[jax]

hello:
just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to the boards. i figured it would be slightly more pleasant to have my first post not be like so many other first posts to a board (ie. a complaint/how to fix something, etc.). :-)

here's the brief story. i've been wanting and saving for a mac for years. as my 30th birthday began approaching (11/10) i started getting a lot of the "you're turning 30; you should do something really good for yourself" from friends and family. i started thinking about taking the plunge and began doing a bit of research (lurking on this board has been a great help). began hearing the rumors that apple was going to upgrade the powerbooks -- and the rumors became reality just a few days prior to my bday. it seemed like a sign from god to go for it and i'm about to go for it.

this powerbook is going to be my main computer. i work in graphics (textile) in a totally wintel shop using mainly coreldraw and some photoshop. i'd like to get into publishing (was an english major though you may not be able to tell by the way i post) and wrote a lot. i've also played and recorded music forever (analog) and for the past couple of years have been doing the dj thing (yes, w/ actual vinyl records!) but i'd like to start (at this late age)exploring the digital realms of these media.

all right...enough blabbering.

the only questions i have really now: i plan on buying the top of the line powerbook loaded w/ ram; applecare; and maybe the airport station. is there anything else i should look into buying right away that would be considered essential (hardware or software)?

-what does roxiotoast w/ jam offer that is not included with the bundled software? is it worth it?

-how do these books sound? any portable speaker recomendations? i will be able to get an adapter and go out of the audio out jack and plug into my home system correct?

-we use lots of excel spreadsheats at my work. if i get the microsoft office software, will i be able to open and edit the files that were initially created on the wintel machines?

i'm gonna stop here (can you tell i'm a bit excited?). thanks in advance and once again just wanted to say hello and thanks.

jack
(who's going to be a total newb)

[Nobody]

I can't help alot on the audio side, but your excel srpeadsheets and word docs should work seamlessly between the 2 platforms. My gut on the audio is that you can do it with the bundled software (iTunes), but if you want all the bells and whistles you should plan on adding Toast.

[Nobody]

Hey! My birthday's 11/10 too! Happy B-Day!

Anyway, I've got an iBook and a Powerbook in the house, and the sound is pretty awesome with just my simple LabTec desktop speakers. I can't even imagine the sound on really good expensive ones, but if my fairly inexpensive (less than $50.00, with bonus earbuds) setup is any indication, you will be very happy with the sound.

welcome to the world of Macintosh. images/icons/grin.gif

[Nobody]

Toast has a lot more flexibility and options and formats than the built-in burning command. I haven't used Jam but I read that it is supposed to make CDs that comply to the technical standards that a duplication house would expect of you if you gave them something to mass-produce.

[Nobody]

-what does roxiotoast w/ jam offer that is not included with the bundled software? is it worth it?

don't know because I don't have it. I think you should be fine with iTunes though. You can always buy more sw if what's included is not up to the task.

-how do these books sound? any portable speaker recomendations? i will be able to get an adapter and go out of the audio out jack and plug into my home system correct?

the built in speakers are not good enough for most audio applications but suffice for a laptop. You can plug a stereo to phono adapter in the headphone jack and then plug the rca's into your stereo no problem. I like to do this when listening to internet radio stations.

-we use lots of excel spreadsheats at my work. if i get the microsoft office software, will i be able to open and edit the files that were initially created on the wintel machines?

yes. There are other options too which may work but I think spread sheet imports can be more problematic than a word doc. Appleworks (doesn't come free with powerbook) may work - if you're a student, the discount is good. Also ThinkFree Office is reported to be excellent at $49.00

-i'm gonna stop here (can you tell i'm a bit excited?). thanks in advance and once again just wanted to say hello and thanks.

Hello, happy birthday and congratulations - I think you'll enjoy the powerbook (I love mine).

[ 12-10-2002: Message edited by: dakota ]

[Nobody]

The headphone > RCA adapter for your stereo is the same as you would get for a Windows machine and is at Radio Shack. If you are really into music as you sound, you could look into USB audio which can be higher quality than that little minijack. They are discussing that over on blank>this thread. They are talking about input but all those devices do output too.

[Nobody]

Toast offers a lot of things that you cannot do in the finder as easily. It has a very easy interface of simply clicking on icons that designate if you want to burn a data, video, or audio CD. Another reason why this relatively inexpencive (in the realm of professional software that usually cost > $200) is that it is a lot faster than the finder. The way the finder (that is the built in way of burning CDs in the OS) burns discs is made very simple for people that do not really know what they are doing. Because of this data is collected in a swap file before the disc is burned. This means though that it takes a lot longer before the burn even starts in the finder. Toast is a LOT faster in that regard.
Toast Light and sometimes even Toast Titanium is often bundled with other things such a burners. Maybe you should ask around and get a cipy to try out, but if you burn discs regularly it is well worth the price.

[Nobody]

When you do buy that dream computer of yours do not buy the memory from Apple when you are buying the computer. It is way over priced, unless you get it through somekind of special. There are many third party memory companies around,, search the boards and you will find them.

[Nobody]

Make sure your current printer or one you want to buy works with it or any other hardware or Burners...alot more hardware is supported by Windows than Jag so don't be shocked if your current printer doesn't work. I would go to Apple's site to see what hardware works with your system.

[Nobody]

Hello and welcome!! images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif

[smurfslayer2k4]

Read the article in this month's macworld about "leaving windows in the rear-view mirror," and welcome sir.

[jax]

actually, this is going to be the first computer i've ever bought for myself (so i have no hardware to worry about of my own). i'm on a pc at work constantly though (like now). hopefully if i need to print anything out i'll be able to hook up quickly to my works epson stylus 3000.

as far as the memory is concerned: apple.com is doing a promo were they'll double the memory for $40 -- so unless i'm reading it wrong i get a 512sdram chip for 40 bucks.

any opinions on whether it's better to place the order over the phone vs. online? maybe if i did it over the phone and i got the sales reps name i could call'em back and make'em feel guilty if i got a dead pixel or something -- yeah right.

finally, any other hardware/software i should get or stay away from right away. i gather from looking around these boards that the apple pro mouse isn't worth the money. still on the fence in regards to .mac -- but i think i'll most likely hold on that.

thanks again for the advice and the nice welcome to the board. hope the questions aren't too daft!

jack

[ 12-11-2002: Message edited by: jax ]

[Nobody]

Welcome aboard Jax!! I am a switcher from about 3 years ago. Started with a blueberry iMac and now have a Ti 400 (soon to be my son's) and a dual 800 Quicksilver. I just ordered the same computer you are looking at. I haven't gotten it yet, justsaw that it was shipped today. Definately go with the Apple Promotion for the extra RAM. Its a good deal and it is installed too. I am a graphic and web designer. I have used Photoshop 7, Dreamweaver MX and Office on my Ti400 and have not had any trouble at all. I would recommend playing around with the software that comes with the new Powerbooks to see if it is what you need. You can always go out and buy additional software. Go for the Airport. It is great for going wireless. Nothing like sitting out at the pool and doing some work images/icons/cool.gif

Best of luck to you, enjoy and Happy Birthday. Guess this is my Bday present to myself too. MIne is Dec 19th.

[jax]

just realized my applecare has expired, marking my 3 year anniversary. even more happy with the decision than at first.
cheers.