I am the Apple Campus Rep. Ask any questions about getting an Apple here. - Page 10

ifeellow · 07-03-2006, 09:18 PM

also..
I am surely gettin a macbook..either a pro or a normal one is the choice i have to make..the main concern is ofcourse the prices..wats the main diffeence between macbook and the pro..is it graphics..or also speed and other factors come into play....how would u compare a mac book to a lenovo ibm thinkpad..even they are wonderful.and they in their wireless they have all three..802.11a,b and g ..so wont an apple airport card be useless at some hotspots???

JohnnyK · 07-03-2006, 10:14 PM

It supports 802.11b and g, but not a (actually it physically supports a, but Apple has disabled a via software. There are some hacks around that will re-enable a).

Every hotspot will support 802.11b as it is by far the most common. I don't think there is such a thing as an 802.11a router that wouldnt also have compatility with b if not g as well.

Wharton4DrugsLOL · 07-03-2006, 11:58 PM

hey i got a question how come macs suck so much? and how come in the commercials they make pc users look all sucky but the mac users are all cool and emo and have starred in unsuccessful films????
it make me want to write a virus for mac just to show mac users that da only reason dey dont have viruses is becuz they are insignificant in relation to da entire computer population
viruses are liek complements to bill gates

ifeellow · 07-04-2006, 01:47 AM

how about a lenovo think pad...its a very competetive machine

JohnnyK · 07-04-2006, 01:56 AM

Wharton4drugs, allow me to introduce the latest innovation in the English language: the "th" sound.

Of course, "th" is the easy part. Learning how to not be an idiot could prove to be a bit more challenging.

ifeellow, while ThinkPads are swell (as far as Windows boxes go), they are not the topic of the forum, that being "Ask any questions about getting an Apple here."

Wharton4DrugsLOL · 07-04-2006, 03:20 PM

you avoided my whole post but ok wutevz

miishuu · 07-04-2006, 10:59 PM

since johhnyk wont take this one, the thinkpads a beast, im using one at the moment. its cheaper and the hardwares around the same or better, depending on model. its not the prettiest thing, but its a computer, not a purse. plus, its not a mac.

M_Quentin · 07-09-2006, 09:54 PM

Does the Macbook come with word processor that's compatible with Windows (without bootcamp)? Also, do I need to buy the Office software in order to get word processor?

Thanks

JohnnyK · 07-09-2006, 10:48 PM

When it comes to Word Processors, you will find you have more choices than you know what to do with!

There are free office suites available for the Mac that are compatible with MS Word (such as NeoOffice and ThinkFree). So no, you don't NEED to buy the MS Office software in order to get a word processor.

Also, included with every Mac is a 30 day trial of MS Office 2004 (which of course is compatible with itself :P) and a 30 day trial of Apple's own iWork '06 (which can open and save MS Word files).

If you want to buy them, Apple's iWork is $39.99 and MS Office 2004 is $99.99 (gotta love student discounts).

M_Quentin · 07-15-2006, 11:01 AM

Thanks--I've got some more questions, too.

How does one go about getting the free office suites? Also, do these programs have similar features as MSWord (ie, translator, thesaurus)

Also, since I'm computer-inept, "CD-R/W" means that the macbooks can burn CDs, right?

MichaelJ · 07-15-2006, 12:32 PM

spend the 100 bucks on office, it's a great price and a great piece of software you will use for years.

JohnnyK · 07-17-2006, 08:13 PM

Mac OS has built-in dictionary, thesaurus, and translator (it's a Dashboard Widget).

For conventional software items like NeoOffice and StarOffice, you can go to their websites and just download the suites.

Thinkfree, however, is unique in that there is no downloading or even installation. It is simply a website that you go to that has full word-processing capabilities thanks to the magic of AJAX web technology.

But yeah, when you've got a chance to buy Officee for $99, just do it. It's handy to have. At least $39 on iWork, perhaps?

JohnnyK · 07-17-2006, 08:14 PM

Oh and yes, CD-RW means it can burn a CD :P

In Apple lingo, a Combo drive can burn CDs and play DVDs, and a SuperDrive can burn CDs and DVDs

so save me · 08-03-2006, 05:56 PM

are there any advantages/disadvantages in getting the desktop iMac instead of the macbook? besides the obvious ones like price and size

JohnnyK · 08-04-2006, 03:16 AM

A desktop is harder to steal (but you should have a security cable for any laptop and then you'll be fine).

The real advantage of a MacBook over an iMac is that you can take the MacBook with you. You can sit almost anywhere on campus (be it an au bon pain or the College Green) and surf the web.

You can take it to your buddy's room to work together on a project.

You can bring it to class and take notes on it. Typing is faster than handwriting. And notes saved as word documents instead of paper are better because you can back them up, and use Apple's Spotlight technology to find a certain topic in any of your notes. Let's say I wanted to find every mention of FDR. It will search all my notes from all my classes (sometimes allowing me to find unique knowledge that will create the illusion I did outside research ;-))

Basically, a MacBook can do so much more for you then a computer stuck to your desk ever could.