Macbook Pro easy questions...

[kdum8]

I am trying to decide which macbook to get, but wonder if anyone can help me with these questions..

1. Are the speakers on the MBP better than the MB's?
2. I am buying my Mac in Japan. I am new to OSX, but it is straightforward to switch the OS language back to English? On windows it requires a complete reinstall....
3. I notice that on the MBP there is no mic receiver by the camera on the monitor like with the MB. I take it that the MBP has a built in mic though right? If so, where it is?

Trying to make some last minute decisions before I take the plunge....

 

[killmoms]

Speakers on the MBP are somewhat better, but they're still laptop speakers. I'd advocate a set of externals for whenever you're at a desk.

Yes, changing the language of the default install is easy—every copy of OS X comes with a full localization into a bunch of different languages, no matter where you buy it. I don't know if Apple's Japanese MacBook/Pros come with keyboards designed for Japanese though—aren't there kana keyboards? Or do Japanese MacBooks just use the Japanese IME with a US keyboard? I'd be interested in hearing from Japanese Mac users about this.

I believe the built-in mic is underneath one of the speaker grilles, a la the older PowerBooks.

 

[kdum8]

Thanks killmoms,

the keyboard in Japan is slightly different, i.e. there are buttons to go from romaji-kana but other than that they are more or less the same. Most Japanese just use the roman alphabet to type out their language anyway. Although there are labels on the keys to type 'Nihon' in kana, most would just type in 'n' 'i' 'h' 'o' 'n' and then space bar to turn it into kanji......

 

[koobcamuk]

Speakers on the MBP are somewhat better, but they're still laptop speakers. I'd advocate a set of externals for whenever you're at a desk.

Yes, changing the language of the default install is easy—every copy of OS X comes with a full localization into a bunch of different languages, no matter where you buy it. I don't know if Apple's Japanese MacBook/Pros come with keyboards designed for Japanese though—aren't there kana keyboards? Or do Japanese MacBooks just use the Japanese IME with a US keyboard? I'd be interested in hearing from Japanese Mac users about this.

I believe the built-in mic is underneath one of the speaker grilles, a la the older PowerBooks.

The Japanese has a QWERTY layout with KANA on the keys and a smaller space bar. There are also a few more buttons for changing between Hiragana, Katakana and Romaji. A few of the other keys for punctuation and ":{}()@!£$ are all different too. i.e. they have a Yen sign, not £.

 

[kdum8]

Is it possible to type £ and Euro signs then?

 

[Shaduu]

Is it possible to type £ and Euro signs then?

You can reassign keys to work as £ and € symbols respectively.