My PS3 & Wii work better than Apple TV. It is a pity that it isn't better as I am still looking for a better solution. So close and yet so far.
[Warning - this post has nothing to do with Apple]
I've got a PS3 with PlayOn and Windows Media Center installed on my desktop. WMC allows us to stream our divx files direct to the TV. PlayOn gives us Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and MLB access.
Last week I added a Roku to the mix. I'm very impressed so far as the interface is nice and clean and easy to navigate. It is much better than PlayOn for Netflix and it adds Amazon VOD access (that was experimental and temperamental on PlayOn).
Now I'm not sure what to do. I was going to use the Roku in my office, but it does such a good job with Netflix and Amazon VOD that I hate to remove it from the main TV. PlayOn is pretty much redundant now, so I won't be renewing that. I wish the Roku could handle the streaming of local divx files as well as the PS3 does, but even if it did I'd still have to keep the PS3 in there for Blu-ray. *sigh*
I'm with you - still looking for a better solution.
So, I will be in the market for a new laptop soon and I am thinking of abandoning the PC and going for the MacBook pro.
I only read back a few pages, but is everyone happy with theirs? Should I get the extended warranty?
For me using LightroomPhotoshop Elements, iTunes, opening a Word document, and surfing the web at the same time, which processor you think would meet my needs? Would the i5 be sufficient (or maybe too much)?
So, I will be in the market for a new laptop soon and I am thinking of abandoning the PC and going for the MacBook pro.
I only read back a few pages, but is everyone happy with theirs? Should I get the extended warranty?
For me using LightroomPhotoshop Elements, iTunes, opening a Word document, and surfing the web at the same time, which processor you think would meet my needs? Would the i5 be sufficient (or maybe too much)?
i5 is fine, get 8gb ram if you can afford it - buying the ram from crucial.com will save you a couple hundred bucks and it's dead-simple to install
i5 is fine, get 8gb ram if you can afford it - buying the ram from crucial.com will save you a couple hundred bucks and it's dead-simple to install
Yes, get applecare.
Thank you for your suggestions Andy. I did see your posts about applecare, so I will factor that into the cost...though I always buy the warranties for laptops anyway because they can be expensive to fix.
If I open the case of the Macbook myself, that wouldn't void any warranty? I certainly do not mind doing that to save the $$$.
In all fairness, phone support was very helpful. They told us (when we can afford it), we'll get free Applecare if we buy a replacement, and the genius noted our account so that we get a $100 discount when we're ready to buy another. Yeah, only 10%, but better than "sorry, tough luck".
In all fairness, phone support was very helpful. They told us (when we can afford it), we'll get free Applecare if we buy a replacement, and the genius noted our account so that we get a $100 discount when we're ready to buy another. Yeah, only 10%, but better than "sorry, tough luck".
Man, that stinks. Looks pretty gnarly.
I'm pretty sure that's the same as the educational discount, which you'd get anyway.
Looks like B&H has lower prices on the MacBooks. I have ordered photo gear from them plenty of times (especially when I worked in Manhattan and could walk over there), but has anyone order Macs from them before? If so, is your experience any different?
Looks like B&H has lower prices on the MacBooks. I have ordered photo gear from them plenty of times (especially when I worked in Manhattan and could walk over there), but has anyone order Macs from them before? If so, is your experience any different?
They're reputable. Period. Doesn't matter what you buy there.
I will say that I pay the premium and buy direct from Apple. I do this for one reason only: I had a MBP that failed in the first week I had it (bad I/O on the motherboard). Apple would have exchanged it on the spot for a brand new one if I had bought from them, but since I had purchased 3rd party they said "it's a different return protocol." Meaning they can't accept returns on Amazon sales. Makes sense. I had to either return it to Amazon or send it in for repair and be without it. I sent it in for repair, but if I had bought from Apple would have only had the downtime of restoring my backup.
I will say that I pay the premium and buy direct from Apple.
I buy direct from Apple while always trying to not pay the premium, in two ways. If I need Apple hardware, I will check the Refurbished section of their online store, knowing that buying refurbished Apple is as good and as fully warranted as new. Then, I will compare that price to the discount I get from my NAPP membership (photoshopuser.com). I'll take whichever deal is better, never paying full price.
B&H is rock solid reputable too, though, if their deal is better.
Or a refurbished model from the<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CEric%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CEric%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CEric%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"> Apple Store which is the same as the one above, but with the faster i7 2.66 processor for $2169: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC665LL/A?mco=MTgxNTExNzE
I guess my question is if you see a huge difference in the screens. This will be my primary screen for editing photos. Because I am not a pro, I am okay with that.
I can spend the money, but I would rather not and if there really is no difference between the refurbished and new, I may go with the last option.
Thank you both!
if there really is no difference between the refurbished and new, I may go with the last option.
There is none. Same warranty. The only caveat with refurbs is that sometimes, especially when they've just announced new machines, you'll get the previous generation if you're not careful. Just pay attention to what you're getting and refurb is fine.
There is none. Same warranty. The only caveat with refurbs is that sometimes, especially when they've just announced new machines, you'll get the previous generation if you're not careful. Just pay attention to what you're getting and refurb is fine.
Great-thanks
This is definitely the latest generation because it has the i7 processor.
So, this long decision process is almost over. I am deciding between two refurbished models and I would appreciate everyone's input.
This model is a 17" with anti-glare and the 2.53 i5 processor. It has 4GB RAM which I would probably upgrade to 8GB myself.
This model is $170 more and is the same in all respects, except it has the 2.66 i7 processor.
As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I will be using the computer for photo editing in LR and PSE (maybe PS), some video editing, word processing for work (going to buy Word for Mac), iTunes, etc. - much of it at the same time (hence the desire to upgrade the RAM).
I just want to confirm that the i5 will be sufficient. My worry is that I plan on having this laptop for at least 4 years and if LR becomes more feature rich then the i5 will start to lag. Anyone have any thoughts? Right now, would I notice a difference between the two with the tasks I am running? If so, what would that difference be?
In addition to agreeing with DavidTO's list, here are some more, most of these are free:
iStat menus or MenuMeters as a quick dashboard in your menu bar (CPU, disk, network rates, etc). Good way to spot problems.
Cameras - control which app opens when you plug in a specific camera, so you can have a different app import from your phone vs your DSLR, or prevent unwanted app launches
coconutBattery - more detailed battery info
DiskInventory X - what's taking up all the room on my hard disk?
Flip4Mac and Perian - if you have both, you'll be able to play almost any Mac or Windows video format you encounter on websites
FunctionFlip - Choose which function keys work as function keys while the rest work as hardware keys
Growl - if you want more detailed notifications for various events
CyberDuck - free great FTP (although I paid for Transmit)
VirtualBox - run Windows on your Mac for free (plus cost of Windows license)
iStumbler - identify all local wireless networks and their signal strength over time
PhoneDisk and Phone View - if you want access to the contents of your iPhone beyond what iTunes shows you
PhotoRescue - retrieve deleted/damaged photos off of cards
TextWrangler - my favorite tool for editing CSS and JavaScript for Smugmug customization
VueScan - to run all my scanners
Pref Setter - search, read and edit all your apps' preferences files
TinkerTool - access hidden preferences including some Onyx does not
New in here, so be kind and easy on this Mac n00b. Finger is on the button for a Mac Pro. Any day now. Got a couple Q's.
1. I have a perfectly working ViewSonic 23" VP231wb IPS 1920x1200 monitor that I love. About 4.5 years old. Has an accurate sRGD built-in profile that is, AFAIK, spot on. I have never bothered to calibrate it on the Win box because it just worked. If this is hooked up DVI-style to the new Pro's 5770 graphics card with OSX 10.6, what can I expect in the way of accuracy? (I do know to use gamma 2.2). Other than that, what else? Some Mac voodoo setings in pref's? Or do I just park in OSX default mode and do all my adjustments with the monitor hardware buttons?
2. Wireless connection for the Mac Pro. They can put something in it at Apple (not in their configurator, though). Should I just let them do that, or get a wireless something or else at Amazon, etc.? Really clueless on this one, since we've connected, um, somehow else lately, or by stealing waves from neighbors on our lappy's, which I will not admit to unless I'm tortured. (will be ordering up a real broadband service too, since we've got enough use for it now).
Thanks!
My Smugmug
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
1. I have a perfectly working ViewSonic...If this is hooked up DVI-style to the new Pro's 5770 graphics card with OSX 10.6, what can I expect in the way of accuracy? (I do know to use gamma 2.2).
The operation should be the same as having any other LCD monitor connected. There may be model-specific issues, but you'd have to search for those. On the whole it should just work as long as it's a standard DVI monitor. One of the monitors on my Mac Pro is an old CRT connected via a VGA adapter and it works...
2. Wireless connection for the Mac Pro. They can put something in it at Apple (not in their configurator, though). Should I just let them do that, or get a wireless something or else at Amazon, etc.?
That's up to you. Mine does not have wireless because I use Gigabit Ethernet cabled. I have heard that using the official internal Apple AirPort wireless card may not get the best reception, and since it isn't doesn't need to be mobile like a laptop, you have the option of getting one of those standalone Ethernet wireless adapters, sometimes marketed as wireless gaming adapters. They are just a wireless box with an Ethernet plug, you plug it into any device that supports Ethernet (like one of the Mac Pro's two Ethernet ports) and it would bridge the Ethernet port to Wi-Fi.
The operation should be the same as having any other LCD monitor connected. There may be model-specific issues, but you'd have to search for those. On the whole it should just work as long as it's a standard DVI monitor. One of the monitors on my Mac Pro is an old CRT connected via a VGA adapter and it works....
CRT? Really? Ha. Well, good to know some things are really really backward compatable. I was drooling over the Dell 30" U3011. Man oh man. And how Apple can't even see fit to include HDMI inputs into a spanking new 27" LED CS, that can only hurt them in the long run. Haven't read anywhere how one can calibrate it either. So I can wait a while. The wife wants the 23" VS for her laptop. Can't blame her, as sh uses InDesign to do newsletters for her job, and 1024x768 is just unusable for that. I would like to think that with 1GB of vRAM, the MP can be hooked up to one ginormous 2560x1600 AND a 1920x1200. Just in case I go totally nutz.
That's up to you. Mine does not have wireless because I use Gigabit Ethernet cabled. I have heard that using the official internal Apple AirPort wireless card may not get the best reception, and since it isn't doesn't need to be mobile like a laptop, you have the option of getting one of those standalone Ethernet wireless adapters, sometimes marketed as wireless gaming adapters. They are just a wireless box with an Ethernet plug, you plug it into any device that supports Ethernet (like one of the Mac Pro's two Ethernet ports) and it would bridge the Ethernet port to Wi-Fi.
Thanks. Wired is impossible in our 100-year old house unless they drill holes through the outside walls and bring cables up the siding. If you think I'm kidding I should shoot a pic of our phone wires. Also, our estate is so huge that any one computer, at its absolute farthest, could be up to 20 feet away from a wireless router. My bigger decision is between Comcast, ATT and WOW for providers. They all suck equally. The forum in my hometown has hundreds of pages on them all that prove that sad fact daily.
My Smugmug
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
Wired is impossible in our 100-year old house unless they drill holes through the outside walls and bring cables up the siding....our estate is so huge that any one computer, at its absolute farthest, could be up to 20 feet away from a wireless router.
My office is at the far end of my home. I cannot run cables, wireless won't punch through the walls, so I have resorted to powerline networking to get data from the router all the way to the office. The Gigabit Ethernet branch is only among the office computers.
Oh and if you think you will use Windows for a while, I highly recommend VMWare Fusion, which lets you run MS Windows in a...er...window on the Mac. Even cooler, is that you can attach your Windows pc to the network, and VMWare Fusion will simply copy the entire thing to the Mac, allowing you to basically run your existing Windows and apps from the Mac.
In addition to agreeing with DavidTO's list, here are some more, most of these are free:
iStat menus or MenuMeters as a quick dashboard in your menu bar (CPU, disk, network rates, etc). Good way to spot problems.
Cameras - control which app opens when you plug in a specific camera, so you can have a different app import from your phone vs your DSLR, or prevent unwanted app launches
coconutBattery - more detailed battery info
DiskInventory X - what's taking up all the room on my hard disk?
Flip4Mac and Perian - if you have both, you'll be able to play almost any Mac or Windows video format you encounter on websites
FunctionFlip - Choose which function keys work as function keys while the rest work as hardware keys
Growl - if you want more detailed notifications for various events
CyberDuck - free great FTP (although I paid for Transmit)
VirtualBox - run Windows on your Mac for free (plus cost of Windows license)
iStumbler - identify all local wireless networks and their signal strength over time
PhoneDisk and Phone View - if you want access to the contents of your iPhone beyond what iTunes shows you
PhotoRescue - retrieve deleted/damaged photos off of cards
TextWrangler - my favorite tool for editing CSS and JavaScript for Smugmug customization
VueScan - to run all my scanners
Pref Setter - search, read and edit all your apps' preferences files
TinkerTool - access hidden preferences including some Onyx does not
Oh and if you think you will use Windows for a while, I highly recommend VMWare Fusion, which lets you run MS Windows in a...er...window on the Mac. Even cooler, is that you can attach your Windows pc to the network, and VMWare Fusion will simply copy the entire thing to the Mac, allowing you to basically run your existing Windows and apps from the Mac.
Thanks for all of your suggestions! I can't wait to go home and try them out
Comments
[Warning - this post has nothing to do with Apple]
I've got a PS3 with PlayOn and Windows Media Center installed on my desktop. WMC allows us to stream our divx files direct to the TV. PlayOn gives us Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and MLB access.
Last week I added a Roku to the mix. I'm very impressed so far as the interface is nice and clean and easy to navigate. It is much better than PlayOn for Netflix and it adds Amazon VOD access (that was experimental and temperamental on PlayOn).
Now I'm not sure what to do. I was going to use the Roku in my office, but it does such a good job with Netflix and Amazon VOD that I hate to remove it from the main TV. PlayOn is pretty much redundant now, so I won't be renewing that. I wish the Roku could handle the streaming of local divx files as well as the PS3 does, but even if it did I'd still have to keep the PS3 in there for Blu-ray. *sigh*
I'm with you - still looking for a better solution.
I only read back a few pages, but is everyone happy with theirs? Should I get the extended warranty?
For me using LightroomPhotoshop Elements, iTunes, opening a Word document, and surfing the web at the same time, which processor you think would meet my needs? Would the i5 be sufficient (or maybe too much)?
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
i5 is fine, get 8gb ram if you can afford it - buying the ram from crucial.com will save you a couple hundred bucks and it's dead-simple to install
Yes, get applecare.
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
Thank you for your suggestions Andy. I did see your posts about applecare, so I will factor that into the cost...though I always buy the warranties for laptops anyway because they can be expensive to fix.
If I open the case of the Macbook myself, that wouldn't void any warranty? I certainly do not mind doing that to save the $$$.
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
No.
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
:cry
In all fairness, phone support was very helpful. They told us (when we can afford it), we'll get free Applecare if we buy a replacement, and the genius noted our account so that we get a $100 discount when we're ready to buy another. Yeah, only 10%, but better than "sorry, tough luck".
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
Man, that stinks. Looks pretty gnarly.
I'm pretty sure that's the same as the educational discount, which you'd get anyway.
But free Applecare is nice!
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
$199.00 to repair vice $299 for a new phone = new iPhone 4.
GreyLeaf PhotoGraphy
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
I will say that I pay the premium and buy direct from Apple. I do this for one reason only: I had a MBP that failed in the first week I had it (bad I/O on the motherboard). Apple would have exchanged it on the spot for a brand new one if I had bought from them, but since I had purchased 3rd party they said "it's a different return protocol." Meaning they can't accept returns on Amazon sales. Makes sense. I had to either return it to Amazon or send it in for repair and be without it. I sent it in for repair, but if I had bought from Apple would have only had the downtime of restoring my backup.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I buy direct from Apple while always trying to not pay the premium, in two ways. If I need Apple hardware, I will check the Refurbished section of their online store, knowing that buying refurbished Apple is as good and as fully warranted as new. Then, I will compare that price to the discount I get from my NAPP membership (photoshopuser.com). I'll take whichever deal is better, never paying full price.
B&H is rock solid reputable too, though, if their deal is better.
I am having trouble deciding.....
I am looking at the base 17" which is $2090 at B&H. (Link)
I am also thinking about the 17" with the faster hard drive and hi-res anti-glare screen which is $2398: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/685886-REG/Apple_Z0GP_0001_17_MacBook_Pro_Notebook.html
Or a refurbished model from the<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CEric%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CEric%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CEric%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"> Apple Store which is the same as the one above, but with the faster i7 2.66 processor for $2169: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC665LL/A?mco=MTgxNTExNzE
I guess my question is if you see a huge difference in the screens. This will be my primary screen for editing photos. Because I am not a pro, I am okay with that.
I can spend the money, but I would rather not and if there really is no difference between the refurbished and new, I may go with the last option.
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
There is none. Same warranty. The only caveat with refurbs is that sometimes, especially when they've just announced new machines, you'll get the previous generation if you're not careful. Just pay attention to what you're getting and refurb is fine.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
This is definitely the latest generation because it has the i7 processor.
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
This model is a 17" with anti-glare and the 2.53 i5 processor. It has 4GB RAM which I would probably upgrade to 8GB myself.
This model is $170 more and is the same in all respects, except it has the 2.66 i7 processor.
As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I will be using the computer for photo editing in LR and PSE (maybe PS), some video editing, word processing for work (going to buy Word for Mac), iTunes, etc. - much of it at the same time (hence the desire to upgrade the RAM).
I just want to confirm that the i5 will be sufficient. My worry is that I plan on having this laptop for at least 4 years and if LR becomes more feature rich then the i5 will start to lag. Anyone have any thoughts? Right now, would I notice a difference between the two with the tasks I am running? If so, what would that difference be?
I appreciate everyone's help.
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
Ordered! Can't wait until it comes.
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
My Gear
My Websites - Personal www.ericsmemories.com |"Professional" www.vividphotography.org
My Favorite Photos - Chicago, NYC, DC, London, Prague, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Vermont, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP, The Appalachian Trail
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I just got Alarms, which I like. Adds to-dos to iCal with awesome interface (I like it, anyway).
I love LaunchBar. App launcher and more.
DropBox Sync files with web and other devices/users.
TextExpander auto-expand shortcuts into text (good for posting things on Dgrin, or code, etc.
SMARTReporter shows SMART status of your drive in your toolbar
Adium multi-protocol chat
1Password strengthens your passwords, but keeps it simple
Evernote local/online notes
Skitch LOVE THIS ONE screen grabs on steroids. Hosts your images, too.
Hazel Finds related files when you delete an app and prompts you to delete them, as well.
Disk Warrior Repairs your disk directory better than any other utility.
AppleJack runs shell scripts from single user mode to improve performance (under the hood stuff)
SuperDuper awesome backup app
Tweetie twitter client
Sneak Peak Photo fantastic add-on for quicklook in the finder.
ONYX free and awesome system utility thingy
That should keep you busy for a bit!
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
iStat menus or MenuMeters as a quick dashboard in your menu bar (CPU, disk, network rates, etc). Good way to spot problems.
Cameras - control which app opens when you plug in a specific camera, so you can have a different app import from your phone vs your DSLR, or prevent unwanted app launches
coconutBattery - more detailed battery info
DiskInventory X - what's taking up all the room on my hard disk?
Flip4Mac and Perian - if you have both, you'll be able to play almost any Mac or Windows video format you encounter on websites
FunctionFlip - Choose which function keys work as function keys while the rest work as hardware keys
Growl - if you want more detailed notifications for various events
CyberDuck - free great FTP (although I paid for Transmit)
VirtualBox - run Windows on your Mac for free (plus cost of Windows license)
iStumbler - identify all local wireless networks and their signal strength over time
PhoneDisk and Phone View - if you want access to the contents of your iPhone beyond what iTunes shows you
PhotoRescue - retrieve deleted/damaged photos off of cards
TextWrangler - my favorite tool for editing CSS and JavaScript for Smugmug customization
VueScan - to run all my scanners
Pref Setter - search, read and edit all your apps' preferences files
TinkerTool - access hidden preferences including some Onyx does not
Zipeg - inspect Zip archives
1. I have a perfectly working ViewSonic 23" VP231wb IPS 1920x1200 monitor that I love. About 4.5 years old. Has an accurate sRGD built-in profile that is, AFAIK, spot on. I have never bothered to calibrate it on the Win box because it just worked. If this is hooked up DVI-style to the new Pro's 5770 graphics card with OSX 10.6, what can I expect in the way of accuracy? (I do know to use gamma 2.2). Other than that, what else? Some Mac voodoo setings in pref's? Or do I just park in OSX default mode and do all my adjustments with the monitor hardware buttons?
2. Wireless connection for the Mac Pro. They can put something in it at Apple (not in their configurator, though). Should I just let them do that, or get a wireless something or else at Amazon, etc.? Really clueless on this one, since we've connected, um, somehow else lately, or by stealing waves from neighbors on our lappy's, which I will not admit to unless I'm tortured. (will be ordering up a real broadband service too, since we've got enough use for it now).
Thanks!
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
The operation should be the same as having any other LCD monitor connected. There may be model-specific issues, but you'd have to search for those. On the whole it should just work as long as it's a standard DVI monitor. One of the monitors on my Mac Pro is an old CRT connected via a VGA adapter and it works...
That's up to you. Mine does not have wireless because I use Gigabit Ethernet cabled. I have heard that using the official internal Apple AirPort wireless card may not get the best reception, and since it isn't doesn't need to be mobile like a laptop, you have the option of getting one of those standalone Ethernet wireless adapters, sometimes marketed as wireless gaming adapters. They are just a wireless box with an Ethernet plug, you plug it into any device that supports Ethernet (like one of the Mac Pro's two Ethernet ports) and it would bridge the Ethernet port to Wi-Fi.
CRT? Really? Ha. Well, good to know some things are really really backward compatable. I was drooling over the Dell 30" U3011. Man oh man. And how Apple can't even see fit to include HDMI inputs into a spanking new 27" LED CS, that can only hurt them in the long run. Haven't read anywhere how one can calibrate it either. So I can wait a while. The wife wants the 23" VS for her laptop. Can't blame her, as sh uses InDesign to do newsletters for her job, and 1024x768 is just unusable for that. I would like to think that with 1GB of vRAM, the MP can be hooked up to one ginormous 2560x1600 AND a 1920x1200. Just in case I go totally nutz.
Thanks. Wired is impossible in our 100-year old house unless they drill holes through the outside walls and bring cables up the siding. If you think I'm kidding I should shoot a pic of our phone wires.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
Don't forget BackBlaze!
My office is at the far end of my home. I cannot run cables, wireless won't punch through the walls, so I have resorted to powerline networking to get data from the router all the way to the office. The Gigabit Ethernet branch is only among the office computers.
Here are some links to info that were very helpful to me as I transitioned to Mac from Windows:
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2514?viewlocale=en_US
http://lifehacker.com/software/mac/hack-attack-a-guide-for-switching-to-a-mac-224674.php
http://www.myfirstmac.com/index.php/
And two good lists of all sorts of Mac software:
http://bestmacsoftware.org/
http://mactech.ca/freemacapps/
Oh and if you think you will use Windows for a while, I highly recommend VMWare Fusion, which lets you run MS Windows in a...er...window on the Mac. Even cooler, is that you can attach your Windows pc to the network, and VMWare Fusion will simply copy the entire thing to the Mac, allowing you to basically run your existing Windows and apps from the Mac.
Thanks for all of your suggestions! I can't wait to go home and try them out
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