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In Reply to: I use a MAC PowerBook running XP posted by Gordon Rankin on November 7, 2006 at 06:56:39:
Wow, now there's a creative solution. Gordon, you took my ill-formed ideas about a "laptop of the future" and presented a consolidated answer to most of my problems. I guess that's why you're the guru....and I'm not.A couple of follow-up questions (though anyone should feel free to answer):
1. In that MacBook scenario, can I run *both* the Apple O/S and XP? If so, what is the minimum hard drive I should consider? MacBooks seem to come with 60GB, but 80GB is not much more.
2. Is 512MB really enough on the MacBooks? Should I opt for 1GB...especially if I'm going to run the piggy O/S known as Windows?
3. IS there an additional cost to purchase Windows XP on the MacBook? Or does BootCamp provide XP as part of the package pricing for the MacBook itself?
4. Gordon (specifically), do you like the Optical out on the MacBooks? From what I've heard/read, they're the only ones who seem to have implemented it reasonable well in a laptop configuration. I was wondering if you found it more or less effective than using a USB-out for your DAC implementations.
5. Are there any other caveats I would need to know to move over to this combo Mac/PC environment? I must say that flexibility might even be worth the few hundred dollar premium.....
Follow Ups:
Gang,Yes the new Core Duo 2's are out now.
As for memory... this is what I found. Buy the cheap MAC then do this. It took me less than 20 minutes:
1) On ebay buy 2 1GB memory strips, I think I paid like $100
2) On eBay buy a 120gb or a 160gb SATA 2.5" driveOk power up the unit to make sure it works. Then before doing any install press the power button until it shuts down.
remove the power plug and battery. You can then get to the L bracket holding the drive and the memory in. Popem out and put in the new the same way.
YA done.... it runs much better with 2GB of memory.
On a related note: is it just as easy to replace memory on an iMac? And do they use the same memory strips? What I might do is buy a MacBook (the new ones have 1GB standard), purchase 2GB on eBay, put the 2GB into the MacBook and use the 1GB (probably 2 512MB strips) from the MacBook and install them into another iMac that I have.I would be much obliged if anyone could tell me if this is possible....
OK, I'll confess that this left me a little confused. Some questions:1. These are instructions for adding more memory and a bigger hard drive for the *MacBook*, correct?
2. I take it that the Mac Book has two avavilable memory slots?
3. When you talked about adding a bigger hard drive, is this *in place of* or *in addition to* the existing system drive? I can understand *in addition to*, but you can't sub out the exsiting system disc without the replacement disc having the OS installed.
Thanks for clarifying these issues,
David,Yes these are upgrades to the basic system that comes in with 512M and 60gb.
It is in place of for both memory and disk.
The memory for best results should be the same type for each slot. Otherwise the memory controller will resort to fussing because of being unbalanced.
I just put the 60dB sata in one of those $39 enclosures and used it for back up.
Memory I got gobs of sims right now.
Thanks
Gordon
J. Gordon Rankin
dburna -Get as much RAM as you can afford. More is more, and RAM remains the key to maximizing the performance of any computer. Plus one of the real joys of OS X is that you can keep as many apps open all the time as you like to use - with the exception of a few very memory intensive things like PShop, Aperture etc - in which case you want as much RAM as you can get anyhow. Once you get the Mac you might want to use the free browser, mail, calendar, address book, all the iLife products etc etc
1Gb has to be considered a bare minimum - running both OSes I would opt for at least 2Gb
Hard drive is a bit different with many more variables to consider like how much of the time you will be on AC vs off the grid, how much you really want/need to store and carry around, what other gear you have, back-up plans etc. In assessing your needs allocate 5-10Gb to systems and applications - in that light, 80Gb is a goodly amount of storage - if you spend a little time to manage it - like moving things off the laptop when you do back-ups etc
At any rate drives get cheaper every day and are easy to replace assuming you keep the boot disk LOL
BTW I have had very good results with the Toslink out of my G5 tower, though that is a full size connector and I used a top of the line cable. Audioengr knows whereof he speaks and has done extensive testing but worst simply means that of the available choices, not awful...
A newer version of the MacBook is scheduled to come out before the holiday season. The Pro has already been updated 2 weeks ago to the new Intel 2 Duo processors (note the added 2 inbetween). The newer processors are supposed to be 30% faster than the original Intel Duo.Also, judging from the Pro, the new Macbook might come with more memory and harddrive from the start. I have been waiting for a month for these to come...my small Powerbook G4 is dying (spilled Coke on it :(
Here is some info on the new Macbooks:
Be aware - once you switch to Apple....
Rene
Die gefährlichste Weltanschauung ist die Weltanschauung derjenigen, die die Welt nicht angeschaut haben.
Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859)
Hmmmmm.....this is intriguing. I'm even starting to think that perhaps I don't need a laptop and can get by with a desktop iMac unit. It looks like these already have the new Core 2 Duo processors and I could get more memory and disk drive standard.Something to think about....
Take a look at the Apple website:The $1299 model sports the new Intel 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory and the 80GB harddrive standard. Upgrading to 2GB of memory is "only" $175 more.
Am I glad I did not buy the older version of the Macbook last month.I guess I will be placing an order soon :)
Rene
Die gefährlichste Weltanschauung ist die Weltanschauung derjenigen, die die Welt nicht angeschaut haben.
Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859)
The price on the new Macbook should be quite competitive even with the new iMac. Also, the MacBook makes for a very nice "remote", making access to music files more convenient.Both are very nice machines though. I hope the Macbook comes out this week, though.
Rene
Die gefährlichste Weltanschauung ist die Weltanschauung derjenigen, die die Welt nicht angeschaut haben.
Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859)
some answers:You can purchase a Macbook with a 120 GB drive. I don't see any problem with installing a larger drive (I think you can get 160GB 2.5" drives now) or waiting until even larger sizes come out
About the memory, I just got a Macbook with 512MB and with OSX I think it is OK for doing simple things. With XP I would guess that 1GB or 2 would be much more enjoyable!
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