Hi...

Today is a very good day for me, because not only am I relaxing in Florida over Spring Break, but my parents also agreed to let me order a MacBook online! Now, it's on eBay, so it's probably not new (even though it claims to be unopened), but for only $250, I think I can live. ;-) But anyway, I have a few questions about this Mac I'm getting...

1) This MacBook comes preinstalled with Tiger. I like Tiger, so I'm not going to be in a big rush, but sooner or later, I'd like to upgrade to Leopard. I know that the Leopard DVDs cost about $150 alone, but isn't it cheaper when you're just upgrading? If so, how much cheaper?

2) This MacBook only has 1GB of RAM, meaning it probably has two 512MB cards. I know that MacBooks run on [DDR SO-DIMM] RAM cards, but I don't know the price. Can you tell me how much it'd cost just to go to RadioShack or something (not online) and buy two 1GB cards so I can upgrade it to 2GB?

3) This question isn't necessarily about the MacBook I'm getting, but more about Mac applications. In your opinion, which application is better for photo editing; this Aperture thing or PhotoShop? Also, is iWork better or at least comparable to MS Office? (Cause I'd REALLY rather not have anything to remind me of Windows on my Mac. >_> I'm not even gonna use Boot Camp; I'm just gonna install Cross Over and use that.)

I'd really appreciate it if you could answer any of these questions. Thanks!

#496798

$250 for a MacBook? Methinks you're soon going to be a victim of fraud. Unless I'm reading that wrong.

1) Upgrades of OS X and new versions cost the same amount - $129. There aren't 8 different versions of OS X, including upgrades, which is nice

2) My guestimate for a brick-and-mortar store would be about $100. Buying them online from macsales.com would be significantly cheaper, and, while I've never personally ordered stuff from them, I know people who are very satisfied with their service.

3) Aperture and Photoshop, IMO, are in completely different segments. Aperture is like iPhoto on steroids, but without the side effects (or Barry Bonds). I use Aperture mostly for photo cataloguing (it's really good at that), creating albums for the web and print, and colour editing. Photoshop is a key application for serious editing. Aperture's not great at, for example, removing a distracting sign or power pole in a photo. So, a combination of the two is ideal.

iWork is fantastic. It's better than MS Office in nearly every area, in my opinion. The only thing is that Numbers isn't good for someone who's used to having every function in Excel. Excel is still the best for hardcore number crunching, and there is a version of MS Office for Mac, if that interests you.

Hope I helped.

#496819

$250 for a MacBook? Methinks you're soon going to be a victim of fraud. Unless I'm reading that wrong.

1) Upgrades of OS X and new versions cost the same amount - $129. There aren't 8 different versions of OS X, including upgrades, which is nice

2) My guestimate for a brick-and-mortar store would be about $100. Buying them online from macsales.com would be significantly cheaper, and, while I've never personally ordered stuff from them, I know people who are very satisfied with their service.

3) Aperture and Photoshop, IMO, are in completely different segments. Aperture is like iPhoto on steroids, but without the side effects (or Barry Bonds). I use Aperture mostly for photo cataloguing (it's really good at that), creating albums for the web and print, and colour editing. Photoshop is a key application for serious editing. Aperture's not great at, for example, removing a distracting sign or power pole in a photo. So, a combination of the two is ideal.

iWork is fantastic. It's better than MS Office in nearly every area, in my opinion. The only thing is that Numbers isn't good for someone who's used to having every function in Excel. Excel is still the best for hardcore number crunching, and there is a version of MS Office for Mac, if that interests you.

Hope I helped.

Thanks for that. Yes, I know it sounds like a rip, but if it is, I can buy a different one. XD

Hm... But upgrading is the same price? D: Aw...

I went to MacSales like you said and it was about $40 for two 1GBs, so I think I might do that. Next year I'm taking some 3D Computer class in school and we can use our laptops, so I need quite a bit of RAM.

And I'm glad iWork is better. I never use Excel anyway, so that part's not a big deal for me. I'm just happy that means I don't have to use MS when I have to do a PowerPoint for school.

Anyway, thanks a lot for that. I'll keep all that in mind.

#496844

Yes, I know it sounds like a rip, but if it is, I can buy a different one. XD

Yeah, and you'll be out $200 :confused:

eBay is a dark, twisted place.

#496902