Yet another build...
Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 10:12AM .... but I'm not complaining!
On arrival back from NSConference yesterday, was a rather plain looking brown packing box containing the new MacBook Pro.
Yowsa!
It took slightly longer than anticipated to arrive, but in reality, the timing was perfect. Had it arrived before the conference it would have been an unneeded diversion, as I had to prepare this weeks show in advance. I have to say though, I showed remarkable restraint and actually left the machine in the box unopened for a good six hours or so. Well, after being a way from home for a couple of days, it wouldn't have gone down too well to ignore the family and spend all night fiddling with the new machine.
So after an appropriate length of time (once they'd all gone to bed!) I duly did the ceremonially unboxing (no photos) and took stock of the new machine.
First impressions are that the screen seems significantly bigger than the MBA, which is one of the major reasons for upgrading. It seems huge and very bright. The other revelation is the trackpad - it's so smooth and easy to use. I'd picked up on this using my brothers MacBook, but it really does feel super smooth and is a delight to use. Not really started using the additional multitouch features yet, but the absence of a proper button (the whole trackpad is a button) is no issue and the muscle memory is easily re-trained.
Following a bit of a think (and lots of advice from the twitteratti) I decided not to go ahead with a migration from the MBA but to do a clean OS install and selectively start to add in my applications. It's not a trivial job as I use a ton of applications, but this time round I'm documenting all the steps on configuring the new Mac as a basis for a ScreenCastsOnline show for new Mac users.
I'm pretty much at the point where most of the core essential applications I use are now on the machine (Mail Act-On, 1Password, Launchbar, Evernote, TextExpander and a few more) but I daresay, it will take me a couple of days on and off to bring it fully up to spec.
As far as the MBA is concerned, it went on eBay for £760 to a chap in the Netherlands. Payment has been received so I'm just about to start the process of preparing it for sending off in the next few days. I've got a MBA superdrive so it shouldn't be to difficult to do a fresh install. I'll miss the MBA as it's been a fantastic machine but the MBP is a worthy upgrade.
As an aside, I suppose it's not that surprising but I'd say the vast majority of developers at NSConference were using new unibody MacBook Pros with a smattering of MacBooks and MacBook Airs. Quite a few new 17" machines as well. Now that is a huge screen!
Will keep you posted on any additional thoughts over the next few days.
Reader Comments (7)
Congratulations on the new arrival Don and looking forward to hearing how you get on with it opposed to the MBA.
Now you have probably already thought of this but just a reminder, once you have it built as you want it run a super duper bootable backup, and call it something like "My Build" and put it somewhere safe.
That way next time you want to rebuild it will be a lot quicker.
Don, congrats on the MBP. I love mine. I went from a last gen Powerbook to the Unibody MBP and man what an upgrade. I think you're a champ for doing a full fresh install. I've done that for the OS but love migrating. What are the pros to a 100% fresh install?
Well, it's just that you can be more selective on what gets installed. Invariably, you end up with a load of applications you don't need after a while and a migration will bring those across as well.
A clean install always feels better Don.
I decided to do a clean install a while ago after a few keychain probs.
After doing so I reinstalled the iLife, iWork and pro apps on my Mac, then the essential apps such as 1Password, Launchbar and a few others.
After doing this I made a S/D clone and put it to one side.
My intention being that after the next clean install I can migrate that setup back to my Mac saving a little time.
I also move the DMG of all the apps I have installed over to Dropbox, this way I just work my way through the folder of DMG's installing the apps I want, without the need to D/L again.
Don I really enjoy your Screencastsonline shows. Just a wonderful resource especially for discovering new software for the mac, or getting to know an old one even better. I look forward to watching you set up your macbook pro. I personally feel that doing a fresh install is always the best option. Plus installing software is enjoyable on a new machine...atleast for me.
Hi Don,
Can I second (or even third..) the request for a show on changing macs. I am about to upgrade my MBP for a new one, and I'm torn between fresh install and migration assistant. I am really not sure of the pros and cons and would love this explained. Couldn't you just delete the apps you no longer use prior to Migration assistant?
cheers
James
Don,
It would also be very useful to know what's the best way to prepare a Mac prior to selling on or retiring from service. What's the best way to clear the drive of all your data, should you re-install the OS, etc.
Not sure if it warrants a show but perhaps tagged on to something else appropriate.
Cheers
David