Powerbook/Macbook Wisdom: What do I need to know?

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My last non PB was a PowerCenterPro 210.

Turn of the century. Much before.

[Doc]

Get a padded slipcase. Put the laptop in the slipcase and then put it (still in the slipcase) in the padded bag.

Trust me. It'll save your a$$.

[GGD]

Rick-o wrote:
Don't drop it. ::o

Seriously, it happens more often than one might think.

Keep liquids far away from it too.

[GeneL]

I only recently became the owner of a PB, so I don't have a lot of experience to draw from.

Because I hate using a trackpad with a passion, my alternative solution was to pull the bluetooth Apple mouse, which came with my MacPro, out of the drawer where I had retired it and to use it with my PB.

I use a Logitech MX Revolution with the MacPro and love it, but for the PB, the bluetooth solution just seemed more elegant. Nothing has to stick out, since it doesn't require a usb plug-in to work with the PB's built-in bluetooth as do any of the wireless mice.

Good luck with your new laptop.

GeneL

Btw, I just remembered this deal from Zagg for 30% off on their invisibleSHIELDS for laptops http://www.zagg.com/
This seems like a good solution for keeping your new baby pristine. I hope this is helpful, Grumpyguy!

[simonm]

I am not a "pristine" kind of person. I've used laptops almost exclusively for 8 years and one and off before that. Reckon to get 3.5 good years from a laptop before it is ready for a decent burial. It will hit the ground a few times. "Normal" falls give you a fright and maybe a small dent or crack in the case but you pick it up and just keep working. The magsafe connector will reduce the number of falls.

The most economical method if you are methodical about it would probably be to get a recent model refurb and keep it for about 18 months and then sell it and repeat the process. Take out your hard drive when you replace it and and give the new guy a fresh hard drive. You get a full back up and the buyer is happy with a fresh hard drive. If it is a model where replacing drives are easy this far simpler than copying all your data and doing a secure erase on the hard drive before you sell it on.

For a bag - rucksack is the best option or a bag on wheels. Sooner or later a regular bag is going to give you back/shoulder pains. A cheap rucksack with a bit of recycled foam works fine. It doesn't have to be a fashion statement. Dell's rucksacks are quite OK.

[mattkime]

oh, i do have a tip -

keyboard, mouse, and external monitor anywhere you work regularly. this makes the ergonomics much more like a desktop which is better for your back, neck and shoulders.

[SteveO]

AppleCare is a MUST for every lappy of mine (been on them since '97 or so). Can be had on eBay for a MacBook for $129 (digital delivery) today. Get a padded bag. I had 3 adapters in my iB/PB days but now am down to one on my MB and am dealing with it okay. I have a LogiTech BT mouse but rarely use it as I'm on batt a lot and BT sucks up the juice.

About every 4-6 weeks, let the battery on your laptop drain down to nothing so the screen goes black, then do a full recharge cycle. This helps calibrate the battery. Also, try not to let the batt drain to less than 30 minutes before plugging in. This is stuff I've read and put into practice, it seems to not hurt anything, ha.

Don't clean the screen or keyboard with Windex/glass spray. Harsh chemicals not so great for the machine imho. Better off with a bit of warm soapy water dabbed onto a clean, wet cotton rag -- or an eyeglass cleaning solution.

MagSafe is da' bomb. Get a MB/MBP for this benefit alone. Second the refurb notion, good idea. Or closeout model for less $$ than the latest/greatest. I got a new MB last Feb when the 2.4s came out. I justified it to myself based on longer battery life claims on these 2.4s. The battery life is just fine (about 3-4 hours the first six months, a little less from there) but it isn't any longer than previous MBs imho. Beware the marketing bunko! I could have gotten the same model (previous model, a 2.2 IIRC) for $300 less.

My next upgrade will probably be in a year or two if my old iBook ever dies (wife is on the iBook). My upgrade will be a refurb or previous-gen model.

[GeneL]

SteveO wrote:

About every 4-6 weeks, let the battery on your laptop drain down to nothing so the screen goes black, then do a full recharge cycle. This helps calibrate the battery. Also, try not to let the batt drain to less than 30 minutes before plugging in. This is stuff I've read and put into practice, it seems to not hurt anything, ha.

Question for you SteveO.

I don't use my PB very much, so it sits in its case for long periods of time. I imagine that this allows the battery to run completely down. Does this hurt the battery? Would I be better off just leaving it plugged in all the time when it's not being used?

Thanks for your thoughts,

GeneL