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A few MBP questions

S

suklee

Diamond Member
Getting ready to pull the trigger on the base 13" MBP + iPod Touch... and sticking with the stock 2GB RAM + 160GB HDD for now.

1) What's the best place to get AppleCare? Should I do it online at the time of purchase? (it says I can get "automatic registration" if I do this)

2) Will definitely be getting a DisplayPort -> DVI. I might need to do VGA occasionally as my TV only has this plug - can I use a spare DVI-VGA adapter for the same effect (DisplayPort -> DVI -> VGA) instead of getting a DisplayPort -> VGA cable?

3) Has there been any news of an imminent 750GB HDD release?
 
Originally posted by: Kai920
Getting ready to pull the trigger on the base 13" MBP + iPod Touch... and sticking with the stock 2GB RAM + 160GB HDD for now.

1) What's the best place to get AppleCare? Should I do it online at the time of purchase? (it says I can get "automatic registration" if I do this)

2) Will definitely be getting a DisplayPort -> DVI. I might need to do VGA occasionally as my TV only has this plug - can I use a spare DVI-VGA adapter for the same effect (DisplayPort -> DVI -> VGA) instead of getting a DisplayPort -> VGA cable?

3) Has there been any news of an imminent 750GB HDD release?
Click to expand...

1: Amazon or ebay can get it to you cheaper, but you will need to remember to register it once you get it.

2: I am not positive if DVI->VGA on the mDP->DVI will work. Go to MonoPrice.net and get your adapters there. They are much cheaper there.

3: Not that I have heard of, though Samsung I think just released a 640GB external, which means a 640GB internal should be right around the corner.
 
Originally posted by: TheStu
1: Amazon or ebay can get it to you cheaper, but you will need to remember to register it once you get it.
Click to expand...
So something like this would work? Do I actually need to have that little box shipped to me or is it just a "code" that I use to register online?

2: I am not positive if DVI->VGA on the mDP->DVI will work. Go to MonoPrice.net and get your adapters there. They are much cheaper there.
Click to expand...
I've heard of MonoPrice.net, will check it out. Although it'd be nice if I can do mDP -> DVI -> VGA. Has anyone tried this?

3: Not that I have heard of, though Samsung I think just released a 640GB external, which means a 640GB internal should be right around the corner.
Click to expand...

Is the Samsung 640GB external 2.5" form factor?
 
Originally posted by: Kai920
Originally posted by: TheStu
1: Amazon or ebay can get it to you cheaper, but you will need to remember to register it once you get it.
Click to expand...
So something like this would work? Do I actually need to have that little box shipped to me or is it just a "code" that I use to register online?

2: I am not positive if DVI->VGA on the mDP->DVI will work. Go to MonoPrice.net and get your adapters there. They are much cheaper there.
Click to expand...
I've heard of MonoPrice.net, will check it out. Although it'd be nice if I can do mDP -> DVI -> VGA. Has anyone tried this?

3: Not that I have heard of, though Samsung I think just released a 640GB external, which means a 640GB internal should be right around the corner.
Click to expand...

Is the Samsung 640GB external 2.5" form factor?
Click to expand...

1: That should work, yes. It should come in a box of some kind, but ultimately, yes you just need the registration code.

2: I can ask Tyranicus to try it. I know that mDP->DVI->HDMI works, but that is digital->digital->digital and I am not sure if the mDP->DVI adapter stripes out the analog signals.

3: It is a 2.5" yes, the next question is if it is 9.5mm, the first 500GB drives were not.
 
I don't believe Mini-DP carries any analog signal. The DVI converter probably doesn't either since it's cheaper to only convert the digital signal.

That's likely why the Mini-DP to VGA converter costs twice as much at Monoprice - more complex electronics to go from DP - Analog.
 
1) That's good to know, although since I'm not in a hurry I can wait for the actual box to get shipped to me.

How are these sellers able to sell AppleCare for so much less than retail? On the US site it's listed as $249 so this eBay link I found is 50% off! Nevertheless if I do end up getting it thru ebay, any other things to watch out for? (as long as the seller has good feedback I should be ok?)

2) Thanks, that would be great - let me know what you find out

3) 9.5mm: is that referring to the thickness of the drive?
 
Originally posted by: sjwaste
I don't believe Mini-DP carries any analog signal. The DVI converter probably doesn't either since it's cheaper to only convert the digital signal.

That's likely why the Mini-DP to VGA converter costs twice as much at Monoprice - more complex electronics to go from DP - Analog.
Click to expand...

Yes it appears I'll need 2 separate adapters, one for DVI and one for VGA.

Regarding the Applecare from eBay, I've confirmed with the seller that he will not ship me anything; rather a registration code will be emailed to me. The seller has very good feedback though so I assume this is the norm when purchasing AC off ebay.

Is there any reason to get AC off ebay immediately after buying the MBP? I was planning on getting it maybe a month before the year is up.
 
Actually you can wait up to the last day of your years free support to buy AppleCare but that's hoping everything goes well with registration. I've bought it via ebay and saved lots of money. I did have problems with my last ebay AppleCare because I live in NC. It seems NC hasn't gotten on board with the other states in adopting Apples latest terms. Not a biggie, just registered it to a relatives Ohio address and after registration letter arrived they sent it to me.

I always look for sellers who'll ship the box. I'm funny that way. You get a CD of Techtool in the box too.
 
Originally posted by: NC MacGuy
Actually you can wait up to the last day of your years free support to buy AppleCare but that's hoping everything goes well with registration. I've bought it via ebay and saved lots of money. I did have problems with my last ebay AppleCare because I live in NC. It seems NC hasn't gotten on board with the other states in adopting Apples latest terms. Not a biggie, just registered it to a relatives Ohio address and after registration letter arrived they sent it to me.

I always look for sellers who'll ship the box. I'm funny that way. You get a CD of Techtool in the box too.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I did not know about Techtool. (Is this what you are referring to, and has it been useful?)
 
So guys I'm going to pull the trigger tomorrow... does everyone agree that getting the RAM and 500GB HD aftermarket is the best/most economical way going forward? I understand the parts I put in will not be covered under Applecare of course.

I was thinking of waiting until Snow Leopard comes out before getting the bigger HD.
 
It is absolutely more economical to buy the ram and hard drive third party. Like most things from apple, the prices are reasonably marked up in the beginning but then never go down much over time.
 
I tried the MiniDP -> DVI -> VGA configuration on my Mac Mini.

No go. You need a MiniDP -> VGA adapter. Just a heads up.
 
Thanks everyone, I'm excited to be getting my first "real" Mac... I've been using a Hackintosh for the past year thanks to Kaido's guide 🙂

I don't have an Amex card unfortunately but that is a nice tip. I'll purchase the miniDP>DVI and miniDP>VGA adapters either at a local authorized Apple reseller (if I want Apple branded ones) or check the computer malls for 3rd party compatible ones. For some reason if I add in the miniDP>DVI adapter at the Apple online store my estimated ship date jumps from within 24 hours to 3 business days.
 
Well, I'm finally typing this on my new 13" MBP 😀

This thing is a-w-e-s-o-m-e! I got Applecare and the iPod touch along with a clear plastic hard case. Haven't put it on yet but wife doesn't seem to approve of the case... She thinks the MBP would be better in its naked glory 😛

Do any of you have screen protectors for the LCD? I took out the MBP to show a friend a promptly received 10 oily fingerprints.
 
Originally posted by: Kai920
Well, I'm finally typing this on my new 13" MBP 😀

This thing is a-w-e-s-o-m-e! I got Applecare and the iPod touch along with a clear plastic hard case. Haven't put it on yet but wife doesn't seem to approve of the case... She thinks the MBP would be better in its naked glory 😛

Do any of you have screen protectors for the LCD? I took out the MBP to show a friend a promptly received 10 oily fingerprints.
Click to expand...

The screen protector will just be there to protect it from getting scratched, since it is optical quality glass, you won't have much to worry about there, and cleaning it is easier than on the older MacBook Pros. It is a piece of glass, use whatever to clean it and it will be fine.

I can't stand when people poke my laptop screen... its like, dude, WTF?
 
Originally posted by: TheStu
The screen protector will just be there to protect it from getting scratched, since it is optical quality glass, you won't have much to worry about there, and cleaning it is easier than on the older MacBook Pros. It is a piece of glass, use whatever to clean it and it will be fine.

I can't stand when people poke my laptop screen... its like, dude, WTF?
Click to expand...

SERIOUSLY! I assume because I wouldn't do that to someone else's laptop, I expect the same in return... but I have yet to meet someone who won't happily place their finger(s) on my laptop's screen!

Re: Scratches - yes that is the main concern. I wiped down the screen with the black Apple cloth that came with the MBP and it seems to have done a decent job with the prints. With a screen protector I am hoping I can just take whatever is available be it Starbucks tissue or whatever and give it a quick wipe. (or are you saying the optical glass will take almost any abuse?)

I had a friend who completely cracked a glass corner of his 15" MBP - he got a keychain stuck between the keyboard and screen somehow. Mind you a screen protector probably wouldn't have saved his LCD...

 
Originally posted by: Kai920
Originally posted by: TheStu
The screen protector will just be there to protect it from getting scratched, since it is optical quality glass, you won't have much to worry about there, and cleaning it is easier than on the older MacBook Pros. It is a piece of glass, use whatever to clean it and it will be fine.

I can't stand when people poke my laptop screen... its like, dude, WTF?
Click to expand...

SERIOUSLY! I assume because I wouldn't do that to someone else's laptop, I expect the same in return... but I have yet to meet someone who won't happily place their finger(s) on my laptop's screen!

Re: Scratches - yes that is the main concern. I wiped down the screen with the black Apple cloth that came with the MBP and it seems to have done a decent job with the prints. With a screen protector I am hoping I can just take whatever is available be it Starbucks tissue or whatever and give it a quick wipe. (or are you saying the optical glass will take almost any abuse?)

I had a friend who completely cracked a glass corner of his 15" MBP - he got a keychain stuck between the keyboard and screen somehow. Mind you a screen protector probably wouldn't have saved his LCD...
Click to expand...

It is the same quality glass as on the iphone, and that stuff stands up to all kinds of abuse. Glass is harder to scratch than plastic (I want to say that it is 7 on the Moh's scale), and this glass in question is the same as put into corrective lenses, and speaking as a former child, glass lenses hold up better than plastic (albeit heavier)
 
Cool, I'll hold up on the screen protector then.

I'm liking the clear plastic case. Some parts of the edges needed to be filed down but no big deal. Came with a silicon keyboard cover as well :thumbsup:
 
This seems like a decent enough thread to ask where's a good place locally to buy a Phillips #00 screwdriver for the RAM swap? Thanks.
 
Can't help you there (where are you located?) but wanted to add that I too had to buy a new set of screwdrivers. The existing Phillips head I had was slightly too big.
 
Originally posted by: Kai920
I got Applecare and the iPod touch along with a clear plastic hard case. Haven't put it on yet but wife doesn't seem to approve of the case... She thinks the MBP would be better in its naked glory 😛
Click to expand...

I agree with your missus. The naked MBP is awesome looking and it seems to be plenty durable enough on its own. I had my PowerBook G4 12" for 3yrs, and it looked fine when I sold it. The only wear on it was some shine on the trackpad (which the glass layer prevents on the MBP IIRC). The unibody MBP also feels even more sturdy than the PowerBook IMO.

Of course, get a decent case for when carrying it around. I had an incase bag/sleeve for my PowerBook, but I opted to go with the Booq Vyper XS2 for the MBP. It has a nice rigid shell, fits the MBP 13 like a glove, and together they fit nicely in my Columbia messenger bag.

review with decent pics: http://www.gigacrate.com/Blog/?p=508

Pivotgear has the best price on it: http://www.pivotgear.com/produ...sleeves/booq/vyper-xs2


 
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