FCS2 could be $800/£400 or so.

3) I would also like to know if there is a Mac version (software) of (dont hate me for saying this name) Microsoft Visual Studio

No Mac Visual Studio.

Try Xcode ftw!

 

[Much Ado]

Final Cut Studio 2. Spiffing. I use this almost daily, and it's fine. I know a good few pros who use MBPs for this stuff too. Check if you can get an education discount, and FCS2 could be $800/£400 or so.

I must concur. FCS2 is one hell of a deal, if you've got the spare cash. Spiffing's the word.

 

[waterskier2007]

...
3) I would also like to know if there is a Mac version (software) of (dont hate me for saying this name) Microsoft Visual Studio...

well xcode is a thousand times greater. i would know because i used both. trust me when i say you will forget all about microsoft visual studio and xcode is free, with tons of other developer tools like dashcode

 

[Bobbi Flekman]

3) I would also like to know if there is a Mac version (software) of (dont hate me for saying this name) Microsoft Visual Studio

As others have already mentioned there is no such thing as Visual Studio for OSX. Besides Microsoft would not create a development suite for OSX (or Linux for that matter), just as Apple is not going to release XCode for Windows. XCode is given to you on the OSX install DVD, so install it and play around with it. Be aware that the inner workings of Mac OS X differ from Windows, so you'll be starting from scratch (remember Hello World).

If you, like me, still develop for the Windows platform get Fusion or Parallells and install VS on it. I did not go through the BootCamp thing because I don't want to be constantly rebooting between development and different work.

Hope this helps.

 

[Shotglass]

I have that exact MBP, so I can tell from experience that you can run CS3 smoothly and edit video just fine. I don't know about Visual Studio though.

Also, don't be ashamed to use PC. We've all been there.

 

[AdeFowler]

Hi and welcome mmaubergeek

As others have said, you'll have no problem running CS3 in its entirety on a MBP. I run Dreamweaver and Photoshop simultaneously, whilst listening to iTunes on my ageing PowerBook! I never quit Mail or Safari.

 

[paul.b.davis]

+1 for CS3 running Great

+1 for XCode, although I have never used Visual Studio, and just started the whole programming thing when I got my Mac, I have to say XCode made things pretty easy on me.

 

[mmaubergeek]

Hey everyone again

Thank you for all your responses. I will be picking up my Macbook Pro tomorrow, and cant wait.

One thing I read is Apple Care is a no brainer, so my question to you is, can I get Apple Care near the end of my 1 year standard warranty that comes with the Pro? What's a good time frame to choose 2-3yrs or more. Can I get 2 years and add onto it after that? I want this to last me awhile. But not to the point for where I know I'll have to buy a new one after anyways (I love my toys lol..Just bought a iTouch the other day)

Again thanks for your helpful responses

 

[akadmon]

Hey everyone again

Thank you for all your responses. I will be picking up my Macbook Pro tomorrow, and cant wait.

One thing I read is Apple Care is a no brainer, so my question to you is, can I get Apple Care near the end of my 1 year standard warranty that comes with the Pro? What's a good time frame to choose 2-3yrs or more. Can I get 2 years and add onto it after that? I want this to last me awhile. But not to the point for where I know I'll have to buy a new one after anyways (I love my toys lol..Just bought a iTouch the other day)

Again thanks for your helpful responses

Apple Care comes only in one flavor: 3 years (including the 1 year you get for free).

I take it you're not a student. Suggest you check with your employer if they have an EPP (Employee Purchase Program) deal with Apple. It will save you 8% on the MBP. Also, if you can, I suggest you wait -- Apple should be updating the MBPs with Penryn processors any Tuesday now

 

[bigandy]

+1 for CS3 running Great

+1 for XCode, although I have never used Visual Studio, and just started the whole programming thing when I got my Mac, I have to say XCode made things pretty easy on me.

A good way to try Visual Studio is to use XCode while resting your toes in a highly corrosive liquid, and hitting your head with a sharpened axe. And don't forget to bring a beehive full of angry bees in to the room before beginning, covered in 'i hate bees' signs.

One thing I read is Apple Care is a no brainer, so my question to you is, can I get Apple Care near the end of my 1 year standard warranty that comes with the Pro? What's a good time frame to choose 2-3yrs or more. Can I get 2 years and add onto it after that? I want this to last me awhile. But not to the point for where I know I'll have to buy a new one after anyways (I love my toys lol..Just bought a iTouch the other day)

applecare can be purchased anytime within the first year. if you're buying it EDU, get the applecare at the same time as the purchase, as it's far cheaper. it'll still last a total of 3 years from the purchase date.

Apple Care comes only in one flavor: 3 years (including the 1 year you get for free).

...although it does give 3 full years telephone and hardware support, whereas the standard one year is 90 days telephone support and a year hardware support...

 

[akadmon]

applecare can be purchased anytime within the first year. if you're buying it EDU, get the applecare at the same time as the purchase, as it's far cheaper. it'll still last a total of 3 years from the purchase date.

Are you suggesting that the educational discount does not apply if Apple Care is purchased at a later time? This is not how it works under the EPP rules. You can purchase Apple Care at a later date and still get the EPP discount.