There are the wolves, though. These are the ones who train the sheep. They’re the ones who sell new hardware rather than fixing the problem. These are the ones who sell new software to hide the problems. These are the ones who charge hundreds of dollars for a 5-minute fix.

However, the foxes think for themselves. They choose the hardware that meets their needs. They choose the software that serves the purpose for which it was designed; and use it for that purpose. They do their own studies of components, operating systems and applications and select the package that best meets their wants and desires.

The foxes usually use OS X or Linux.

The MacBook I personally own is a first-generation Intel model, not up to the new ones by any means. As such, I can’t answer many of your questions since I don’t have any real experience with the new models. As such, the touchpad issue might be a glitch with that particular unit, or it may not be configured. I will note that configuring and reconfiguring the System Preferences is quite easy in most cases. It’s very possible that someone before you may have reconfigured the touchpad while playing around with the machine.

However, when you buy a Mac of any model, you normally get a series of applications called iLife. This includes iPhoto and iMovie which give you some very basic editing capabilities along with the ability to organize your photos and movies. Based on what you describe, iMovie may be a little too simplified for you, but you can download iMovie HD from Apple’s website for free. iMovieHD is the previous version of iMovie and has a somewhat better editing capability, not too different from what you’ve already used. If you feel you need something more complete, Final Cut Express will probably meet your needs splendidly. While I haven’t tried HD video from my iMac to a television, I have an older G4 Mac Mini that feeds video to a 32inch HDTV very nicely. In all honesty, I expect the new video connector will surpass the HDMI standards but you’ll probably need to get an adaptor if you want to directly feed an HDTV.

While I’m sure you’re most experienced with Microsoft Office, you might want to consider the free OpenOffice suite or maybe even consider the iWork package. OpenOffice is essentially compatible with all of MS Office’s apps and costs far less. I haven’t seen any issues with opening any Office document so far, including Excel and PowerPoint presentations.

I agree with your idea of getting with a Mac user where you live. I’m sure you could locate one of the many Macintosh User’s Groups nearby and even if you can’t, your nearest Apple Store should be able to give you some one-on-one training with what you’re wanting to do.

Like I said before: It’s different, and it could be either easier or more difficult from your previous experience. In my own case, I dropped Windows entirely and went to Macs as much to escape the hassles of all the malware as to get into a system that doesn’t have to be coddled all the time. I use it for everything from my home business to entertainment, including gaming. I even went so far as to drop Windows entirely once I found a Mac replacement for a specific Windows app I used. I don’t even use Parallels or any other form of virtual Windows machine any more. It works for me.

Then again, maybe Windows will work better for you. It must be your decision.

Thank you for your post.

Today I have spent another hour trying out new MacBook. I agree, it is different than Windows in its own way and sometimes comparing both system is meaningless. I kind of got used to resizing/maximising windows. I prefer the way how MS implemented this feature but found Apple’s way usable.

I will play with Dock this week to see what can I do with it. However, I have seen mentioned by you ‘mini-Dock’ and it calmed me down a little ;-)

Have you tried to play HD content on HDTV?

Today I have witnessed one thing that worries me – on MacBooks I could experience lag on touchpad-pointer which wasn’t present on MacBooks Pro or iMacs. Is it related to some settings or just MacBook’s ‘feature’ ?

Regarding Vaio vs MacBook – Sony’s product is 1,5kg vs Apple’s 2kg. While on paper it might be nothing, you can clearly feel the difference in your bag (yes, I had both in my bag ;-).

I use my laptop for word, excel, powerpoint, ms project, I do some video editing in Vegas Video (I would need to switch to Final Cut or use Parallels Desktop – is it fast enough to do video editing?), some Photoshoping – nothing extraordinary. At home I use it to watch TV shows/anime, some music etc.

I think I will need to spend some more time with Mac, maybe find some ‘Mac friends’ who will be able to demonstrate me how OSX should be used and what are its advantages.

Anyway, thank you for your post once more!

Admittedly, MacOS X is different from Windows. Things that you are used to doing one way will very likely be done a different way on the Mac. However, once you do get used to it, you may well wonder why Windows does things the way they do. Your showroom experience did more to demonstrate these differences without really giving you the chance to get the ‘feel’ for them.

OS X is not just eye-candy. Nearly every function is designed to be easy and intuitive; though admittedly having no computer experience at all is easier than having to unlearn old habits.
- couldn’t get used to resizing windows Mac-style—
- completely don’t get Apple’s way of maximising windows—
OS X lets you move the window around by grabbing the header bar and dragging it wherever you want it. The bottom-right corner of that window can then be dragged to resize the window however you see fit. Once you have done this, you can revert back and forth from the original size to the new size by clicking the green “+” bubble in the header bar. Yes, this is different from the Windows “resize” button in that it lets you choose the sizes you want rather than “full-screen/old-window” configuration from Windows. True, the ability to resize by grabbing any edge might be nice–but it also makes getting the exact size you want a little more difficult; forcing you to use three or more actions to do something that should be done in one.

- couldn’t play any gametrailers.com streamed video full screen–
To some extent this is controlled more by the web page rather than the OS. However, once I found the “fullscreen” button in the bottom corner of a trailer, it played full screen on my iMac with no problem and at remarkable speed.

- don’t like the fact that there is so much space wasted by dock—
Actually, the Dock doesn’t have to ‘waste’ any space at all. You have the ability to adjust its size and the size of the icons from a very-easy-to-see large size for those with vision difficulties to a very tiny size that takes up very little screen real estate. Combine this with the ability to make the Dock entirely vanish until you roll your mouse all the way down (up or right) to the edge of the screen (depending on where you place the dock) then it takes no real estate at all until you need it.

- why the mouse has one button, when sometimes you need to use other key + mouse to open a menu which should be under RMB–
First off, the Apple “Mighty Mouse” does have direct left-click/right-click capability. The newer MacBook and MacBook Pro touchpad has this same ability able to be programmed in as either multi-touch or corner-click. If you must use a multi-button mouse, go right ahead. Almost every third-party multi-button mouse will work natively in OS X and many high-end gaming mice even have OS X configuration software included.

Depending on the particular model of MacBook vs Vaio, their weight should be similar as long as their physical size is similar. The new aluminum bodies has made the MacBook lighter than most of its predecessors while giving them a rigidity surpassing that of all but the purpose-made “toughbooks.” This should give it a durability unsurpassed for riding in the Tubes.

There is a good selection of media software available for the Mac, though obviously the default is iTunes and Quicktime. Almost all media formats, including Microsoft’s new Silverlight, can be played through Quicktime after a free download of Flip4Mac from Microsoft. Playback is easy and the quality is strictly dependent on the resolution of the video you wish to play back. I have no difficulty at all playing HD video on my iMac.

In all, my recommendation is to get the laptop that best meets your needs, whether it’s the MacBook or the Sony Vaio. Each has advantages over the other; and each has disadvantages. What I would use it for is likely not to be the same as what you would use it for. Make your own decision; but make it an informed one.

- couldn’t get used to window controls on the left side
- couldn’t get used to resizing windows Mac-style
- couldn’t play any gametrailers.com streamed video full screen
- completely don’t get Apple’s way of maximising windows
- don’t like the fact that there is so much space wasted by dock
- why the mouse has one button, when sometimes you need to use other key + mouse to open a menu which should be under RMB

I really like eyecandy but so far I feel like I got no control over OSX. It feels weird.

I’m thinking about a new laptop and I’m considering Vaio Z and MacBook. Vaio is lighter, more powerful, has Windows, HDMI and feels really good. OSX looks nicer than Vista – I don’t know why but it has ‘this something’ that attracts me a little;-)

MacBook is heavier, since I use public transport here in London, it is an issue. I’m a little concerned about availability of third party software for Mac, like custom media players, Vegas Video etc.

I watch some downloaded tv series/anime and would like to plug new laptop to my plasma. How hard is it, how about video quality and can I use custom codecs / players, go full screen etc?:-)

Dave: If you’re happy with the HP and have tried Tracy’s Mac without getting excited, you chose wisely. One of the nice things about computers is that the only right decision is the one that makes you happy.

I do think that if you narrow the Windows field to machines that are similar to Macs in terms of build quality (including case material), features that you usually don’t get on lower-end systems (like LED screens), and weight and thickness, much of the price differential between Windows and Macs disappears. But if that stuff isn’t important to you, you can skip it and save money. (I just bought a Lenovo ThinkPad that’s fairly chunky and which doesn’t even have a Webcam…but I’m happy with the hardware so far.)

–Harry

That’s on the side. Otherwise, I got my first Mac about a month ago after many years of Windows usage (and some Linux experience). So far there is not one thing that I have to complain about. Some of my friends say “I don’t have to get used to the interface. It should adapt to me.” Others say “That’s what you get when you want a Windows with a console.” Still … I don’t think I’ve wasted my money no matter what MS says.

My only regret is that I bought it a month too early. I should have gotten the new MacBook.