must-haves, must-sees and other resources for newbies

[penmanila]

because it's going to take us awhile to rebuild our database, it might help to put together quick answers for typical newbie questions like how can i port over all my stuff to the mac, where do i buy this and that, what's the difference between usb and firewire, etc.

can we just drop links into this corner that might help newbies, so we can keep directing them here?

i'll begin with two sites i use a lot:

if you're buying a used mac, except for the latest ones, and would like to know about configurations, upgrade paths, the history of the machine, etc., check out lowendmacs at

http://www.lowendmac.com

if you're buying a mac (esp. from the US) and would like to know what the going price is and where the best deals are, go to powerbook central at

http://www.powerbookcentral.com

your turn, folks!

[Edited on 4-8-2004 by penmanila]

[danieldy]

If you're thinking about purchasing a new Powerbook, iPod, iBook, etc, do check out MacRumors first. You never know when Steve will be cranking out updates to the current lines and rumor mills such as Macrumors always find out first!

If you happen to live in the USA, and are on the hunt for a machine, check out DealMac. It contains the best Mac deals around. Bar none.

[PatrickGaerlan]

If you need additional RAM for your Macs, check out MemoryX. Great prices and it's easy to find the exact type of module for your particular Mac. Good thing is that they accept international credit cards. Thanks to elbertc for recommending them

[Edited on 4-9-2004 by PatrickGaerlan]

[ditoy_eagle]

Of course, you should check out local availability of second hand mac computers at Ynzal and LMK, and people selling on the list. (ahem)

Hey, do we already have the database of Apple resellers here?

The advantages of buying brand new macs locally, although a bit more expensive is that you get technical support, and you can actually try out the unit first before purchasing it. The second hand macs surprisingly though are priced the same, sometimes even cheaper here!

[mgd]

VersionTracker is a great resource for all kinds of freeware, shareware, and commercial software. :game:

[penmanila]

i've been very happy with the prices, goods, and services i've gotten from both LMK and ynzal. i like the fact that ynzal (tel. 373-2232) maintains a regularly-updated webpage for used mac stuff at

http://www.ynzal.com/preowned.html

(like, there's a sweet emac G4700 with a combo drive selling for less than P35K right now--too bad, or maybe not, i already have one!)

LMK's people are also very easy to deal with, and can give you terms (not hulugan, but a combination, say, of paylite and cash or check, if you can be trusted ) tel 852-2554. they have a new website whose URL i forget. maybe cherrie pinpin can post it here.

[AJLumantao]

LMK's site is here.

I would recommend http://www.theapplecollection.com/ for über kewl desktops for your mac.

[amont]

http://www.macupdate.com for freeware, shareware ,and
http://www.sitelink.net/ for the latest mac tsismis

[PatrickGaerlan]

For help and troubleshooting:

1. Applecare Knowledge Base
2. MacAttorney Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar Troubleshooting
3. MacAttorney Mac OS X 10.3 Panther Troubleshooting

For some good reviews:
1. ArsTechnica - Mac OS X 10.3 Panther review
2. MacNETv2 - iBook G4 review
3. OSnews - A switcher's story and his review of the new iBook G4

[Edited on 4-10-2004 by PatrickGaerlan]

[mtl_ph]

I like visiting the Macintosh Garden for classic games that are now abandonware at

http://mac.the-underdogs.org

[Edited on 4-10-2004 by mtl_ph]