January 21, 2008
After purchasing my MacBook I knew I needed to find a way to keep the white finish clean.
I found the Speck MacBook See-Thru Hard Shell Case and bought one.
I let my family vote for the color. (They have seven to choose from.)
We decided on the Blue one. (Which you can see in the above photo) Great purchase and worth the cost
My Thoughts on the Speck MacBook Case
It takes the abuse! The Speck Shell takes the scratches and the dust.
However, I have to remember that the shell does not make my MacBook invincible. I think I might get a pretty, girly fabric bag to remind me!
It has vents on the bottom of the MacBook for airflow.
However, sometimes when I’m “multitasking” and I have Photoshop, email, web browser, FTP, etc. open at one time my MacBook starts to heat up and the fan kicks on. So when that happens I take off the bottom part of the case to allow the MacBook more airflow.
The case fits snugly. I have access to all of the ports and drive with no problems.
However, sometimes it can get a little tricky to take the case off. It’s one of those pull here, hold there and abracadabra - darn it, the pull there is attached again! For some reason it seems like I have the most problems at about 1:30 a.m. when I’m pulling a caffeine induced late nighter! Hmmm…
Next step is to personalize the cover a little more…more to come!
January 14, 2008
There are some differences that I’ve noticed on the user end between MacBook and PC.
These are simple things that I, a former PC user, have to get used to:
- Maximizing my screen
I was used to hitting that little “+” sign and filling the screen. But now I realize that I do not need my web browser (Fi22refox)to fill the whole screen!
There is a little green button that toggles the screen between the standard state and the size that I determine.
I prefer this option because when I am home I hook my MacBook up to a 22″ monitor and I really do not need that whole screen filled with one application!
Read more about it at X vs XP
- Right click
Easy solution - tap on the Trackpad with two fingers!
This can be set under System Preferences, Keyboard & Mouse, Trackpad.
As a bonus, I can easily scroll by using two fingers on the Trackpad!
- CTRL + ALT + DEL
If I need to force quit on my MacBook I just need to hit
COMMAND + OPTION + ESC
I did have to use this when I was having problems with Photoshop Elements.
That was the only time I needed to Force Quit a program!
- Virus scan
I use Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy religiously on my PC. But I have not bothered with either of these on my MacBook and it still works efficiently!
- Installing programs
This is a whole different experience than on a PC. There’s simple dragging onto the “Applications” icon and voila - there it is!
January 7, 2008
I am making the switch from a PC to a Mac.
I actually bought the Mac back in 2007 and I’ve been using it occasionally.
However, I was apprehensive to really get into it and learn the nuts and bolts of it.
With my PC I can install (and uninstall) software, install memory and keep my computer clean!
But looking at this pretty MacBook I was nervous and hesitant to do anything.
So it sat on my desk for a few months (about six!) before I decided to get my hands dirty..
Why in the world would I want to do this?
If I’m comfortable with PC’s why bother learning a new system?
Because I believe that it is the best match for me and what my plans are for the future of my computing needs.
I am not going to bash PC’s or claim that my MacBook is the answer to all the computer woes of the world.
I know better than that.
That’s like the PS3 vs. 360 argument or the satellite vs. cable argument.
Nothing is perfect and each individual consumer has to make the choice that is best for them.
Wow, that is definitely NOT a novel idea - but it is something that many consumers fail to do.
They will argue to the death about how their choice is the only reasonable choice on the market.
They can’t just embrace the idea that it might be the best choice for them - but it definitely is not perfection.
So I am embarking on this journey and I am ready to learn from my fellow internet Mac fans
