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Getting New Mac Pro


jenrou

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I'm supposed to get the new MacPro next week. It comes with Mountain lion, which I assume is the operating system, and iLife, maybe to work with iphones, etc? What other software comes with them? I was so busy getting the hardware details down, I forgot to ask about software. I know I can take it in anytime and I got the 3year Apple Care, but what is Bridge that you all talk about and iPhoto. Are these things I'll need to buy?Any information you Mac users can give me will help. can't wait to get it.

 

I've run a groups of programs and scans on my p, and worked on the registry, so that it is behaving a little better, but will need to be completely restored after I have the mac. it seems it is mostly x-active conflicts and things like that.

 

 

Any mac software help, programs that help, etc. would help.

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Hi Jean

I'm in a rush so will answer briefly for now. iPhoto is your Mac photo program, like "My Photos" is in WIndows. It is the only photo program I use now (I didn't even bother to download the Canon one that came with my camera) and has great editing tools all on it's own.

Bridge I am pretty sure is a part of PS or PSE - I don't use that. I just download and initially edit my pics in iPhoto and save them in "Events" which are like folders of sorts. Events can be from one download or divided however you like.

 

"iLife" is the larger title for lots of the programs on a Mac - iPhoto included. Actually WikiPedia says it better ---

"iLife is a suite of software applications for Mac OS X developed by Apple Inc. for organizing, editing, and publishing photos, movies, and music. The suite includes five applications: iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb."

 

Does that make sense? If you go to the Apple website you can read about and watch videos about them.

Your laptop will come with Safari which is a web browser (I hope I'm using the correct terms) and Mail (Apple's Mail Client) and iTunes, Calendar -- I'm not sure what else as I have a different laptop that's now a few years old and has Snow Leopard not Mountain Lion.

 

I hope that helps for now. Keep asking or let me know if you need more help... Oh, you must be SO excited! :)

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If I recall, my mac came with Pages (word processing....you can save docs in Word format), Keynote (equivalent to power point), numbers (excel). One thing I bought was office for mac. Even though I had equivalent, and actually better programs, I was taking a class and had to use the office suite. Otherwise, the productivity package that came with the computer was just fine. Aperture is the Apple program for photo processing, but I like Lightroom better, though later versions of aperture are supposed to be better.

 

Bridge is a photo organizing program that is part of PSE and PS. I have found that it slows things down if you have thousands of images (I do) so I don't use it much, mostly just for special projects. I do use it if I want to open a jpg file in Adobe Camera Raw for adjustments.

 

You are correct about Mountain Lion being the Mac OS. Very nice system.

 

I'm very excited for you! There is a little learning curve, but you'll adapt easily. Mostly its just different names for similar functions and things.

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Jean, how exciting for you. I had only ever used Mac so I am excited for you too. I can see MariJ and Sandi answered your questions. if you have any more let us know. I look forward to hearing how you are enjoying your new computer.

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wahoo, another mac user.. I am a HUGE fan, or should I say my family is...between us we have....many many apple products and still counting.

 

I use Bridge, it just works for me. it is where I search up my photos, particular items i want for a layout etc and Photoshop comes with its own mini bridge which is linked to the main 'Bridge' so you can pull things onto your layout without leaving Photoshop itself, I LOVE that feature.

 

can't wait to hear what you think of your new baby, I'm sure you will love it

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So far I've received the DVD drive (no charge) so I'm guessing the laptop doesn't have a DVD player. bummer. I also received the heavy 2 T External Hard drive. I'm a little worried since I've been reading about Mountain Lion. I have always been a dos/Windows user and everything pc wise that is important to me is on pc reading DVds and external hard drives.

On the other hand, I have to fix this Windows based machine every time I use it and the updates change everything. Fed up, and then I didn't want Win 8, so I'm sure it will work out. At least even if I have to re-download all my supplies (years worth!) it will be fast!

 

Next, a larger display.

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Sounding good, Jean.

I know that Sara and Sandi and maybe AnnBK have updated to Mountain Lion (I am still on Snow Leopard) so they might be of some help.

I think you will do fine after a little "getting-used-to". Like closing everything out on the LEFT side of the page rather than the right. (Being left-handed, somehow I love that and got used to it pretty quickly).

 

What I liked most about my Mac when I got it was that it felt so user friendly and intuitive. And I found that whenever I had an issue I could type the words in any general search box (like Yahoo or Google) and easily find the answer. Rarely did I have to go further and ask someone.

 

I think you'll love it after your beginning adventure....

 

 

PS Jean, just to clarify, you are getting a MacBOOK Pro (laptop) or a MacPro desktop? Does yours have retina display? It looks to me from the pics on the Apple site that some of the laptops appear to have a DVD slot on the side, but not sure they all do. Or, if I'm seeing correctly. Maybe someone else will know.

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Marilyn, I got the Mac book Pro laptop today and it does have a DVD drive built in. Not sure why he sent me the plug in heavy desktop DVD drive. No charge, but why? I also received the plug in External Hard drive-heavier than the small ones I have, but costs no more.

 

I can't even get out of the self-guided Voice over practice thing so I 'm frustrated right now.

I hope it will get easier. :)/>

 

Thanks for answering.

 

Oh, yes it has retina display, and Mountain Lion. Also a 768 flash ? hard drive, and updated grapics card. 16 g ram

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Marilyn, I got the Mac book Pro laptop today and it does have a DVD drive built in. Not sure why he sent me the plug in heavy desktop DVD drive. No charge, but why? I also received the plug in External Hard drive-heavier than the small ones I have, but costs no more.

 

I can't even get out of the self-guided Voice over practice thing so I 'm frustrated right now.

I hope it will get easier. :)/>/>

 

Thanks for answering.

 

Oh, yes it has retina display, and Mountain Lion. Also a 768 flash ? hard drive, and updated grapics card. 16 g ram

 

Sounds wonderful Jean! I sure wish I lived nearby - I'm no "expert" but I could probably help you get started and at least I'm used to "Mac" stuff. We'd spend the afternoon and have our own "meet up"!

 

I'm glad you have a built-in DVD drive - that would be a pain not to but I"m not sure either why you have the other?

Oh, I'm so sorry you are frustrated. What does the voice over practice thing have you doing to start up?

Do they want you to set up email or just try it out? What is is telling you to do?

 

Oh, yes it will get easier, just frustrating now. But, I'm sorry of course that doesn't help you NOW.

I'm on my way to a family party/weekend, but will keep checking back here. Wish I could help you more, that's maddening to have this wonderful new thing and not be able to use or understand it......

Do you have an Apple Store nearby? You can go in and ask questions and they will help and even have a "Genus Bar" where you can get help. If you do have one you can get to, go online to that store and you can even make an appt online so you won't wait when you get there.

Wish I could help more....

:(

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Hi Again Jean

If you go to this page, you can see the Apple stores in VA Apple Stores.

 

Click on a link if one applies and it will bring you to that specific store. You will see that they also offer free workshops (if that particular Apple store does) and there is a place to click to make a reservation at the Genus Bar. Maybe this would help until your Tech person gets back?

 

Even when you get to the Apple store, the greeters are usually quite friendly and helpful as are the people that walk around the store.

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Jean, I'm not sure, but the external DVD drive also has CD R/W which the macbook pro with retina display does not. Is it the USB, superdrive? I haven't really used or seen these, but they sound like they are for making custom CDs and DVDs. And I'm still using Lion on my mac, never got around to upgrading to Mountain Lion....on the list of to do's but never got around to it. I've always gotten my equipment from either an Apple Store or Mac Store, so I'm just not sure where to make any suggestions. I don't know what the self-guided practice thing is.

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I'll go to the store next week. I'm back where I started- no where but on my old pc. Don't worry about helping. I don't even know what to ask at this point haha. I can't even connect to the internet now and it did right away at first. Now Safari says it can't load or find my connection. Strange. I had put the password in several times. I'll find out next week. tired of fooling with it.

I hope you have a great weekend. Aren't you going to the meet up? I sure was tempted when we talked before, but good thing I didn't plan that long trip-my back is acting up.

Thanks.

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