Buying a macbook pro tomorrow

But had a few final questions (I've posted some of these before - just checking one last time )

I'm going to be using it for photoshop/corel painter work and 3d. As such I'm going to need to connect my wacom tablet to it and get a decent mouse. Previous posters have recommended the logitech mx revolution but I was a bit concerned about the lack of USB slots on the macbook pro (headphones, external hard-drive and tablet already take up all the space). Anyone had any luck with a bluetooth mouse or are they really pretty bad? I will be doing some gaming with the laptop - specifically World of Warcraft.

Carrying cases. Anyone got a good recommendation for the 17inch? I'm based in the UK so one I can order over here would be good.

Lastly I'll be migrating over from a standard Desktop PC that's been set up with a wireless router. I take it the macbook will work perfectly with the aforementioned router? (stupid question I'm sure - but I'm a novice with the OS - so figured I'd ask first )

 

One thing you might want to consider is getting an external hard drive with a Firewire 400 or 800 port - would free up a USB slot for you.

The MBP should work fine with your router.

-Zadillo

 

I'm getting mine soon and I've done some research on the things you need.

Bluetooth in general is still not great for mouse, but I have heard of a few that are quite capable

Logitech V270 and the Bluetake BT510, both apparently have not many issues regarding response times.

As for case, it really depends on what you need, theres good ones that carry a lot (but heavy), sleeves and light cases (but can't carry much). I'm most likely going to order the Incase Nylon Sleeve Plus, as I find it light and carries most of the essentials I need + some work documents

http://store.apple.com/133-622/WebObjects/australiastore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=E80F271A&nplm=TL997LL/A

There's heaps of choices really, and you need to do some research on what suits you best. Some known brand names include STM, Belkins, Crumbler.

As Zadillo said, if your worried about lack of USB ports, I would get a Firewire interface HDD, actually there's heaps of HDD's with both interfaces (USB 2.0 & Firewire), which is great for compatibility, which I'm looking to get in the future.

 

You could get a USB hub that would give you 4 extra ports (I did that with my MBP and it works fine). There are some that don't require an external power supply. They're light-weight, slip into a small case or bag with no problem.

And congrats on the new MBP!

 

Thanks - MS really lost me with the move to vista. After a second time of having to phone india to re-enable it (I'd had to upgrade first the memory then my graphics card just to get it to work smoothly) it felt like time for a change...

And thanks for the advice - I've already got an external hard drive so might look into a USB hub rather than another one. And will have a long look at the bluetooth mice you mentioned. I need something reliable mainly that won't lag too much.

Right now my only fear is somehow they'll upgrade the 17 inch screen to LED the second I order it

 

I don't think I'd worry about that; as it is, 15.4" LED backlit screens just became viable. I think it will still be a while before we see 17" panels.

I recall seeing a slick tiny little USB hub made by Logitech at Best Buy:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3048&cl=us,en

Seemed very small, and probably not a bad way to get more USB ports to use.

 

Make that today! Just bought it online and it's shipping on or before the 10th.

Which is ace (although I'm a little surprised by the apparent arrival of the 21'st in the UK.... that's one slow courier... )

Thanks for the advice - I'm sure I'll be back to bother some of you when I get my hands on it!

 

Good to hear, ASyme. Tell us when you get it!

 

As best as i can recall, only WD made external HDD with full support for firewire 800 for anything under 1 TB - the other major names only support firewire 400. Might be worth investing in an internal + enclosure.

 

I bought a Targus 4-Port USB Hub from Circuit City a few days ago for $10 after MIR. It works fine with my printer, wireless Logitech mouse, and Seagate FreeAgent. For some reason though, it doesn't work with my WD Passport. Otherwise, everything is fine.

 

Now I'm wondering if it will ship with the new i-life etc. Apparently it's still a couple of days before it's sent off - but I ordered it yesterday. *wanders off to find a phone*

 

I'm not sure if you heard of LaCie or not, but they make several options for Firewire 800 external HDD under 1 TB.

 

Oh! Thanks for the info

Hrm...Wd MyBook Pro vs LaCie d2 Quadra....decisions decisions...

 

So that's my macbook pro in the mail and winging it's way to me now... (ironic given I work for Microsoft... but I REALLY hated vista).

Any particular things people have found with the switch from Windows to Macs? I'm already prepared to switch back for some 3d work and the occasional game... but did people find things like the interface, connecting to wireless or so on threw them for a loop or was it all pretty straightforwards?

 

Congrats on the new MBP, ASyme. You work for Microsoft? What do you do there? If you don't mind me asking .

As much as they may sound overrated by now , these two links will probably help you out in your transition to OS X.

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101

 

WD MyBook, definitely. Its a brilliant external hard drive; looks great, is reasonably fast, and pretty inexpensive as well.

 

Oh - I work for a sub section/company of it called Lionhead as an artist. We make games (primarily one called Fable) when we're not sneaking off to drink coffee.

And thanks for the links... read em and will print em out before it arrives

 

Agree. I have MyBook Premium. It is a fantastic drive. I use it at home and bring my external 2.5" when travelling.

@ASyme: Congrats on ur new MBP! U will love it!

 

LaCie external hard drives are more for audio and video recording, however the durable casing is what makes them desirable. If you open them up, I've heard some of them have Maxtors inside.

Personally I use a Western Digital MyBook Premium ES with an eSATA card in the express card slot - this is the fastest option for external HDD transfers and streaming.

 

I hear hte Apple BT mm is out of the question if you play WoW (something with the middle click or whatever). Certainly a BT mouse frees up a USB port, but at the expense of your mbp's battery life!