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#310801 - 01/06/2008 00:09 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: drakino]
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
Quote:
With the office stuff, the $79 for iWork was worth it to me, but probably the limit of what I would pay for such apps.

That's just the thing, I don't really want to pay anything for it, given the amount of use I'll get out of it. That's not Apple's fault, but if there's free software out there as an alternative, I'll use it.

I'm going to wait for OpenOffice to release its Mac version. Frankly, I got along fine for a few years without needing an office suite at all (and some of those were during college). I would just use whatever free word processor was popular at the time and call it a day. Lately for the very limited times I still need an office suite, OpenOffice is far more than I need.

*edit*
I was going to mention a third option, which was to find a friend or family member with a student email address, and spend $59 on Office 2007 Ultimate. Unfortunately that offer has ended. Shoot.
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Matt

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#310802 - 01/06/2008 00:14 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: Dignan]
petteri
addict

Registered: 02/08/2004
Posts: 434
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
Is there a reason you don't just download NeoOffice?

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#310804 - 01/06/2008 10:54 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: petteri]
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
Originally Posted By: petteri
Is there a reason you don't just download NeoOffice?

Because I don't have a Mac just yet, and they might have Openoffice by the time I do. I'll give that one a try, though, if it can read files made in Openoffice.

I don't want to make too big a deal out of most of these points, though. The fact is I want a Mac, I'm going to run Windows on it for a few things, and I know that I'm going to love it. The only things in my way now are lack of support for my disc printers (small issue), and money (huge issue) smile
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Matt

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#310805 - 01/06/2008 10:57 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: Dignan]
tman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
VMware Fusion seems to have the ability to connect USB printers to the VM. I guess you could do it that way?

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#310809 - 01/06/2008 11:37 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: Dignan]
petteri
addict

Registered: 02/08/2004
Posts: 434
Loc: Helsinki, Finland
Originally Posted By: Dignan
Originally Posted By: petteri
Is there a reason you don't just download NeoOffice?

Because I don't have a Mac just yet,


Yea, I forgot about that small detail! blush

NeoOffice is basically OpenOffice. Same thing in essence. I don't know the 'politics' of it but for some reason there is some bickering among the developers that started with the decision for OpenOffice to make a OSX version rather than just let NeoOffice continue to be the sole port of it.

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#310811 - 01/06/2008 11:43 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: Dignan]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14472
Loc: Canada
Originally Posted By: Dignan
I'm going to wait for OpenOffice to release its Mac version.


I believe they already have.

Cheers

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#310832 - 01/06/2008 22:57 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: mlord]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Well, it requires that you run it under X11. It works, but it's just not very Mac-y. NeoOffice just works better. And yeah, it did used to be a dog, but I've had no problems in recent years.
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Bitt Faulk

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#310834 - 01/06/2008 23:44 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: hybrid8]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Originally Posted By: hybrid8
Originally Posted By: Dignan
PSP 5.1 - For some reason, I simply love version 5.1 of Paint Shop Pro.


Pixelmator - there are a few other compositing/retouching applications available that also get high marks. Seems like all of the good ones came out in the last 6 months.

Pixelmator looks nice, but given that I do about 30 minutes of photo editing work every month, at most, $60 is just too much. I'm not saying it's not worth it; I'm just saying it's not worth it to me.

Others I have run across (but have yet to try) are Acorn, Iris, Pixen, Seashore, Naked Light, Chocoflop.
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Bitt Faulk

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#310863 - 03/06/2008 00:09 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: wfaulk]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
Originally Posted By: wfaulk
Originally Posted By: hybrid8
Originally Posted By: Dignan
PSP 5.1 - For some reason, I simply love version 5.1 of Paint Shop Pro.


Pixelmator - there are a few other compositing/retouching applications available that also get high marks. Seems like all of the good ones came out in the last 6 months.

Pixelmator looks nice, but given that I do about 30 minutes of photo editing work every month, at most, $60 is just too much. I'm not saying it's not worth it; I'm just saying it's not worth it to me.

Others I have run across (but have yet to try) are Acorn, Iris, Pixen, Seashore, Naked Light, Chocoflop.


I've used Seashore, and it's not worth the price ($0). It's like using the GIMP without having any real features.
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Dave

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#313780 - 09/09/2008 01:55 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: webroach]
burdell1
old hand

Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
OK...a former co-worker of mine has a MacBook Pro he is selling. It is 2.2 ghz, 120gb hard drive, 2 gb ram. It is about a year old and in good condition. He wants $1250 for it. Is that a good price?

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#313807 - 09/09/2008 10:27 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: burdell1]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
There are similar machines in past ebay auctions that went for more.
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Matt

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#313826 - 09/09/2008 14:04 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: burdell1]
matthew_k
pooh-bah

Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 2298
Loc: Berkeley, California
The apple store is down, but you should be able to pick up a refurbished MBP for not much more than that. I've never heard a single complaint about Apple refurbs, and they sell a lot of them.

It's not an inherently bad deal though, the last revision of macbook pros (penryn) were generally considered to perform about the same as the previous revision (santa rosa). Penryn has been around for ~190 days, which is about average. You'd be missing out on a graphics card update, and maybe some battery life.

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#314077 - 15/09/2008 10:33 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: matthew_k]
ShadowMan
addict

Registered: 09/06/1999
Posts: 558
Loc: Newfoundland, Canada
Originally Posted By: matthew_k
The apple store is down, but you should be able to pick up a refurbished MBP for not much more than that. I've never heard a single complaint about Apple refurbs, and they sell a lot of them.


Complaint time. Out of two MacBook refurbs I know of, both had issues. The one I bought for my wife had to be returned for a replacement keyboard. Apple didn't cover my shipping costs whatsoever even though the machine arrived like that and the problem was phoned into their technical support within 10 minutes of me siging the waybill. The closest service center is a six hour drive from here.

The second one belongs to my sister-in-law and has trouble with the screen. It flashes between bright and dim (ie brightness level when plugged in and brightness level when on battery) at random times. Sometime it will do it for a few seconds, other times it will do it for a few minutes.

She also had a Refurb 2nd gen Nano that would repeatedly lock up.

Rene
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30 gig RioCar SN: 30103114
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#314082 - 15/09/2008 10:48 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: ShadowMan]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14472
Loc: Canada
"Refurb" used to mean "refurbished", as in polished up and cleaned, consumables replaced, bearings/hinges lubed or replaced, etc..

Now it simply means "used", or "rejected by first owner". Often for a good reason, but sometimes just on a whim.

Cheers

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#315551 - 25/10/2008 21:11 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: mlord]
burdell1
old hand

Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
Ok...now i have a dilemma. I was all set to buy a used MacBook pro (2.2ghz 120gb ram 15" screen) from a former co-worker of mine for about $1250 (he bought his in Nov. 2007) before they came out with the new MacBook Pros. Then when they did come out with the new ones, the prices dropped greatly and I told him this and got him to drop it down to $1000. However, now at my work i can order a newer version (has multi-touch 2.4 200gb hard drive - but not the ones that just came out recently - for $1299 (plus tax.) Which do you think I should get? I have the $1000 saved up, but wasn't sure if it was worth it to pay a few hundred bucks for a bigger hard drive. However, it would be a brand new battery on that one.....what would you recommend?

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#315554 - 26/10/2008 00:05 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: burdell1]
tman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
Save up and buy the new one. You'll get a warranty, new battery and bigger HD.

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#316735 - 28/11/2008 01:35 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: wfaulk]
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
Originally Posted By: wfaulk
I don't believe that either uTorrent or Picasa is available for Mac. If you know otherwise, I'd be interested.

Just to notify folks, it looks like uTorrent is available for Mac now. Great news! This program is just fantastic.
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Matt

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#316736 - 28/11/2008 04:53 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: Dignan]
Schido
enthusiast

Registered: 29/03/2005
Posts: 364
Loc: Probably lost somewhere in Wal...
Actually i use utorrent on windows and http://www.transmissionbt.com/ on mac, and i like transmission so much that i would like a version of it for windows.
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#317798 - 06/01/2009 01:24 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: wfaulk]
drakino
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
Picasa for the Mac.

I'll give it a shot when I get back from vacation to see if it has anything to pull me away from iPhoto.

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#317803 - 06/01/2009 01:54 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: drakino]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Sweet.
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Bitt Faulk

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#317806 - 06/01/2009 02:00 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: drakino]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
Originally Posted By: drakino
Picasa for the Mac.

I'll give it a shot when I get back from vacation to see if it has anything to pull me away from iPhoto.


I think the best thing about Picasa for windows is the screen saver. I can add anyone's web albums to it and it will show their photos in the screen saver slide show. I have my friends added to it so I can see all the new photos they add to their web albums. I also really like the picasa web albums. I pretty much just use Picasa to upload stuff and fix red eye.
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Matt

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#317827 - 06/01/2009 14:42 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: msaeger]
DWallach
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/04/2000
Posts: 3810
Been running Picasa/Mac for a while now. It scanned my whole library quickly. I got it to crash by randomly clicking on things while it was importing, but it's been generally quite stable.

It recognized the Picasa.ini files laying around from before I switched to a Mac and did the right thing, although it apparently writes out new metadata as ".picasa.ini" (note the leading period) which means it's slightly annoying to go back and forth from a PC to a Mac using the same filesystem.

About the only annoyance is that it doesn't know exactly what to do with the "Originals" subdirectory made by Picasa/Win to save originals when you make some changes like red-eye reduction. Picasa/Mac just shows you the Originals directory. It doesn't figure out that it shouldn't show that.

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#317860 - 07/01/2009 02:04 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: drakino]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Picasa Mac installed a GoogleUpdater service without (apparently) telling me about it.

Bad form, Google.
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Bitt Faulk

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#317861 - 07/01/2009 02:07 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: wfaulk]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
And when I put iTunes on my PC, it installed an Apple updater service without telling me about it. What's your point? smile
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Tony Fabris

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#317868 - 07/01/2009 04:04 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: tfabris]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
Originally Posted By: tfabris
And when I put iTunes on my PC, it installed an Apple updater service without telling me about it. What's your point? smile


That's Apple conforming to the status-quo of Windows software installs. Mac software installs aren't supposed to put crap all over your drive and hidden items unless it's Adobe's software. wink

Seems like iPhoto 09 gives a new reason to try iPhoto again. If they've managed to get rid of everything that sucked about iPhoto previously (essentially everything that was in the whole program) they might have a winner. To be fair, what sucked the most was the management aspects. Which seems to be what Picasa seems to handle better.

I'll be giving it a quick look to see if it adds any benefits for me. I'm already using Lightroom as my primary management app.
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Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

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#317887 - 07/01/2009 13:13 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: hybrid8]
burdell1
old hand

Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
One of the many problems with iPhoto is that it doesn't scan folders for new pictures and have it automatically add it to iPhoto. I have been trying to find a plug-in that someone might have made that would do that, but I have had no luck finding one.


Edited by burdell1 (07/01/2009 14:32)

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#317891 - 07/01/2009 14:25 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: burdell1]
DWallach
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/04/2000
Posts: 3810
Quote:
One of the many problems with Picasa is that it doesn't scan folders for new pictures


Picasa does this quite well. Under Tools -> Folder Manager, you can tell it where to look, and it's actually pretty good about picking up on new images within seconds of their being written. Picasa tries to pay attention to your load average, so it will (sometimes) delay scanning new pictures if your computer is busy doing something else.

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#317893 - 07/01/2009 14:33 Re: Which Apple computer should i buy? [Re: DWallach]
burdell1
old hand

Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 931
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
sorry...had Picasa on the brain...i actually meant iPhoto doesn't scan new photos....

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