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PatsPalace24 · Jun 24, 2004, 09:07 PM

As I said, I JUST ORDERED my OWN brand new 15" Powerbook w/ Superdrive. Why I say my OWN is that I am a 16 year old kid that loves computers. Ever since I got my iPod, I've been fascinated w/ the whole Mac scence! Everything! I have watched keynotes that date two years back, I just love it. I finally saved up enough... $2479 w/ edu, to buy my own laptop w/ all the options that I want! Sorry, but I can't even type I am so excited. I have been using PC's my WHOLE LONG LIFE, hehe, but really understand these things and obviously want a change. I will be totally new, but extremely excited to start, and it really feels great to be part of this great community, FINALLY!

Now I guess my real question is once it comes, what should be a "list" of things or accessories that I should get for it. Software and peripherals, anything. What do you guys like, what are the must haves. I know an iCurve comes in handy, but if I get that, then I obvioously need a mouse, preferrably bluetooth. But not complaining. Anything else, software like Office? I have Photoshop and Macromedia already for the Mac, but any other software? I really am in need of a good case that comes with a sleeve preferrably to keep my baby healthy. Also, my final question is even though I have my baby Powerbook now, I will also keep the PC, but really not sure why and what I will do with it, its more the parents wont let me sell it. So I will have the PC CPU, my 21" CRT Moniter, and my Powerbook. ANY good desks to accomadate this setup? THis is probably one of my main questions.. Thanks alot, and really appeciate any help! AND again, I am so excited cuz finally I am officially a Mac user! YAY YAY!

Altair · Jun 25, 2004, 12:37 AM

That's a great computer. It makes me jealous. Anyways back on topic.
For a mouse I would highly recommend a logitech mx500 (~$50 wired) or an mx700($$$ wireless). Try them out beforehand just to make sure but this is a really nice mouse. You may want to think about getting a KVM switch so that you can use the monitor, keyboard and mouse on both computers. You may want to look into getting a carrying case or bookbag that has a laptop compartment.

As for the software:
aim client: definetly get adium (www.adiumx.com) it's better than ichat in a lot of areas.
office software: I wouldn't buy office until you actually need it. In the mean time you can download openoffice and run that using x11. Office is a better product but costs a lot of money.
snes9x is a good super nintendo emulator for the mac. I haven't found as good of an emulator for other systems.
if you chat on irc you should download iRC. It is a lot like mIRC on windows.
Video playback: get either mplayer osx or vlc. I prefer mplayer since it's nicer to my machine and has good keyboard commands, but more people prefer VLC.
Video encoding: I use ffmpegx which is simple to use but is hard to install.
You might want to pick up Roxio Toast for burning cd's and dvd's but this feature is included in osx it's just not as good.

If your pc has windows xp installed on it then you are in luck. You can download the remote desktop client for the mac from Microsoft's website and connect to your desktop from your mac. This way you wouldn't need that KVM switch I mentioned above.

This should help you get started.

cszar2001 · Jun 25, 2004, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by PatsPalace24:
As I said, I JUST ORDERED my OWN brand new 15" Powerbook w/ Superdrive. Why I say my OWN is that I am a 16 year old kid that loves computers. Ever since I got my iPod, I've been fascinated w/ the whole Mac scence! Everything! I have watched keynotes that date two years back, I just love it. I finally saved up enough... $2479 w/ edu, to buy my own laptop w/ all the options that I want! Sorry, but I can't even type I am so excited. I have been using PC's my WHOLE LONG LIFE, hehe, but really understand these things and obviously want a change. I will be totally new, but extremely excited to start, and it really feels great to be part of this great community, FINALLY!

Now I guess my real question is once it comes, what should be a "list" of things or accessories that I should get for it. Software and peripherals, anything. What do you guys like, what are the must haves. I know an iCurve comes in handy, but if I get that, then I obvioously need a mouse, preferrably bluetooth. But not complaining. Anything else, software like Office? I have Photoshop and Macromedia already for the Mac, but any other software? I really am in need of a good case that comes with a sleeve preferrably to keep my baby healthy. Also, my final question is even though I have my baby Powerbook now, I will also keep the PC, but really not sure why and what I will do with it, its more the parents wont let me sell it. So I will have the PC CPU, my 21" CRT Moniter, and my Powerbook. ANY good desks to accomadate this setup? THis is probably one of my main questions.. Thanks alot, and really appeciate any help! AND again, I am so excited cuz finally I am officially a Mac user! YAY YAY!

Congratulations on your shiny new machine. Will stay with your for years to come-always a trusty companion.
As for additional software: I got mine on a as-needed basis; whenever I wanted to do something I couldn`t do I searched around and found great apps (most of them free) on Macupdate and Versiontracker.
Reading the boards here on MacNN is the best way to stay on top of things.
If problems come up-post here-and an answer will arrive within a few minutes.
I use my old PC for one thing only: playing RTCW: ET.

d.fine · Jun 25, 2004, 07:32 AM

Congrats with your new PB !!

I find these handy :
Temperature Monitor : lets you monitor your PB's temp
MenuMeters : lets you monitor all other kinds of stuff on your PB

DragThing : handy little app to access file and apps quickly
Poisoned : a P2P sharing prog

Have fun !!

PatsPalace24 · Jun 25, 2004, 10:25 AM

Thanks for all the replies. Currently, I have most of the software I will need, mainly Office, Toast, and Photoshop. I think I am set for now, but will search around here if I need anyhting else. Now for the accessories, THE FUN PART! Come on guys.. I love the idea of the mouse, as the MX700 is a very popular one. Won't a need a keyboard though if I want to use the iCurve. And the iCurve, do you guys like it? Any other things, like is the iSight cool? I know it all costs money, but I really just want a list, as when those paychecks for 100$ each week come in, I really want to build up a cool setup! As for backpacks, anything? Also, any other peripherals to get? When I go to the Apple store today, YAY!, ill check em out! THanks you guys!

cszar2001 · Jun 25, 2004, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by PatsPalace24:
Thanks for all the replies. Currently, I have most of the software I will need, mainly Office, Toast, and Photoshop. I think I am set for now, but will search around here if I need anyhting else. Now for the accessories, THE FUN PART! Come on guys.. I love the idea of the mouse, as the MX700 is a very popular one. Won't a need a keyboard though if I want to use the iCurve. And the iCurve, do you guys like it? Any other things, like is the iSight cool? I know it all costs money, but I really just want a list, as when those paychecks for 100$ each week come in, I really want to build up a cool setup! As for backpacks, anything? Also, any other peripherals to get? When I go to the Apple store today, YAY!, ill check em out! THanks you guys!

I have the MX700 and love it. Very responsive, not too heavy, good feel; BUT: the base station needs to be plugged in-not a good idea if you want to move your PB around.
Next time around I would buy the MX900.