[tlug] Advice on buying a Macbook

["Stephen J. Turnbull" <stephen@example.com>]

Josh Glover writes:

 > The time has finally come for me to buy a Macbook. So I need the
 > advice of proud Macbook owners in order to maximise my pleasure and
 > minimise the pain of dropping 15 man! ;)
 > 
 > Here are my questions, in no particular order:
 > 
 > 1. Where should I buy the puppy? I was thinking the Ginza Apple Store,
 > just so taking it back for service or whatever would be easy. I would
 > consider other options if they would save me a man or so.

I've always bought from the web store.  But I've never had a problem
so I can't say how much pain there would be in getting service.

 > 2. Is there an extended warranty offered by any vendor (especially the
 > Apple Store; see (1)), and is it worth buying? How much does it cost,
 > and how many additional years of warranty coverage does it confer?

Worth it, I don't know.  ISTR about 2 man-en, 2 extra years.

 > 3. I want to get a white model, but may want to upgrade the RAM at
 > purchase time. Is this an option? How much RAM should I need? I plan
 > to run the 'top in Linux most of the time, but there are a few things
 > I want to keep OS X around for (see below).

All the RAM you can fit in is none too much for Mac OS X.

 > 4. Which applications, if any, come bundled with the Macbook? I have
 > some interest in Garage Band, and a lot of interest in iMovie or
 > whatever Apple is calling their video editing software these days. If
 > these apps do not come bundled, is there any cost advantage to buying
 > them together with the Macbook itself?

All of them come with the box AFAIK.  Safari, Garage Band, iMovie,
iTunes, iChat, QuickTime, iPhoto, X11, GCC et al, the usual Unix
utilities, and a couple of things I never use so I've forgotten what
they are.  Plus the Mac-ish GUI stuff like Spotlight and Dashboard.

 > 5. Are there any accessories I will really want? I think I am covered
 > in the carrying case / laptop bag department. And no, I a) do not
 > consider the iPod an accessory, and b) will not be purchasing one.
 > Ever.

Extra battery, about 1 man-en.  External speakers and mike (you
probably already have those, but just in case).