Hi,
I just scored a refurbished MBP 17" 2.5 GHz--heck of a deal, literally 1/2 off the newest one--to compliment my iMac 24" white, and I want to set it up with some good freeware/shareware utilities. I want to monitor the temp., keep her cool, maintain the software, etc.
I'm aware of and have used on my iMac and/or old MB: Coconut Battery, Onyx, Temperature Monitor, and SMC Fan Control. I also have Disk Warrior. Can you recommend some other good/better app.s, or am I pretty well set?
Should I invest in a screen protective film? I put one on my old MB and was glad because there was evidence of some keyboard abrasion after a while. What's a good brand to use for a matte screen? As well, I'm inclined to get a protective film for the outer shell to prevent scratching--brands?
Also, can anyone direct me to some useful Leopard user resources? I know Tiger, but Leo. is new to me and I'd like to get up to speed.
Finally, I'd like to know where I can find info. on setting the preferences, screen, etc, to optimize its performance for use as a word processor and still image editor in CS4. I'm very familiar with my iMac 24" but feel a bit "out to sea" with my new MBP. I feel like I just bought a Mercedes coupe to compliment my Acura sedan...
Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
ps: I got the model released prior to the newest, late 2008 one. It has 2 GB ram and the 5400 rpm, 250 GB h.d.. It will be used primarily as a commuter, work computer until/unless my iMac bites it. Since memory is so cheap, I'll probably boost the ram to 4GB right away just for the hell of it, but I'll likely keep the h.d. as it is unless I need to use the MBP as my primary.
I just scored a refurbished MBP 17" 2.5 GHz--heck of a deal, literally 1/2 off the newest one--to compliment my iMac 24" white, and I want to set it up with some good freeware/shareware utilities. I want to monitor the temp., keep her cool, maintain the software, etc.
I'm aware of and have used on my iMac and/or old MB: Coconut Battery, Onyx, Temperature Monitor, and SMC Fan Control. I also have Disk Warrior. Can you recommend some other good/better app.s, or am I pretty well set?
Should I invest in a screen protective film? I put one on my old MB and was glad because there was evidence of some keyboard abrasion after a while. What's a good brand to use for a matte screen? As well, I'm inclined to get a protective film for the outer shell to prevent scratching--brands?
Also, can anyone direct me to some useful Leopard user resources? I know Tiger, but Leo. is new to me and I'd like to get up to speed.
Finally, I'd like to know where I can find info. on setting the preferences, screen, etc, to optimize its performance for use as a word processor and still image editor in CS4. I'm very familiar with my iMac 24" but feel a bit "out to sea" with my new MBP. I feel like I just bought a Mercedes coupe to compliment my Acura sedan...
Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
ps: I got the model released prior to the newest, late 2008 one. It has 2 GB ram and the 5400 rpm, 250 GB h.d.. It will be used primarily as a commuter, work computer until/unless my iMac bites it. Since memory is so cheap, I'll probably boost the ram to 4GB right away just for the hell of it, but I'll likely keep the h.d. as it is unless I need to use the MBP as my primary.