[RE-wrenches] A Wrench's computer

[Kurt Albershardt]

As yet another long-time PC veteran (after IBM SNA and PDP-11s) with way 
too much Windows internals experience, I also just purchased my first 
Mac.  Installed Parallels to support Quickbooks (still no integrated 
payroll on their Mac version.)

I have a maxed-out MacBook Pro as a desktop replacement but I will say 
that the integrated graphics (9400M) is quite adequate even for large 
SketchUp models - so the plain MacBook looks like a heckuva deal given 
its monoblock case design and low price.  The MagSafe power connector is 
pure genius.

If you click on the new trackpads with two fingers, you get the 
right-click context menu all us Windows power users miss.  The other 
shortcut it took me awhile to find was <command> + <~> which is 
equivalent to <ctrl> + <F6> in Windows (move to next window in a 
multiple document interface.)





On 4/10/09 9:56 AM, Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar wrote:
> Joel,
> After 28 years of business computing dating from my George Morrow CPM 
> machine, I purchased my first Mac, a MackBook Pro, 2.4GHz. After 6 
> months, I have very mixed feelings about it. I love the battery life 
> and simplicity of features and included programs. Although I am still 
> in a steep learning curve, there are many things that frustrate me 
> daily. NO right click button means you need to plug in a mouse so you 
> can use the many options accessible by a right click. I have my old 
> Sharp laptop PC on the other desk and find that I often scoot my 
> rolling chair to it to quickly accomplish something. Perhaps it is 
> just because it is familiar.
>
> The MacBook seems rugged, has a fairly bright screen although my Sharp 
> has a sunlight readable, 400 NIT backlight. I am sure once I learn, or 
> just put up with, the intricateness of the Mac, it will be just fine. 
> Here's a really positive note: It has never crashed or locked 
> up...yet. What a feeling!
>
> Larry Crutcher
>
> On Apr 10, 2009, at 8:26 AM, Joel Davidson wrote:
>
>> Wrenches,
>> Some Wrenches include their notebook computer among their most valued 
>> tools. My 2001 IBM T23 notebook has served me well in the office and 
>> on the road, but it is getting a little long in the tooth. What 
>> notebook computer do you all recommend? As always, thank you very 
>> much for your valuable advice.
>> Best regards,
>> Joel Davidson
>> _______________________________________________