[explorerby]

Hello.
I want to buy MacBook in few weeks.
To tell the truth, mac is quite expensive in my country (it starts from 1,700$).
So, I have some questions about it:

1) I'm web-developer. So, I need Apache, MySQL, MS SQL, PHP and so on. Can I install it on Mac OS?
2) I use RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) for my work. So, will I able to do it via mac?
3) I want Internet via my phone when I'm in cafe, for example. Of course, I want to use GPRS. Can I do it? (I know about Wi-Fi but there are few of hot-spots here).
4) As I said, I'm web developer and sometimes, of course, I want to start Windows XP via vmware (or smth like that, I don't know how it called in Mac). So, is MB061 good for it? Will I feel some "lags"? I know, it's hard to answer at that question.. but try please who did what I've said.
5) On the whole, do you suggest to buy mac?..

Thanks a lot! If I have some questions, I'll ask... Thank you!

[imitchellg5]

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) Not right out of the box, but yes you should be able to get service depending on where you are.
4) No lag. Boot Camp comes standard with every Mac which allows you to run Windows full speed. You can also use VMware or Parallels to run Windows at the same time as OS X with a little performance hit, but not much.

Sounds like a MacBook would be good for you! Hope this helps...

[mduell]

1) The AMP stack all runs natively on OS X; for SQL Server you'll need to run Windows in a virtualized environment (Parallels or VMWare).

2) http://www.microsoft.com/mac/product...p/default.mspx

3) Yes, if your phone has OS X drivers and your carrier allows tethering.

4) I don't know what MB061 is. Performance in a virtualized environment isn't great, but it's good if you install the 'helper' app/drivers supplied by Parallels/VMware.

5) Yes.

[explorerby]

Thanks for your answers!..
But I mean about easy MacBook... Not Pro... And of course not Mac Book Air. In my coutry they are too expensive
MacBook with Core 2 Duo and 1 Gb Ram. Will it be ok for my needs?

[BoingoBongo]

I would max out the ram if you can. You can get ram for cheap online (at places like macsales.com).

Otherwise, you'll love the MacBooks. They're great computers! I would say they're the best value Apple has right now.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by explorerby 

Thanks for your answers!..
But I mean about easy MacBook... Not Pro... And of course not Mac Book Air. In my coutry they are too expensive
MacBook with Core 2 Duo and 1 Gb Ram. Will it be ok for my needs?

Buy 4GB from a local vendor (not Apple)... you'll really need it for running virtualized Windows.

[doolally]

I just sold a MacBook to upgrade to a Pro and while the MacBook was a nice, light(ish), small(ish) computer, and ideal for word processing, surfing, and graphics work, I feel the construction isn't all that great. I had a 2001 iBook which was better built than my 2007 MacBook. The MacBook creaked sometimes when I put my hand on it, the left side was 'squishy' (there's a screw there, but it isn't doing anything because you could push that side in a little bit), and it just generally never felt as rugged as my old iBook.

The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, feels very well constructed, with nice solid machine work, screws in good places. It just feels like it will stand up to being used every day a lot better than the MacBook did.

edit: I thought I remembered reading about other people with a squishy case and here it is:

Macenstein | Urban Legend or Urban Fact? – Steve Jobs and the squishy MacBook