A Few Question's About The MacBook

[intempo808]

Hey,
In about a year or so, when I go to college, I am going to get a MacBook for my work and studies. I've already started saving (£42.50 so far and I only started yesterday hehe)

Anyway, as I am spending an extorsionate £699 on this, I want to make sure it's all going to work alright. So... I have a few question's:
1. If the MacBook has built in AirPort and Bluetooth etc. can I connect to my standard Belkin Wireless Connection thingy?
2. What are these problems i've heard about discolourisation?
3. Will standar USB devices like memory sticks work alright on it?
4. If my iPod is currently used on a Window's PC, will I be able to convert it to Mac?
5. Are there any reasons why I shouldn't buy a Mac?
6. Is QuickTime the only video format Mac supports?
7. By next year, will it be shipped with Leopard?
8. By next year, will the MacBook have had a refresh (I don't want this to happen or the price will undoubtably go up)?
9. How do I use Hotmail contacts on iChat AV?
10. What is the sound quality of the speakers on the MacBook like?

I can't wait to get my MacBook!

Thank You for your help!

 

[mkrishnan]

1. Yes, this should be no problem (uses the Airport, not the Bluetooth).
2. I'll defer on that.
3. Yes. If a drive has something special on it, like that software that lets you keep Windows apps on it, that aspect won't work in OS X, but the drives themselves, and almost all cameras, work without drivers.
4. Yes, iTunes will walk you through it.
5. I'll defer on that.
6. No. Windows Media (somewhat limited) through Flip4Mac. Realplayer is available. Most other codecs (DivX, etc) are also available. There is a package called Perian that adds most codecs that many people use. There's also mplayer and VLC, which do what they do on other platforms, and support most codecs.
7. According to schedule, they'll start shipping with Leopard as soon as it comes out (i.e. late this year).
8. I'll defer on that.
9. I can google that and post a link if no one else does. EDIT: If you only do text IM, a better option is to use Adium, a very popular multi-client IM program.
10. Fairly poor.

 

[CalBoy]

mkrishnan answered your other questions well, so I'll tackle this one (which he chose to "defer")

8. By next year, will the MacBook have had a refresh (I don't want this to happen or the price will undoubtably go up)?

While no one knows when or how extensive an update will be, chances are, an update will happen by the time you're ready to buy. Since I'm guessing you'll be buying sometime next summer, I'd venture to guess that there might be two different updates before you make your purchase (a chance, not a certainty). However, don't worry about the price. Apple doesn't change price points very often. Most likely, the current price points will remain in place, and for the same amount of money, you'll only get more machine. Good luck on your purchase

 

[squeeks]

Hey,

5. Are there any reasons why I shouldn't buy a Mac?

to buy a mac? other than them being way overpriced (ill get flamed for saying that) part of the price is being "able" to run OSX since itll only run on mac hardware, the only real problem with OSX is you cant run IE on it with out a windows emulator, this causes a problem while in college because some educational websites you might need to use, require you have IE, my girlfriend was doing homework last night on my MBP and she had to use Firefox because safari dosent work with the site she had to use...

that would be the only reason i can think of not to buy a mac, otherwise, they are very nice systems

 

[66217]

other than them being way overpriced (ill get flamed for saying that)

They aren't overpriced, really.

The difference is that Apple does not has a big products line. But comparing a MB with a similar Dell, you'll get a similar price.

...the only real problem with OSX is you cant run IE on it with out a windows emulator...

That is a scary comment, thankfully later you said why you needed IE. The same happens to me with my college, but I just use Firefox. No problem there.

 

[mkgm1]

You shouldn't buy a mac if you're a heavy gamer. That's about the only reason I can come up with.

 

[BillyBobBongo]

In answer to point 2

Some MacBooks were made with a faulty batch of plastic which discoloured easily. MacBooks nowadays are fine. The only time the discolour is if your filfty so and so that forgets to wash their hands and leaves sweat marks and grease all over the machine....which in itself is easy to clean off with non-acetone based nail varnish remover or the chemical isopropanol.

 

[hatcher146]

i just got a macbook.....2.16 ghz white......i've had it for about 4 months. its the best computer i've ever had....very fast.....fast startup....works great. the keyboard is wonderful. everything about it i love. you must get one. now!