[Leica] Migrating to Mac

[spencer at aotera.org (Spencer Cheng)]

Tina,

This is what I do -

1/ Buy the laptop when you need it. :)

2/ Don't buy the cheapest/slowest laptop unless that one specifically  
meet your needs. I usually buy one model up from the base model. The  
non-base models sometimes will have better expendability. If you want  
a 13" model right now, you will have to buy the cheapest one though.

3/ For MacBook (Pro), don't pay Apple for extra memory or bigger/ 
faster hard disk, it's usually cheaper to do the upgrade with  
aftermarket parts when you need it. Memory in particular is extra  
pricey from Apple for some reason related to greed.

4/ Buy the extended warranty just before the standard 1 year warranty  
expires (postpone the expenses - better for cash flow).

5/ The Apple stores in Canada offer something called ProCare for $100/ 
year. I presume the same in the USA. If your machine ever breaks, and  
they all break sooner or later, the store will service your machine  
with ProCare the same day assuming they have the parts. Buy ProcCare  
if and when you need it. :)

If you will never travel with the laptop, why not get a desktop (27"  
iMac)? Cost about the same but it will probably last 6 years.  
Electronics and bumps just don't get along.

The only thing the MacBook is lacking is some ways of connecting to  
external SATA drives over a fast interface. My old MacBook use to have  
a ExpressCard slot. The new MacBooks do not and I have a eSATA  
ExpressCard adapter and memory card reader I can no longer use. :(

Regards,
Spencer

On Nov 9, 2009, at 15:51, Tina Manley wrote:

> LUG:
>
> OK - you guys have almost convinced me.  Everybody that I know who  
> loves photos and is also an expert on computers uses Macs.  There  
> must be a reason.  My desktop PC is ancient (6 years old) and due to  
> be replaced soon.  I've had many problems with it lately and I'm  
> afraid it's on its last legs.  I'm seriously considering getting a  
> Mac laptop instead of replacing the PC desktop tower.  I think I can  
> finally use all of my external gadgets with either Mac or PC.  I  
> want something really fast that can use PSCS4 and LR3 optimally.  I  
> would probably continue to travel with either my netbook or this  
> small Dell M1210 laptop that I use at the farm so the Mac would stay  
> on my desk in my office most of the time. All of my photos are  
> stored on the Drobo and several external hard drives so the Mac  
> won't have to have enormous storage capacity.
>
> I won't be able to get it until next year but I want to plan ahead  
> and get the best possible laptop I can for the money.  Any advice?
>
> TIA
>
> Tina
>
> Tina Manley
> www.tinamanley.com
>
>
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