What to do with Macbook?

I just got a 2 year old Core Duo Macbook from a friend at a very reasonable price. Being new to OS X, what are some interesting things I could use this computer for? Was maybe thinking about using it for graphic or web design

Specs:
2.0 ghz Core Duo
2gb
60gb 5400rpm
superdrive

Thanks in advance

 

Lots of people use MacBooks to do graphics work with Adobe Photoshop and other graphics utilities. For me, I use Bryce to create 3d landscapes and animations.

You could do a search on the Internet for free tools that are compatible with OSX. Daz3D offers Bryce v5.5 for free that you could use to get started.

You could use it for anything you wish. It's not locked down to doing graphics work only.

 

Considering it's the standard macbook, it shouldn't be too useful for 3D design. You'd need something with a dedicated graphics card.

Oh, I know! Install Ubuntu on it.

You could get Wine and run some simple Windows programs, check out that Garage Band program... maybe buy a TV tuner and a Wireless keyboard and use it as a cheap PVR? Set it up in the kitchen and use it as a recipe book? Get a skype account and use it as a phone?

It's a computer. Find a use for it and go nuts.

 

You can use it as an entry to OS X, really. This might lead your next big computer purchase to be a Mac! Use it to learn the different things about Mac OS X, and such. The MacBooks are good machines for Adobe Photoshop and other Adobe software, its powerful and portable so its easy to move around.

Web design on a Mac is great too, all the software out there is also available on Mac. The only real caveat, I'd say, is that Internet Explorer, still the most popular internet browser being used, is not available on Mac OS X. I believe there are some Firefox extensions that show you what that webpage would look like in IE though!

 

Right on! It's a personal computer in the end, much like what you'd do with a PC. They're general purpose.

 

The macbooks are underpowered. They're portable and stylish and OS X looks great, but at retail price you're paying more for less.

Still, if I got one cheap, I'd happily find a use for it.

It is a PC. Apple can't use 'Windows' in their ad campaigns, and Windows is so widespread that any personal computer is assumed to be Windows unless otherwise specified.

 

Well, the only real area the MacBook is lacking is dedicated graphics, which isn't used in most Adobe software. I do hope Apple ups the MacBook a bit, as now the MBA can cover the lower-powered 13.3-inch market area.

 

Well yes, but the understanding of PC meaning a standard computer other than a Mac is pretty much set now. Coined of course by their ads. I can't believe people still feel the need to point out "Macs are also PCs," as if we didn't know that. It just avoids confusion and gives us a short form for "every other computer brand out there."

 

The same way the media calls every MP3 player an iPod .

"Don't wear your iPod in a lightning storm"

"Wearing iPods cause hearing problems"

 

Actually I was thinking of installing Ubuntu on it. Ubuntu is currently dual booted with Vista on my Thinkpad so having another computer dedicated to Linux/OS X would be great.

Also, my parents were thinking of getting a DVR so I might donate it to them

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I know it is technically a PC just like every other computer but I was just curious what to play around with in OS X just out of curiosity. Are there any decent free web design programs? I can't justify the need in buying Photoshop and Dreamweaver right now

 

I would get a faster spinning HDD

 

use it to enhance whatever you are currently interested in, or to find new interest, and then enhance them. that is generally what computers are for.

giving a Mac to someone that is relatively new to computers is a pretty fantastic experience, for most people, it is such a intuitive and easy to use system it continues to motivate them to learn more and more and do much more with their computer, it is just a more inviting setup for new users, and because of that it motivates people to do more with them.

like you mentioned, hooking up a friend or family member is always a good option if possible, I can almost promise you will get quite a bit of satisfaction out of that.

if you don't currently have a mac or are new to the OS, I recommend diving in and learning it yourself.

 

iWeb comes free with it... however I have never used it so I can't comment on if it's good or not.

 

I used iWeb, and it's pretty good for basic websites. Some of the templates it has are cool. Just don't expect to make uber-awesome sites with animations.

 

would something like bryce or CS3 run on a macbook with 2.4ghz and 2gb of ram well? or should i up the ram before i start playing around with it?

 

Bryce and CS3 will work fine on the MB with 2 GB of memory. It's only when your scene's start getting larger and larger that you'll find 4 GB worth while. Both app's are CPU-intensive.

If you get CS4 then having a system with a dedicated graphics card will make a world of a difference as that version uses the GPU. The MB doesn't have a dedicated graphics card option, but the MBP does.

 

I wont have any need for CS4 for a while, and when i do i should have my new desktop running so it should all work out

 

Sell it and buy a dell with the same specs and then use the leftover money to, oh i don't know, buy a jag?

 

I got it cheaper than a similar new Dell

 

That's right I forgot you purchased it from a friend. Oh well, the point I was trying to make in case no one could detect it through my masterful use of subtlety in my previous post was that macs when purchased through retail, while they are very hip and automatically make the owner more cultured because they have one, are grossly overpriced compared to similar performing competitors' notebooks.

 

Overpriced is subjective, I think expensive is the better word. Expensive means its costs a lot, overpriced would mean it costs a lot without reason. I find the integration of hardware and software, the overall Mac experience to be worth the extra cost, so it is expensive no doubt, but not overpriced.

 

I'm not entirely sure all the apple products are overpriced.

Wouldnt an XPS m1330 with an upgrade to the 2.4 ghz processor cost only a little bit less than the Macbook and you also get the added benefit of apple promotions

 

Could not have said it better myself.

 

Here the point comes to a standstill because I can't explain the personal utility of a mac despite what I think it should be just as I can't explain why solid gold toilet seats or $500 t-shirts exist.