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What Should a First Time Mac User Buy?

poppe

poppe

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 29, 2006
2,249
53
Woodland Hills
Hello. I will soon be getting the MBP and I have some questions I hope you all can answer.

1. What software do you recomend for a new Mac User

2. What accessories do you recommend for a new Mac User using a laptop?

3. What are some websites that have accessories, software, hardware, and any other stuff I could use or learn from on my Mac?

4. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of when Avid Express Studio goes Universal, and if there is a keyboard I can buy that has the Avid controls on them.

5. I also neeed an external 100+GB HDD that is very durable and portable. I dont need super speed but durability.

Thank You.
 
>> 1. What software do you recomend for a new Mac User

What are you planning on doing? It's better to choose your software based on what you'll be doing then deciding what to do based on what software you have.
 
I'll throw a few options at you, but what I use, and what you use will be different, but I'm bored so here goes:

1-Mac the ripper, handbrake, clutter, ableton live, carbon copy cloner, flip 4 mac, Final Cut studio, FFmpegX

2-if it's a mac book pro.....i suggest oven mitts.

3-apple.com, macrumors, CDW, macmall

4-Not sure

5-I use a Lacie triple interface Firewire external, and it's been great so far.
 
It would be easier if you gave a bit more info as to what you'll be using the computer for, but i'll see if I can answer your questions.

1. Your MBP is going to come allready loaded with iLife06, which includes lots of great software. You can find specifics here: http://www.apple.com/ilife/

I've gotten by very well without buying any other software for my mac. Many people spring for MS word if that's something you need.

2. For a laptop, definitely buy a carrying case immediately, especially if you plan on taking it places. You don't want to be lugging that thing around in your hands or in some junky bag without any protection. Try to find a case that's nice and thick so your computer doesn't get damaged if you drop anything. For a 2000+ dollar machine, I wouldn't hesitate to spend $50-100 on a good protective case that will last.

3. For software check out our very own mac beginners guide:

http://guides.macrumors.com/Mac_Beginner's_Guide

That link has TONS of info which includes links to both free and commerical applications. As far as other websites, you can always find apple hardware and software on their site.

www.apple.com

4. Sorry, no idea when avid is going to go universal. I'm a fan of final cut myself. I would imagine that an avid keyboard that works on a PC would work on a mac without a hitch. Don't know where to find one tho.

5. For hard drives, Lacie is a great brand with a good reputation for quality.

www.lacie.com

I personally like buying the drive and the enclosure seperately. If you're into that, newegg.com has great deals. Go for seagate drives. I can say with experience that they're fast and whisper quiet!

Have fun with your MBP :)
 
1.) MS Office would be helpful to have. Any other suggestions would be based on your work/hobbies with regard to your computer use.

2.) A laptop carrying case, iKlear, bluetooth mouse (I recommend the Logitech V270 mouse), an iLap or equivalent to keep your legs cool if you use your laptop on your lap, iCurve, wireless Apple keyboard and some nice external speakers for when you're at home at your desk. :D

3.) www.apple.com/store www.opensourcemac.org www.freemacware.com www.versiontracker.org are all good sites.

4.) Can't help you.

5.) Lacie has a good rep on these boards, I'm considering getting one myself.
 
I'm assuming you'll plan to purchase an AppleCare plan along with the initial computer purchase? That's a good investment.
 
I reccommend Applecare and a LaCie external drive. LaCie drives are very durable and they are pretty fast too.
 
poppe said:
Hello. I will soon be getting the MBP and I have some questions I hope you all can answer.

1. What software do you recomend for a new Mac User

2. What accessories do you recommend for a new Mac User using a laptop?

3. What are some websites that have accessories, software, hardware, and any other stuff I could use or learn from on my Mac?

4. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of when Avid Express Studio goes Universal, and if there is a keyboard I can buy that has the Avid controls on them.

5. I also neeed an external 100+GB HDD that is very durable and portable. I dont need super speed but durability.

Thank You.
Click to expand...

I'd save your money so you can take your friends out for a drink JUST so that you can tell them how cool the Mac is, with all the fervour of a new convert...

I can tell you, I switched over a year ago, and the honey moon ain't over yet.
 
Well Avid is accutally out for the Mac it just hasn't gone universal yet. I would love to go FCP but since my school uses Avid and the Industry standard is Avid i suspect it is the best move to use Avid.

I do plan on getting an Applecare Protection Plan.

Does anyone know where you can get external HDD for Cheap?

I would like MS office but universal isn't out.

Can anyone else suggest software that they like and enjoy?
 
mostly this will depend on what you want to do with your mac, but other then that, i highly recomend a good two button mouse. yes i tried the mighty mouse.... yawn. look at either a microsoft or logitech mouse.
 
Yeah I'm trying to avoid bootcamp. I'll probably still use it but I doubt it. Bootcamp will be my last resort if a Universal Avid doesn't come in time.

How about this: Does anyone know any cool programs to have running on your Mac?

I like the car alarm idea.

I saw applematters article on remote desktop I also like that.

Everyone keeps saying what are you going to be doing on a computer.
A) In a general sense. Everything. The MBP 17" is going to be my only computer and will have to suffice as a do everything type of computer.

For software ideas: I love anything that can trick out your computer to do cool things like the car alarm or just add effeciency. I haven't had a decent computer using any operating system in 5 years so I've been completely out of the market for things like this.

I'll be living in a dorm room also, and typically there will be two other guys also in that one tincy (i doubt i spelled that right) room. I'll be getting a LaCie portable for caring to my film classes, and another HDD to back up everything.

One last thing: Can I know this is a hardware question but can someone explain to me the difference between a Mac formatted HDD and a PC formated in HDD. Please not in laymans terms.
 
poppe said:
Bootcamp will be my last resort if a Universal Avid doesn't come in time.
Click to expand...

In that case you will be using BootCamp, since there probably will never be a Universal Avid Express Studio release. If they don't have a Mac version now, why would they offer a universal version later?

poppe said:
One last thing: Can I know this is a hardware question but can someone explain to me the difference between a Mac formatted HDD and a PC formated in HDD. Please not in laymans terms.
Click to expand...


Not in layman's terms? OK, a PC formatted harddrive is likely formatted either NTFS or FAT32. One formatted for the Mac is formatted HFS+.
 
Alright I'm sorry I didn't mean Studio. What I mean was Avid Express Pro. and I figured out they also said it would be released this summer... well they said HD Avid would be released for Mac using the PPC chip so.... who knows I guess.
 
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