After a frustrating time during the snow when my hard disk in my thinkpad crashed big style I have successfully moved to an ubuntu build with a vmware for those windows based applications I need to use and demo. That week started with snow thus no access to the office, but with the beauty of spare technology I was able to swap the duff drive with the one from my original Macbook that is not being used being only 80GB 
With my Macbook Pro I connected back to the office and downloaded the VPN software, whilst downloading the standard build in VMware format and the Ubuntu Karmic Koala 64bit. Within a day I was back up running with the exception of some quirks with the vpn build needed for access to work, but this was only a minor issue as I could still connect via the vmware image.
It was interesting when I rang IBM support to get the old drive sorted on warranty. Basically they wouldn’t except a linux disk test error message stating exactly how many bad sectors I had, instead they insisted that I download a Dr PC window version tester to test the disk that only reported a vague disk error message. This proved a challenge as I had to borrow a windows PC to burn the bootable CD to test the disk, great fun, what if I didn’t have access to a window PC. When I rang back with the error code the agent was only interested that I had a disk error message to satisfy his requirements to send out a new disk. This turned up the following Tuesday so it was a good job I had that spare otherwise with the snow I would have to use the Macbook…
Lets hope this disk can last more than 8 months…….
A few days have passed since the MacBook Pro order and I thought I would write a quick update for everyone. The nice UPS man called at about 3pm on Wednesday this week with two boxes from my friends at Apple. The boxes contained all I had ordered including incase sleeve, vga adapter, wacom bamboo and MacBook Pro.
Unpacking was the usual pleasure they just know how to design fab packaging for Apple product, may be that’s where my money goes when you buy one of their products
MacBook Pro in a box
Once out of the box it was time to copy my data from the original MacBook so that I could get working straight away.
Software Update in progress
Data transfer
Once all things were transfer I installed iLife 09, iWork 09, Aperture, OpenOffice and Lotus Symphony. I then spent the rest of the evening installing the Bamboo software for the tablet and testing out the capabilities. I have only played with this a few time and only for a short period of time so will write an indepth review in a week or so. First impressions are its fab and looking forward to creating some pictures with it.
Pleased so far with the purchases and the screen is fab more to follow over the coming weeks
The time has come to look at a replacement for my first generation black MacBook. When I first got it I upgraded the RAM to 2GB to give me the extra boost, since then I have twice replaced the hard disk increasing capacity from 80Gb to 200Gb and now 320GB. The two larger drives are 7200rpm so give a bit extra zip.
Two main reasons for the upgrade are current one struggles a bit with processing aperture library additions such as creating previews and thumbnails from the RAW images. The second one is I have had a better 2008 than anticipated so can look at an upgrade now rather than in six months or so. There is actually a third reason in the fact is I want to be able to run VM images and the current 2GB and lower horsepower is a constraint.
So what to go for, well it will have to be a Mac and I have been researching and conversing on what to plumb for so here was my thought process:
Photos – Need large screen (could use external), processing power for RAW image processing, large number of actual files and potential to start using Photoshop in the future to supplement Aperture.
Music – So I have two things related to music that I would like to use my MB/MBP for. The first is the standard iTunes activities including ripping downloading etc. The second thing I use it for is the provider of MP3 for my USB mixer. I run the mixer plus I have Traktor Studio software for mixing and with the current MB it has stuttered a few times.
VMWare – I use VMWare for work to run demos, learn about new software and dabble with new technologies. As this is my home system I want the VMWare tools as a mechanism to run the odd Windows App and as a fall back in case I need to drop back to an old version of something. I can also use this as a third demo system is I need to set up something more complex.
Drawing/Graphics/Presentations/iWeb – I have been wanting to do more on the drawing and graphics front so need to be good enough to grow if I need more horsepower. I don’t expect this will be a big one at this stage for resources. Also processing and managing my website via iWeb which can be resource intensive depending on the graphics included.
Office type applications – So I will also use it for office type applications including iWorks, Lotus Symphony and OpenOffice. These are not very intensive applications but the faster to load the better.
Misc – I expect that there may be other applications in the future but not any that need a great deal of resources at this stage
After much thought I have decided the following kit will be purchased:
MacBook Pro 15.4″
- 2.53GHz Processor
- 4GB RAM
- 320GB HD
- Nvidia GeForce 9600M (512MB) and 9400M Graphics subsystem
- Dual Layer SuperDrive DVD/CD
So why this instead of the MB, well I thought that in reality it boils down to the fact that a larger portable screen is better for photos, faster processor for Aperture and editing software is really needed and thirdly should help it last longer in terms of lifecycle.
Once that decision was made I had to have a look round on the apple site for accessories, the first one being mini displayport to VGA adpator. As you may already know Apple has a tendency to use very small adapters for displays in it MB/MBP range hence the need to buy an adaptor. Of coourse they don’t just have one there are three options. VGA, DVI and Dual DVI to drive large screens.
The second accessory is immediate protection for the beast, I have an Incase neoprene sleeve for my current MB and it is fab so go one for the new MBP as it just gives me the added protection.
The final item I purchased was a Wacom Bamboo pen tablet. Why you may ask? Well after messing around recently I decided that I really needed a pen based graphics aid so that I can do some freehand drawing on the computer. On the Apple site they had two Bamboo’s listed and I couldn’t see the difference apart from the price one was £51 and the other £40 with my discount. So I thought as a try lets go for the cheapest one and see how I get on. As it turns out on the actual order confirmation they are one of the same, except one is cheaper and listed as a bundle. How bizarre.
So now need to wait for all items to be packed and shipped and hoping that the snow melts so the delivery will take place this week. Once it has all arrived and unpacked I will write some reviews on the purchases…
