Before You Bring Home a Macbook Air

With the new buzz about the latest Apple product, named Macbook Air (MBA), there are a few things you should consider before it ships to you in two weeks.

I once was an advocate for Windows products, but two years ago I invested into the first of a few Apple products I would own called Mac Mini. Since then I have purchased an iPod, an iPhone, and a Macbook Pro. So, here are a few tips and hints you should consider if you would like to co-exist with both Windows (PC) and Apple (Mac OS X) products.

Macbook Air 1-15-2008

This article is intended for Novice users only. There are much more technical information and actual benchmarks on the internet that you should refer to.

Windows to Macbook Air: Converting Files / Pictures / Documents

External Hard Drive: Your new Macbook Air has software that allows you to back up all your information with a few clicks.
- Steve Jobs also introduced Time Capsule , which was greatly needed for people who have Leopard installed, that will allow you to wireless back up your important files and pictures automatically. However, if your budget doesn’t allow you too purchase a terabyte worth of hard drive space, please invest into an external hard drive that supports firewire or USB 2.0 (this will greatly reduce the time it takes to upload and transfer files
- The only other concern you might have is the file format (NTFS or FAT32) used between both Apple and Windows security. I would highly advise novice users to purchase something that is already pre-configured to work with both Apple and Windows operating systems, or you will be stuck with a whole lot of unnecessary configuring.
Knowing What’s compatible
- On the back of most software packages, you can see the system requirements needed to run each program. Before, when configuring your computer was all the craze, the system requirements gave specific minimum requirements needed to run the program, however, since the birth of 2 GB DDRAM and Core Duo processors, most software can be run on any computer (yes, even budget computers). However, you should make sure that the software you are purchasing allows use on Apple’s OS X.
Managing your peripherals
- Apple’s new popularity has most computer companies scrambling to create peripherals for OS X. This simply means, that software engineers need to create drivers (software that helps a device communicate to the computer) to work with OS X. Much like any software you want, please ensure that Apple’s OS X is listed on the minimum requirements.

Macbook Air communicating with Windows: Networking

Router: After trying many different routers to work on my Macbook Pro (MBP) with the upgraded firmware for 801.N wireless card, the most secure router compatible is the Linksys Business series router. It just works. No configuring needed except assigning the wireless security.
- If you are having connectivity issues, try and use different settings other than WEP. WEP is one of the oldest encryption systems and should NOT be used.
- Also, if you cannot afford a new router that supports wireless N, consider changing your cordless phones to 900mhz or a different range other than 2.4 ghz, it will save you time and money.
Network Protocols: Make sure you name your computer and user account with unique names. I still use both Windows and my Macbook Pro at home and I have had connectivity issues when accounts and information is stored with the same names.
- Shared Folders/Files: This can be tricky (probably the most technical I will get in this article):
- To select the file-sharing protocol: Choose Apple > System Preferences, and then click Sharing.
  Select File Sharing, and then click Options.
  Select “Share files and folders using AFP,” “Share files and folders using FTP,” or “Share files and folders using SMB.” You can select more than one.If you are sharing with Windows computers, make sure to select the SMB option. Sharing files with Windows computers requires storing the account password in a less secure manner. Select the On checkbox next to the account name that will be used for sharing files with a Windows computer, and enter the password for that account.Because passwords for Windows users are stored in a less secure manner, it’s a good idea to disable Windows user accounts when they’re not in use. Deselect the checkbox next to an account name to disable the account.Be sure to deselect the account name before you turn off file sharing on your computer. Otherwise the password is still active, and stored in a less secure manner.

Software: What to look for and what can save you time and money.

Widgets for Macbook Air

Parallels and Windows Vista: This is probably the best investment a person can make if they still need to use Windows when they find it unnecessary to have two computers to do work. I prefer this method over Boot Camp (Apple’s software used to make your new Macbook Air boot to either OS X or Windows) because you can safely use Windows inside of your OS X and be more protected from viruses on your computer. In Parallels, if Windows gets corrupted with a virus, it would be contained by Parallels and can be easily quarantined and removed. In Boot Camp, well, you have a virus on Windows, standard procedure follows with any PC using Windows (call a friend, or format).
Widgets and Freeware: There are tons of utilities and freeware available for your Macbook Air. In your bookmarks section of Safari (your pre-installed internet browser) will have a folder of top rated Mac specific websites for you to get on the way. You can find both widgets and freeware to be downloaded and installed, then enjoy.

Converting Your Home:

Buying the Right Furniture: In a wireless world, you still need to consider what furniture would be best for your new computer products. There is still a need to keep your devices organized so that they can not only be displayed correctly, but also so that they can communicate with each other better.
- Line of Sight: Not all devices need to be in line of sight of each other. Only infrared devices must be within line of sight in order for it to work. Otherwise, most wireless, and even some bluetooth devices, can work between rooms with obvious limitations.
- Easy to move furniture. It might be worth while to purchase furniture that can be easily moved or manipulated if there is need to do “extra” work to make your devices work seamlessly.

Well, once you have really seen and experience all this, the information above will become more clearer. Just remember, don’t get frustrated, there are plenty of users out there who are experiencing the same problems and have answers or work-arounds for you to get you up and running.