New 15.4" MacBook Pro Questions

Hey everyone,

I've wanting a laptop for almost 5 months now and I simply am having problems choosing between the 15" MBP, Sony Z, and Dell M4400. I am extremely indecisive and I want to make the good decision. I like to have portability, power, and a decent looking laptop.

I'm really leaning towards the 15" MacBook Pro because it fits almost everything what I want in a laptop BUT I simply cannot fathom starring a glossy screen for the next few years. For everyone who has a MacBook Pro, how is the glossy screen? I know I won't be using the laptop outside in the sun, but I could be in a sunny kitchen or living room and I do not want to strain my eyes with glare and reflection. Can anyone make me feel better about this glossy screen?

Also, I plan to use Windows Vista 90% of the time.
Does anyone know if the new right click button is supported with Vista?
Any other problems from using Vista as my primary OS on the MBP?
Do I have to logout to switch graphics mode in Windows... or is that just for OSX?
Is there still an issue with the laptop acting funny with maxing out the ram at 4GB?

Should I just get the Sony Z instead? lol.

Thanks everyone.

 

If you plan on using Vista 90% of the time, you'd be better off with a regular PC. The MBP does look slick, and it's light, aluminum and all that, but really, OS X is just the bomb. And if you're not planning on using it, you'd be better off with a Sony or something.

As for your other questions, the right click is indeed supported in Vista, either by tapping/clicking with two fingers on the trackpad or plugging in an external mouse.

You won't have to log out to switch graphics because the 9400M (integrated) chip is not supported. Only the dedicated 9600M GT.

That being said, the battery life in Vista will not be great. More like awful. You'll get a couple of hours max, with wifi on.

There is no issues with 4GB RAM.

Good luck

 

Thanks for your reply. Are you sure about that though? The Sony Z has a 9300M and it supports on-the-fly graphic switching in Windows.

 

Yeah, I'm sure. Apple (or nVidia) didn't provide support for the 9400M in Windows.

 

Lol when I had my Unibody it took 3 fingers to do a right click.

 

Yeah, that's how I got confused the first time I installed Windows.

Because what you do is this: put two fingers on the track pad and use a third one to click. But because the whole trackpad clicks it's enough to just push those two initial fingers down and there you have it > right click.

 

in my case, i just pressed the trackpad with my 3 fingers...i think apple released new drivers for windows...now i can right click with my 2 fingers....just like in os x

 

Huh?? So it's not a single one finger button right click on the new MBP?

 

There's only one big click, the whole trackpad. The difference is with how many fingers you click it, for the different results you want.

 

pressing the trackpad results in click on the new macbook pros

 

Point blank, if you plan on using Vista 90% of the time, there is no point to getting a Mac. The whole concept, premium, and idea to get a Mac is to use OSX. Using Vista on a Mac hasn't been the best experience for a lot of users, at least on forums. Overheating and other random software issues seem to be the main problems. Most people just have Windows there to switch when in need to use software for Windows.

I'm on the same fence as you, just different laptops. The Macbook Pro 17 Alu or the Dell XPS 16. I'm on the fence of rather OSX will be worth it. Windows is still an industry standard, and Windows 7 seems to have everything together.

And as we can relate, I'm extremely indecisive and picky.

 

I am a new first time MB user (former Sony Carbon Fiber Laptop user). The MB is by far the best computer I have ever used. OSX is so much better, it is so much more enjoyable to work with, I know I sound like a fan boy, I am not, but it really is a much better experience... I believe window 7 will be much better, but I don't think it will catch up to OSX experience, I would be very surrprised.

I need the smaller screen for travel, especially planes. So, that is why I went withe the MB over the MBP. I also bought 24" LED, which is great and in addition acts as 'dock' for the MP, but I have no complaints about the MB screen, I think it is outstanding, the gloss issues sited are over blown. If you can get to an Apple store, go and see it for yourself.

I wouldn't hesitate and go buy the MBP. The only reason I wouldn't is if you truly need to run vista 90% of the time.

 

Can anyone tell me about the glossy screen on the new MBP.. Do you notice any glare or reflections in rooms with normal lighting, etc?

 

If I sit in front of my window with the sun shining in, yes there is glare...but no more than any other laptop I've used.

If I sit in a chair with a lamp on, there is little to no glare.

Caveat...I only use my laptop at home so I can't speak to bright overhead flourescent lights...

 

I'm sorry, but I can't talk you down; it's really glossy. You'll probably find it quite annoying in a sunny kitchen. Or living room.