I was in the market for an ultraportable laptop / ultrabook for when I travel home and/or go on courses. My needs were a decent battery life, pretty fast and super portable - I hate lugging round big laptops.
After browsing I've bought the MacBook Air from amazon for £769. This thing is rapid, the battery life honestly is a full day charge, and its so thin and light its crazy. The speakers sound amazing given the form factor and OSx isn't that bad now I've got used to it, and don't worry, I still have my beloved desktop with beloved Windows & Linux installed.
I'm just wondering what kind of programs are must-have with OSx, since this is the first time I've ever used it. Like you have to install flash & Winrar etc with Windows, what should I have installed on this now, so that when I come to need it I don't have to go looking?
Some of the programs i frequently use on my MBP....
MPlayerX - Good alternative to Quicktime, plays all videos just like VLC but i enjoy the borderless windows
Folx Download Manager
As far as archiving utilities go, OS has built in utilities to compress and uncompress files which work just fine.
You will have to download and install adobe flash player.
Other than that i cant really think of anything mac specific, i guess it all depends on what you will be using it for. All i do on my mac is web browsing, homework, and some mild editing.
Aperture is also a great editing program i got for free with my laptop but if you dont want to spend any cash on programs, OS has native programs that will do just fine for basic editing.
Yah. Can I ask why you didn't simply buy a PC ultrabook for HUNDREDS less than an overpriced MBA?
I also switched to a Mac for a brief second of my life back in 2007 but very quickly switched back after becoming so frustrated with the "take it or I give it to you" mentality of Apple.
No offence guys, but I am snickering that there are even folks are here this into Macs... Really? Wow, things have changed.
I guess computer nerds have a lot more interest in buying over priced, non-upgradeable pre-assembled 'pretty' stuff than building and maintaining their own rigs eh?
I've yet to meet someone into Macs who can genuinely justify why they needed to spend that much money on their pretty laptop.... The whole "macs are better for video" thing is a total farce. So what is it? Can you deny you bought for looks?
the general jist of this thread was to recomend programs for a new OSx user. Not to make comments about what he bought and why it's bad (whether or not it is or is not).
I make a lot of hardware decisions on looks, after I know the power I am going for. So what if he got a MacBook? They're not bad computers, they're just over-priced computels.
Maintaining a "rig" requires alot of your precious time, if you got one. If you're on the move or don't have a time to spend with your rig by feeding it and taking care of it, then I don't see any reason why you should not get a Mac. I've spent a hell lot on my laptop, whereas IMO I could've snatched a MBP 15" at the same price.