[ult_David]

Hey guys,

Like many people on thie board, I'm about to become a new member of the MAC community after 12 years in the world of Microsoft

I've studied all the possibilities, and I'm almost set on my choice (Pb 1,5Ghz, 15", 1Go RAM, 128Mo video, 80Go HD...) but I still have a few questions:

- I'm gonna start with 1Go for the RAM. Do you think I may need more in the future and should take it on one slot instead of 2?

- for the harddrive, there's not a big difference in price by taking the 5400, but I was wondering if that would alter the battery life compared to the 4200. Is the performance bonus worth the battery life reduction?

- for the Xtreme Airport: is the new one very interesting? Since I'll soon be in Paris and will ahve a modem with my DSL line, I may take the Airport without the modem and with the new features (power over ethernet and UL2043)

- could you give me some links for the best protections (skins, bags...). Also, should you put a protection on the screen when you travel with it, so that the keyboard won't let any mark on the screen?

- Is AppleCare worth it? I think no, since it's very expensive and never had any problem with my hardware before... but i need your input there!

- have you guys taken any optional features like sofwares when u bought yours?

Thanks for all your help, I'm gonna buy mine as soon as I'll have some good replies here

[f1000]

If a 1 GB SODIMM is as cheap in Finland as it is in America, I suggest that you buy it instead of two 512 MB ones.

[hldan]

First of all ult_David, welcome to the Mac community and I cannot stress the fact enough that you don't spell Mac will all caps, just the "M". The Mac community is very sensitive about that.
That's an awesome machine you are getting and I would definitely recommend to get all the extra perks since Apple is not charging much for them.
Go with the 5400rpm drive. Battery life will not suffer.
Go with the 128MB vram for the graphics. Apple's quartz extreme engine is powered by the graphics card and that's what contributes to most of the processing speed in OSX.
1GB ram is plenty enough for most power applications but the Powerbook will take up to 2GB but two 1GB ram sticks are expensive so just stay with 1GB total until the prices are fair.
I'm sorry, I didn't understand what were asking about the Airport Extreme so maybe someone else will reply with an answer for you.
Applecare is absolutely necessary. If you can afford it right away then get it. Don't let anyone talk you into waiting to get it within the 1 year warranty. Apple's 1 year warranty will give the same coverage as AppleCare but with only 90 days over the phone support and as a new Mac User you may have a lot of questions to ask them.
Also Apple will bend backwards, forward, sideways when you have the Applecare. If you don't have it they will only do what they "have" to do to service the product. In most cases they will just replace your Mac instead of repairing it.
Here is a place to get protective cloths and cleaning accessories:
http://www.radtech.us/Default.aspx

There are several manufacturers that make cases and sleeves but my personal favorite is the Brenthaven. Here's the link to the Apple store to see it. It's a full padded bag with a removable sleeve inside.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...tSL/2.3.0.5.10
Have fun.

[Phil the Fish]

Originally posted by ult_David:
Hey guys,

Like many people on thie board, I'm about to become a new member of the MAC community after 12 years in the world of Microsoft

First --- welcome
Second its Mac -- you'll only upset half the board with that one!!
Third -- most of your questions have threads already and in plain sight!!!
But here are a few links to them to get you started --- if I get them right..

I've studied all the possibilities, and I'm almost set on my choice (Pb 1,5Ghz, 15", 1Go RAM, 128Mo video, 80Go HD...) but I still have a few questions:

That's the specs I went with -- and loving it.......

- I'm gonna start with 1Go for the RAM. Do you think I may need more in the future and should take it on one slot instead of 2?

That's again what I went with, but you could get a small spec and upgrade with non Apple RAM, at a much reduced cost .... I was just too lazy and not too confident at doing so...... but there does seem to be an issue with airport and RAM over 1GB

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?threadid=208179

- for the harddrive, there's not a big difference in price by taking the 5400, but I was wondering if that would alter the battery life compared to the 4200. Is the performance bonus worth the battery life reduction?

I felt the gain was worth it.....

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=211396

- for the Xtreme Airport: is the new one very interesting? Since I'll soon be in Paris and will ahve a modem with my DSL line, I may take the Airport without the modem and with the new features (power over ethernet and UL2043)

Can't help with this, as I don't use an Airport Base Station....

- could you give me some links for the best protections (skins, bags...). Also, should you put a protection on the screen when you travel with it, so that the keyboard won't let any mark on the screen?

Depends on what you wish to carry your baby in, and what else you intend to carry with it!!!

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=178702

I've got a RadTech cloth .... looks nice, used to clean the screen ... and keeps the keys (with all those finger oils) off when the lids shut ..... but I'm not sure if I really need it!!!


- Is AppleCare worth it? I think no, since it's very expensive and never had any problem with my hardware before... but i need your input there!

For laptops ... Applecare and Insurance .... probably a must have option ... IF you want to sleep at night!!!!

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=212083

- have you guys taken any optional features like sofwares when u bought yours?

Yes
Look here to see what you may wish to think about getting

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=209787

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=166751


Hope this helps

Phil

ps ... ooops its taken me a while to put this together, and others have posted similar answers in the mean time .... but what the hell......

[forcelite]

1 Gig of ram is plenty. I dont see anyone needing more than that for a LONG time. So I would get 2 sticks of 512 and save the cash.

I really couldn't understand your question about airport cards, but I would defiantly get it if you can. Europe has tons of internet cafes, which is way cool to bring your powerbook to and get on the net wirelessly.

I have tested many bags, as I used to work at an apple store, and I can tell you the best sleeve out there is this

http://www.sfbags.com/


the sleevecase is awesome.

It has an outside layer of water resistant nylon, and an inside layer of shock resistant compressed sponge.

I have bought one for every Mac laptop I have owned. I suggest getting the vertical slide one cause that way you can charge it while its protected. That might not make sense now but trust me an d you will be happy later.


Force