Mac newbie (almost) requests advice

[garyread]

this is my first post to this forum. I am about to buy my first Mac having used PCs for years. Naturally it is a big change for me and I am looking for help and maybe some resources to help me along. I have never used a Mac so I would guess that things will be unfamiliar to start with. I am keeping my PC to act as a server at home and going to buy a Macbook and a new iPod video (as soon as my salary is in!). I am very excited about this new phase in my computing life.

One specific question I have is what peripherals should I buy? I will be using the Mac at home for the bulk of the time so it would be nice to have a keyboard and mouse, a carry case and whatever else you can think of. I have a budget of £1500 so by the time I buy the Macbook and the iPod I should have around £300 (approx $500) left.

Many thanks,

Gary

[inboxdesign]

Well i would say it depends on what you do?

I have two power adoptors and find that great.
I have a wireless router (handy for at home, laptop in any room).
I have a backpack wit ha laptop section. Handy to take more than just my laptop out.
What software would you use? M$ office Mac? Photoshop? MYOB? they all cost.
I also use an external HDD (firewire 800) to back up my laptops on all the time. But you have a server too, (I back up my server on th FWHDD's also).
A second display to dual displays is handy.
iPod gear? car kit, audio kit, external speakers (for both?)


I guess it depends on what you will do mostly?
Work, Play, Games?


Good luck, you will never regret it, and never go back.

(Dump windows and install linux on your old box!)

[Rogue_Tr00per]

Ram, Macs come with only basic ram. Spend on extras what you can afford.
Hint:..Mac software can cost a lot more than the hardware..but,Don't let that put you off.

An external drive, firewire if you can afford it, usb2 would be fine for Back up or cloning you hard drive.

Do you have broadband?, if you have fine, you may have to replace the modem ( drivers issue), If you don't get broadband, buy a wireless router, Draytek are fantastic, rock solid...

Above all don't worry, we are here to help..

Trooper

[aved]

Gary,

I agree with the other posters. I would say:

1. Get at least 1 gig of memory

2. Extrernal hard drive. This way you don't loose all that music, although if you have a server you could probably just backup files there. I have been happy with Lacie HDs.

3. An Airport Express with iTunes. I bought one and its sweet- you can play music on your home stereo wirelessly. It can also be a router i think but with basic functionality.

Good luck.

[ora]

On the RAM, its often cheaper to get the minimum from Apple then buy some from someone like crucial and get it fitted. You'll certainbyl want more than the minimum anyway.

I really favor Crumpler bags (widely availabe these days, and my 5 year old one looks brand new despite daily use).

Most of your PC peripherals should also work, though some need different software. I recommend USB overdrive for getting input devices to work. Most HDs will eb fine, as will hubs etc, routers etc.

I like Apple keyboards a lot (and you want a keyboard made for a Mac with the apple key etc), but I'd skip their mice if you are used to PC style multi-button goodness. I like logitech optical and laser mice, and I prefer corded ones most of the time though its cos runnign out of power irritates me so much.

Airport comes built in and if you have a wired/wireless router/adsl modem it will work (but USB modems often don't). If you only have a wired router and plan on playing back music from you mac (which i do, i've almost dumped CD) then an airport express is fun as you can plug your stereo and printer into and and send to them wirelessly as well as using it as a wireless access to your adsl.

I also have an external DVD burner as I think the internal slot loading burners have a shorter life-span than externals, and my external writer is a lot faster, but this isn't necessary.

If you want other specific items I'm sure we'd all be happy to give suggestions, as Rough Trooper said, we're here to help.

Good luck!

[powermac]

Everything that everyone said it great. The external drive is a great investment. I have a PB 15, and there is not way I would get all my music on my internal HD.
After you initially purchase the software you need, you will be smooth sailing.

[garyread]

Wow - thank you for your answers! I feel at home already.

I'm keeping my PC to act as a server, it is hooked up to a Wireless Router (I have cable). I have three 200GB hard disks installed there and a 200GB external drive so that should be more than enough.

Unfortunately, I don't have an Apple Store within 100 miles so I'll be buying the machine from an Electrical retailer here in South Wales and I'll order all my peripherals online. I take the point about the Apple keyboard but quite liked the look the new mouse from Apple, does anyone have any thoughts on that?

My software requirements are MS Office (I really need to read/write Word/Excel/Access/Powerpoint files for my job). I use Photoshop CS2 on the PC but that would be a big investment for me. I saw a preview of Aperture online and it looks fantastic (I take lots of images and have a Canon D20). I would really like that unless anyone thinks otherwise? How about Photoshop Elements?

My only worry is the RAM - I'm quite proficient and can take a PC apart. Is installing a new stick of RAM fairly straightforward?

I wish I knew someone with a Mac or there was a store nearby; I'm just a bit concerned that I won't get on with the interface and so on.

Anyway, enough rambling - thanks again averyone.

Gary

[kinc]

Upgrading the ram, video here.

Very easy, about 2 mins flat.