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Apple Mac Help & Chat thread |
Jools
Joined: May 21, 2003
Posts: > 500
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@Fatreg
I use the free EasyDMG for making DMG files.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/15863
Just copy existing files from a DMG into a folder, add new files and drag 'n' drop into EasyDMG
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Hlcn Twst
Joined: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Purgatory, Utah, USA
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The iPhone was slipping, so they dragged engineers off OS X 10.5 to make sure the iPhone comes out in June. Which means Leopard is now delayed from June to October 
http://www.apple.com/hotnews/
(scroll down to "Apple Statement")
http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/
(scroll to bottom)
Thanks, Apple. I was already delaying my next iMac purchase until the release of Leopard. You've delayed Leopard, so I'm further delaying my purchase.
And I'm not buying an overpriced, underperforming iPhone.
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chrisfirst
Joined: Nov 20, 2003
Posts: 266
From: London
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Hi guys,
Well, I just had enough of Microsoft, all of those well known issues and stuff, so I'm kinda decided to try a Mac. At the moment I'm thinking to buy a Macbook, the cheapest model with a 1.83 processor and 512 memory. Broke as a joke, but if I like the thing I will get a best Pro model, as soon as I'll be loaded again. Anyway, because of my lack of knowledge I dont know a lot about what I can and what I can't do on it, like I can on my XP, so I just would like to ask some questions and I hope you guys don't mind to sort me out here.So,
1, Can I use MSN? I know there is a Mac version, but is that the same as the Windows one?
2, How about browsing? Will I ever have any problems, with Java sites or anything?
3, How about sites, like BBC with videos on them? I ask this, because if you watch any videos on some of these sites, they often require Media Player.
4, Can I watch downloaded videos ( Divx, Xvid or any avi) in Quicktime? Or is there any other way to watch them properly?
5, Is it possible to read CDs or DVDs written in Windows? Most of my backups are on DVDs.
6, For some strange reason, I'm a big movie trailer junkie and I want to be able to watch them in 1080p. Will it be possible on this system I'm planning to buy or I might need something more powerfull? Would be very, very nice!!!
7, I know it's possible to output the video to an external screen like an LCD TV, but how is the quality if you watch a movie? I know it's sound stupid, but actualy what I mean, will it be the same like I burn the video on CD and play it back on my standalone DVD Player?
8, How about Pdf and Word files?
9, Anyway, is there realy anything I cannot do on it like I could on my XP?
Thanks guys in advance and I hope I didn't sound like an idiot... LOL
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Luke-the-magic-man
Joined: May 31, 2005
Posts: > 500
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1: Yes you can use msn, there are numerous programs you can use, I myself use adium which supports, msn, yahoo, aol etc
2:no problems, all computers can browse the net, macs are no exception
3:yes macs can play videos on websites... again there are lots of video players avalible
4:again macs can play all kind of videos just like pc's. I use something called vlc player, it openes all video kinds known to man as far asI can tell... but there are also a ton of programs that can be used, inc the ones you can get fro windows. Most programs for windows are avalible in mac versions these days.
5:of course you can read windows cd's... just not run windows written programs
6: these should be no reason why you can't watch your movie trailers in hd if downloaded, although the macbook has the least powerfull gfx card it should still be able to support these files. Also frontrow is a good program for viewing movie trailers on macs.
7:yes it will be the same quality. My external display is 16-- by 12-- I believe and it plays at the video quality.
8: adobe reader and microsoft office are both avalible for mac... have been for years and it always shocks me when people ask this
9: the only thing you can't do is run windows programs, or games without emulation software... you can even run windows on a macbook just in case...
the only real difference between macs are they run more stable, they are more fun, easier to use, easy to set up, easier to back up, wider avalibility of media programs, less games avalible then windows, better spec for cheaper theses days. Overall in my opninion they rock!
one thing I will say is forget everything any windows user has told you about macs as the majority have no idea what they are talking about and are repeating old facts rather then new ones for example rumours which are NOT true about macs yet I have been told repeatedly:
there are slower
there is less software avalible
there is no right click
they are more expensive
they are just for media folk
O in my opnion there is probally no need for you to get a macbook pro over say a top spec macbook, for the general user a macbook will suit your needs fine, its only if you want to do intensive work on it that you need say a macbook pro. I myself use a macbook pro currently the top spec and am considering downgrading even though I do allot of media work and run it 24/7
Check out my sales  I am a mac fanboy  . I will honor Laffens gift of P990 flip free avartar, but I sold the p990  |
chrisfirst
Joined: Nov 20, 2003
Posts: 266
From: London
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Thanks Luke so much for this well detailed advice!!! To be honest I felt so stupid to ask questions like these and I was expecting something like Google this and Google that answers! So, you Rock! OK I don't want to pollish you anymore... LOL
Anyway, I'm 99% sure I'll get 1 next week, but I still have some not so clear areas...
First of all, which was one of your listed mith, how about that right click? To be honest I was so sure there is only one mouse button... How is this thing works?
I have only one question left, which is about those 1080p HD movie trailers. As I said I'm planing to buy an entry level basic model ( maybe the middle one, but I'm nor sure I'll have the cash ) with a 1.83 processor and 512 RAM. So, on the Quicktime's site under the "Recommended Hardware Configurations for H.264 High Definition (HD) Playback" I see this:
For 1920x1080 (1080p) video at 24 frames per second:
QuickTime 7 for Mac OS X:
Dual 2.0 GHz PowerMac G5 or faster Macintosh computer; 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo or faster
At least 512MB of RAM
128MB or greater video card
As you see the recommended specs a bit above the specs of the planned system. But, for Windows these are the specs for 480p:
For 852x480 (480p) video at 24 frames per second:
QuickTime 7 for Windows:
2.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or faster processor
At least 512MB of RAM
64MB or greater video card
Windows 2000 or XP
My current computer is way bellow that and it plays them almost fine, with a loads of shit running in the background. I think if I have a clean system would be play perfect. Anyway, what I'm trying to say or ask are these specs a bit overstated or not? Because if thats the case I just buy an entry system and spend the rest on accessories and stuff. I miss London where I just walk in the store and try it myself...
So, as you see, this would be a main thing! If it can play them, I'll get one. If not I have to wait a couple of weeks more to get a middle model. I hate waiting!!!
Oh, one more stupid question: Will the Apple logo glow in blue?
I dont remember when eas the last time I was so excited about something like this... LOL
Thanks a lot!
Just noticed it has a built in Bluetooth 2.0. Is there any way to make it support A2DP? I hate wires...
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[ This Message was edited by: chrisfirst on 2007-04-21 22:03 ] |
Luke-the-magic-man
Joined: May 31, 2005
Posts: > 500
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Hi
regards right click they do only have 1 mouse button, but they also have a patented right click and scroll function.
To right click you just tap 2 fingers on the trackpad instead of one, and to scroll you just drag 2 fingers over the pad insead of one. It really is very good.
I see where your going with the specs of the mac, but thats recomended, it should easily run on a macbook without a problem, the recomended spec is porbally because most people using those qualitys will be doing more editing at the same time meaning they need more power... atleast thats my theory...
You can make your logo glow blue eaily, you just need to pop open the rear of the screen, I think normally it glows whitey blue
it does have blueooth, but I have no idea what the other thing you mentioned is... could be im too drunk right now...
this will def be one of your best purchases
Check out my sales I am a mac fanboy . I will honor Laffens gift of P990 flip free avartar, but I sold the p990 |
Jools
Joined: May 21, 2003
Posts: > 500
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The standard Apple Mighty Mouse has two touch-sensitive buttons on the top, a scroll-ball (for 360 degree scrolling), plus buttons on the side you can squeeze to access other functions.
http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/
Bluetooth A2DP support is coming in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard (due October).
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Hlcn Twst
Joined: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Purgatory, Utah, USA
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On 2007-04-23 21:20:39, JoolsG4 wrote:
The standard Apple Mighty Mouse has two touch-sensitive buttons on the top, a scroll-ball (for 360 degree scrolling), plus buttons on the side you can squeeze to access other functions.
http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/
Bluetooth A2DP support is coming in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard (due October).
Yes, October, instead of June  (see rant above)
I had to ditch my  Mighty Mouse. It was causing all manner of I/O problems with both USB and FireWire external drives on my G4 iMac running 10.4.x (right up to 10.4.9). For example, I plug in a thumb drive and transfer files... then either the transfer itself would cause the spinning-beachball-of-death, or ejecting the volume would do so. It also caused file transfer glitches with my phones.
I since bought a Logitech MX Revolution mouse and then installed the SteerMouse shareware (since Logitech Mouseware for Mac = useless buggy garbage). I haven't looked back 
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chrisfirst
Joined: Nov 20, 2003
Posts: 266
From: London
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Well, after 2 nights of review reading, I went to my local Apple Center ( crepy corner computer shop ) and I've ordered my shiny new Macbook. Decided to get a middle model with a bloody £120 price premium, cause I was to lazy to travel 4 hours to the capital. Yeah, that's the price not to be in London... So, if everything goes OK I'll have it on friday! Yeeeeepeeee!
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Hlcn Twst
Joined: Jul 27, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Purgatory, Utah, USA
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April 26, 2007
Apple Zooms Past Rivals, With 88% Profit Growth
By LAURIE J. FLYNN
The New York Times
SAN FRANCISCO, April 25 — Apple Inc. surpassed even the most optimistic forecasts for its usually tepid second quarter, delivering an 88 percent increase in profit on strong sales of Macintosh computers and iPod music players.
The company said on Wednesday that its profit rose to $770 million from $410 million in the comparable quarter last year. Apple sold 1.5 million Macs in the quarter, a record for the company.
In an interview, Steven P. Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, called the quarter a “blowout,” and noted that the strong sales and market share gains came even though the company had not made any major upgrades to its lines of portable and desktop computers.
“The Mac is clearly gaining market share, with sales growing 36 percent — more than three times the industry growth rate,” Mr. Jobs said. Overall personal computer sales increased only about 11 percent during the quarter, according to the market researcher IDC.
Apple’s strength was particularly notable in that it came during the quarter in which Microsoft finally released the long-awaited Vista version of its Windows operating system, an event that the PC industry was counting on to spur a wave of computer upgrades.
Mr. Jobs noted that Dell had recently returned an earlier version of Windows to its product line, which he said was an indication that demand for Vista had not been overwhelming.
Apple reported revenue of $5.26 billion, an increase of more than 20 percent over the $4.36 billion in the same period last year. Profit increased to 87 cents a share from 47 cents.
On average, analysts were expecting earnings of 64 cents a share on sales of $5.17 billion for the quarter, according to a survey by Thomson Financial.
Apple executives said the company benefited from lower component costs, as well as surging demand for notebook computers. Of Apple’s total computer sales, 59 percent were notebooks.
The earnings report sent shares of Apple up more than 7 percent to $102.40 in after-hours trading on Wednesday, topping the $100 mark for the first time. The shares rose $2.11 to close at $95.35 in the regular trading session.
It was Apple’s profitability during the quarter that most impressed Wall Street analysts. Its gross profit margin reached 35.1 percent, up from 29.8 percent in the year-ago quarter. Company executives said it was the company’s most profitable second quarter ever. Sales typically slow in the second quarter as it comes between the holidays and buying for school in the fall.
“They’re defying the laws of gravity when it comes to profitability,” said Eugene A. Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray.
Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s chief finance officer, told analysts that he expected gross margins to decline during the third quarter, to about 32 percent. Apple tends to sell lower-margin computers to school districts in the third quarter, and component prices are also expected to be higher, he said.
In the third quarter the company expects revenue to climb to about $5.1 billion and earnings to reach about 66 cents a share, slightly lower than analysts’ forecasts.
Mr. Munster said the appeal of the Macintosh was clearly expanding beyond its traditional niche. “There’s a global shift in how people see personal computers — for entertainment, creativity and good looks,” Mr. Munster said. “Apple has found that sweet spot, and with almost no competition.”
Apple said Mac sales accounted for 56 percent of revenue during the second quarter, with music-related products, including iPod and iTunes sales, accounting for the other 44 percent.
Apple sold 10.5 million iPods during the quarter. Earlier this month Apple said it had sold a total of 100 million iPods.
Apple had earlier said it was delaying the release of the next version of its Mac operating system, called Leopard, because it needed to divert resources to its iPhone project. The iPhone is scheduled to ship in late June, through an agreement with Cingular, and cost between $500 and $600.
Mr. Oppenheimer said Apple planned to regularly add new software features to iPhones after they are sold, at no charge, and would alter its accounting policies to make this possible. In the interview, Mr. Jobs said he believed these upgrades would give the company an advantage in a market where the software in phones generally remains unchanged once they are in use.
Apple said it ended the second quarter with $12.6 billion in cash.
John Markoff contributed reporting.
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chrisfirst
Joined: Nov 20, 2003
Posts: 266
From: London
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Big help please!!!
As you already know, I will get my shiny new Macbook tommorrow ( hopefully ) and because I don't know f*ck all abot the whole OS and stuff, it made me think whats gona happen if I install and uninstall a loads of junk and stuff to try them out? Possibly I will end up with many many unwanted files as I've experienced it on my PC! Long story short, whats the best uninstaller or/and "keep the system clean" software? Only freeware please, cause I just spent a grand...  Also, is it possible to do any system restore as I've got used to it on XP?
Just one more thing! Is it realy true, I dont have to worry about viruses, spywares, mailwares and any nasty little "make my life happier things" or is it just some PR idea? If the answer is better to be safe then sorry what do you guys recommend?
Thanks a lot!
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haynesycop
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Posts: > 500
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There is an application you can use called appzapper. You just open it up and then drag and drop the unwanted application into appzapper and it will locate all files associated with that application. Then you just click the zap button and there gone!
Don't worry you'll love your macbook i have one myself, it is dummy proof no horrid windows type error messages or anything. Hope you have a great time with it.
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Jools
Joined: May 21, 2003
Posts: > 500
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> Long story short, whats the best uninstaller or/and "keep the system clean" software?
Well, unlike on Windows, the majority of Mac applications don't install crap all over the hard drive. To uninstall most apps you just drag the icon to the Trash and empty. AppZapper will help with any that aren't that simple.
http://www.appzapper.com/
(Enter MACCOMPANION in the coupon box to save $3 on the price!)
The best maintenance and optimization tool for Macs is Onyx:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582/onyx
But to be honest, you won't need to use it very often, as Macs do their own 'housekeeping' in the background at night.
>Also, is it possible to do any system restore as I've got used to it on XP?
You shouldn't need to do this... ever. I never have anyway, in 18 years of Mac use. But if you want to create a complete bootable backup of your system disk (just in case) you can use Carbon Copy Cloner:
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
> Is it realy true, I dont have to worry about viruses, spywares, mailwares and any nasty little "make my life happier things"
It is true. There are no viruses for Mac OS X in the wild (just a couple of proof-of-concept ones that were never released). There is no spyware or malware either, and (unlike on a PC) nothing can be automatically installed on a Mac without you specifically allowing it.
But, as with any computer the best way to avoid any 'nasties' is:
- don't download software from dodgy, untrusted sources
- don't tap in your admin password without being sure of what you are installing
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[ This Message was edited by: JoolsG4 on 2007-04-27 01:10 ] |
chrisfirst
Joined: Nov 20, 2003
Posts: 266
From: London
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Well, I have my Macbook since yesterday morning. 24 hours gone and the best way I could describe it it's a worthless piece of junk!!! Honestly I begining to think the reason they made the Macbook's edges so bloody sharp to cut your wrist when you had enough... Big kudos for the designers! I never had a laptop so uncomfortable like this! After a couple of hours of use my palm and wrist hurt like s**t... Not to talk about the way you have to open the lid. You just cannot avoid to touch the webcam and make nice fingerprints on it. After 24 hours the paint or whatever it is coming of from the mouse button where I hold my thumb when I'm using the touchpad, make that spot sticky because of the material they used! Yes it's clean!!!
Let's see what's inside, what is this "everything works properly, everything is so easy and the best OS in the world"?
OK, it looks nice, but probably that's the only good part it has. First of all, what is this bollocks you can't maximize the windows? Very nice in iTunes Store... I don't know why is it easier to scroll from left to right all the time, then make the windows full screen. Not to talk about other programs, where you don't have to scroll at the bottom but you have to a lot on the side, because the bloody thing is taking only the half of the screen even when you tap on that stupid + button. We where at iTunes so let's talk about it a bit then. This is the worst software I've ever seen in my life! iPhoto is the same!!! So, let's say you have about 200 Albums, with about 1500 songs and about 4000 photos on your XP. What would you do? Transfer them to your Mac because it will sort them out for you! Yeah, right! You have to import everything, almost like one by one and at the end take a look of the duplicated songs, stupidly handled album names and stuff. Just spent an hour to sort out 5 albums. 1 of my album ended up like 15 individual album. Use album art is a pain in the a** to...
Quicktime? Thanks Apple, very nice one! You want oto watch full screen video? Buy Quicktime Pro! You want to download videos, like movie trailers? Buy Quickbloodytime Pro! Thanks Apple, you made me buy a system for a grand and I have to buy your worthless software what should be in there. Anyway, if you support Microsoft why don't you just tell us? How comes I could download those bloody videos in Windows with your software and I cannot in your own OS? Oh, you want me to spend more cash on it? I understand...
Safari? I can't see no speed here! Exactly the same it was in IE! Not to talk about the way it shows the sites, like in Windows 98. So basic...
The funny thing is, I had my first computer 20 years ago, so I know a bit about them, but please tell me, what would a new user do with this? Use as a paperweight? Maybe...
I could continue this for hours, but my wrist and palm is hurt like hell again...
One more thing, if I win the lottery tonight I'll smash this thing up into little pieces, blend it and I'll send it back to Apple, that's for sure. And then I will buy something nice with XP on!
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haynesycop
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Posts: > 500
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Ouch! You really hate it that much i am sure there is free software out there for you to watch full screen video. Jools will be able to recommend some for you. Have you had a laptop before i'm not being sarcastic in anywhere but i have only ever had an apple laptop before and it took awhile to get used too after using a desktop for so long.
Maybe try it for a week or so and if you still hate it you could send it back for a refund. I mean if you've been a pc user for 20 years then it is going to take awhile to get used too, not going to happen overnight, you know?
Anyway i hope you change your mind and start to enjoy it, if not least you can say you tried it out, there not for everybody.
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Posted: 2007-04-12 00:38
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