New (potential) apple user / New forum member

I'll need to buy a notebook by the end of the month and ive always been intrigued by Apple systems.

I would like to buy a Macbook 2.16 Ghz.

I have a few questions im sure you'll be able to answer with ease:

- I'll need to use Windows XP for some particular applications and i've heard around that i would be able to run it on Macbook using BootCamp or something referred to as "Parallel"...

Could you explain to me the difference between "bootC" and "parallel"?


- I'll need to make PDFS and i'll need to use programs that are homologues to Win Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Will i find all these features in iWorks, or should i buy other applications?


- I've heard about LEOPARD, successor to OSX Tiger. I've heard it will have BootCamp "built in" or something like that.

When it will come out? Should i wait until Leopard is out to buy a Macbook?


Thankyou for your time!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=101636&highlight=boot+camp+parallels

You can create PDFs with any application in OS X. Just go to print and select save as PDF.

Leopard's been delayed time and time again. It's currently sheduled for October or something. No one knows when it will actually come out.

 

I've just read that the Office suite is fully runnable on mac and its Called Office:Mac 2004.

It is useful or its better to have WinXP on BootCamp?

 

Thankyou budding. I've seen your review of the MB previously

 

Here we go...

so far this is what i am about to buy....



13-inch MacBook (White)

Keyboard (International) & Mac OS (International)
2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
SuperDrive 8x (DVD +R DL/DVD RW/CD-RW)
2GB 667 DDR2 - 2x1GB SO-DIMMs
HD Serial ATA 120GB (5400 rpm)
iWork '06

Plus a Logitech Wireless...




DO you guys suggest any addition i should care about?

(i.e. bigger batteries, speakers, etc.)

 

The main difference between BootCamp and Parallels is that BootCamp runs Windows natively and Parallels runs it in virtualization mode. Basically, if you're using BootCamp and want to run Windows, you'll need to boot up your computer in Windows (restart computer if you're already in OS X). Parallels allows you to run Windows side by side with OS X; no rebooting required.

BootCamp will be faster than Parallels becaues it runs Windows natively. However, Parallels is just as good if you're just doing normal tasks.

 

I'd say don't buy the iWork '06. A next version should be out soon (well, no one knows, but it COULD be announced at WWDC, or bundled somehow with Leopard), so I don't think its worth the investment on it if it gets upgraded the next month. Also, Microsoft Office for Mac is the same as Microsoft Office for Windows, but of course some layout changes to make it "fit in" to Mac OS X more, but there's the same features and work done on Office for Mac can be edited and transferred to an Office for Windows. But don't get Office for Mac 2004 either. Because the next version of Microsoft Office for Mac, Office for Mac 2008 is just around the corner (its scheduled to ship second half of 2007 - ignore its name "2008").

The only advantage of Parallels is when you want to run Windows and Mac at the same time. So if you want to do some gaming on Windows while editing a home movie on Mac (weird multi-tasking ), then Parallels would work. Yes, everyone, Parallels 3.0 (just announced, should be shipping in next few weeks) supports graphics! Notice my "gaming in Windows" thing ?

As for external speakers, if you're a music lover who has to have the perfect sound, get external speakers. The MacBook speakers are decent, but bass is really weak, as with most laptops.

 

I would also upgrade the ram from Newegg. You can also get it direct from Crucial for like $87 for a 2GB pair.

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=528FAB7CA5CA7304

 

cyclone, i've already selected 2gigs as standard on my on hold order


What about 200gigas HD?

 

Another question....



When the MB arrives i will have to make a partition and install bootC and winXP..any guides?

 

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION :


i have a US robotics router at home and use it to surf the net.

MAcOS X will recognize it? It is compatible? Particular drivers are needed?

 

BootCamp has a very user friendly step by step installation wizard which will help you partition your HD etc. So you do not need to worry about that.

And your Mac should connect to the router just fine.

 

ok thanks guys!

 

Apple's own instructions for Boot Camp are a good place to start:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

 

boot camp is pretty simple- not quite stupid proof, but simple just the same. the worst thing that could possibly happen is that you forget how to switch back to mac osx and get stuck in windows- also forgetting that you can look online for the answer.

hold down the option key while booting

 

will do for sure