Few final MBP questions before buying

After a few weeks of looking into macs I spent today in a mac store poking them and making ooooh noises.

Definitely decided to switch and get one shortly - but had a few last queries:

Firstly - anyone got a recommended mouse to go with it? I'd be happy with a wireless one as long as it's rechargable. i tried the mighty mouse and hated the middle mouse ball - nasty little device.

Secondly - anyone found a good, reasonably urban looking rucksack/shoulder bag they'd recommend for a 17 inch model?

Lastly - I plan on dual booting as there are a few apps that I use that are PC only (specifically 3dsmax and possibly XSI). Anyone found much of a problem with the keyboard layouts causing problems cross platform?

Thanks in advance

 

Can't go wrong with the logitech mice. Best in the bunch. I like the fact that the rechargeable battery never needs replacing or conditioning.
http://www.logitech.com/

 

Crumpler has some nice looking bags that you may like. They are expensive though, but seem well-built.
www.crumplerbags.com

 

I've been thinking about nabbing this mouse.

 

Even though the MBP has a very limited number of USB ports, I'd still suggest using one of them on the Logitech VX Revolution. It's quite an amazing mouse.

Keyboard layout isn't a huge deal. In Windows terms, the Windows-logo key and the Alt key are reversed. The backspace/delete key works a little differently in Explorer. Besides that, there's not much difference really.

 

The vx revolution is the best mouse by far. Love mine:yes:

 

I use a Bluetooth Logitech V270 with my Macbook, I love it. It's so nice using the built-in Bluetooth receiver instead of having to plug in a USB RF receiver and hog half of your USB ports on just an input device (not to mention maybe accidentally breaking it off eventually).

 

I'm about ready to buy this one.

 

I have a Bluetooth Logitech V270 and it works flawlessly in both OS X and Windows XP Pro.

I also have a Timbuk2 Commute messenger bag that fits my 15" MBP like a glove. I would assume that the larger size will fit the 17" just as well.

I'm running Windows XP Pro with Boot Camp. It installed quickly and easily, no driver issues at all. The keyboard works just fine, though some of the combos are slightly different. It's all explained in the Boot Camp help pane though.

Hope this helps!

 

I have a VX revolution for my older laptop and it is absolutely fantastic for a notebook mouse. Actually, its fantastic as a desktop mouse too! I REALLY wish they came out with a bluetooth version of this, because then I could use it on my MBP! I prefer not to use up one of the USB ports with a mouse dongle when there is built in Bluetooth. Still, traveling with the VX is nice because the USB transmitter stores inside a little slot on the VX.

*end gasping pro-rant*

 

Because of the lack of USB ports (2 in the MBP I believe), do any of you use USB Hubs? If so, which ones do you recommend?

 

I have this one:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=89612&highlight=kensington
It works real well and is erlatively inexpensive as I recall.

On a side note why is it that Logitech's two top mice, the MX Revolution and VX Revolution don't have Bluetooth versions? I will never understand that.

 

Thanks for the advice - the mouse stuff in particular. My gut instinct is saying go with bluetooth - simply to cut down on the rather small number of USB ports on the apple.

Lovely lovely piece of kit though - and looking forwards to owning one!

 

I just got the G7 from logitech because it is on sale for 57$ vs the 99$ it normally is.

Check CompUSA. Its different than the revolution, its supposed to be directed at gamers but its still a great mouse. Light, very comfortable and has a good amount of buttons still.

 

dont get a bluetooth mouse. they have weird lag issues, and if you ever decide to pick up a game of counter strike, it will be impossible.

either get a logitech revolution or the g7 mentioned above to minimize mouse lag. its manageable on the desktop (where everything is static) but even there its a little annoying.

no mouse lag is pretty much a must if you are laying down the big bucks for your laptop.

so again g7 or revolution.

also:

there are some minor keyboard issues with xp. there isn't a delete key for one thing. home, end, insert, (that set of keys) are nowhere to be found. i think you can use the function key to resolve most / all those issues?

fn backspace = delete

a lot of keys towards the right have third functions (basically your numpad) - so holding down fn activates the numpad on 4x4 block of keys towards the right. i know there are ways to get home, end, insert, prntscrn, etc - but they all involve more than one key press- those keys dont exist.

 

I play CS1.6, CS:S, HL2: DM, UT2004, and Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy all the time with my Bluetooth Logitech V270 and have never had any lag issues at all.

 

It doesn't lag.

But the handshake does take forever compared to an RF mouse. An RF mouse will work pretty much immediately after you turn it on, but a Bluetooth mouse takes a good 5 seconds or so. I find it a little irritating, but not nearly as irritating as some USB receiver hogging half the USB ports and just begging to be snapped off eventually.