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The PC to Macintosh Convert with a bad back
By an Amazon.com customer
Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Slot Loading SuperDrive)Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Slot Loading SuperDrive)
Buy new: $2,749.95 / Used from: $1,800.00
A nice aluminum MacBook Pro with a full load of memory and a decent, if not cutting-edge, hard drive. The SuperDrive is the best DVD burner I've ever had! The only way to get a faster processor in a MBP is to custom order from Apple, and not worth the several hundred dollars you have to spend to get it.
AppleCare Protection Plan - Mac ProAppleCare Protection Plan - Mac Pro
Buy new: $214.12 / Used from: $145.00
You have to get this great extended warranty. You can even go in to the local Apple store and get lessons on how to use the Mac from a Macintosh Genius. These folks are very knowledgeable about the OS and the hardware, and will help you orient yourself to your new friend, the MacBook Pro!
Western Digital 320 GB Scorpio Black SATA 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Notebook Hard Drive WD3200BEKT [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]Western Digital 320 GB Scorpio Black SATA 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Notebook Hard Drive WD3200BEKT [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]
Buy new: $79.02
The perfect upgrade for the MacBook Pro I bought. For less than a hundred bucks you get a 7200 speed drive that makes a noticeable difference in performance. Putting a new HDD in a MBP is really easy, instructions in the Mac user's manual!
Macally PHR-S100SUA Hi-Speed eSATA/FireWire/USB2.0 Storage Enclosure for 3.5-Inch SATA HDDMacally PHR-S100SUA Hi-Speed eSATA/FireWire/USB2.0 Storage Enclosure for 3.5-Inch SATA HDD
Buy new: $38.93
An enclosure for the 5400 speed 320GB drive that came out of the Mac in favor of the 7200 speed drive. I use this as my NTFS drive with the Paragon NTFS drivers on my Mac. Great way to move data between the PC world and planet Mac quckly.
Paragon NTFS for MAC Os X 6.5Paragon NTFS for MAC Os X 6.5
Migrating your Windows clone is easy. I used this software and the HDD I swapped out of the Mac (in the external USB drive enclosure). CAVEAT: Time machine won't use an NTFS drive for backups. If it would, I wouldn't need the Seagate FreeAgent drive, even though it's nice to have.
Samsung LN46A850 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of ColorSamsung LN46A850 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color
Buy new: $1,599.00 / Used from: $981.99
With this beauty, I have a great way to use my MacBook Pro with the wireless keyboard and mighty mouse. This TV makes the best monitor I ever had. 1920x1080 at 120 Hz non-interlaced: It's stunning. Best TV I have ever owned, too!
Apple Mighty Mouse Wireless KitApple Mighty Mouse Wireless Kit
Buy used from: $24.99
With my bad back, i use my MBP from my bed, and this mouse is a fantastic tool. Coupled with the Apple Wireless Keyboard, I am productive while comfortably laid back on the heating pad. This is an Apple product, and works as seamlessly with the MBP as you could dream.
Apple Wireless Keyboard KitApple Wireless Keyboard Kit
Buy new: $79.99 / Used from: $49.99
The other half of the equation, together with the Wireless Mighty Mouse. It's smaller than you think, but easy to type on, and very attractive to look at. I'm fully productive even lying in bed.
Apple iWork '08 Family Pack [OLD VERSION]Apple iWork '08 Family Pack [OLD VERSION]
Buy new: $45.90 / Used from: $14.86
Why buy a second productivity suite? One word: Keynote. This makes the slickest presentations ever. This app is worth the price of the whole suite. I've even made a presentation in it, exported it to PowerPoint, and made the crowd wonder how I managed to make such a great PowerPoint presentation. It's really slick..
Office Mac 08 Home & Stu TechOffice Mac 08 Home & Stu Tech
You've got to have this bundle if you're converting from a PC. Your Word docs (and docx) open up seamlessly; same with Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoints. Entourage isn't Outlook, but you'll acclimate yourself quickly. This package definitely makes for a softer landing on planet Mac.
CyberPower High-Speed 7-Port USB HubCyberPower High-Speed 7-Port USB Hub
Buy new: $30.54
This hub is powered by AC, and will charge your iPhone even when your computer isn't plugged in. No more switching my iPhone cable over from the transformer to the computer. It also has a slick port for USB memory drives that is physically away from the other ports, so you won't lose any ports due to the typical oversized thumb drive.
MobileMe Family Pack [OLD VERSION]MobileMe Family Pack [OLD VERSION]
This subscription will keep you synced up between your VM Vista, your Mac, your iPhone - email, contacts, calendars, Office documents, the whole deal. You even get an email account (username@me.com) in the bargain. You can get a 60 day free trial and pick up this service a month or two down the road.
Seagate FreeAgent XTreme 1 TB USB 2.0/FireWire 400/eSATA Desktop External Hard Drive ST310005FPA2E3-RK (Black)Seagate FreeAgent XTreme 1 TB USB 2.0/FireWire 400/eSATA Desktop External Hard Drive ST310005FPA2E3-RK (Black)
Fast. Flexible. Low profile. It works great as NAS, or plugged in to USB on the Mac. However connected, it is seamless with the Mac's Time Machine backup feature -- which I love. I can restore my Mac to whatever time I want over the last month -- to the hour. Plenty of room, performance, and a great price. Try this with the Linksys wireless router as NAS. Great solution.
Imo WRT600N Refurb Dual Band Wireless N Router No RtnsImo WRT600N Refurb Dual Band Wireless N Router No Rtns
Refurbished for 1/4 the price I paid. No Prime shipping, but what the heck, you're saving 75%. Has a usb port. Connect the Seagate FreeAgent to it, and you have a great NAS solution for pennies on the dollar.
2PORT Tempo Sata EXPRESS34 Controller Esata Port Mac Win2PORT Tempo Sata EXPRESS34 Controller Esata Port Mac Win
Buy new: $42.95 / Used from: $34.00
Connects both external drives to the Mac at blazing fast (equal to internal) speeds. Comes Mac ready, easy to get up and running. Have all of your drives running at fast speed. With this, my MBP is every bit as good as a MacPro workstation, without sacrificing notebook portability and convenience.
Incase CL57078 Neoprene Sleeve for MacBook Pro 15", PowerBook 15" and iBook 14", BlackIncase CL57078 Neoprene Sleeve for MacBook Pro 15", PowerBook 15" and iBook 14", Black
Buy new: $39.95 / Used from: $26.50
Minimalist way to protect your MBP for those quick trips. When I pack my full notebook case, my MBP goes in this and then in the case for extra protection. Great product, fair price.
Cables To Go - 26886 - 18in USB To DB9 Male Serial AdapterCables To Go - 26886 - 18in USB To DB9 Male Serial Adapter
Buy new: $16.08 / Used from: $10.98
Remember those Cisco devces I work on? This does the trick. Works seamlessly with the Apple Terminal program on my MBP and the standard Cisco aux port cable. You can go a few bucks cheaper, but this cable has an aesthetic I like when combined with my other Mac accessories.
Cables Unlimited PCM-2296-06 HDMI to DVI D Single Link Cable (6.56 Feet, Black)Cables Unlimited PCM-2296-06 HDMI to DVI D Single Link Cable (6.56 Feet, Black)
Buy new: $2.98
Hook up that Gorgeous Samsung TV Monitor to the Mac. Sound cable needed, though, since DVI doesn't carry sound.
RiteAV - 3.5mm to Stereo RCA Male Cable - 6 ft.RiteAV - 3.5mm to Stereo RCA Male Cable - 6 ft.
Buy new: $2.66
Use the TV speakers with the Mac. Works with the DVI to HDMI cable. I twist-tied them together to help manage cable mess.
King 12" 5" 5LB Density Viscoelastic Memory Foam MattressKing 12" 5" 5LB Density Viscoelastic Memory Foam Mattress
Buy new: $729.00
Here's a way to make working from the bed with a bad back as painless as possible. Viscoelastic has saved me from many sleepless nights spent in agony.
Esata 3GBPS External Cable 6FTEsata 3GBPS External Cable 6FT
Get 2 of these, one for each drive. Ships fast with Prime.