WhereTheHellIsJames?
Explorer
spressomon said:
Yep. Sure is.
Need Mac Advice: Help Scotty to the dark side...
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
Yep. Sure is.
WhereTheHellIsJames?
Explorer
Close, but more like this:expeditionswest said:Trucks=White
Computers and Ipods and Flat Screens=Black
Got it
Trucks= White
iPods and Flat Screens= Black
Computers= Brushed Aluminum
(hey, at leat they're not chrome!)
And seriously- Don't get the glossy screen!
:26_7_2:
Last edited:
RobinP
Observer
Scott, what are you going to run for GPS software, if any? I thought I read somewhere back there that you had been won over by OziEx.
If so, you'll need to run a virtual windows install (Parrallels or VMware etc) or a dual boot. Who has experience running this with a GPS? Does it work?
Are you planning on using a USB GPS or bluetooth...?
And it looks like I'm the only one on this thread who isn't really impressed with how robust the macbooks or macpros are, particularly for expedition travel...but you're probably past that decision - I was going to purchase a mac since they are so much nicer to use, I just didn't like the flimsy feel.
If so, you'll need to run a virtual windows install (Parrallels or VMware etc) or a dual boot. Who has experience running this with a GPS? Does it work?
Are you planning on using a USB GPS or bluetooth...?
And it looks like I'm the only one on this thread who isn't really impressed with how robust the macbooks or macpros are, particularly for expedition travel...but you're probably past that decision - I was going to purchase a mac since they are so much nicer to use, I just didn't like the flimsy feel.
WhereTheHellIsJames?
Explorer
Dual boot is the way to go for a lot of the GPS software. Boot Camp is a great option. Instead of a virtual arena, it's Windows running natively after allocating and dedicating a portion of your hard drive.RobinP said:
Read more about it here and here. I've been successfully using it for over a year, and can vouch that the product works well. There are a few little quirks that make it weird, but 1 being low and 10 being high, I'd ve it at least an 8.5-9.
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
RobinP said:
I've personally known many a powerbook or now macbook that have traveled the world: war zones in Iraq, cross country on the back of a motorcycle, throughout Africa, weeks in the Gobi, through South America and have not known any of them to fail. Certainly there are going to be failures, but they are few and far between, and I have not seen one fail (knock on wood) unless it was user error (wine or similar liquid on the keyboard).
TeleScooby
Adventurer
For graphics intense work, the pro is probably the way to go. Get as much ram as you need from Crucial, the upgrade is almost too easy. I've been messing around with aperture on my Macbook and only had one problem, but I suspect that my WinXP VM in Parallels was actually to blame as it was acting up around then.
If you do need to run windows for some strange reason (mine is work related), I've had exactly 0 problems with the newest version of Parellels or my beta VMWare Fusion that's running Ubuntu. Boot camp is good, but it's a pain in the ***** to have to reboot everytime you need to switch.
as far as screen real estate, OSX 10.5 comes with a utility called Spaces. it's a workspace program that lets you set up 4 separate workspaces that can have whatever you need to keep separate separate. I start up and put photo stuff in one, general browsing, email, etc in another, and work stuff in a third...I love it 'cuz I don't get confused!
All of that said...I agree with whoever mentioned the Asus EeePC...I have one with a gps puck and absolutely love that little wonder! For quick stops at hotspots or looking up you current location you can't beat it! 15 second boot up, linux, and a really strong wifi sniffer and antenna...and a pricetag of $400...I mean come on!!!
If you do need to run windows for some strange reason (mine is work related), I've had exactly 0 problems with the newest version of Parellels or my beta VMWare Fusion that's running Ubuntu. Boot camp is good, but it's a pain in the ***** to have to reboot everytime you need to switch.
as far as screen real estate, OSX 10.5 comes with a utility called Spaces. it's a workspace program that lets you set up 4 separate workspaces that can have whatever you need to keep separate separate. I start up and put photo stuff in one, general browsing, email, etc in another, and work stuff in a third...I love it 'cuz I don't get confused!
All of that said...I agree with whoever mentioned the Asus EeePC...I have one with a gps puck and absolutely love that little wonder! For quick stops at hotspots or looking up you current location you can't beat it! 15 second boot up, linux, and a really strong wifi sniffer and antenna...and a pricetag of $400...I mean come on!!!
WhereTheHellIsJames?
Explorer
Parallels is okay, but I ran into some problems when using a virtual OS. Boot Camp can be a pain to switch back and forth, but realistically, how much switching between Mac OS and Windows does one really do on a regular basis?
The major problems that I ran into occured when I was using a graphic/resource intense program that is made for Windows only, and has no Mac equivelant. Programs such as ProE Wildfire, Catia, Solidworks, Rhino, Flamingo, and other CAD and NURBS modeling/graphic-rendering programs. I found that it did work just fine if I was using programs that did not require huge amounts of resources such as office products, etc. Come to think of it, I couldn't ever get Illustrator CS2 to ever work using Parallels- it'd always crash the virtual Windows OS when trying to save, and I'd end up losing all of the work. I've never tried it with CS3 though (I got that for Mac).
I'm sure that it (Parallels) works for many applications just fine, but like I said, I had little luck when using resource intensive programs, and find that I only on rare occasion switch between Mac OS and Windows. I really like that when using Boot Camp the hard drive is actually partitioned to run the seperate OS's as seperate partitions, instead of both OS's relying on a single partitioned hard drive running the Windows OS virtually through the Mac OS. It saves resources when running Windows, and if a virus/worm/bug were to occur, it cannot infect both OS's (since they are located on different hard drive partitions and do not rely on each other like Parallels does)... it'd only affect the partition that is dedicated to Windows OS!
There are good reasons for going with both options, and running a simple SWOT anaysis for both options will tell you the best option for you. However, running an OS natively through routes such as Boot Camp (even if it is a little more time consuming to switch between them) is in just about any case the safest and most stable way to go.
Oh, and Scott.... welcome to the Dark Side! Once you go Mac, you never go back! :victory:
The major problems that I ran into occured when I was using a graphic/resource intense program that is made for Windows only, and has no Mac equivelant. Programs such as ProE Wildfire, Catia, Solidworks, Rhino, Flamingo, and other CAD and NURBS modeling/graphic-rendering programs. I found that it did work just fine if I was using programs that did not require huge amounts of resources such as office products, etc. Come to think of it, I couldn't ever get Illustrator CS2 to ever work using Parallels- it'd always crash the virtual Windows OS when trying to save, and I'd end up losing all of the work. I've never tried it with CS3 though (I got that for Mac).
I'm sure that it (Parallels) works for many applications just fine, but like I said, I had little luck when using resource intensive programs, and find that I only on rare occasion switch between Mac OS and Windows. I really like that when using Boot Camp the hard drive is actually partitioned to run the seperate OS's as seperate partitions, instead of both OS's relying on a single partitioned hard drive running the Windows OS virtually through the Mac OS. It saves resources when running Windows, and if a virus/worm/bug were to occur, it cannot infect both OS's (since they are located on different hard drive partitions and do not rely on each other like Parallels does)... it'd only affect the partition that is dedicated to Windows OS!
There are good reasons for going with both options, and running a simple SWOT anaysis for both options will tell you the best option for you. However, running an OS natively through routes such as Boot Camp (even if it is a little more time consuming to switch between them) is in just about any case the safest and most stable way to go.
Oh, and Scott.... welcome to the Dark Side! Once you go Mac, you never go back! :victory:
Last edited:
alvarorb
Adventurer
Scott,
Hello there.
What do you plan to do with this new computer?
This is very important. For example, a faster graphics card is only useful if the apps that you plan to run take advantage of the Quartz engine and require the extra speed.
Memory (RAM) is always good. Since I installed 3GB on my MacBook Pro, from 2GB, the machine performs a lot better. I recommend this if you plan to run Parallels or Fusion. According to MacWorld Labs, Parallels is more compatible, Fusion is faster (mimics multiple processors).
Remember, when buying a computer always think about the task you'll do today with it. Do not plan for the future. In the future you'll get another computer to address those tasks (and it will be cheaper/more powerful).
Regards
Alvaro
Hello there.
What do you plan to do with this new computer?
This is very important. For example, a faster graphics card is only useful if the apps that you plan to run take advantage of the Quartz engine and require the extra speed.
Memory (RAM) is always good. Since I installed 3GB on my MacBook Pro, from 2GB, the machine performs a lot better. I recommend this if you plan to run Parallels or Fusion. According to MacWorld Labs, Parallels is more compatible, Fusion is faster (mimics multiple processors).
Remember, when buying a computer always think about the task you'll do today with it. Do not plan for the future. In the future you'll get another computer to address those tasks (and it will be cheaper/more powerful).
Regards
Alvaro
Scott Brady
Founder
alvarorb said:
Hey Alvaro,
Thanks so much for the suggestions.
Principally, we will be using the machine for word processing and image storage / manipulation, along with web work and email
However, while we are traveling in SA, Stephanie will need to do some design work, which will require CS3 to run efficiently.
On our big iMac, Aperture really seems to be a resource hog, so my expectation would be for the laptop to run that well.
alvarorb
Adventurer
Scott,
I'm running a MBP 2.0 with 3GB of RAM. I run a mix of iPhoto and Aperture to work on my pics. Aperture is great for adjusting colors, but it's hard to beat iPhoto's library functions.
In your case I'd go for a MacBook Pro because of the screen size. Apperture can always use a larger monitor.
How soon do you need your new computer?
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/01/07/penryn_notebook_chips_offer_marginal_battery_and_speed_boosts.html
Regards
Alvaro
I'm running a MBP 2.0 with 3GB of RAM. I run a mix of iPhoto and Aperture to work on my pics. Aperture is great for adjusting colors, but it's hard to beat iPhoto's library functions.
In your case I'd go for a MacBook Pro because of the screen size. Apperture can always use a larger monitor.
How soon do you need your new computer?
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/01/07/penryn_notebook_chips_offer_marginal_battery_and_speed_boosts.html
Regards
Alvaro
expeditionswest said:
WhereTheHellIsJames?
Explorer
That's the right idea- excellent advice.alvarorb said:
The Pro is a better machine than the standard MacBook... I don't think that anyone would argue that. The decision on which to buy though, should really come down to your use of the machine.
I like Alvarorb's suggestion of the Pro with upgraded RAM for what you've described, although I believe that 2Ghz RAM would work fine for your application as well. The large screen size will come in handy when manipulating photographs, but also has the downside of being a larger piece to travel with. I have travelled extensively through N.& S. America with my Pro, and have found the size to be only a minor inconvenience, one that is easily justified by the notebooks performance.
A typical carryon for me holds my Pro, several pieces of Nikon glass, two bodies, some clothes, and a host of other goodies, and I have found the Pro to be a durable and reliable machine for travel. The CS3 suite runs well, but I have not tried aperature. Alvarorb is right about iPhoto's library too- it's really hard to beat.
Good luck with the purchasse Scott, let us know what you end up going with.
Last edited:
Scott Brady
Founder
Oh SNAP!
Order Details
MBP 15/2.2 CTO
With the following configuration:
Processor 065-7017 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 065-7020 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
Hard Drive 065-7445 200GB 7200RPM HDD
Optical Drive 065-7025 SuperDrive 8x
Display 065-7037 15" Widescreen Display
Modem 065-7026 No Modem
Apple Software - iWork 065-7672 No iWork Preinstalled
Apple Software - Final Cut Exp 065-7674 No Final Cut Exp Preinstalled
Apple Software - Aperture 065-7673 No Aperture Preinstalled
Apple Software - Logic Express 065-7675 No Logic Exp Preinstalled
Keyboard/Mac OS Language 065-7033 BkLit Keyboard/Mac OS
Country Kit/AEX 065-7036 Country Kit
Ships by:
Jan 22 - Jan 24
Delivers by:
Jan 24 - Jan 30
I am actually feeling a little paranoid about the switch, as I have been a technologist for a decade, and PCs have been my tool. I just hope the .pst email transfer works as promised, as that is my biggest concern.
Should be a beautiful machine though, and will allow Stephanie and I to both accomplish work from the field.
I will most likely buy a cheap (used) MacBook for word processing and email work for the trip too. It is highly likely that Stephanie will be doing design work and I will need to be writing at the same time.
The last Overland Journal holdout has come to the dark side
Order Details
MBP 15/2.2 CTO
With the following configuration:
Processor 065-7017 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 065-7020 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
Hard Drive 065-7445 200GB 7200RPM HDD
Optical Drive 065-7025 SuperDrive 8x
Display 065-7037 15" Widescreen Display
Modem 065-7026 No Modem
Apple Software - iWork 065-7672 No iWork Preinstalled
Apple Software - Final Cut Exp 065-7674 No Final Cut Exp Preinstalled
Apple Software - Aperture 065-7673 No Aperture Preinstalled
Apple Software - Logic Express 065-7675 No Logic Exp Preinstalled
Keyboard/Mac OS Language 065-7033 BkLit Keyboard/Mac OS
Country Kit/AEX 065-7036 Country Kit
Ships by:
Jan 22 - Jan 24
Delivers by:
Jan 24 - Jan 30
I am actually feeling a little paranoid about the switch, as I have been a technologist for a decade, and PCs have been my tool. I just hope the .pst email transfer works as promised, as that is my biggest concern.
Should be a beautiful machine though, and will allow Stephanie and I to both accomplish work from the field.
I will most likely buy a cheap (used) MacBook for word processing and email work for the trip too. It is highly likely that Stephanie will be doing design work and I will need to be writing at the same time.
The last Overland Journal holdout has come to the dark side
Andrew Walcker
Mod Emeritus
Looks nice Scott, as soon as Mac supports Autodesk/Autocad I'll think about making the jump. Than again we engineers are so archaic that I still run hydrology/hydraulic calcs in DOS!!!:yikes:
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
I'm not really too much into computers, but I've always used UNIX (even if most of our tools are now run on Linux farms with Reflection desktops, worst of all worlds IMO). Anyway, I predict you'll be happy with OS X when you install Apple's X11 and Xcode because it will allow you do really exploit the full capability of your machine. From a fellow Cult of Steve Jobs iMac user, happy computing!expeditionswest said: