Thinking MacBook
Off TopicOk, everyone seems to be raving about the MacBooks lately so I'm thinking about getting one. I want a black one and there are a couple on eBay for around $1100. I haven't used a Mac since I was about 6 years old. What should I look to buy? Anything a web developer needs above all other things? Is the 13 inch screen big enough? What are my software options? Right now I use eclipse and cfeclipse so thats a no brainer, but what about connection to the MS SQL databases I develop with? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated!
Soooo pretty...
Good Day!
Ryan
Dave Shuck said:
I haven't googled it, but you should see if Aqua Data Studio is available for Mac. We use it for connecting to both MySql and MS SQL Server. I am thinking there is a version for Mac.
Dave Shuck said:
Yup sure enough... looks like they have all the major platforms covered.
http://www.aquafold.com/downloads.html
http://www.aquafold.com/downloads.html
Ryan Everhart said:
Thanks for the info Dave.. in doing some googling tonight I found that MacMall.com will sell you a macbook with OS X and Windows vista on it.... that sounds cool...
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/new~dp~7191125~family~macbook.asp
A bit pricey though.
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/new~dp~7191125~family~macbook.asp
A bit pricey though.
Dave Shuck said:
Time for the obligatory: "Hey, you know there are free operating systems that are completely awesome right?" :)
Peter Bell said:
I switched from a nice subnotebook dell to a Black MacBook last June - best decision I ever made.
Get a copy of Parallels and XP sp2 so you can run CF and MSSQL under windows, and install CF and MySQL under Mac OSX and you can test everything cross platform.
Check out Transmit for FTP, TextMate as a text editor and for working with hosts files and config files in the system. Install remote desktop services if you need to get into remote windows boxes, and use shared network setting with Parallels to have Internet access via both PC and Mac.
Only two things you'll need: Upgrade to 2Gb RAM - aftermarket much cheaper but not covered by AppleCare - your call. And You'll want a bigger monitor. MacBooks (not the pros) only support one external, so I'd go for the biggest you can afford. I have 19" at work and at home but am looking at 27" or even 32" - proven productivity booster and they're getting pretty cheap at eCost or TigerDirect.
Good luck . . .
Get a copy of Parallels and XP sp2 so you can run CF and MSSQL under windows, and install CF and MySQL under Mac OSX and you can test everything cross platform.
Check out Transmit for FTP, TextMate as a text editor and for working with hosts files and config files in the system. Install remote desktop services if you need to get into remote windows boxes, and use shared network setting with Parallels to have Internet access via both PC and Mac.
Only two things you'll need: Upgrade to 2Gb RAM - aftermarket much cheaper but not covered by AppleCare - your call. And You'll want a bigger monitor. MacBooks (not the pros) only support one external, so I'd go for the biggest you can afford. I have 19" at work and at home but am looking at 27" or even 32" - proven productivity booster and they're getting pretty cheap at eCost or TigerDirect.
Good luck . . .
Rob Wilkerson said:
I'm a recent convert to the MacBook Pro and it's outstanding. I've written a bit about it on my spot, so you might want to check that out. There's a little bit of Mac stuff on every page, but the "software" page has a lot. As I find cool shit, I make a note of it there.
I've used Aqua Data Studio on it and it works great.
Parallels will probably be a must. I prefer to run my Windows install in a VM to avoid having to reboot. In fact, I keep my actual Mac file system as pure as possible. I run Linux servers (as well as my XP desktop) in VMs for my "local" development work. No need to have Apache, MySQL, PHP, CF and other stuff cluttering up my nice, clean, brand-spanking new Mac. :-)
I'd recommend no less than 2Gb of memory. If you're doing dev work and running VMs, more memory is always better, of course.
I've used Aqua Data Studio on it and it works great.
Parallels will probably be a must. I prefer to run my Windows install in a VM to avoid having to reboot. In fact, I keep my actual Mac file system as pure as possible. I run Linux servers (as well as my XP desktop) in VMs for my "local" development work. No need to have Apache, MySQL, PHP, CF and other stuff cluttering up my nice, clean, brand-spanking new Mac. :-)
I'd recommend no less than 2Gb of memory. If you're doing dev work and running VMs, more memory is always better, of course.
Rob Wilkerson said:
And to your final comment, yes, they are pretty. I'm still a little in awe of how gorgeous this thing is. The OS is every bit as pretty as the packaging, too. I still smile when I come home from my Windows machine at work and sit down behind the Mac.
Rob Wilkerson said:
If my last few months are any indication...you won't regret it once you make the leap. It's just a fun operating system to work on. Every day it seems like I find something new that makes me oooohhh or aaaahhhh. At which time my girlfriend has to humor me while I explain what my machine can do that her machine can't. :-)
Buy the Missing Manual book about switching to OS X Tiger. It's a good read and will really help you get your bearings if you decide to make the leap.
Buy the Missing Manual book about switching to OS X Tiger. It's a good read and will really help you get your bearings if you decide to make the leap.
todd sharp said:
Hey if you're really considering a MacBook - you know we get a discount on them from work don't you? Q me if you need the linkage.
Ryan Everhart said:
Still can't make up my mind. Apparently my wife was thinking new car when I was thinking MacBook... she might win!
michelle1350 said:
Haha..we got the car! And in my defense I didn't even know he was looking into a new laptop. What's wrong with the one we have? Guess that's the girl in me. If it still works why do we need a new one? Love you!
rudi dchosta said:
Yesterday my brother bought a HP Notebook from http://www.couponalbum.com/coupons/ecost.htm" target="_blank">http://www.couponalbum.com/coupons/ecost.htm">eCost store on http://www.couponalbum.com/">Couponalbum.com & saved $100..!!
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