I'm going to buy my first MacBook next week.

[D1gger]

I need a new laptop and I think I'm going to buy my first MacBook. I've never had a Mac because my work always revolved around Windows applications. I'm going to take the plunge and buy one of the new MacBooks

15" MacBook Pro
i7 2.66mHz processor
4GB 1066 memory
256GB SSD
Hi-Res matte display

I will definitely be loading Windows 7 using bootcamp.

Any suggestions? Any software I should add? I think I will be using OpenOffice for an office suite.

Is the matte or the glossy display more popular?

 

[VinylxScratches]

Is there a reason you want to run Win7 in bootcamp? Dual booting seems like a waste unless you game... why not use VirtualBox?

 

[KeypoX]

Man thats alot of dough for a single computer. Gonna be super fast though.

 

[Kmax82]

Yea it will be a ton for that option with the SSD. But holy cow, will it blaze! ;

I would go with the glossy, unless you're going to be using it around windows and bright overhead light a lot.. if so, then get the matte.

Depends on what you're looking to do as to what programs to get, really. Any specific tasks you looking for apps for?

 

[TheWart]

I love glossy displays, but I almost always use my macbook indoors. I think glossy displays just look much sharper.

 

[narreth]

check out some pics of the matte hi-res display. it's pretty awesome. beats the glossy any day... too many reflections

 

[Ka0t1x]

You should check out other options for SSD, as the BTO SSD for Apple is quite insane. Its a very easy install for anyone computer literate.

Then turn the stock drive into a TM Drive via USB.

 

[speg]

You should check out other options for SSD, as the BTO SSD for Apple is quite insane. Its a very easy install for anyone computer literate.

Then turn the stock drive into a TM Drive via USB.

Apple charges $788 for 256 SSD.

Newegg has 256 SDD from $650 - $1159, average price $759, or $729 if you take out that crazy top end one.

So that's about $60 for an Apple tech to swap it out for you. You get it day 1, full Apple warranty, software already installed, yada yada yada. You can definitely save yourself some cash, but I wouldn't call it insane.

*Prices are in CAD and taken from apple.ca/store and newegg.ca

 

[D1gger]

Is there a reason you want to run Win7 in bootcamp? Dual booting seems like a waste unless you game... why not use VirtualBox?

I do game, so I thought dual booting would be better, but I may look into virtual box instead.

 

[D1gger]

Done, I ordered it today ... now I have to wait a week to play with it.

 

[secretanchitman]

congrats man! going to be ordering the same system but with the 500GB 7200rpm hd instead (ssds are still a little pricey for me).

 

[Tegeril]

I'm on the same week long order wait as you (17" i7, 4gb, 500@7200, matte).

 

[KeypoX]

Apple charges $788 for 256 SSD.

Newegg has 256 SDD from $650 - $1159, average price $759, or $729 if you take out that crazy top end one.

So that's about $60 for an Apple tech to swap it out for you. You get it day 1, full Apple warranty, software already installed, yada yada yada. You can definitely save yourself some cash, but I wouldn't call it insane.

*Prices are in CAD and taken from apple.ca/store and newegg.ca

So 130 dollar savings, plus a 500GB hard drive (worth 100?) plus longer warranty on the HD. I dont see the advantage of paying 100s more for apple to get a shorter 1 yr warranty? Crucial has one on newegg for 579 free shipping 5 yr warranty.

 

[KeypoX]

I do game, so I thought dual booting would be better, but I may look into virtual box instead.

you can't game with virtual box.

 

[OogyWaWa]

hey, whenever yall get your matte macbooks in, post some pics in sunlight and inside light. reviews are welcomed !

 

[phillyTIM]

Parallels Desktop, current version 5, is of the greatest options for running Windows on a Mac--and it's pretty cheap too for the quality, at around $80. It also allows you to run Windows apps just like Mac apps, in that it provides like virtualized applications in their own little transparent Windows world. No wasting precious hard drive space on dual-boot Windows partitions that require buffer space. PD5 even utilizes DirectX9.x for 3D/gaming/etc. Can't beat it.

Just curious...what really is pushing you to switch to Mac? Just want to try a different platform for sake of change? Riding the bandwagon of Mac popularity? Homogenized environment for any iPod/iPhone/iPad you might have?

 

[D1gger]

Parallels Desktop, current version 5, is of the greatest options for running Windows on a Mac--and it's pretty cheap too for the quality, at around $80. It also allows you to run Windows apps just like Mac apps, in that it provides like virtualized applications in their own little transparent Windows world. No wasting precious hard drive space on dual-boot Windows partitions that require buffer space. PD5 even utilizes DirectX9.x for 3D/gaming/etc. Can't beat it.

Just curious...what really is pushing you to switch to Mac? Just want to try a different platform for sake of change? Riding the bandwagon of Mac popularity? Homogenized environment for any iPod/iPhone/iPad you might have?

Thanks for the tip on Parallels.

As for why I am switching, it won't really be a switch but more of an addition to the collection. I am a tech junkie, I use or have used Windows, Linux and OS/2 but I have never owned a Mac and I would like to get to know OS X.

I do admire the Mac attention to design and detail, which should make this laptop very nice change from the clunky 7 year old Toshiba A20 I will stop using. Now that I can also run Windows applications it is a perfect time to give it a try.

 

[phillyTIM]

Cool, sure; more is better and variety is the spice of life! I can dig that and toy with the idea of adding a Macbook to may arsenal also! You're gonna have a great time!

I might also make mention of "VMware Fusion", which is comparable to Parallels Desktop.

Would anyone chime in on which is the better option to go and why?

 

[TheStu]

I personally have had better luck with VMWare Fusion, at least with regards to stability. Parallels is usually first with new features, and Fusion has had its share as well, but usually they just implement their own version of whatever Parallels has rolled out. Also, upgrading from version x to x+1 of Fusion is usually cheaper than with Parallels.

Both have trials, so don't take my word for it, find out for yourself!

 

[dawks]

Any word on what SSD Apple is using? I'm thinking of getting a 15" MBP with the 128gig SSD.

 

[TheStu]

I think they using ones with Indilinx firmware. So, not the worst, not the best. Definitely not any Intel SSDs or Sandforce firmware drives.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

I also think VMWare Fusion is great.. nothing but good experiences with it. It was cheaper as well.

 

[KeypoX]

I might also make mention of "VMware Fusion", which is comparable to Parallels Desktop.

Would anyone chime in on which is the better option to go and why?

VMware fusion is faster and more stable. The new versions is very fast. 3.0. But neither will be very good for gaming. They might actually run some games, but its gonna be very slow.

Both have a trial i think? Try both.

 

[Kmax82]

VMware fusion is faster and more stable. The new versions is very fast. 3.0. But neither will be very good for gaming. They might actually run some games, but its gonna be very slow.

Both have a trial i think? Try both.

I go back and forth and back and forth on this debate.

Parallels is definitely faster from my tests overall with a Windows 7 environment. However, VMWare seems to have better overall support if you're wanting to run Linux, or other OS's. If you want Windows 7 solely, I'd go with Parallels. If you want to run a bunch of different flavors then I'd go with VMWare.

 

[D1gger]

Well, I finally got the shipping confirmation, my new laptop left Shanghai last night.