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Transfer to new Apple MacBook Pro

Fedex tracking says my new Apple MacBook Pro arrives this morning, so I've got to start thinking about how to handle this.

In general, I prefer to start fresh and bring things from the old machine only as I need them. On the other hand, in this particular situation, I am curious as to how Apple's migration assistant handles the transition to Intel. I guess it would be hard to get a situation where it wouldn't choose correctly, so I can probably skip that.

I do want to see how well Rosetta works (this is the "translator" software that lets PowerPC apps run on Intel OS X). Of course it will be slower than recompiled apps, but I wonder how it will compare to the same app running on my old iBook.

I'm really interested in Firefox, which has become dog-slow on my iBook. Safari is a much more responsive and even better looking browser, I think, but there are Firefox plugins that I really like and hate to give up.

I also need to think about wireless. I've never had it here in my office, and am still hesitant to employ it: I'm overly cautious, I guess. It would be convenient at times. But if I am going to buy a new router to get wireless ability, I have to also think about whether I want to keep Comcast or go with Verizon Fiber Optic. Comcast has been erratic and unreliable since we moved - TV, phone and Internet all have been acting up. I'm sure they will fix it all eventually: we had great performance at our other home for years. But right now it is very annoying to have things stutter or go entirely dead fairly regularly.

I can't imagine why I'd want the MacBooks built in camera. The irony of Apples' "1984" commercial isn't a factor, but as I don't even use text chat now, I sure can't imagine using video chat. What else would it be good for? Picture-Phone with Skype? I'm too old and grumpy.

But.. I am looking forward to seeing this machine. Full reports will probably take a week or so..

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Mon Feb 27 15:50:22 2006:   BigDumbDinosaur


I also need to think about wireless. I've never had it here in my office, and am still hesitant to employ it: I'm overly cautious, I guess. It would be convenient at times.

I don't think you're overly cautious, just pragmatic. Wireless networking is still has a ways to go to reach security parity with wired networks. Yes, it's convenient, but it's also tricky to get right. It's rather dismaying to discover that some bozo has been sitting out in front of your house linking on to your network. Even if all he does is "borrow" some bandwidth, he is stealing from you.

But if I am going to buy a new router to get wireless ability, I have to also think about whether I want to keep Comcast or go with Verizon Fiber Optic.

If it were me, I'd go with Verizon. Comcast just can't seem to get it right. also, I've heard raves about Verizon's fiber optic service. Sounds to me like it's going to be a weiner...er...winner (guess I'm sitting here in the frozen wastelands of the Midwest thinking about summer and hot dogs on the grill).



Mon Feb 27 23:08:15 2006:   TonyLawrence


Actually, Comcast was great where we used to live - it's only since moving here that we've had problems.

I'm just now (6:00 PM) getting the MacBook set up and running.. very nice looking machine. I'm too beat to do much with it tonight, and I have projects I have to get to in the morning, so I won't be using it for a few days..



Tue Feb 28 00:19:53 2006:   bruceg2004


"so I won't be using it for a few days.. "

I don't know how you do it! There is something about the smell of new electronics, that gets me excited. I would be like a kid at Christmas. The Migration tool is fantastic. I cannot speak for going to Intel, but from PPC to PPC it works very well.

- Bruce



Fri Mar 10 17:53:15 2006:   anonymous


Just recived my macbook pro (2ghz) i used migration to get all the data from my old ibook g4, and it worked perfect.

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