2011 13" MBP: First Day Impressions From a First* Time User

i wanted provide initial impressions on new 2011 13" mbp base model.

first , foremost, thank community wealth of information available here. i've been reading forums diligently past several months leading purchase.

second, put * next first time user, since did own mac several years ago, relationship didn't last long. can't remember, maybe 2003/2004? computer ibook, , shortly after 1 year warranty expired logic board went out. repair cost $800. of course know wisdom of buying warranty on laptop, @ time college student , head kind of fuzzy (partly why don't remember when owned ibook, fuzzy time). said forget apple! , short while later bought gigantic 17" hp monster, died after 18 months.

i've been laptop free while, relying on various pc desktops, 1 i'm quite fond of built myself year , half ago. great gaming rig types of games play, ones few years older.

of course lot has happened in personal technology since owned ibook, notably rise of smartphone. owned second iteration of original iphone, , own 3gs. iphone favorite piece of technology ever. internet message board junkie, , when realized have internet me anywhere in palm of hand, sold. few years iphone led ipad purchase past winter (1st gen 16gb wifi refurb). didn't know how react ipad, knew going have own 1 decide if use it. man use it! web browsing , email around house, siriusxm app gets tons of use.

led situation summer plan on road lot (i follow phish) , needed way stay connected summer classes, take online tests, etc. ipad might have sufficed, didn't want flaking out on me during test, figured time purchase laptop. considered pc laptops, went mbp number of reasons elaborate on shortly.

enough background, here first impressions after few hours new mbp:

1. best looking notebook out there. yes important me. apple has pushed industrial design new levels, , if i'm spending serious cash on piece of technology, want fantastic. not ashamed admit this.

2. has solid, quality feel. see above. want tech feel great in addition looking great.

3. synced iphone, , absolutely delighted see "just work". syncing calendar ical, photos iphoto, itunes u podcasts, contacts, boom, synced on mbp! such simple thing, brilliant.

4. speaking of photos, love location feature of iphoto. mentioned before follow phish, , go lot of other live music well, cool click on city on map , photos various shows , not pop up. slick , unexpected feature.

5. went ahead , cancelled unlimited plan. know have jailbroken, didn't want mess that, , wanted tethering use mbp on road. plugged phone up, turned on hotspot, boom, computer sees phone, select network, , works beautifully.

6. have base model, , plenty speedy purposes.

7. multitouch gestures while web browsing perfect.

8. stoked hear today i'll lion update free! not bad.

gripes:

1. hard getting used not having right click. i'm sure i'll adjust

2. safari. chrome better, understand safari getting makeover soon.

reading impressions, thought share them fun , maybe posterity's sake!

 

a few comments:

1) right click exists, need enable preference under trackpad in system preferences.
2) every os x install, install following must-have apps: adium, vlc, growl, hardwaregrowl (under extras in growl.dmg file), dropbox, perian, istat menus, istat pro widget, , deliveries widget.
3) because you're using os x, itunes behaves itself.
4) reboots thing of past. close lid when you're done, open work again!
5) command+space opens spotlight. it's fastest way find documents , fastest way open app.
6) collection of helpful videos: http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/

it. glad mac!

 

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