Just made the switch...now what?

[macnoob1823]

So I finally caved and switched to Mac. Mostly because of my bad back situation, I just purchased the 13.3 inch Macbook Air, which should arrive Friday. I am entering an MBA program this summer, and hope to carry my essentials easily.

Planning on being "set," I am planning to get the following:

Cisco Ethernet Adapter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NLV4TQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=AAZRLVTNON75Z

Asus External Optical Drive
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YT578O/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Viper Hardcase 13 - for carrying MBA, Kindel, I-Pod, and phone
http://www.booqbags.com/laptop-backpacks-laptop-bags/13-inch-macbook-air-bags/Viper-hardcase-13-black-red

Radtech Sleeve - for protecting the MBA when placed into a messenger bag
http://www.radtech.us/Products/SleevzNotebooks.aspx


Any other ideas? I plan on running Windows, but haven't decided between Parallels and Bootcamp.

Many thanks!

 

[JoshBoy]

So I finally caved and switched to Mac. Mostly because of my bad back situation, I just purchased the 13.3 inch Macbook Air, which should arrive Friday. I am entering an MBA program this summer, and hope to carry my essentials easily.

Planning on being "set," I am planning to get the following:

Cisco Ethernet Adapter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NLV4TQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=AAZRLVTNON75Z

Asus External Optical Drive
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YT578O/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Viper Hardcase 13 - for carrying MBA, Kindel, I-Pod, and phone
http://www.booqbags.com/laptop-backpacks-laptop-bags/13-inch-macbook-air-bags/Viper-hardcase-13-black-red

Radtech Sleeve - for protecting the MBA when placed into a messenger bag
http://www.radtech.us/Products/SleevzNotebooks.aspx


Any other ideas? I plan on running Windows, but haven't decided between Parallels and Bootcamp.

Many thanks!

I would suggest it depends on why you are placing Windows on there. I placed windows on my iMac only because there was one bit of software I needed to use and it was not available on OSX. At first I did it on boot camp then i got the sh*&s because i had to keep going back and forward between the two for one program. I installed parallels (you can try before you buy) and used the already installed OS on my boot camp for it to access (best of both worlds then) The great thing is I can start the software up and it looks and feels like it has started up in OSX with no windows interface.

 

[vincenz]

Next step would be sit back and marvel at the beauty of the thing, naturally.

 

[sgtalexmom]

it will be love at first sight! my first mac is my 13" 4gig ram mba, and i'll NEVER go back

 

[bowlerman625]

congrats!

Once you go Mac, you won't go back!!

Enjoy!

 

[Big D 51]

Start looking for something to help with addiction. I can't leave my alone!!!!

 

[Buck987]

best of luck...enjoy..study hard and make the best of the MBA with the MBA

 

[KPOM]

Do you have 4GB or 2GB RAM on your 13.3" MacBook Air? If you have just 2GB, I'd recommend installing Windows in Boot Camp, since virtualization uses a lot of memory.

Anyway, Parallels and VMWare are reputable companies, and I've used both Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion. I am using Parallels Desktop 6 right now, and it is a bit faster than Fusion, but the latter has a reputation for being more stable. Lately, I've been experiencing kernel panics on my MacBook Air (the Mac equivalent of the Blue Screen of Death), having never experienced them before on my previous Macs or before upgrading to Parallels 6 (I upgraded to the new Air and Parallels 6 about the same time). I think the issue is Parallels related and am working with their tech support to figure it out.

If you are in an MBA program, I'd recommend downloading Keynote from the App Store, and considering Office 2011. Keynote is easier to work with than PowerPoint, but sometimes file compatibility is an issue so it's good to have PowerPoint around. Office 2011 is pretty similar to Office 2010, but you also have the menu bars in addition to the ribbon.

 

[ECUpirate44]

Helpful information for any Mac user. Compliments of GGJstudios.

New mac? Where to start.

 

[Big D 51]

Run windows on bootcamp

 

[Mr. Savage]

Helpful information for any Mac user. Compliments of GGJstudios.

New mac? Where to start.

But what if the OP eventually has questions about the battery?