Apple macbook questions

[Serp86]

Hi.

Im just about to take the plunge and get a 2.4ghz macbook after the recent upgrades. Some minor questions remain, though.

1) Can you set the laptop so that when you close the lid, it remains on? (i.e. not go to sleep - i usually leave the laptop overnight downloading updates and running scans so it would be helpful)

2) Are there any vents at the bottom of the macbook? Been searching forever for a pic of the underneath, but none so far. I ask since i tend to use it a lot on the bed and on the lap, so vents at the bottom would be bad.

3) Do they get hot? And what about the fan noise? I remember the early revisions had issues, but have they been fixed?

4) When you setup two OS's using bootcamp, would the data on the windows partition be available for OSx, and vice versa? (i.e. if i wanted to play a song in both vista and OSX, will i need two copies of the same song on each partition?)

5) MSN messenger - I use it a lot (understatement). Is the mac version comparable to windows live?

More questions may follow, since im taking this slowly.

Since the macbooks are so reasonably priced i can always just install vista on it. I mean, the 2.4ghz is just 1200 euros over here (yeah, i know us europeans have it harder then you americans ), and for that price all you get is a 1.8ghz dell M1330 with similar ram/hd - and the hardware doesn't look half as cool.

Thanks a lot

 

[bearxor]

1) InsmoniaX - http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/22211

2) No, there are no intake vents on the bottom. Be wary, however, that the exhaust is at the very bottom in the middle of the notebook on the back edge. Make sure you don't block it with a blanket or attempt to raise it a bit right there so it can freely expel air.

3) Yes. Fan Noise is non-existent under normal useage. I use smcFanControl to bump the fans up to about 3500rpm, where they're still pretty quiet and it doesn't get as hot. http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/23049

4) OS X can read (but not write) NTFS partition out of the box. When you partition off a Boot Camp drive, it will show up on your OS X desktop and the files will be accessible to you from within OS X. Windows knows nothing about HFS drives by default. There are some programs available to allow Windows to read and write a HFS partition, like MacDrive.

5) Good question. I just had it installed from Office 2008 and hadn't tried it yet. Personally, I use Adium. What functionality are you looking for from Messenger and maybe someone who has used it more on OS X can answer those specific questions.

 

[TheStu]

1: Second vote for insomniax, or you can simply leave the lid open, and turn off the backlight, that is what I do. (Also, there will be no snacs to worry about)
2: The bottom is totally smooth, no intake vents.
3: I only notice the fans on mine kick on when I am watching either HD video, or flash video (flash is notoriously bad on OS X)
4: MacDrive for Windows, maybe get MacFUSE for OS X to write to the NTFS partition. Or, alternatively, use Fusion or Parallels to virtualize Windows.
5: Never really liked MSN for OS X since it doesn't seem to give you any of the features present in the windows version. So, stick with Adium.

Ok fine, bearxor, we agree again... we will need to not make this a habit, I was having much more fun disagreeing with you.

 

[bearxor]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Ok fine, bearxor, we agree again... we will need to not make this a habit, I was having much more fun disagreeing with you.

I'll try and do better next time.

 

[Megatomic]

2. No. None on mine, C2D 2.2GHz, Santa Rosa.

3. Not at all. And no. My HP DV6000T was a lot louder and hotter.

5. Adium's MSN plug-in works great. I don't miss MSN Messenger.

 

[Serp86]

Thanks for all the replies.

I went ahead and ordered it, but i have two weeks wait till the local store gets them in stock

For about $70 cheaper, i was offered to take the old model from the store (2.1ghz, 1gb ram, 120 hd), but what im getting now os much better in my opinion for $70 more (2.4ghz, 2gb ram, 160hd)

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Serp86
Thanks for all the replies.

I went ahead and ordered it, but i have two weeks wait till the local store gets them in stock

For about $70 cheaper, i was offered to take the old model from the store (2.1ghz, 1gb ram, 120 hd), but what im getting now os much better in my opinion for $70 more (2.4ghz, 2gb ram, 160hd)

Good man, $70 is not enough to take that downgraded hit.