MK5 Golf GTI
General => Random Chat => Topic started by: monte on August 31, 2011, 11:09:13 pm
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As the title says I after some advice on MacBooks...please :smiley:
Are they popular? Better than windows laptops? Do you have one?
I've always had 17" or 15" hp's but really I fancy a mac and possibly something smaller this time (unless I come across a 15" MacBook that's too good to miss)
I'd quite like a netbook but they don't have cd drives :sad1:
What should I be looking for in a MacBook?
Are there lots of different options?
I want something that will last and Something quite new, and i want a HDD of at least 250gb. But when it comes to processors, I don't know what to look for.
Can anyone tell me if the MacBook air has a cd drive?
They are real nice but I think that you sacrifice quite alot for the size difference.
So any advice is really appreciated.
Carlo. :smiley:
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Netbooks are pretty poor performing wouldn't try and use one as a main machine
Apple doesn't believe in physical media any more so no cd drive in the Air, anyway is far too slim to have room for one
I'm waiting for the new ultraslim Windows PCs like the Samsung Series 9 or the just announced Asus UX31 Ultrabook :love:
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Personal opinion and fully expect the Windows guys to chip but i think the Macbook Pro is by far one of the best machines out there. The Mac OS is bloody fantastic!
Do not discount the iMac as the 21.5" in the base model is just sublime.
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I've had a macbook for about 18 months and I love it. It was the basic 13.5 inch model but everything about it runs perfectly! You are on the internet with 30 secd from completely off!
I'm not to hot on all the spec etc but I know ours is full of pictures and itenus etc and it never misses a beat!
I know that's not very factual but just my 2p worth!!
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Thanks guys :wink:
MarkedMark yeah I don't think I will get a netbook! As for no cd drive.... I know I hardly use one, but knowing me, if I bought the Air, Id wish I'd have bought the pro.
Degudoger I was hoping you would comment :happy2: you seem to have had a few!!! I don't really fancy a base system, due to portability, but the MacBook pro is sounding better n better.
Baldwinded30 do you find the 13" a good size or do u wish you'd have gone bigger or smaller???
If I was to buy 2nd hand or new.....where is the best place? Are they only available new from apple? (sorry I haven't researched yet) :ashamed:
(my mums house is now sold and it gets completed next Monday, so I might treat myself) :jumpmove:
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Degudoger.... The one you had for sale last on the forum, was it a high spec?
Are there lots of models and specs to choose from?
Do you recommend a certain spec?
What should I be looking to spend for a nearly new but used system?
Sorry for all the questions :ashamed:
Carlo. :smiley:
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I found that the 13 inch is a good size for me! In fact perfect! Like I said we have the base model and it was 800 and does everything!!!
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Apple doesn't believe in physical media any more so no cd drive in the Air, anyway is far too slim to have room for one
....If you're using something as light and portable as an Air or iPad, why would you need to load a CD/DVD?
Apple haven't given up on physical media, users buy a 'heavier duty' performing machine for functions which need DVDs.
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If buying a secondhand MacBook be sure to get a version which can take enough RAM and GB storage.
And, VERY IMPORTANTLY, an Intel processor version or it will limit both the OS and Apps which will run on it.
As always, think clearly first about exactly what you want to do on your Mac and only then check out which machine will do it best for you.
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The Air can take a superdrive dvd or any other external dvd drive. It also can load via any mac in the wifi network, called remote disc. With the move towards the cloud in the Autumn I think we may just see a sea change in local storage/ use requirements for many users. The jury is out of course, as always lets see how things develop but if you want a reliable device with a rock solid operating system.....OSX gets my vote.
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The OSX??? Is it on MacBook pro's? I'm not really sure what it refers to. Is it the Lion OS or SnowLeopard?
The MacBook Air does look great, and from what ive seen most come with the Lion OS. I'm sure I could live without a cd drive (cos if I think about it, I haven't really used the drive on my old laptop for months)
but the SSD's are small and look quite pricey to upgrade!
Are people favouring the Air over the Pro's now?
It's a minefield :scared:
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The OSX??? Is it on MacBook pro's? I'm not really sure what it refers to. Is it the Lion OS or SnowLeopard?
....OS stands for Operating System, and X (aka 10) is the type. Mac's latest current OS is 10.7 aka Lion and the previous is 10.6 aka Snow Leopard.
Only new Macs from Apple will come with Lion already installed.
Are people favouring the Air over the Pro's now?
It's a minefield :scared:
....As I said earlier, it's a question of which Mac suits best what you want to use it for. It's not a question of favouring one machine over another in all instances.
If you want advice on this aspect please tell us what you intend to use your Mac for and we'll do our best to offer help.
The "minefield" quickly clears as you start to use a Mac and they are very intuitive. In due course you'll laugh at yourself about this!
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BTW watch out buying second hand from eBay there are a LOT of scammers on there. I have an air and it came with Lion (bought in the states recently and saved a bit of cash).
I am loving the air but then we don't do a massive amount of processing, video editing or image work. As RR suggests tell us your main uses for it and I am sure someone will advise.
There may be a fair few second hand airs out there now due to the recent upgrade of the backlit keyboard and other improvements.
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Thanks RR and NGCAA,
Well I guess it will only be used for leisure. All I'll be doing is browsing, downloading movies and music etc and using skype for the family :ashamed:
Can't see me using any office programs other than word, or apples equivalent.
I know I prob should buy a cheapy doo laptop and make do....
....but if the macs are gonna impress me as much as the iphone4 did (my 1st iPhone) then I can't wait :happy2:
Are there any downsides to a MacBook?
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Whats your budget is the best place to start.
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£1000 sounds about right ed!
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Can anyone confirm which MacBook Airs had the backlit Keyboard?
I've got a grand burning a hole in my pocket now, but I want to get the right one!
I really have fallen in love with the "Air" but I'd like the model that was out just before the new I5 and I7 processors... The core 2duo's.
The new ones are too expensive still for the 4GB RAM and the bigger SSD. :sad1:
I'm a bit scared about such a big purchase on eBay, but I've seen quite a few go for £800 for the spec I want... which is,
13.3" Screen
2.13GHz Intel Core 2duo
4GB RAM
256GB SSD
I know the new ones have the backlit keyboard but I'm not sure about its predecessor....(the one I have my eye on, with the spec listed above)
Does anyone know?
And if you have any other advice on the "Air" or buying on eBay I'd really appreciate it. :drinking:
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Don't mean to sound like a tit...... but isn't it worth saving the money and buying it direct through Apple and getting the support and warranty with such an expensive purchase? :happy2:
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Well possibly, but at
£1400 new from apple with 1 yr warranty
vs
£800 for a nearly new with sometimes 6mths or even 2yrs+warranty
I can't justify new :sad1:
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^^^ we got ours in USA and brought it back, think it worked out about £1050 ish for the 4gb 13"air :happy2:
If you/ anyone you know is heading over.... :star:
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Can anyone tell me the difference between US version MacBook Airs and UK ones?
Is the whole keyboard different or is it just the £ and the $ sign?
I can save £250 buying a new US one.
Has anyone else got the US version? Any pitfalls?
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AFAIK they are the same. You just select which language in the Mac OS software for which the keyboard types. The keyboard hardware should have both £ and $ keys <--- exactly like how this was typed.
When my daughter was learning Japanese she could switch languages on her MacBook Pro to and fro and I can do the same on my iMac. English is called "British" on the Mac OS.
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Get someone to get one from duty free if you know anyone travelling soon?
I use my Macbook for the things you described, it's used every day, it's on all the time and I have had no problems. I bough the 13" £999 Macbook pro in November last year and the only thing I've done is upgrade the RAM to 8GB which cost me £44 from curial direct.
Don't bother looking at the £1500 versions you won't need them. Way I see it spend £1000 brand new or the extra for the "15 version and if you sell it in a years time it'll have only lost 20% of it's value.
Rich
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^^^^thanks to you both :notworthy: ^^^^
RR..... That's great nws! I'm getting more impressed each day.
Hendo..... Wise words mate. It's too easy to keep up-in your budget more n more every time u look at higher specs. Before u know it u have spent ££££'s
Thanks again guys :happy2:
Gonna order one today I hope :wink:
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US MacBook air 13" keyboard. sorry the pic isn't better, there is no Eu symbol on the keys, £ is accessed by SHIFT 3, other than that I don't know the differences. Pretty sure a Eu symbol is there somewhere but not printed on the actual keys. :happy2:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fgg277%2Fnogolfclubsatall%2FIMG_1228.jpg&hash=3ac93080b8cf99baaee2e5d0904625adb48fcc6e)
Sorry that picture is bollox, let me try a better one shortly, but in absence of an improved version hope this helps.
Hope this is better....
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fgg277%2Fnogolfclubsatall%2F44f98d9f.jpg&hash=3350a5c694cf7f8fd3daed5ab5172419ef23ad36)
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To see characters from another language on your keyboard:
- Choose Show Keyboard Viewer from the Input menu in the menu bar (looks like a flag or character).
- Choose the input source for the language you want to type in from the Input menu.
- The Keyboard Viewer shows the keyboard layout for that language.
- Type the key on your keyboard that corresponds to the character you want to enter.
HTH :smiley:
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Man it's frustrating. :fighting2:
I have the cash, but when it comes to spending over a grand on ebay, I get worried. I been on the fence so long that I actually feel like the fence.
I know I should buy new from the Apple store or Argos/comet/currys etc, but trying to get any sort of deal on a £1400 MacBook Air is hard to find.
I can get £40 worth of nectar points if I buy through nectar-currys (triple points- 6pts for every £1)
£26 clubcard points at tesco direct
£65 from Apple Store.....If I can prove Im gonna buy it 4college/Uni
^^^(any1 know of a way round this...I'm no student) :ashamed:
Does anyone know of any other deals on the MacBook Air?
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£65 from Apple Store.....If I can prove Im gonna buy it 4college/Uni
^^^(any1 know of a way round this...I'm no student) :ashamed:
Does anyone know of any other deals on the MacBook Air?
....You have to show both your Student ID Card and your official Uni/College email address. It's quite rightly strict. Apple's edu discount is only about 10% and you still have to pay the wretched vat. Surely you're not scratching around just to save £26-£65. Buying warranty is far more important. Personally I would never buy from the likes of Currys and Tesco - A friend of mine used to work in sales at Curry's and he strongly advises against regarding longterm warranty.
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I might have mine for sale soon.
15.4"
2.4ghz C2D
4gb ram
200gb
superdrive
Needs a new battery and a new superdrive and its got a few war wounds but it works fine! :happy2:
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You getting another Mac, Rich?
Or is it to fund the bigger brakes and suspension you now need after your remap? :evilgrin:
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You getting another Mac, Rich?
Or is it to fund the bigger brakes and suspension you now need after your remap? :evilgrin:
Possibly a new mac 15" i7 :happy2:
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£65 from Apple Store.....If I can prove Im gonna buy it 4college/Uni
^^^(any1 know of a way round this...I'm no student) :ashamed:
Does anyone know of any other deals on the MacBook Air?
....You have to show both your Student ID Card and your official Uni/College email address. It's quite rightly strict. Apple's edu discount is only about 10% and you still have to pay the wretched vat. Surely you're not scratching around just to save £26-£65. Buying warranty is far more important. Personally I would never buy from the likes of Currys and Tesco - A friend of mine used to work in sales at Curry's and he strongly advises against regarding longterm warranty.
AFAIK Robin the warranty is with apple, and Argos, Currys etc sell the extra AppleCare too. Argos actually have the AppleCare at £159 for the extra 2years :happy2:
Would you advise going through the Applestore then Robin?
I take it, I can buy the AppleCare anytime during the first 12mths since the purchase date? From any retailer?
Thanks again :smiley:
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You can buy AppleCare from wherever you want within the first 12 months.
For example, I bought mine for my MacBook Pro when it was at 11 months, and I bought it from Amazon.
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....You have to show both your Student ID Card and your official Uni/College email address. It's quite rightly strict. Apple's edu discount is only about 10% and you still have to pay the wretched vat. Surely you're not scratching around just to save £26-£65. Buying warranty is far more important. Personally I would never buy from the likes of Currys and Tesco - A friend of mine used to work in sales at Curry's and he strongly advises against regarding longterm warranty.
AFAIK Robin the warranty is with apple, and Argos, Currys etc sell the extra AppleCare too. Argos actually have the AppleCare at £159 for the extra 2years :happy2:
Would you advise going through the Applestore then Robin?
I take it, I can buy the AppleCare anytime during the first 12mths since the purchase date? From any retailer?
Thanks again :smiley:
....Apple are notorious for not giving their resellers much profit margin, so if you are buying new you'd be better off buying from Apple direct because you'd be better looked after if any probs. My new iMac was Dead On Arrival and I'm very glad I bought direct!
Yes, you have 12 months from your purchase date to extend your warranty a further 2 years at any time so that it totals 3 years cover. I only ever buy from Apple so I don't know about other retailers.
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If you live near an Apple Store there is little benefit to buying elsewhere, as I have also discussed with you there is also the no quibble option of buying from Apple and returning for a full refund within 30 days.
Personally, I would just bite the bullet and go for it at Apple, but its easy for me to spend your money! :grin:
Have you tried your local Gumtree yet? there may be some selling their last gen mac airs as many mourned the loss of the backlit keyboard and may be selling to get the new one with that cool feature. (just my 2p worth).
eg 2secs returned this in my local area...
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/apple-macbook-air-11-64gb-bnib-latest-model-full-warranty/87597142 (http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/apple-macbook-air-11-64gb-bnib-latest-model-full-warranty/87597142)
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Prob a silly question but if I go to the Apple store in Sheffield, what's the chances that they will have the upgraded MacBook air I want in stock?
Do they have all configurations in store?
I know I want 4GB RAM, 256GB SDD and i5 processor....but I'm still contemplating whether or not to get 11" or 13"
I like the idea of the bigger screen and battery of the 13
but also the portability of the 11.
:popcornsoda:
I will see.
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Difficult to know what they have in stock but they usually get what you need fairly quickly. The timing may depend on which country a unit is being built in. Apple use an international network and are pretty good at it and keeping you informed.
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Just out of interest why you going for the Air?
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11" is way too small... especially if its your only computer. 13" is just about passable but 15.4" is absolute minimum in my personal opinion.
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Difficult to know what they have in stock but they usually get what you need fairly quickly. The timing may depend on which country a unit is being built in. Apple use an international network and are pretty good at it and keeping you informed.
Thanks Robin :wink: I'm gonna go over to Sheffield Meadowhall Applestore today and have a good look!
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Just out of interest why you going for the Air?
I'm in love with the thing, silly I know. :ashamed: But also it's everything I need, and the new models are very capable.
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11" is way too small... especially if its your only computer. 13" is just about passable but 15.4" is absolute minimum in my personal opinion.
Thanks Rich, great answer! Just what I wanted to hear really. I was kinda thinking the same.... A little worried that the 11.6" would be too small as a main lappy.
My 15" DV6 was a good size, but I alwYs thought I would go smaller come changing time.
13.3" seems perfect :smiley:
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Sorry guys, one more question... :ashamed:
I know I would prob never notice the difference, but for an extra £100 should I be upgrading from the i5 to the i7 processor?
It's more money I could do without spending, but if I get the i5, am I gonna regret not upgrading when I had the chance?
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Get the best processor you can afford.
If you can afford to get the i7 then do so. You may not notice the difference now but you will if you start doing processor hungry tasks like editing photo's or video's.
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Thanks Carl :happy2:
Do you think I can walk away from the Applestore today, MBA in hand with the configuration I want, or are the upgrades made to order?
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Ram they will do in the store. The remainder are upgrades that you have to order.
What spec do you want?
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Thanks Robin :wink: I'm gonna go over to Sheffield Meadowhall Applestore today and have a good look!
....The great big candy store! Beware the slippery slope :grin:
i7 if you have the dosh spare but i5 ain't no slouch. Plenty of RAM is what helps too. Enjoy your day at the Apple Store :happy2:
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.... oh and make sure you get a 2TB Timecapsule...... and an Airport Express..... a bluetooth mouse.... and a 27" Apple display... :signLOL:
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.... oh and make sure you get a 2TB Timecapsule...... and an Airport Express..... a bluetooth mouse.... and a 27" Apple display... :signLOL:
:scared: :scared: :scared: :signLOL:
What spec do you want?
13.3"MBA, i7, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD :smiley:
....The great big candy store! Beware the slippery slope :grin:
i7 if you have the dosh spare but i5 ain't no slouch. Plenty of RAM is what helps too. Enjoy your day at the Apple Store :happy2:
Thanks again Robin :notworthy:
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@ monte:
I don't want to fill your head with what might be technogeekbabble at this stage, but if you will be running Apps such as Photoshop or Logic etc then go for 8 GB RAM because unless you have 8 GB the 64-bit Apps will run in 32-bit. However, fear not! The Apple Store folks will be absolutely up-to-speed and will advise you well for your individual needs rather than their sales figures <--- Another reason to buy from Apple and not Currys Tesco Argos etc.
[You may have posted earlier what you'd be using the Mac for but I've forgotten and can't be arsed to re-read the whole thread]
You're gonna be a very happy bunny! :happy2:
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Robin that isn't true.
If you have Snow Leopard or Lion then any native 64bit apps will run in 64bit with 4GB of ram. It worked perfectly well on my MBP before i upgraded to 8GB and you can check what your apps are running in the Activity Monitor
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fww275%2FTaufe%2FScreenShot2011-09-12at095722.png&hash=015d9ac5af48ed6c7f25a500dfec2248b6bdf71c)
You can also force it to run in 64bit constantly on Snow Leopard by holding 6 & 4 when you start up.
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Best way to buy a Mac is to have a wife who works for the BBC (10% discount as part of the Corporate Perks scheme), and a boss who doesn't mind putting it through the business (20% VAT). Makes for a huge 30% off :grin:
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Best way to buy a Mac is to have a wife who works for the BBC (10% discount as part of the Corporate Perks scheme), and a boss who doesn't mind putting it through the business (20% VAT). Makes for a huge 30% off :grin:
Or Student discount :wink:
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Best way to buy a Mac is to have a wife who works for the BBC (10% discount as part of the Corporate Perks scheme), and a boss who doesn't mind putting it through the business (20% VAT). Makes for a huge 30% off :grin:
Wife??? :surprised: Sounds like false economy to me!!!
If you fancy buying one on my behalf though Andy, I'd be happy to accept :smiley:
Send me your paypal details once you have got me it :wink:
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Best way to buy a Mac is to have a wife who works for the BBC (10% discount as part of the Corporate Perks scheme), and a boss who doesn't mind putting it through the business (20% VAT). Makes for a huge 30% off :grin:
Or Student discount :wink:
Masquerade as a student?! No chance!
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Robin that isn't true.
If you have Snow Leopard or Lion then any native 64bit apps will run in 64bit with 4GB of ram. It worked perfectly well on my MBP before i upgraded to 8GB and you can check what your apps are running in the Activity Monitor
You can also force it to run in 64bit constantly on Snow Leopard by holding 6 & 4 when you start up.
....OK, then I'll elaborate:
If you run a 64-bit App with only 4 GB RAM installed on your Mac, it'll only use 4 GB of the installed RAM regardless. Therefore you should have 8 GB RAM to run 64-bit Apps more efficiently. This certainly applies to Apple's Logic Pro 9.1.5.
Furthermore the OS can use a Bridge for 32-bit plug-ins within a 64-bit App but it can compromise performance.
Sorry if I wasn't clear.
And you can also run an App individually in 64-bit if you Get Info on the App icon and deselect the "32-bit" box if the App's Get Info window has the option.
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There is no i7 mba, its a 1.7Ghz i5.
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select (http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select)
Or have i got it wrong?
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There is no i7 mba, its a 1.7Ghz i5.
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select (http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select)
Or have i got it wrong?
....You got it right. I did wonder about an i7 in a laptop. Doesn't i7 need quad-core? Next generation perhaps. <-- I got it wrong! :ashamed:
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There is a 1.8GHZ i7 upgrade option
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fww275%2FTaufe%2FScreenShot2011-09-12at142603.png&hash=828434a197e654eedde944794fc994f56b8f47e4)
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Yep def is i7 option for £100 :pomppomp:
On the 11" too :wink:
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There's seems to be a thing between VeeDubs and Mac users:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geeky-gadgets.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F01%2FVW-Camper-Van-MacBook-Decal_2.jpg&hash=1518b3d2f20b276f2b76a18c9ad8b7b1dbba6d4c)
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Buying from Apple and taking your 'student' friend will save you over £200 :drinking: :drinking: