My new MacBook Air. Where do I start?

[sdm1985]

Hi,

I am getting my MacBook Air On Friday it is the latest model 1.6Ghz brand new in box for £850 - £85 (Ebay discount) - £300 for my old laptop so quite a good deal.

Where do i start guys?

Do I need virus protection - will my McAfee work?

A nice case to protect the laptop when travelling?

I have read things about overheating, what steps do I need to take?

Is there software like MS Office I can use for work processing?

and any other tips or advice will be welcome.

My Iphone is going to have an Apple brother

 

[Deep_Thought]

No need for Virus Protection... no known viruses are out there for OSX... Unless you will be running Boot Camp into Windows then yes you do and yes McAffee should work fine...

Case... Haven´t got an Air yet so I´ll let someone else answer that one...

Overheating.. Look around here there are quite a few threads on it...

Office - yes you can get Office 2004 (apparently better on the Air than 2008) or the latest version which is 2008...

Tips etc... Read as much of this forum as you can... If its not documented here somewhere its probably irrelevant...

 

[zen]

I don't see how Office 2004 can be better than Office 2008 on a Macbook Air (and why just a Macbook Air?).

I just installed Office 2008 on my alu iMac, having used Office 2004 previously. The new version is lightening quick compared to the old one. Don't forget Office 2008 is universal, Office 2004 is run under Rosetta. Slow as a dog!

 

[Deep_Thought]

Read it here... https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7234168/

Although that is only one persons opinion... I´d be interested to hear anyone else who´s tried both...

 

[SeanU]

What I did...

1) Do a clean OS install, and remove any of the extra languages and applications that you don't need. There is a guide here http://guides.macrumors.com/Complete_Steps_to_Perform_a_Clean_OS_X_Reinstall_on_Your_MacBook_Air

2) Buy Coolbook... http://www.coolbook.se/CoolBook.html . Install it *after* you do a clean install, as they only allow 2 activations.

3) Give Open Office a shot. It may or may not work for you, but its free, and worth a review :http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/download/aqua.html

4) Enjoy your new machine!

 

[Scottsdale]

Read it here... https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7234168/

Although that is only one persons opinion... I´d be interested to hear anyone else who´s tried both...

That link is by a user with the original MBA. The OP is buying the new MBA 1.6, I assume in HDD. The new MBA is superior in every way to the original MBA. Check even the xBench marks to see that the low end revised MBA with HDD can outperform the once $3099 original MBA with SSD and a 1.8 GHz CPU.

So this software comparison is completely innaccurate when pertaining to the new MBA.

Dear OP,

Enjoy your new MBA. I enjoy my new MBA every single day. The new MBA is simply amazing. As far as what else do you need.

Make sure it has iLife 09.
Buy Microsoft Office for Mac:2008 if you use it in business communication.
I personally use iWork 09 also for book/article writing and Keynote. The problem is 90% of the business world uses Office, so for Word compatibility alone, get the Microsoft version.

I have a Coach Men's tote bag that I use for my MBA. I get compliments on it all of the time.

I also use a 24" external Apple Cinema Display. This new display was designed for Mac notebooks. It is like a built in docking station. When using an MBA at a desk, it instantly becomes a "desktop." It has power charging and USB hub built in.

I also use an Apple Wireless KeyBoard and a silver LogiTech Mouse which matches much nicer than the so called "Mighty Mouse."

I also recommend either an Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station with attached USB Drive and USB Printer (with a powered USB port) or you can use a Time Capsule which includes same functionality plus drive inside.

Lastly, I use an AT&T 3G Wireless Data USB device that allows my MBA to get nice speed Internet at client offices and while traveling.

Congratulations on your most excellent decision.

Cheers.

 

[Marsil]

Got mine today!

Im now also the owner of the Air -- it arrived today.

I got Microsoft office - I have used open office for some time but to easy my work on sending manuscripts back an forth to people using Microsoft office i got that as well - but I really think Open Office is a good place to start.

I also got iWork -- just for Keynote which is great to get the presentations done.

Thats it! I think that is all I need. Now I just can't wait to get home and un-box it and play....

 

[sdm1985]

Wow....thanks guys for all your tips.

Will I need a Mac Superdrive before i can use my laptop or will the operating software be pre-installed.

Does that 'Cooling' application actualy work? I am usualy in bed on my laptop so is that going to cause overheating with it embedded in my quilt lol silly question.

 

[Scottsdale]

Wow....thanks guys for all your tips.

Will I need a Mac Superdrive before i can use my laptop or will the operating software be pre-installed.

Does that 'Cooling' application actualy work? I am usualy in bed on my laptop so is that going to cause overheating with it embedded in my quilt lol silly question.

You don't need Cool Book with a rev B MBA. I use mine as my primary computer and have NOT installed Cool Book on it. Cool Book was required on the original because of the hardware problems. The revised MBA is solid, and no hardware problems or overheating problems. The 65 NM CPU was replaced by a 45 NM Low Voltage Penryn SSF CPU. That along with the Nvidia graphics means NO OVERHEATING. And the SATA drive means no choppy video. You are fine... don't worry as long as you are getting the revision B MBA as you stated.

 

[Scottsdale]

Wow....thanks guys for all your tips.

Will I need a Mac Superdrive before i can use my laptop or will the operating software be pre-installed.

Does that 'Cooling' application actualy work? I am usualy in bed on my laptop so is that going to cause overheating with it embedded in my quilt lol silly question.

Software is already installed. If you have another computer, Windows or Mac, you can use the wireless remote drive option for software installs of other software that is on CD/DVD.

 

[DarrenT]

i got mine a few days ago and just got around to reinstalling OSX over the wireless. Nice and easy with the guide on here and i saved a ton of space since i dont want to run every printer ever made from my air

 

[Consultant]

No virus on OSX.

More general info:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7012495#2

 

[Winni]

Hi,

I am getting my MacBook Air On Friday it is the latest model 1.6Ghz brand new in box for £850 - £85 (Ebay discount) - £300 for my old laptop so quite a good deal.

Where do i start guys?

Do I need virus protection - will my McAfee work?

A nice case to protect the laptop when travelling?

I have read things about overheating, what steps do I need to take?

Is there software like MS Office I can use for work processing?

and any other tips or advice will be welcome.

My Iphone is going to have an Apple brother

Corporations love customers like you --- you buy before you even think about WHY you buy or IF you need what you buy at all. Or if the bloody thing is even remotely capable of doing something for you that you need to do.

If you guys don't know how to dump your money, donate it to an AIDS research fund or something like that.


Yes, Microsoft sells Office versions for the Mac. But guess what? Office:Mac 2008 does NOT support macros! In other words, this version of Office sucks for business needs. Office:Mac 2004 supports macros, but it's only available in a PowerPC version, which makes it a slow dog on Intel Macs, and its macros are also not 100% compatible with the Windows version. In other words: Microsoft Office for Mac in general sucks for business needs.

And if you use Microsoft Office AND if you are exchanging Office documents with Windows users, you SHOULD install an anti-virus software on your Mac. Though your Mac might not get infected, you -will- be spreading the disease on Windows. But your anti-virus software for Windows won't work on your Mac, so you will have to buy an OS X compatible anti-virus software.

Those are things you should have known BEFORE you bought an Apple computer.

And what's that thing about a case to protect your notebook? Especially the MacBook Air is notebook for people who travel a lot. If it cannot take it, then it's a useless toy in my book. Computers are tools, not pieces of art that belong in a museum behind protective glass.

 

[mshaf]

Corporations love customers like you --- you buy before you even think about WHY you buy or IF you need what you buy at all. Or if the bloody thing is even remotely capable of doing something for you that you need to do.

If you guys don't know how to dump your money, donate it to an AIDS research fund or something like that.


Yes, Microsoft sells Office versions for the Mac. But guess what? Office:Mac 2008 does NOT support macros! In other words, this version of Office sucks for business needs. Office:Mac 2004 supports macros, but it's only available in a PowerPC version, which makes it a slow dog on Intel Macs, and its macros are also not 100% compatible with the Windows version. In other words: Microsoft Office for Mac in general sucks for business needs.

And if you use Microsoft Office AND if you are exchanging Office documents with Windows users, you SHOULD install an anti-virus software on your Mac. Though your Mac might not get infected, you -will- be spreading the disease on Windows. But your anti-virus software for Windows won't work on your Mac, so you will have to buy an OS X compatible anti-virus software.

Those are things you should have known BEFORE you bought an Apple computer.

And what's that thing about a case to protect your notebook? Especially the MacBook Air is notebook for people who travel a lot. If it cannot take it, then it's a useless toy in my book. Computers are tools, not pieces of art that belong in a museum behind protective glass.

Winnie get off your soapbox!

 

[dubhe]

No virus, no coolbook required.

I use an Incase black neoprene sleeve that I bought from the apple store for £25, it has a nice furry interior and keeps the MBA protected when moving around.

 

[Marsil]

I have played with mine some hours now its really nice - its snap fast, the screen is good and .... its just working. I have reinstalled to free some space - installed office. I have heard the fan once during all the updates and installing but thats just fair. I am calibrating the battery now ... and working.

 

[kinkster]

Check out the recent thread for cheap Spec see thru cases if you want a hard case. For a sleeve the Incase sleeve is great.

Also you can upgrade to iLife 09 for 9.99 if you didn't already know. Unless it's new enough that it already came preinstalled.

 

[hoang@unibility]

MacBook Air

Hello.

For a good case, a bit over price go here.

http://www.orbino.com

I got my Microsoft Office for Mac 2008 for $12.95 through a university.

And Adobe CS4 Master Collection for $499.00 USD.

 

[Maks]

To each their own, but what's the point of making the Air thicker with a plastic case? For travel, get something like an incase sleeve. Unless you are setting your Air on top of gravel or rough surfaces you shouldn't end up w/scratches.

 

[sdm1985]

Guys i am trying ti do this remote disk to put all my backed up music and photos onto my new air but it keeps saying waiting for disk...am i doing somthing wrong?

I wanted to download MSN messenger, do i have to download Mac versions of things?

Thanks

 

[dubhe]

I wanted to download MSN messenger, do i have to download Mac versions of things?

Thanks

yes, mac version from ms

 

[elppa]

The Air has no thermal issues from my brief experience (I had to send it back due to a fault with the screen.

 

[Deep_Thought]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

don't bother with msn, try adium, it's much better!

 

[instaxgirl]

And what's that thing about a case to protect your notebook? Especially the MacBook Air is notebook for people who travel a lot. If it cannot take it, then it's a useless toy in my book. Computers are tools, not pieces of art that belong in a museum behind protective glass.

I COULD just throw my laptop in my bag. I don't in case something gets in the ports or a bottle of water spills, on that point I've had stuff spill in my bag a couple of times. Every time my incase sleeve's kept my laptop dry

 

[michael.lauden]

make sure to get a manilla envelope.