Greetings,
I am about to purchase a PowerBook. I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions on what I am planning to get. I have Wintel desktops but need a laptop for work. If I am getting a laptop, I want to make sure it will do a good job with Photoshop and I'd like to go Apple. I am working with digital photo files that often exceed 300 meg. Because of the Photoshopping, I am planning on buying the 17 incher.
Please take a look at the specs that follow. Any suggestions or comments? Anything I don't need? Anything I am missing?
Some questions:
- my big struggle is with the RAM. I think I need 2 gig. Any Photoshoppers have an opinion on that? Will 1.5 gig be good enough? Assuming I go with 2 gig, I think it is just about as cheap to get the first gig from Apple and then I'll get the 2nd gig from Crucial. If I go with 1.5 gig of RAM, I'll go with what Apple stocks and get the gigger from Crucial. Not sure if the extra 500k of RAM is worth the extra $.
- At some point I'll add a faster hard drive. I've heard good things about the 7200 RPM Hitachi. Comments?
- because of my educator's discount I am planning to buy right from Apple. Other thoughts?
- I never buy extended warranties and am not planning to buy AppleCare. Mistake?
A few questions on switching, perhaps OT?
- I've heard that there are formatting problems when sharing Powerpoint docs between platforms. How significant?
- Anyone use Microsoft Project under Virtual PC? Or better yet, is there project management software that runs on the Mac that will share files with Project?
- I've heard that some of the top-end printers don't have good drivers for Macs. I've heard this about the Epson 2200 eg. Any problems with driver support for peripherals for the Mac vs. Wintel?
I have been struggling with this decision. Any and all feedback on what I intend to purchase would be most appreciated!
Eric
INTENDED PURCHASE - EDUCATOR'S DISCOUNT
1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 128MB Graphics Memory
1GB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 GIG SO-DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400rpm
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
AirPort Extreme Card
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
17-inch TFT Display
Subtotal $2,949.00
I am about to purchase a PowerBook. I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions on what I am planning to get. I have Wintel desktops but need a laptop for work. If I am getting a laptop, I want to make sure it will do a good job with Photoshop and I'd like to go Apple. I am working with digital photo files that often exceed 300 meg. Because of the Photoshopping, I am planning on buying the 17 incher.
Please take a look at the specs that follow. Any suggestions or comments? Anything I don't need? Anything I am missing?
Some questions:
- my big struggle is with the RAM. I think I need 2 gig. Any Photoshoppers have an opinion on that? Will 1.5 gig be good enough? Assuming I go with 2 gig, I think it is just about as cheap to get the first gig from Apple and then I'll get the 2nd gig from Crucial. If I go with 1.5 gig of RAM, I'll go with what Apple stocks and get the gigger from Crucial. Not sure if the extra 500k of RAM is worth the extra $.
- At some point I'll add a faster hard drive. I've heard good things about the 7200 RPM Hitachi. Comments?
- because of my educator's discount I am planning to buy right from Apple. Other thoughts?
- I never buy extended warranties and am not planning to buy AppleCare. Mistake?
A few questions on switching, perhaps OT?
- I've heard that there are formatting problems when sharing Powerpoint docs between platforms. How significant?
- Anyone use Microsoft Project under Virtual PC? Or better yet, is there project management software that runs on the Mac that will share files with Project?
- I've heard that some of the top-end printers don't have good drivers for Macs. I've heard this about the Epson 2200 eg. Any problems with driver support for peripherals for the Mac vs. Wintel?
I have been struggling with this decision. Any and all feedback on what I intend to purchase would be most appreciated!
Eric
INTENDED PURCHASE - EDUCATOR'S DISCOUNT
1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 128MB Graphics Memory
1GB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 GIG SO-DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400rpm
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
AirPort Extreme Card
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
17-inch TFT Display
Subtotal $2,949.00