For the record, I just purchased, a mac pro. When i waled into the apple store, the guy thought I meant a macbook pro, and I corrected him. I purchased the base quadcore xeon 2.8 model with 3gb of ram. I explained exactly what I'd be using it for and told him that I wanted to upgrade the CPU to a 6 core westmere w3680 on my own since apple is charging way more than what it retails for, about $600 apple wants $1200 on the online apple store. The guy told me it was no necessary because it would void my wuarantee, which I already knew about, and with this expensive of a machine he strong advised against it. Like you, he explained to me that upgrading to an ssd from the 1tb drive would make a world of difference. Not to mention I got the guys phone number and he's a really steller guy, since he has the same setup and does the same thing I intend to do. I still think more ram would be a better option. I can find an upgrade kit for way less than apple wants it, and since i can shove 32 gigs of ram into this machine, I will be doing that. I also just want to say I told them I wanted to loo inside the actual computer and get an orientation where all the components were and the guy was more than happy to show me. This is why I love apple, I can trust them and take their advice without worrying that they are giving me false information. If one person doesn't know the answer, they either look it up or they get someone who does know what they are talking about.
Cody On Aug 29, 2011, at 12:01 AM, Dan Roy wrote: > I got mine about 10 days ago. Donna, like you, I upgraded the SSD to 256, > and, like you, I am nnot totally convinced that i need to do that, but, I did > it anyway. Yes, it's expensive. I also contemplated returning it, but, I > love this expensive machine, it's not going back. > > > On Aug 27, 2011, at 9:27 AM, Donna Goodin wrote: > >> Hey Anouk, >> >> I decided that since it's going to replace my MBP, I would upgrade >> everything. So I got the 1.8 processor, 4GB of ram, and I upgraded the >> storage to 256. It may be overkill, but I decided I'd rather air on the >> side of beefing it up, rather than wishing I had later. :) >> >> Let me know what you think once you get yours. >> Cheers, >> Donna >> >> On Aug 27, 2011, at 9:03 AM, anouk radix wrote: >> >>> Hey Donna, >>> My macbook air 11 inch will be here tuesday. What upgrades did you get? I >>> have the standard 11 inch model with upgraded i7 processor. >>> Greetings, Anouk, >>> Op 26-8-2011 15:15, Donna Goodin schreef: >>>> Hi Neil, >>>> >>>> thanks for paying such close attention to my message, and for writing such >>>> a great response. I actually picked up an MBA last weekend, and am >>>> inclined to agree with you on all points. Happily this particular store >>>> actually carried the models with the upgraded specs, so I was able to get >>>> that model without ordering it online. I have to say, it's a pretty >>>> amazing little machine. It's quite speedy--though I haven't really put it >>>> through all its paces yet as I haven't transferred my data over. And the >>>> sound is amazingly good for such a small device. I do notice a fairly >>>> significant difference in sound between the MBA and my 13-inch MBP, but as >>>> you say, not so much of a difference that it would impact my choice of >>>> machine. Now the only question remaining is whether I feel rich enough to >>>> live without the $1700, especially given that my 2009 MBP is working just >>>> fine. >>>> Cheers, >>>> Donna >>>> >>>> On Aug 25, 2011, at 4:39 AM, Neil Barnfather - TalkNav wrote: >>>> >>>>> Donna, >>>>> >>>>> Looking at this, I've owned the 15in MBP and all three of the Air's, the >>>>> original incarnation and now the 2010 11in and the revised 2011 11in. >>>>> >>>>> Firstly sound, if you were looking at the original 13in Air, the sound >>>>> was hopeless, with a mono single speaker I really didn't like that thing. >>>>> >>>>> The 11in 2010 and 2011 models though for me solve that. there's stereo >>>>> baby built right in there, and although there's not much bass to talk of, >>>>> the sound is clear and it packs a surprising amount of punch for its size. >>>>> >>>>> put against the 15in, its a notable difference in richness and output, >>>>> but against the 13in MBP, I think less so. >>>>> >>>>> you do have the bass issue and if you like your tones, not just music but >>>>> Alex etc to have that depth it might make you think, but I find that once >>>>> I sit down in front of it, unless I'm working with my iMac along side the >>>>> Air, which I do every now and then, you'll not notice it. >>>>> >>>>> Looking at this DVD business, lets see, presumably you're not watching >>>>> DVD's in the class room etc, so why not just leave the USB drive for that >>>>> in your hotel etc, I've seen you state that this lack of a DVD drive is a >>>>> real issue, but only as you seem to watch films, well as someone else has >>>>> said, a lot of it is downloadable now, you can also rip them, and >>>>> finally, if you're like me, why should I pay to download something I own >>>>> on disk, spend the additional $80 and get the super drive... leave it in >>>>> your hotel room and you're good to go. >>>>> >>>>> I use my Air for everything when I'm not at a desk, and my iMac if I am. >>>>> >>>>> The issue that a lot of folk seem to be throwing up over spec and >>>>> performance, you really need to ask yourself what you're going to be >>>>> doing with it, I find my Air faster than my MBP 15in, which I had as a >>>>> late 2010 model with full processor upgrade, I think a 2.9Ghz i7 with 4Gb >>>>> of RAM. but you see most of what I do is word processing, e-mail and >>>>> internet, oh and iTunes / watching DVD's. >>>>> >>>>> I carry my MBA all around the world with me, leaving the super drive in >>>>> hotel rooms or my carry on in a plane if its a long flight. >>>>> >>>>> I personally think its really the way to go if you're seriously looking >>>>> to lighten the load. >>>>> >>>>> there is an InCase sleeve for the 11in and 13in available from the Apple >>>>> online store, I use this and think its great... for whoever asked that >>>>> question. >>>>> >>>>> HTH. >>>>> >>>>> Neil Barnfather. >>>>> On 15 Aug 2011, at 20:29, Donna Goodin wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Hi Mika, >>>>> >>>>> I believe there's a program called DVD Remaster that does that, though I >>>>> haven't tried it. In the long-term, your definitely right, I suspect >>>>> there'll come a time not all that far off when having a DVD drive will >>>>> seem as obsolete as having a floppy drive does now. But for me anyway, >>>>> that time hasn't quite arrived yet. But, as with Chris's mention of the >>>>> lack of an SD card slot, this is a question of personal preference and >>>>> usage. >>>>> >>>>> The processor question is a tricky one. The processor on the MBA is >>>>> slower than that on the MBP. But the solid state drive should make up >>>>> for a lot of the difference there. >>>>> Cheers, >>>>> Donna >>>>> >>>>> On Aug 15, 2011, at 1:15 PM, Mika Pyyhkala wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> As for a DVD drive, is it easy say to copy a movie over to the hard >>>>>> drive of say a MacBook Air, so that you don't need a DVD drive on the >>>>>> road? >>>>>> >>>>>> I just am thinking of this as software increasingly moves to being >>>>>> acquired through a platform like the Mac app store. >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm just not sure, for me, why it would be important now a days to have >>>>>> a built in DVD drive? >>>>>> >>>>>> Things like the processor, sound, etc. are more important in the uses I >>>>>> would tend to have. I'm not sure also on the MBA that just came out how >>>>>> much of an improvement the processor is, etc. >>>>>> >>>>>> BTW I now have the 11 inch MBA (the model just before the most recent >>>>>> release), bought in early 2011. I still found I mostly used Jaws, >>>>>> mainly because I'm still more efficient browsing the web under Jaws and >>>>>> for Qwitter, though I have not really spent the necessary time to learn >>>>>> the Mac ways of doing things. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Best, >>>>>> mika >>>>>> >>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Donna Goodin >>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 1:05 PM >>>>>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>> Subject: Re: going from an MBP to a MacBook Air >>>>>> >>>>>> Hey Chris, >>>>>> >>>>>> Yeah, the lack of memory card is no big deal for me, I tend to use a USB >>>>>> drive most of the time. The one that gets me is the lack of a DVD drive. >>>>>> >>>>>> That 11-inch Air is *reeeeeally calling my name. I would have given >>>>>> anything to have it while I was in Hawaii last week, the MBP was just >>>>>> big enough that I didn't feel like hauling it on the plane and all. I >>>>>> can see why you're sticking with the MBP, though - it's definitely the >>>>>> more powerful device. And I totally agree, if they ever combine the Air >>>>>> with the iPad, I'd be all over it! >>>>>> >>>>>> I was originally thinking I'd replace the MacBook with the Air, but I >>>>>> can't see going without a built-in DVD drive, at least not at this >>>>>> point. So I don't know. In addition to the work stuff, I've got some >>>>>> more plane travel coming up over the next few months, and it'd be nice >>>>>> to be able to take the Air. I'd definitely use it, I know that, but >>>>>> it's a luxury, not a necessity. Buuuut ... lol >>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>> Donna >>>>>> >>>>>> On Aug 15, 2011, at 12:49 PM, Chris Moore wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Donna, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> One other thing to bare in mind if you are going for the 11inch model, >>>>>>> is that it does not have a memory card reader. This is done via a USB >>>>>>> dongle instead. Not sure if this is important to you. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I must admit, the 11inch model is very alluring. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I think I will stick with my Macbook Pro and iMac for now. If Apple >>>>>>> are heading in the direction of merging both their operating systems, >>>>>>> then I would expect to see a merged Macbook Air and iPad. Now that's >>>>>>> the baby I want. A keyboard with a touch screen all in one. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Chris >>>>>>> On 15 Aug 2011, at 17:47, Donna Goodin wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi Mika, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The MacBoo Pro has some significant advantages. It has a bigger hard >>>>>>>> drive, faster processor, can be upgraded with more memory, has >>>>>>>> built-in ethernet, DVD drive, and SD card slot. As Ricardo pointed >>>>>>>> out, it also has better sound. With the Air, you can connect to a DVD >>>>>>>> drive or ether net via usb, but they're not built-in, so that's extra >>>>>>>> hardware you need to haul around. The Air is a great portable device, >>>>>>>> but the MacBook is a more powerful computer, with more features >>>>>>>> built-in. >>>>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>>>> Donna >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Aug 15, 2011, at 12:18 PM, Mika Pyyhkala wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> What are the primary advantages you see the the MBP (MacBook Pro) as >>>>>>>>> opposed to the MBA (MacBook Air)? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Just wondering if people appreciate more the ports, or if it is speed >>>>>>>>> of the machine, etc? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>>>> Mika >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>>>> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Blouch >>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 11:56 AM >>>>>>>>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: going from an MBP to a MacBook Air >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I've hauled the Macbook all over the place and didn't mind so much >>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> the backpack. Maybe because the old computer bag was just so bad. Made >>>>>>>>> the change when I was presenting at a conference (cough - CSUN) that >>>>>>>>> could no longer fit in its venue and rented two hotels. Of course the >>>>>>>>> session I wanted to attend would be in one and then I would present in >>>>>>>>> the other then hike back to the first. Not that big a deal with the >>>>>>>>> backpack. If I could just remember which pocket I put the network >>>>>>>>> cable >>>>>>>>> vs. the AC adaptor vs the displayport connector etc. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> CB >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On 8/15/11 11:12 AM, Donna Goodin wrote: >>>>>>>>>> Hi Chris, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> In the past, I've always felt as you do, that the MBP is very easy >>>>>>>>>> to haul around. But unfortunately, I'm not just looking at >>>>>>>>>> schlepping my MBP to and from work. Every class I teach is in a >>>>>>>>>> different building, and all those buildings are different from the >>>>>>>>>> building where my office is. So I'll be carrying it around most of >>>>>>>>>> the day, along with a braille display. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I do think I've decided though that the Air can't replace my >>>>>>>>>> MacBook. So I'll either be trying something like what you describe, >>>>>>>>>> or just getting the low-end model and using it for times when I want >>>>>>>>>> a lot of portability. >>>>>>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>>>>>> Donna >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Aug 15, 2011, at 10:09 AM, Chris Blouch wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Having shlepped my MacBook to work for many years I found that it >>>>>>>>>>> wasn't that big a deal in a nice backpack. I used to use those >>>>>>>>>>> computer bags with a shoulder strap but it started bothering my >>>>>>>>>>> shoulder. I finally picked up one for cheap from Megamacs and have >>>>>>>>>>> really liked it. Very comfortable and more pockets to lose things >>>>>>>>>>> in :) Might be worth the $20 to find out. It's been several years >>>>>>>>>>> now but the one I got is still available: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> http://www.megamacs.com/index.php?action=frameview&id=3566552 >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Their cart UI doesn't move focus to the form input on each step so >>>>>>>>>>> you have to slog around to find where the form is, but it does >>>>>>>>>>> work. I guess it's no worse than many web shopping carts. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> CB >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On 8/14/11 7:46 PM, Donna Goodin wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> Hi all, >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Since I'm going to be schlepping my Mac around a lot for work in >>>>>>>>>>>> the next several months, and possibly then some, I'm seriously >>>>>>>>>>>> considering shelling out the $$ for an 11-inch MacBook Air. I'm >>>>>>>>>>>> looking at one of the new ones, with all the specs maxed out. My >>>>>>>>>>>> MBP is two years old, running a 2.53GHZ processor with 4G of ram. >>>>>>>>>>>> I'm wondering if there's anyone on list who can give me an >>>>>>>>>>>> accurate comparison of the user experience on these two models. A >>>>>>>>>>>> couple of the things I'm wondering about are: >>>>>>>>>>>> 1. Speed. How will day-today- use compare. My MBP has the >>>>>>>>>>>> faster processor, but the Air has the solid state drive, which I >>>>>>>>>>>> assume will compensate, at least to some extent. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> 2. Sound quality? this won't be a deal breaker, but wondering >>>>>>>>>>>> how the two compare. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> If there are any other differences that people have experienced, >>>>>>>>>>>> either good or bad, I'd love to hear. >>>>>>>>>>>> Best, >>>>>>>>>>>> Donna >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> P.S. I am aware of the connectivity differences, that's something >>>>>>>>>>>> I can live with. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> This message contains information from Neighborhood Health Plan that >>>>>>>>> may be confidential or privileged. 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