Received a New MacBook Pro and Have a Few Questions...

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Level 1

7 points

Received a New MacBook Pro and Have a Few Questions...

I am not as up-to-date as I should be with the MBP. I did just receive a new one that I purchased from apple.com. I noticed it did not come with any DVDs for the operating system, Pages, iLife, etc. like my last one came with. What do I do if I need to reinstall the OS and I do not have a disk?

what is the latest OS version I should have on the new MBP?

I also got an Airport Express that is working great. I heard about Air Play. I know nothing about it. How can I learn more about Air Play and how to use it?

I would like to have 16 GB of RAM, and it came with 8 GB. I beleive I will have to swap out the 8 Gb for 2, 8 GB sticks. A good company or online store someone can recommend?

Finally, if anybody can recommend a solid and protective MBP (neopreme type) sleeve protector to carry my MBP in please let me know. I would prefer a recommendation rather then telling me where to find them. The most important qualitites I would like to have (for my new 15" MBP) are that it is thick or made of a thinner material that will Protect when carrying the MBP around from my office to another floor, from my office to home, etc. I also would like one that has high quality, meaning that the zipper will most likely hold up, it will last and not fall apart, simply put, it just holds up well and protects the laptop, things like this.

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 7:32 PM

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Answer 1

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Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:37 PM in response to NObodE

OS X (Lion/Mountain Lion)- About OS X Recovery

A variant of Mountain Lion 10.8.2.

About AirPlay and Airplay Mirroring

AirPlay Mirroring requires a second-generation Apple TV or later, and is supported on the following Mac models: iMac (Mid 2011 or newer), Mac mini (Mid 2011 or newer), MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer), and MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or newer). For non-qualifying Macs you can try using Air Parrot.

Several Apple Articles Regarding AirPlay

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd gen)- How to use AirPlay Mirroring

How to set up and configure AirPort Express for AirPlay and iTunes

About AirPlay Mirroring in OS X Mountain Lion

iTunes 10- About playing music with AirPlay

Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring

Using AirPlay

Thanks to the $15 Beamer, AirPlay streaming is still possible on Macs that do not support Airplay and mirroring.

Another solution is the Air Parrot.

OWC is an excellent source of RAM upgrade kits along with tools and tutorials.

Personally, I would not recommend covering the computer with anything that might impede heat dissipation.

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Answer 2

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:43 PM in response to Kappy

I would only be putting the MBP in the sleeve fopr transport after it has cooled down a bit, but I need some type of protector or it will looked trasjed in no time.

What do you mean by "A variant of Mountain Lion 10.8.2"

I even noticed on my old MBP in Itunes a new icon. I clicked on the icon and it asks me "which speakers do I want to use. AirPlay Single Multiple.

(I just awarded myself some Helpful Points by accident, even know I do not get points.)

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Answer 3

Kalob

Level 1

85 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:44 PM in response to NObodE

Congrats on the new MBP.

Software is now being accessed online through the Mac App Store. So if you ever run into a situation where the OS needs to be reinstalled, all you need is an Internet connection. If your main installation of Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8.2) becomes unusable (and you have a backup of your data on another drive), you can boot to the Recovery HD (a hidden partition on your Mac) by holding OPTION during startup and choosing it. From there, you have some tools at your disposal: Disk Utility, reinstall OS X, etc.

For the iLife apps, you'll need to be connected to the Internet and then open the Mac App Store. Under the Purchases section, you should see the ability to "Accept" the iLife apps and then be prompted to enter your Apple ID. This will connect them to your Apple ID and allow you to install (and reinstall) them onto this and other Macs through the MAS. Any issues with accepting the iLife apps can be resolved by contacting AppleCare.

I'm unsure if you can still swap out RAM on your MBP. I have a retina MBP and the RAM is final (no changing it). Crucial is a decent company to consider buying RAM through. I've had success with them in the past and they're price point is great.

In terms of a protective case, I wish I had a good option. I use a clear skin on my retina but that's not going to protect your Mac should you drop it. It helps fend off scuffs from sliding it on surfaces and, once removed for reselling, keeps it looking great.

Best of luck.

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Answer 4

Jan 29, 2013 7:46 PM in response to NObodE

Hey NObodE, good to see you back...

No, none of the late 2011-through 2012 models shipped with any discs. The way you recover your OS, now, is over the Internet. To simply replace the System, you'd boot to your Recovery partition, holding down the Command and R keys whilst booting. For a 'clean' install, you'd hold down the Command, option and R keys whilst booting and use the complete Internet recovery mode to erase your drive and reinstall the system anew.

You should be running OS X 10.8.2 - that's the latest version available. If you select Software Update from System Preferences and have it run automatically daily, you should be in good shape.

To take full advantage of AirPlay, you'll need an Apple TV unit - I don't have one as my receiver has AirPlay built-in and I only stream music... no video.

As for RAM, I prefer Crucial - go to their website and click the System Scanner tab - you can download a small app that will send information about your model to Crucial and the website will point to the upgrades that are right for your system.

I purchased a new neoprene case from Amazon when I got my new MBP - it's made by Case Logic: nthing fancy but the computer fits well and it has good zippers. Not a hard shell case, but then it lives in my backback when 'we' go out.

Good luck!

Clinton

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:48 PM in response to NObodE

By variant I mean it's a special build of 10.8.2 designed to work with the new hardware. The computer will not work with the build of 10.8.2 that is sold via the App Store.

I don't use any type of sleeve which is why I did not attempt to answer that question.

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Answer 6

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:51 PM in response to Kalob

Kalob- Thanks for all the info. Yes I did extensive research about the RAM and although even the expert level AppleCare techs did not want to share any information with me, one did say that Apple does not support adding RAM to my MBP but it will take up to 16 GB, (an additional 8GB) of RAM. I did check with iFixit, and although I was disappointed in the service, they did also check with the serial number and it can take a total of 16 GB of RAM. the downfall is that I have to take out the existing 8GB the MBP came with.

So are you saying that I need to download and install the iLife programs and Pages/Numbers from the App Store? I do not have the MBP right now. I left it at work. :-(

I was a little shocked that this MBP was made mid 2012. It seems like they must be winding down making the current MBP.

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Answer 7

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:55 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy-

I understand why you did not answer my sleeve question.

So what do I do if I ever have to install the OS updates, if 10.8.2 is designed just to work with this MBP? is that what you mean? that the variant build of 10.8.2 is just for the newer MBPs?

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Answer 8

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:58 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Clinton-

I was also disappointed in some of the answers Crucial gave me. One rep told me I needed this big device and NOT the small 00 screwdriver to remove the screws. it turned out what she was saying was way off. As far as the video they has posted to show how to add new RAM to a MBP, the video was usng a Dell computer and did not really represent removing the back of the mid 2012 MBP.

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Answer 9

Jan 29, 2013 8:00 PM in response to NObodE

I would buy the RAM from Crucial - but use the installation videos from OWC or the hundreds on YouTube. The woman at Crucial was just an idiot.

Clinton

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Answer 10

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 29, 2013 8:03 PM in response to NObodE

Don't worry about it. Should you need to reinstall, when you do the Apple servers will deliver the version for your computer. One less thing to worry about.

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Answer 11

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 29, 2013 8:15 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Clinton-

I was going to get a backpack that will hold the MBP in place of the sleeve, but I still would like something covering the MBP even when it is in the backpack.

Is your backpack made for hiking or is it anything special? Do you remember the brand of it? if it has worked for you I would like to try and find it since I would normally look at The North Face, but they can be expensive. However, when flying having it in a good backpack helps when you carry it on board.

Yea, I was kind of surprised by some of the things the female agent told me at Crucial, but it is all good.

so why did I even get a MBP with the SuperDrive? Kappy, think you are the one who suggested I get the cMBP with the superdrive, but maybe I am wrong. 😉

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Answer 12

Jan 29, 2013 8:24 PM in response to NObodE

I bought a Booq backpack years ago - it was around $300 then, and I just had a look at their website and they're even more now! But it's lasted me for over seven years. Nah, mine just hangs on back of my wheelchair (I'm wheelchair bound now and my actual backpacking days are long over). I would think that just about any 'real' backpack maker would have a good notebook backpack - Lowe, Osprey, North Face, etc.

And I love my SuperDrive - use it at least twice a week, if not more often!

Clinton

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Answer 13

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 29, 2013 8:41 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Great thanks. If all of the downloads are done by the App Store do you use yours for music?

That was the main reason why I did not get the rMBP, even know I could have purchased one and attached the rMBP to it. I wanted the SuperDrive all together.

I do not do any backpacking due to being disabled too but I do prefer the quality of a good backpack, especially if I am going to be carrying my MBP in it.

What is your backpack called? Is it a daypack or backpack? do you know the name?

I do not have my new MBP here, but do I have to download and install iLife and the other applications I ordered from the App Store on my new MBP or should they be on the MBP already? do you know if you still should register all the items I purchased with Apple like I did with my last mBP? Like I got an airport Express, the new MBP and the programs I think I registered them all by filling out an online form.

Peace

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Answer 14

Jan 29, 2013 8:48 PM in response to NObodE

I use my my SuperDrive primarily for back-ups - although I do buy CDs USUALLY instead of buying digital music (I just rip it to iTunes). I have over 600 backup DVD's now... I keep them all cataloged using DiskTracker, which has been around for years. I just couldn't do without my SuperDrive.

This is the closest thing that Booq sells from what I purchased over 7 years ago. It's really a 'technology' pack... some of the other major backpack makers also offer such models. Just do an Amazon search for "notebook backpacks" and you'll se just how many there are!

Continuing good luck,

Clinton

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Answer 15

Kalob

Level 1

85 points

Jan 29, 2013 9:01 PM in response to NObodE

Yeah, the iLife apps (iMovie, iPhoto and GarageBand) are included with your Mac. The iWork apps (Pages, Keynote and Numbers) are separate purchases in the MAS.

I also looked up the backpack I carry my rMBP in, here's the link:

http://www.brenthaven.com/macbook-cases/prostyle-bp-xf#viewer

The handle on top is very comfortable and it has plenty of compartments.

Thanks,

Kalob

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