My new baby
This is a MacBook. It’s a fairly low end Mac computer, which means it’s only better than about 80 - 85% of all PC computers. ;-)
I’ve never used a laptop seriously before now. My work computer is a laptop, but it’s always plugged into a dock, and I use it at home infrequently.
So, Mac laptop owners: What do I need to know? What tools do I need to download and install?
Yes, I did buy Parallels with it, and do plan on installing Windows (and maybe even Ubuntu Linux) on it soon. . . This makes me giddy, from the pure geek side of things.
So far, the biggest adjustment has been the keyboard. My initial complaint with the standard Mac keyboard is that all the keys are crammed too tightly together. It’s just the opposite, ironically enough, with this laptop. The keys do, however, make a satisfying click when you hit them. I like that.
The touchpad is a little weird. I’m not used to a touchpad where tapping it isn’t the same as clicking. And the single button thing is ridiculous. Thankfully, I have a Wacom Tablet attached to this machine when I’m sitting at the table to use it seriously.
February 17th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
In order to make tapping the touchpad the same as clicking, go to System Preferences>Keyboard&Mouse>Trackpad
Under where it says Trackpad Gestures, tick the Clicking box, and the Dragging box, if you’re so inclined. I think that’s what you’re looking for.
February 17th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Augie,
I love the laptop keyboard– even moreso than the one on the new iMac I purchased for my parents. The one button bothered me at first till I just learned to hold it down to work it like a “right click.” I dunno, works for me.
But congrats on the new system!
February 18th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Augie, what kind of stuff will you be doing?
Handbrake is a great free app http://handbrake.m0k.org/
Freeverse’s Think is also good for those of us easily distracted http://www.freeverse.com/think/
And I’ve like Super Duper too http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html
The keyboard takes some time to adjust to, but I’m pretty comfortable with it after three months.
February 20th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Wayne - thanks for the pointer! That sounds like exactly what I was looking for.
Arune - I’m getting used to it, but it’s still a conscious effort to keep my fingers spread apart while I type to make sure I hit all the keys.
Joey - I’ll be doing some word processing, basic web surfing, and a lot of programming (hopefully). I’m looking for anything specific to the laptop, though, that I should think about. Power management, special shortcuts, that kind of thing.
Handbrake is a beautiful thing. I used it to rip some stuff to my iPod before my last flight. Came in very handy. I’ve heard a lot about Super Duper. I need to look into that someday, too, so thanks for the link.