I haz a laptop!

[knitchick1979]

SQUEE!

I am typing on my brand new Macbook!!!



Went with my parents today to the mini-Mac store in ABT Electronics up in Glenview. My dad wanted to go there because he just bought a TV from there and that meant he could finance my computer with the TV. Fine by me :) So the guy went over the laptops, I was totally resigned to getting the Macbook White (13" plastic shell), but the guy was pointing out that the new 13" aluminum one was more durable and better screen and better battery life and the newer trackpad and bigger hard drive. My mom helped talk my dad into getting THAT one! YAY!!!!

Got that, and a nice new laptop bag sized just for it. It's really nice, I've been sitting here for nearly two hours just playing around, getting things set up how I like it. Downloaded my most frequently used programs, Firefox and OpenOffice.org, as well as Google Toolbar. The computer meanwhile quietly downloaded system updates and such in the background. Now that those are installed I am about to run the iLife 09 Installer (it was SO cool when it sucked the DVD into the superdrive :D )

Oh and of course, my login name is Captain Jacqueline Harkness and my desktop currently has Jack and Ianto snogging (to which my dad was like "ew take that off" and I'm like "my laptop! I like it!") I need to come up with a name for the computer tho.

But before I start running iLife, here's a couple quickie photos!








Okay, time to get iLife running and then give the computer a break while I make more pizzelles. Then I think I'm gonna snuggle in bed and watch Dancing with the Stars from last Monday/Tuesday.

Comments

[lilyofshalott]

Penny wishes to extend welcoming thoughts to your new computer and wootness for a Mac!TARDIS. (Because I have a theory that computers are baby TARDISes that don't have dematerialisation properties yet. Think about it—computers, laptop or otherwise, can take you pretty much anywhere in time and space. And "welcoming thoughts" because, well, semi-sentient time-and-spaceships designed by a highly advanced civilisation are probably telepathic, yes?)

She's a 13in white MacBook with this case in plum (and now I see they have TARDIS blue—but only for the aluminum MacBooks). I've seen a few patterns for felted laptop bags on Ravelry and am considering making one for extra protection since the snap-on case pretty much just protects against scratches—and my messenger bag has nothing in the way of padding. So far I haven't had any troubles carrying her in my bag, but . . . just in case.

When you say come up with a name for the computer, do you know how to change the name when you log on? Mine says "Michelle's MacBook," but I don't know if it's actually possible to change it (like how you can name your iPod so that it shows up with a name when connected). If so, I really want to.

How's iLife? The only software I got with mine was Office for Mac—mostly because I was using a Grad Plus loan to get my laptop and it's accompanying fun stuffs and didn't want to take out *too* big of a loan.

It's so pretty! I really need a Mac!love icon. ^_^ (And here's an Unshelved strip on the subject.)

[knitchick1979.livejournal.com]

Hee, my computer is happy for the welcoming thoughts :)

I saw those snap on cases, ABT didn't have the blue ones in yet but they had a purple one on one of the display computers and my mom was eyeing it. :) I did get a nice padded bag, but I might still knit a felted case sometime.

My login name is Captain Jacqueline Harkness and that's how it'll identify itself but I wanna come up with a name to call it, plus the hard drive icon just says "Macintosh HD" and that's BORING. My iPod is already called TARDISpod ;) so I gotta come up with something Torchwood-y.

Just getting started with iLife but it's pretty neat. I didn't get Office because I prefer OpenOffice.org and I've already got that installed.

I should see if someone's gotten screencaps of John on the One Show yet, my friend and I found a clip on YouTube the other night of him taking a stress test on there (HILARIOUS) and he's using a Mac. That would be perfect for a Mac!love icon!

Speaking of JB...I need to put together a sound profile. Who needs a silly ding when new emails come in? I want Jack saying something. ;)

[lilyofshalott]

Other than not having impact protection (and preventing the laptop from opening much farther than 90*), the snap-on Incase cases are awesome. They're hard plastic, but they don't feel it. The closest I can describe it is something of a "brushed" plastic—it almost feels soft.

OH! And I also have the Time Capsule wireless external hard-drive (which also gives me Wi-Fi for my room, WOOT!)—since the backup application is called "Time Machine" I couldn't really give it anything but a Time Lordy name, of course. So the device's name (which shows up under my "Shared" tab) is . . . the Eye of Harmony! And to go with the Gallifreyan theme, my wireless network is called Citadel. ^_^

What exactly does iLife do? Is it something like an Outlook-esque programme? I have iCal and Mail (because they come standard) but I never use them. I probably ought to use iCal so it can remind me to do things, but I haven't set up Mail because I have three email addresses—my Yahoo! one, my SU alumni one, and my current Simmons one (which will go away next year when I become an alum).

Who needs a silly ding when new emails come in? I want Jack saying something.
We had Outlook email at my undergrad school—my senior year I figured out you could change the alerts and had Eight saying "Jelly baby, officer?" when I got a new email. ^_^ I just checked the options on my Simmons mail (which is Horde and I think more web-based) and it doesn't look like you can *add* new sounds. Sadness.

[knitchick1979.livejournal.com]

Yeah I was feeling the case at the store and it was pretty rad!

I really want to get the Time Capsule but that'll have to wait as it's like $300. But soon!!!

iLife comes with iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band, iWeb and iDVD. I'm having fun with iPhoto now, it's got facial recognition software in it (I feel like Tosh!) so you tell it, this face is so and so and you tell it that a few times and then it'll start to say, oh is this them? :) It's so cool!!!! I haven't played with the rest yet but I will, soon enough.

I use Google Calendar but I should see if I can get it synced with iCal so I've got an offline copy. I have Gmail all set up (even has a nifty indicator thing by the Airport icon), and I've got my school mail and Yahoo mail dumped into there. I don't think I can still use my undergrad email (not that I ever did) but my email from Dominican is for life. :)

[lilyofshalott]

Hmmm . . . perhaps iLife comes standard, then? Because I'm pretty sure I have all of those things. (I just checked. I do.)

it's got facial recognition software in it
REALLY? That's brilliant! I definitely haven't played around with iPhoto. I mean, yes, I have all my pictures from Jane the digital camera on there, and they're saved into albums and such, but I've not done more than that.

I really ought to use iCal—I'm really bad about procrastinating and/or forgetting about things (like deadlines) until right before they're due. As such, it would be helpful for my computer to remind me to do things, hee.

I'm so excited that you have a Mac now—we must share tips and things!

[knitchick1979.livejournal.com]

I know iLife '09 comes with the new Macs, I think '08 comes with the slightly older ones. iLife 08 was already on here, but then I had to stick in the disc to update it to '09. :)

I'm connecting iCal with my Google calendar now. Which is set to send me text messages when I'm supposed to be places, it's so cool!

I also have iChat open. It's pretty cool too!

I'm loving the learning experience. Perhaps a little too much ;)

[lilyofshalott]

iChat is awesome . . . especially since AIM for Mac is made of so very much fail.

I'm loving the learning experience. Perhaps a little too much ;)
Hee, Ravenclaw much?

[knitchick1979.livejournal.com]

Well I *am* Hermione ;) I usually get sorted into Gryffindor but I've also been sorted into Ravenclaw, which is where Hermione almost ended up!

I just chatted with a friend from Anime Central via the video chat, it was tons of fun! :D My parents were all confused though. My dad comes over and he's looking at the screen and he's like "Oh she can see you?"

[lilyofshalott]

So I played with iCal a bit this afternoon (to procrastinate ::facepalm::)—I think I rather like it! And I found out that you *can* set custom alarm sounds: thread on Mac OS X Hints.

Now if only I could find an XF Wav archive so I could get Skinner saying "Daylight's burning, agents" . . . Squee! I just found one! Well, it looks like most of the site is broken, but the S5 sound clips page *does* exist. ^_^

And now I really ought to be productive for a bit because I have something at 6. And then House and Castle are on tonight.

ETA: Except I can't get the file to actually show up in the sound drop-down menu. Hmm . . .

[lilyofshalott]

You CAN set the name for your computer! Yay for the awesome Mac search features!

Open "System Preferences," then choose "Sharing." At the top of this window will be a text bar entitled "Computer Name"! ^_^

(And Lady Penelope has now—finally—been officially named. This pleases her.)

[knitchick1979.livejournal.com]

Sweet!! Now I just gotta think of a name. :)

Tho I'm leaning toward Ianto...he is on the wallpaper after all :D (it's currently a shot of him and Jack snogging from "To the Last Man" with a blue frame and purply hearts on the frame :D )

[chicago-girl-7.livejournal.com]

I love the wallpaper you make.