173 Questions on Customizing Your Mac
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OS / Full migration from a Time Machine back-up to SSD
is a Full migration from a Time Machine back-up (OS + everything else) to this SSD advisable? i.e. would there be massive amounts of redundant data from the current HDD wasting space or causing havoc in the SSD?
I would be installing this SSD in my mid 2010 MacBook Pro.- Asked by James M from Marsfield
- Oct 24, 2012
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- Asked about: 512GB Solid-State Drive Kit for Mac…
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will this ram work for my 2011 mac mini
- Asked by Bill G from Mississauga
- Oct 23, 2012
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- Asked about: Apple Memory Module 8GB 1333MHz DDR…
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How well will the lower-end 15-inch MacBook Pro (non-retina) run games?
There were other questions regarding gaming on the MacBook Pro, but none of them asking about this very specific model.
15-inch (non-retina) 2.3 Ghz
2.3 Ghz quad-core intel core i7
4GB 1600MHz memory
500GB 5400-rpm hard drive1
Intel HD Graphics 4000
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512MB of GDDR5 memory
$1799
The general consensus is that the 13 Pro won't run games very well and the higher end 15 will run games very well. Considering that the "higher end" 15 can be 3.6 Ghz as opposed to 2.3 and 8GB of memory as opposed to 4, one should ask if a lower-end 15 can run games well (even if it were better than the 13) cause it's still miles apart from a higher-end 15.
The most graphic-intensive game I see myself playing would be DC Universe Online (via VMWare) and I'd like to check out Phantasy Star Online 2 next year.
Would the model I'm considering be able to run those games smoothly?
Of course I know it wouldn't run it as well as a higher end 15, but if it could smoothly display graphics not too far away from what you'd see on a PS3 and it does so without being choppy, I'd be extremely happy.- Asked by Julio E from Los Angeles
- Jul 10, 2012
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Answer
I think the specific build you mentioned above will handle games very well. The dedicated graphics card (only available on the 15 inchers) will increase performance dramatically. You will also appreciate the extra screen real estate and higher resolution. If you get it and you feel that you still need a stronger machine, you can bring it back within 14 days and they'll let you exchange it, no problem. Good luck and enjoy your new Macintosh!
- Answered by Anthony A from Ronkonkoma
- Jul 12, 2012
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Is it possible to get a quad core i7 processor in the 13" MB Pro?
I would like to get a 13" MacBook Pro for portability purposes but would also like to have the multi-tasking speed of a quad core processor. The upgrade to the quad core seems to only be available in the 15" size. Is it at all possible to get one in a 13"?
- Asked by Nick T from West Chester
- Oct 22, 2012
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does amount of ram matter with solid state drives?
- Asked by Wally M from Seattle
- Aug 20, 2012
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Answer
Try to think of memory storage in 3 stages: CPU>RAM>Hard drive/Solid state Drive.
When you run a program, it's resources are called up from the storage drive and stored in memory so that if you should keep using that program, data can be recalled very quickly rather than having to go back to the storage drive to find it again. The CPU memory or cache is usually only a few MB big and so handles the most needed data to run/process the software you are using. Less needed data is moved down and stored in the RAM (random access memory) where, when it is needed, it is transferred to the CPU to be processed. Now the lowest level but the level with the most space is obviously the Hard drive and now more commonly Solid state drive. Whilst Solid state drives are fast, they're no where near as fast as RAM meaning once you've filled your RAM up, memory will start to be "paged" to the storage drive. Of course with an SSD being faster than a HDD, the computer will be faster but you want to try and minimise the amount of data that has to be paged to the storage drive, this is obviously done by having more RAM.
Short answer; Yes, the amount of RAM is still very important even with an SSD as opposed to a HDD.- Answered by Michael B
- Sep 3, 2012
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Which Mac for Semi-Pro Video Editing?
I currently have a 1.6GHz i7 Processor 6GB laptop on a PC. I'm trying to edit 1080p video shot on a Nikon d7000, but this laptop just isn't cutting it. Trying to play the files results in very choppy play, and editing is very slow. I want to get a desktop, but as I'm a college student, my computer has to be portable. Would a 15" Macbook Pro with 2.5GHz i7 processor and 8GB RAM be sufficient and help me do these things smoothly? I would do Photoshop and Video Editing with Windows 7 installed (because I already have the software for Windows), and do everything else with OSX.
- Asked by Daniel L from Newport Beach
- Mar 20, 2012
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How are the 2 drives used on an iMac with an SSD?
I want to know how the 2 drives are used together, for instance, does the machine boot from the SSD, and are items automatically partitioned between the drives, or do I control that?
- Asked by Eric D from Sebastopol
- Apr 15, 2012
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Answer
The SSD comes configured as the boot drive out of the box; it's where the OS and all of your apps live. The HDD is used just a storage drive.
You do have control over the setup though, and can use Disk Utility to change how things are configured.- Answered by James N from San Jose
- Apr 19, 2012
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Whats better the IMac or Mac Pro for video game design?
- Asked by Nathaniel W from Brooklyn
- Jan 31, 2012
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Answer
It depends on type of game, if you will be developing an IOS game, then IMac or Macbook pro would be enough, but if you will be developing Computer(Workstation) Games, then Mac Pro would give you more advantage because it have more horsepower under the hood. rendering and creating 3d graphics for your game would be more fluid due to its power GPU. Storage and expansion will be more flexible on Mac Pro. Though you also need to consider a monitor since Mac Pro does not include out of the box.
The mac pro will allow you to get further with lesser upgrade, because specs wise, IMac doesn't even come close. but it also depend on your need.- Answered by Angelo Bryan P from Las Pinas City
- Feb 7, 2012
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What are the benefits of purchasing a Mac Mini?
- Asked by Nedra A from Friendswood
- Aug 20, 2012
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Answer
Small, inexpensive, uses your existing keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
- Answered by Larry S from Brookline
- Aug 28, 2012
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I'm an animator looking to buy my 1st MacBook Pro after 15 years on a PC.
I'm thinking of the 15". I need to draw, animate, edit and burn DVDs, will this video card suit my requirements. I was also unaware of screen options, glossy/anti-glare, I'm confused now.
- Asked by Sharon S
- Mar 19, 2012
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Answer
AntiGlare is better in your case since you are going to use it for professional art work for anime and you need to use antiglare because it will let you see the realistic color of what your work will look like. Hopefully that answered your question.
- Answered by Ramon L from Dallas
- Aug 14, 2012
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Will this work for MacPro model MA970LL/A - 2.8GHz Two Quad Core Xeon processors
- Asked by Vijayaraghavan R from Christchurch
- Apr 17, 2012
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- Asked about: 1TB SATA Hard Disk Drive Kit for Ma…
Answer
Yes, It should work just fine. But just to be sure just give the Apple help desk a Ring to check and make sure you are familiar with how to install a HDD in a MacPro
- Answered by Jasper R from Sydney
- May 18, 2012
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Answer
In general it is not possible to upgrade the graphics card in a laptop. If you have a faulty graphics card, it can be replaced, but only with one of the same type. Often, the graphics card is soldered to the motherboard, so replacing the graphics card would require replacing the entire motherboard.
- Answered by Alexander J from Winston-salem
- Oct 15, 2012
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Storage a lot music on my mac-pro makes it slow?
I wanna use (mac) for djing am planning to storage
All my music into the computer (mac)
Last time i use a pc, when i storage music it turns
Slow... So whats better!! Beside external hard drive!- Asked by Leo J from South San Francisco
- May 30, 2012
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Answer
I would get an SSD they cost more but they work and retrieve files a lot quicker.
- Answered by John S from Ankeny
- Jun 3, 2012
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personalizing mac book air
Is engraving (name or message) optional for mac book air?
- Asked by Markijan V from Branchburg
- Jul 5, 2012
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No. iPads and iPods only.
- Answered by Carlos V from Nonthaburi
- Jul 8, 2012
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Can i add another processor later on, to a mac pro quad core?
- Asked by Dominic K from Sydney
- May 24, 2012
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Slippery MBP
Love my MBP 15" but the aluminum case is so slippery that I have dropped it several times. Once it spun corner to corner on the floor as it made its way across the room! Has anyone found a case that I can get a good grip on?
- Asked by Patricia M from Marengo
- Nov 28, 2011
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Answer
I have a "Speck" case that works well. However, you sacrifice slipperiness for weight. I have a 13" and I feel like it adds another 25% of total body weight. That said, it has great grip and I feel so much better with it on there as it keeps things from being scratched and all.
- Answered by Andrew W from Xenia
- Apr 17, 2012
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im going to pharmacy school and wonder what should i get? Last time, i went to bestbuy. I fail in love with macair, its so light and pretty fast.
- Asked by Hoang T from Malden
- Dec 14, 2011
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I recommend you to buy the mac air 11 inch! I have it since September and it's really fast and I LOVE the portability! I use it for school work and it works excellent!
- Answered by Diego Q from Hoboken
- Dec 28, 2011
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Buying my first Mac. Do I need any upgrades if I am just web surfing, banking, emailng storing photos etc.?
- Asked by Lewis G from Adrian
- Jun 26, 2012
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i am retired and want to buy a mac. iam 56, and just play and search for tunes and correspond with loved ones daily what should i be looking f
want to buy a mac but do not know what to be looking for. my sister has a desk top and it is so cool. it is fast bright and very user friendly
help me narrow down my options
susan- Asked by Susan G
- Dec 14, 2011
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Answer
you could buy an IMac since I don't think you're going to move around that much, or travel much since I think you will stay mostly at home. the baseline configuration/model would suffice your need.
other than mac you could also apply for fast internet connection if don't have any. this allow you to chat face to face with other using registered Mac Products.
The Baseline Imac cost around $1199 which already have the everything that you need for your daily discovery/web browsing and gaming.- Answered by Angelo Bryan P from Las Pinas City
- Feb 1, 2012
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what is the harddrive for a macbook air
- Asked by Holly C from San Francisco
- Sep 24, 2012
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Answer
Look up Macbook Air in the Apple Store. You'l see that it uses Flash storage instead of traditional hard drives. To quote: "Available up to 512GB, this next-generation flash storage is up to 4x faster than a traditional 5400-rpm notebook hard drive and faster than the previous-generation MacBook Air."
- Answered by Larry S from Brookline
- Sep 27, 2012
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