What's The Best Macbook For Me?
 

OK, sick of Dell sick of MSoft. Leaving them in the dust for a Mac laptop/book. So tell me which one to get. Just for personal use, doesn't have to be fancy.

You Mac users and lovers...help me get the best one for the money for me..a retired casual user, who just wants a reliable uncomplicated computer access to everywhere I want to go or do?

Thanks..:)

I'm an Apple girl, sorry. Maybe if Erin sees your post she can help? Or you PM her?

Hi Sally.:)

I learned late in the game and on a hand-me-down PC. Then another hand-me-down PC. When I finally was able to buy a new laptop, I wanted Apple's I-book.

It wasn't easy nor "intuitive" for me. I almost threw the thing across my office a few times. I have no children or co-workers to ask, "how do you make this do that?" I taught myself over a long time and am on my second Apple- now a Macbook Pro.

I recommend you stay with PC's for 2 reasons:
First the cost is much cheaper w a PC and there is more choice.
Second, it is what you are used to- why frustrate yourself?

Get a good virus/security program.

Others here can advise you on a PC choice.

Enjoy,
ANN

Isn't the Macbook an Apple computer?

I'm confused..:confused:

Go to Apple's website and look at the MacBooks. They have a light one called MacBook Air that is $999.00.

Do you know how to burn and ISO cd/dvd?

If your dell still functions you could try a Live linux cd. You can sample the whole system via the dvd drive and only install after you find one you like.
If interested I can suggest some that operate very much like windows.

All you have to do is download the iso file & burn it to a cd.

Rarely any issues with viruses and FREEE....

I wiped my last years laptop that had and installed a Linux OS.
Mint KDE is the one I like lately.

Here's an info site about the many free Linux OS /also called distros.

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
On the right sidebar you can even order cd/dvd for cheap.
Some libraries will have books/magazines on Linux OS's with a dvd inside.
Or same for a large book store with Linux computer magazines.

the PCLinuxOS is nice too and laid out much like windows.
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=pclinuxos

I don't know how to burn nuttin, Jomar.:rolleyes::D

My Dell sucks canal water and is now shorting out all over the place. I've had it for 3 years and DD advises me to switch to Apple.

I just bought the Macbook Air 13" for 1100.00.

My last dell was 1000.00 and it stunk. The macbook air gets top ratings, everywhere I looked..(at least 10 reports from consumer reports to geek reports).:)

I hope I don't regret this.:grouphug:

Oh yes shorting out is not good at all...
Have fun with the new one. :)

It is a little different but after you learn the minor differences you will love it. I'm all Apple now and it's great. :-)

Apple computers are easy to learn. At least I think so. My mom is finally starting to recover from her West Nile virus and she's starting to relearn how to use her Apple. If she can learn it, anyone can learn it. She's at least learned how to get to her games, she's still a little baffled by email and the internet tho.

I was seriously addicted to Windows computers until I got my first iMac hand-me-down. I grew up with Windows (my sister did have one or two of the first Apple computers). We had a computer or two when I was a teenager that was DOS based, but when Windows finally came about, that's what my dad went with, and I did too. I was pretty good at doing stuff on Windows. Now I sit there and scratch my head and try to remember how I used to make the Windows computers do stuff.

Pretty sure the Apple Store, if you have one in your area (hope you have one!), offers (free??) classes to learn how to use your computer if you need help doing so. You just make an appointment with the Genius Bar and they'll show you what you need to know. (not sure if it's free, but you can check with the Apple Store if there's one near you)

Hope you end up liking your Macbook. My dad has last years model (or the year before that?) and he really likes it...altho he's fallen in love with the iPad 2 that I handed up to him. (actually he has 2 Macbooks. Before he retired, the hospital he worked at gave him an "education fund" he could use for anything educational. That's probably how he got the hand-me-down iMac he gave me)

My iMac (a 2008 model) is starting to act a little wonky. I'd take it to the Apple Store and get it checked out if I could lift it and get it into the store without dropping it on the sidewalk. I cant carry a 24in screen computer while trying to walk with a cane. I'm glad that I got the Mac Mini (small desktop computer, not the same as the iPad Mini) because I can put the Mac Mini in my purse and carry it in if it needs work. (getting the memory upgraded soon)

If you bought the MacBook Air, you are going to have to have some peripherals. It doesn't have CD slot.

It's good if all you do is write. And, it is very light and snazzy looking.
ANN

I just got the iMac and it doesn't have a CD slot. Most programs are downloaded from the internet so you probably won't need one anyway. You'll get an Apple ID to download programs with for the Mac. You'll get free tech support from Apple to help you learn the basics. They are wonderful on the phone. :) My current printer that is five years old works with the Mac. I love this thing. And they generally last forever. :)

What if i want IE instead of the safari that comes with? I have earthlink for e-mail and AT&T DSL. Will I be able to transfer those to my mac? Can I transfer all my photos, E-mail addresses, favorite links etc?

You're not talking to a computer wiz(sorry Wiz:D)here. Everything I learned about my PC, I learned the old fashion way.

The only thing I used my cd slot was to add programs from a disc? Yo mean I won't be able to view cds? Never did, but I guess I'll have to get a viewer, if I do?

Ann, Wiz, Erin...I'll be coming to you Apple Gurus for help. Thanks.

I think IE is only a MS windows thing. Plus is is really slow compared to Firefox and other web browsers.
I guess there used to be IE for Mac , but MS stopped supporting it.


Is DD around to help you get it all set up the way you want it?

DSL - is it a cable or wireless? If cable just plug it in to the matching outlet should work.

Does the dell still start up? you can get a flash drive to copy over photos or files or even a cable to connect & transfer files , but you might need someone to help you do the moving files & setting it up..


for your email do you go to the earthlink website for it, or use a program on the computer? like outlook express?

Firefox is available for mac products:)
Yes it is-
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb...c&browser=fx17



here is the apple support page for all products - might be a good place to get familiar with set up and such.
http://www.apple.com/support/mac/

WOW JO, thanks for that link...great..and thanks for your info..:hug:

yep, IE is Windows only.

Safari is a good browser, and so is Firefox. Chrome (Google) is a good browser too. I tend to use Firefox on my Apples. I still use IE on my ancient Windows computer.

If the Dell still starts up, the brick & mortar Apple Stores might have someone at the Genius Bar that could help you transfer information and links. Not sure if that's something you pay extra for, but could be worth it if you have a ton of stuff.

When I switched from my old white iMac to my aluminum iMac, I transferred everything wirelessly, but that's because I had two totally compatible computers sitting right next to each other. It took all freaking night.

I dont think you can transfer from a Windows to a Mac wirelessly. (ok, just consulted the all powerful Google, and it claims it's possible to go from PC to Mac, but that might be something you'd need someone there to help you)


Now I want to go to the Apple Store to buy a new computer. I need to go to the Apple Store because my iPad3 has a dodgy home button (keeps sticking) and my warranty says that they'll do a warranty replacement for stuff like that. I'm going to have to resist looking at the Macbooks and the iMacs when I go, because if I look, I'm going to end up begging my dad for a new iMac for my birthday. (I need to resist the temptation of an iMac, since I have a perfectly capable Mac Mini, and my dad needs to hold onto his money to pay for important stuff like food and gasoline)

You won't need IE. You can use Safari with any email address. :)

My Apple MBA should be here Monday...I can't wait. I've been doing a lot of homework and am all excited to get started.:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

OK Ann and all. I'm throwing Apple across the room. I can't hook up my AT&T USL Modem, because the Macbook Air doesn't have an ethernet USB...something they left out whilst selling it to me.:mad::mad::mad::mad:

I had to order an appleassUSB Adapter. It'll be here Tuesday..:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Thank heavens my PC is working, badly. but working.

I did go thru a couple of tutorials and I think I'm going to love it, if I can get to the net. I didn't have any luck with wifi either, but I stupid iguess.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

News at 11:00.:D

Sally,

I must be tired because it looks to me like you said you have to order an applesauceUSB adaptor.

Hang in there.

Now, anyone following the Homeland Security recommendations about Java Plug-ins???

Info here and elsewhere: http://gizmodo.com/5975415/even-the-...able-your-java

ANN

does your modem have wireless capabilities?
If you post the brand name & model # we can check.

I have Verizon/frontier and got a new wifi modem last summer when my old non wifi modem died.
But I don't know about AT&T modems they might upgrade you then you wouldn't need to be "wired".



If you found the wifi/network settings on the mac and it doesn't "see or find " a signal, then the modem probably doesn't have wifi capabilities..

The thing I noticed about the Apple Store, is that the Geniuses that sell the stuff in the store usually assume you already have everything, or that everyone has made the switch to bluetooth-wireless everything.

When my dad bought me my Mac Mini computer about a year ago, I had to get a fancypants adapter to hook the monitor up to it because it didnt have the serial port or whatever the monitor plugs into on it. I had to get an HDMI adapter. At least I was able to use the computer with my tv, because my tv has an HDMI input. Makes it nice for watching movies streamed over the internet or on my computer.

I did have to get an external dvd drive for the Mac Mini since it didnt come with an optical drive. That's one of the things that's keeping me from going to buy the new iMac. The fact that they're phasing out optical drives. I like being able to make cd's for my car even tho I mostly listen to talk radio now. I just dont trust the Cloud services for some reason.

Jo, It says that my wifi is up and running, but when I try to get on the net, it asks for my AppleID guest password. When I put in my password it say "not correct. When I try to access my Apple ID to change the password, it can't find it.

I'M SCREWED!!!

Erin, Why do people lurrrve Apple computers so much? I'm beginning to question my decision to get one.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

My first lap top was an Apple...it completely died after 6 months (motherboard fried). Got another one and it bit the dust in 8 months (Something to do with the RAM).

My first and only PC is a 2000 Dell. Eventhough it started to slow down a couple of months ago; it is the one that I like and use the most.

I have three lap tops that I use for work, studies and travel. The two I like the most are custom made and only run skeleton Windows programs. Haven't had a problem with either of them.

The third, which I purchased in 2011 is a Dell and I hate it. Used it for three months while away at university, but it has sat in a closet since Dec 2011 when it refused to boot up for the umpteeth time :(.
It seemed to have gone into an MS flair when I did...and like me, it seems to go from one malfunction to another.

Maybe the model and the main program that it runs, is more important than the make?

With love, Erika

My son in law, the computer geek says they are virus free

Call Apple at the 800 number. They will help you.

I dont think Macs are virus free, but there are less people writing virus programs to attack Macs than there are for Windows based computers.

Sally, you should call Apple customer service. 800-275-2273

Is your internet wifi secured? Locked up so that only you and people you authorize can use it, so that you dont have people stealing your internet and using your signal to download porn and other junk...

I'm guessing that someone else set up your internet for you, are they around to help you log on?

DD says I don't have wireless? I have to buy it? I said, My wifi icon says I am up and running. She said, You are probably using your neighbors? She said I hace to wait till I cab hook up with my ISP? She was no help at all.

DGD wants one now, though.:p

I guess, unless one of you gurus can tell me diff, I'll wait until Tues, when the Appleass:D USB adapter comes. What do you want to bet, that there will be something wrong with that too.:eek::mad:

Here you go Sally.
Hope that this helps.

How to Set UP Wi_Fi Using an Apple Laptop
http://www.ehow.com/how_6657235_set-...le-laptop.html

With love, Erika

and near the bottom of that page is a few more like this-


How to Set Up Passwords for Apple WiFi

Read more: How to Set Up Passwords for Apple WiFi | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7351772_set-...#ixzz2Htcp0aZe

Thanks Erika and Jo, those are great links.:cool:

I'm giving the Apple core a little rest today, to save my sanity. I'll see if these babies work tomorrow .. maybe and let you know.:hug::hug:

You'll get it all set up and I promise you, you'll love it! :hug:

What kind of adapter did you need to get? Are you having to plug your macbook directly into the cable modem with a wire? Your macbook should have an Ethernet port for that already. The Ethernet port is right in front of where the powercord plugs into. (I had to go upstairs and look at my dad's macbooks)

An Ethernet cord looks kinda like a telephone cord, except the connectors on each end are a little bigger than a phone cord connector.

What's the USB thing that you had to order called?

EDIT

Ok, I did a little research. Apparently the new Macbook doesnt have an ethernet port. (what moron decided to not put an ethernet port into the new Macbook?!) So, yeah, I guess you do need your usb thingamajig that you had to order.

Thanks Wiz, I hope you are right.

Thanks Erin, I just have to get this wifi thing figured out, while I'm waiting for my hookup to wired.:hissyfit: :hit-safe: :Ponder: :Crazy 2:

Does your modem have a wifi transmitter on it? If your modem has a wifi transmitter, or a wifi router connected to it, you should be able to get wifi. If there's no wifi set up, then you'll have to add a router.

If you're seeing a network showing up on your computer, and you dont have a wifi set up on your modem, then you're probably seeing a neighbors system. I can count at least 10 wifi connections that my computer can see in my neighborhood. (I need to find out who a couple of my neighbors are, their wifi networks are unsecured. Anyone can access their internet. They need to lock that up)

My internet connection is hidden. My brother-in-law is retired Air Force and apparently one of the things he did in the military was computer and internet security. He set up our internet for us with the hidden network option, and the password he created for us, he apparently used stuff he learned on how to make unbreakable passwords to set things up. (I guess you have to use a certain number of alphanumeric characters mixed in with symbols and capitalization to make a password more unlikely to be broken)

Whoever sets up your wifi should be fine just using the basic secured network settings, just make sure you dont use a default password. Our first wifi connection that we had about 10yrs ago, the password was "password", which was apparently the default password that that router was set with when we first opened the box.


When I got my Mac Mini computer last year, I had to buy two connectors to be able to use my computer. I had to have an HDMI connector for something to plug my computer into my tv screen, and then I had to get another kind of connector to connect my actual computer monitor to the computer. I kept getting conflicting information from people as to what I needed. Sometimes I think it's Apple's way of getting another $29.99 out of us after we've bought a computer system from them.

I'm enough of an Apple fangirl that I'll actually put up with having to pay extra for the various connectors to connect things to my computer.

Well, I'm on wifi and checking in on my MBAir.

I love it now that I figured out how to make the Safari window bigger and the script bigger. I love the backlit larger letters board, nice. And it underscores my typos as I'm typing so I may correct them.

I'm on battery, so be back on here on my MBA tomorrow, when I have my wired ISP hooked up.

Have you become an Apple fangirl yet?

Holding out on that answer Erin until after I set up my e-mail account and get my stuff transferred.

I'm using my PC today as my adapter for mac is not here yet,:mad:

I'm already not happy with the bookmark setup. they have a bookmark bar, which is limited to how many you can have on it . Then there is the bkmk list where you can have more, but I couldn't launch a link from there.:(

More biotching later.:D:p:D