Anyone use SU7 on a MacBook (NOT Pro)?
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Hello all,
I need to replace a very old PC laptop. It is not my primary SketchUp machine (that's a desktop unit), but it does travel when we go on vacations, primarily for email and light office work.
We need not re-enter the old Mac vs. PC debate. I'm looking at getting the MacBook (not Pro) because I need a Mac platform for plugins development testing, and a PC just won't do that (obviously), and I'm on a budget.
I don't (think I) need a high-powered modeling platform on a laptop, just something that will do a good job with low- to average-sized models in SketchUp so I can test new plugins.
Has anyone had any experience with SketchUp on a non-Pro MacBook? Does it handle SU very well?
Does anyone have any experience with the "certified pre-owned" Macs (like from GainSaver.com)? Suggestions?
Does anyone in the US have a favorite online source for Macs? or do you use a local supplier?
Thanks,
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hi rick,
i own a macbook pro but have read very good reviews about the new macbooks, mentioning especially a notable evolution regarding its graphics card. you can read it here.
as for a vendor, i have had no trouble buying online from B&H Photovideo in New York. they offer some customized models (that is, they come from apple with additional RAM and other features) that may suit your needs and pocket.
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Edson,
Thanks for the info and the link to the review. It was all very helpful.
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About 3 years ago I bought a G5 iMac 20'. It was my switching from Win to Mac. One problem I immediatly noticed was the strange behavior of my mouse. The same mouse under Win was a lot more flowing then under OSX. That time I bought a new mouse tought it was a matter of dpi, and the matter was quite resolved. In the meanwhile I've changed 2 laptops and only now, after three years of switching, I can say I'm very happy with my Dell Precision M6300.
Last week a friend of mine made me try his new MacBook White http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/specs.html.
I could notice the same flowless behavior. Also pushing the tracking speed at the top didn't resolve the matter.
With the same mouse and the same table's surface, again, with my laptop I didn't have any trouble.I think that it's a big problem, expecially for whom need to use intensively Sketchup. That make you crazy, sooner or later.
Anyone had the same problem?
By the way, surfing the web I found a little article about that:
http://db.tidbits.com/article/8893 -
Thanks for the warning. While I won't be using the MacBook for intensive SketchUp work, it sounds like a real problem regardless of the application. I'll likely be investigating the third-party solutions when the time comes.
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Hi Rick.
I own a white C2D macbook. It´s 2 years old, and has intel graphics. I use it with sketchup a lot, and works ok on small to medium sized models. Large models are doable, as long as you use layers to organize heavy geometry. I´m very happy with it.
About 4 months ago they launched the new macbooks, in aluminium, which are very cool, and now have nvidia graphics, which makes them more sketchup friendly. And now, just a month ago, they refreshed the low end plastic macbook with the same specs as the aluminium one, and for 999us, which makes it a very good deal imo. Go for it!
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Hey Rick,
Did you ever end up purchasing a Macbook? I am in a very similar situation. Looking for a secondary computer- a laptop to mostly be used by my wife for internet and light office work, but I would like to run skup and maybe acad occasionally when I travel or for client presentations. I won't be doing a lot of heavy modeling but also can't deal with the "sticky" factor. My models are usually in the 15-30mb range.I just got back from the apple store. The salespeople there were... frankly unimpressive and did not give me much definitive info other than "you will love it". that helps. I then went to best buy and actually got a guy who seemed to know what he was talking about. He told me the new alum. macbooks have a much improved video card and that he suspected it would run skup quite well. Still nothing definitive though...
So needless to say, I'd love to know if you ended up getting a macbook and if so how it is working out?
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josh,
i have owned macs for 14 years and never looked back on my decision. i never heard of this sticky factor. it must be something related to one or two specific machines.
almost two years ago i bought a macbook pro to take to school with me. it is so good it became my main machine, which i use with an external 20" screen. i would strongly recommmend you to get one for you.
the latest macbooks are good but the macbook pros are, as the name says, pro level machines. you can do anything with them. the entry level macbook (15" screen) has a 2.4Ghz Intel board, 250 GB HD (up to 320), 2 Gb RAM (up to 4) and a graphics card combo (NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB). all for 2.000 dollars.
enough for you?
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not looking to spend $2000 which is why i was considering the macbook for $1299... as for the "sticky" factor i have worked on machines with insufficient video cards (i think) where large models move very slowly or abruptly when panning, selecting, etc. I need to make sure this is not going to happen. sketchup reccomends a 512mb (dedicated) video cards whereas the macbook is 256mb (shared) as I understand it. Thus mu concern.
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@joshvt said:
sketchup reccomends a 512mb (dedicated) video cards whereas the macbook is 256mb (shared) as I understand it. Thus mu concern.
my macbook pro has a 256 mb graphics card and i have had no problems like that. of course, layer managing is mandatory with any card.
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My laptop (not a Mac however) has a 256 Mb video card (nVidia GForce 6800 GO) as well. It's not even a new piece but it's not the card that gives the hardships to me when it comes to it but poly count.
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Agreed, layer managing is mandatory. What size models are you typically working with Edson?
Related to this thread, does anyone know if I can use the same lic./ auth number for skup if i switch from windows to mac?
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My GF bought a Macbook Unibody and she has had a great time using Sketchp at work. Though not as fast as mine with 9600M GT (equivalent to the Macbook Pro Unibody) laptop. I'd say go for it. Be aware that some rubies apparently don't work.
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@joshvt said:
Agreed, layer managing is mandatory. What size models are you typically working with Edson?
Related to this thread, does anyone know if I can use the same lic./ auth number for skup if i switch from windows to mac?
The license number is different for a Mac. Google charges you something for the new serial/auth if you want to switch.
Anssi
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@joshvt said:
Agreed, layer managing is mandatory. What size models are you typically working with Edson?
most of my models are about 20-30 mb but I have reached 50 mb in a couple of cases. but, as i understand it, it is not really the size in mb that counts but the poly count.
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