MBP and XP questions

Got my MBP (15¨ 2.33Ghz C2D, 160GB HD, 2GB RAM) about a week ago and been playing around with it.

Have come up against some minor issues and was hoping some of you might have already found the solutions.

1) Keyboard Map in XP. Got a UK keyboard, so needed to change the keyboard type to UK (Apple) in regional settings. That fixed most things apart from the ¨§¨ and ¨`¨ being transposed. However, there is no hash key, and would like to remap a few other keys to ones more usefull to me. Like:

Right Apple Key -> Delete
§ -> Hash
shift + cursor -> to page up/down/etc instead of fn + cursor
fn + click -> middle mouse button

2) Keyboard backlight doesnt work in XP

3) Think I know the answer is no to this one. But anyone got power saving etc working under XP.

4) I've noticed when the wireless drops/or is trying to connect, the laptop sometimes freezes for upto 20 seconds. Not sure if this occurs in OS-X as have mostly used it under XP.

5) Occaisionally the track pad becomes unresponsive for upto 20-30 seconds. Not sure if this is related to (4) above.

6) Can you recommend a good guide for OS-X, which is directed towards people who are quite experienced with other OS's.

And I can guess the first question:

Why don't you just use OS X?

Because I've been busy with work this week, so it was either use the MBP with XP, or use my old laptop. Thought I'd give the MBP a shot, and other then the above niggles its been pretty good.

Don't think OS X only will be an option for me in any case. Far too many apps i'd have to get for OS X (if they are even available). But will give parallels a shot and then can hopefully have the best of both worlds (hopefully not the worst aswell).

 

1) There are programs to mess with the keyboard layouts, Keytweak was recommended to me and I have downloaded it but haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

2) This is as yet not enabled under Boot Camp, correct.

3) Nope, if you're booted to Windows it's most likely to be for gaming anyway in which case you'd want external power anyway so Your mileage may vary.

4) Have not experienced this under either XP or OS X.

5) Have not experienced this either.

6) I know of no specific guide, though I'm sure someone has written one. I personally recommend just using it, if you are an experienced computer user you will certainly not have any issues using OS X.

 

1) I am currently using "Input Remapper" It works great on my MBP
2) I have this working with Input Remapper. It's nice to see the backlight in the dark
3) Nope
4) I haven't experiened this yet
5) Hum... I am wondering if there is some issue with your installation. Are you using the lastest Bootcamp and drivers?
6) I don't use OS X that much. I bought MBP only because I like the machine

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

Will give Input Remapper a go.

I am using the latest BootCamp and drivers. I thought perhaps it was NOD32 or my Firewall, when I couldn't find anyone else having similar problems.

But I noticed the trackpad stall on OS X, which has nothing other then MSN installed ontop of what it came with. So I think there may be an issue with the machine.

Anymore updates on when the official release of Bootcamp will be? And will it include stuff like power management.

 

The official release of Bootcamp will be with Leopard.

 

As M@lew said, the final and next release of Boot Camp should be in Mac OS X Leopard, releasing anywhere from next month to May. Apple said 'Spring 2007'.

 

I would definitely look at Parallels if you are not using any 3d intensive apps.