Making the leap........

[sigoblin]

I'm looking to make the leap from PC to an Apple Macbook and would appreciate if anyone can anwer a few issues that i'm trying to understand.

1. I hear there is a new Macbook coming out "soon", is this expected to be a replacement for the current versions or is it expected that these will run concurrently with the versions available now? Is the hype about a new release just hype?

2. Is Leopard going to be supplied as the OS for all laptops purchased after Oct 26th?

3. I'm considering buying whilst over in the States, are there any issues to be aware of, i'm particularly interested in whether the UK and US keyboards are the same or whether it's the same as a PC (ie @ and " swapped around) or there are any symbols missing?

Thanks in advance....

 

[juxtaposer]

I'm looking to make the leap from PC to an Apple Macbook and would appreciate if anyone can anwer a few issues that i'm trying to understand.

1. I hear there is a new Macbook coming out "soon", is this expected to be a replacement for the current versions or is it expected that these will run concurrently with the versions available now? Is the hype about a new release just hype?

2. Is Leopard going to be supplied as the OS for all laptops purchased after Oct 26th?

3. I'm considering buying whilst over in the States, are there any issues to be aware of, i'm particularly interested in whether the UK and US keyboards are the same or whether it's the same as a PC (ie @ and " swapped around) or there are any symbols missing?

Thanks in advance....

1. So far I'm not certain, but what I do know is that the current MacBook (according to the upgrade guide here at MR) is due for an update soon. The updates are widely expected to include the Santa Rosa chipset, a slightly upgraded integrated GPU, and possibly a design alteration - although I personally adore the current design.

2. Yes. For a while though the OS will not come pre-loaded and you will just have to install it yourself but the OS DVD's will come shipped with your product.

3. As far as keyboards go, my current UK wireless keyboard (the model before the superslim current model) has everything in the usual place except that as standard the @ and " have swapped over (so buying a US version may not make a difference). Takes a few days to get used to, but it's not a huge problem.

 

[ChrisA]

I'm looking to make the leap from PC to an Apple Macbook and would appreciate if anyone can anwer a few issues that i'm trying to understand.

1. I hear there is a new Macbook coming out "soon", is this expected to be a replacement for the current versions or is it expected that these will run concurrently with the versions available now? Is the hype about a new release just hype?

2. Is Leopard going to be supplied as the OS for all laptops purchased after Oct 26th?

3. I'm considering buying whilst over in the States, are there any issues to be aware of, i'm particularly interested in whether the UK and US keyboards are the same or whether it's the same as a PC (ie @ and " swapped around) or there are any symbols missing?

Thanks in advance....

One other thing to check out is the AC mains power plug. It will come with a North American style plug intended for use with 120VAC 60Hz outlets. I think the actually power brick is universal 220/120 50/60 but the plug itself is the US style

Look at the US Apple on-line store for the keyboard layout.

Leopard was _just_ announced. It will be on all computers after 26th and likely a free (except for postage) upgrade on computers bought today or later.

The very weak dollar does make shopping the US attractive.

 

[xpovos]

I can't answer your third question, because I just don't know.

Question 1: Rumor has it that new MacBooks will be released soon, though when that will happen remains speculative at this point. The new models are expected to replace the current ones. Some rumors point to nothing more than a processor bump, while others are talking about all new enclosures, possible adoption of the Santa Rosa chipset, etc. As with all pending Apple releases, it really IS just hype until the official announcement is made. The rumor mills are usually fairly correct about approximate release dates, but they don't always hit spot on features.

Question 2: Implied by Apple's Web site and stated by an article at macworld.com, new Mac purchases as of today (10/16) should include Leopard. If not, at the very least Apple has the "up to date" thing going with Leopard where you get a copy for 9.95USD if you buy a Mac after 10/1 that doesn't have Leopard installed.

Edit: Beat to the punch.

I'm looking to make the leap from PC to an Apple Macbook and would appreciate if anyone can anwer a few issues that i'm trying to understand.

1. I hear there is a new Macbook coming out "soon", is this expected to be a replacement for the current versions or is it expected that these will run concurrently with the versions available now? Is the hype about a new release just hype?

2. Is Leopard going to be supplied as the OS for all laptops purchased after Oct 26th?

3. I'm considering buying whilst over in the States, are there any issues to be aware of, i'm particularly interested in whether the UK and US keyboards are the same or whether it's the same as a PC (ie @ and " swapped around) or there are any symbols missing?

Thanks in advance....