...and I really don't know what to do with it. My knowledge of Apple tech is predominantly limited to iPhones, iPads, and the like.
I'm more familiar with Windows computers, so this is taking some getting used to. My best friend's analogy (to be best of my memory): "Mac and Windows is like the Canada and Australia: They both speak English, but they take some time to understand since they're different in so many ways. Even though they both speak English, there's accents, nuances, and that pesky driving on the opposite side of the street thing"
So, I have a few questions.
1: Installing Windows 7 via Bootcamp: how well does Windows work on a Macbook Pro?
2: What are some must-have apps and programs for this OS? So far, I've downloaded VLC for video files, and Firefox for my general Internet use.
3: Is an anti-virus program necessary?
4: How can someone upgrade the memory?
5: Where's the Right Click on the trackpad?
I'm really not sure what to make of this computer yet. This thing is bloody slim! There's no optical drive: I thought that was a feature of the Macbook Air. I do love the AC adaptor charge cord, though.
Thanks for your time. Any little tips and tricks would be very much appreciated.
Mac does not have a right-click. Most functions you'd do in Windows with a right-click are done on the Mac by holding the Control key and clicking.
My experience with learning Mac was a lot of "Why can't I do this", followed by an online search trying to find out how to do what I wanted, followed by "Wow. Why didn't Microsoft think of that".
Originally posted by Mr Heel IIMac does not have a right-click. Most functions you'd do in Windows with a right-click are done on the Mac by holding the Control key and clicking.
My experience with learning Mac was a lot of "Why can't I do this", followed by an online search trying to find out how to do what I wanted, followed by "Wow. Why didn't Microsoft think of that".
Not entirely true. They don't have two-button mice, but they do have right-click functionality. The current mice and trackpads can sense which side you're clicking on and react accordingly.
If you mean the RAM, you can access it by removing the battery. If you have one of the new ones with a battery that can't be removed, I would buy the RAM at the Apple Store and have them install it for you (or go to some other specialist, but you risk voiding your warranty then).
But you can take the bottom off your laptop and do it yourself. Here's instructions for doing it:
Parallels is fine for running Windows, but it costs around $80, if my memory serves. I wouldn't run anything really resource intensive with it because, since you're running within an application running in OSX, you don't have the full power of the hardware behind it. So for those things, Bootcamp is the better choice.
VirtualBox by Oracle is a pretty decent Parallels substitute, in my experience and it's free.
My general feeling about running Windows within or along-side another OS is that you really don't need to do it unless there's something WIndows-based that you absolutely need to use and there's no viable OS X option - which is really down to only a handful of programs (and maybe some games). And if you already have a Windows machine, it really is redundant.
Personally, I wouldn't pollute my beautiful MacBook Pro with something as uncomely as Windows, but that's me,