OS and Software > All Things Macintosh > [Beginner] [Macbook pro] School user

[Beginner] [Macbook pro] School user

I'd be sure to get AppleCare on it--especially if its gong to be used in a high school setting.

Also, get a good case for it.

As for software, you'd probably be best to get MS Office for Mac--its pretty much the standard.

Beyond that, you are probably good to go.
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"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliott

reply to norwegian
Hi, My daughter now graduated from college has had a I Book and Mac Book Pro during her school days.
Re; office I would go with the Mac office Student teacher edition.
Some large companies also have a plan to purchase office for a very low price ( around $20 for the suite. )
I would also suggest a Laser printer for her reports needs, Fortunately Laser printers are not that costly and they are cheaper to run then Ink Jet printers , always changing out the black Cartridge.
Regards
David

reply to norwegian

Thanks for the feedback.

Applecare was purchased as well.
I have Office for Mac, I'm assuming it is the MS version and will know in a day or 2 when it arrives.

This was a standard buy; do Apple's ship with Windows now or do you have to purchase as an extra? Not that I would think it made any difference, just curious.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke

Macs NEVER ship with Windows, you have to put that on yourself.

That's good to know - I have a copy of Win 7 home, however do you need a specific MAC version?

On another note, the Time Machine on a back up external drive, there is mention of splitting the drive into 2 partitions;
1. Time Capsule
2. Data back up
I have a 2 TB external and according to this forum discussion it can be done, however a google suggested 2 different external drives for data and backup is better. Can I have someone's point of view - is it good or bad?

Thanks
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke

As for backup - a Time Machine backup to your external drive is all you really need...unless you are paranoid that both your main drive and backup drive will die at the same time.

One thing I do is use Dropbox to keep all my mail files (documents, etc) synced in the cloud for access from multiple devices. That is a sort of redundancy as well.

As for windows via bootcamp -- I wouldn't unless you actually need a windows only program...in which case I would run windows in a Virtual Machine (Fusion or Parallels).

My main advise is to just enjoy the machine. Don't over-think it too much. You have a good warranty, you have your backup set...now get a good case for protection and enjoy the machine. You will learn what you need and don't over time.
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"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliott

reply to norwegian
Time machine doesn't create a full backup of your machine every time. After the initial backup it only backs up what has been changed since the last one, then periodically it will create another full backup. It will also consolidate backups once it begins to fill up the drive. For a machine with a 500GB HD a 2TB backup drive should last a long time unless you are regularly working on large files.

Okay, I will just let it run and touch nothing. Hardware and O/S configured, well almost.

Now it is just software for her needs:
For school needs, Office coming and the O/S - OS X Lion (which seems an amazing package) looks like it covers most; does anyone else use out-sourced software more specific to school needs from a third party?
For personal use, a decent media player like VLC for movies, music covered by iTunes, what other bases need covering? Photos etc I would think the O/S would have enough? Do you need external graphics programs? Anything else possibly?

A quick tweak of a few settings and I will let her get on with it. Is there a link to tweaks or something of that nature, both 'enhancing' and 'security' type info?

Thank you for the assistance in sorting this rush; an opportunity made it possible to happen for her and thought I better attempt to keep up, even though I know I will be left behind.

Warm Regards
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke

Apps store:

Can someone explain why to download a free app update - iPhoto, I need to create an apps account with a credit card?

I tried the download via major geeks and it will not install, telling me to visit the apps store to update.

Is there a way to sort O/S updates without a credit card? At least I am assuming the 2 updates, iPhoto and GarageBand are free updates?

Thanks in advance.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke

It's Apple's way of hooking you into the ecosystem.

You don't need a credit card.
»support.apple.com/kb/HT2534

Thanks for the link, I've tried a few ways and still seem to be having troubles, even though I opened an account for the purchase of this laptop.

If nothing happens by midweek I've talk to support to find out why my account is not working with the apps store without submitting a credit card. It seems my acct is locked, but it isn't and all I get is is it locked, and a reset password page (same link as an 'unlock your account') or the submit a credit card and the terms and cond link for a new user.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke

I think the whole thing is pretty slimy to make it that it works easiest with a CC# in there.

It certainly surprised me.

There is more personal info required in logging in than I prefer, but to ship hardware you need personal details I understand, but for simple software downloads, what has a personal address got to do with it. A credit card is all they need, and only when you buy.......but for just browsing the download vault, they need your home address and a credit card?

There is more info required at Apple than there is for my ISP needs, for servicing me.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke

If your Mac came with iLife (it did), the updates for iPhoto and iMovie are free. It should prompt you to register the software with an AppleID when you go into the Mac App store.
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University of Southern California - Fight On!