Getting a new Mac, and with it a free iPod - some questions about Touch

[ksbsnowowl]

I'm fed up with PC's, so my wife and I will soon be purchasing an iMac.  Currently Apple has this great promotion for those going to college or who work at a college (thankfully my wife works at a medical college )  With the comp we will get a $199 rebate toward an 8 GB iPod Nano, or a $299 rebate toward a an iPod Touch (8, 16, or 32 GB).  Currently I'm thinking I'll pay the extra $100 to get the 16 GB iPod Touch.  But, I've got a few questions for iPod owners, for which I've not found any readily available answers.

1. Approximately how many GB's does a one-hour TV show eat up on an iPod?

2. iPod Touch comes with wifi accessability.  Is it going to cost me money to actually use that feature?  I don't have a wireless network in my home, so will it do me any good? (I plan on ripping most of my songs from CD, not iTunes, and downloading free podcasts, of course )  If I can' only get restricted internet access without paying, how is it restricted? What sites can I visit?

3. Is there a way to rip movies from DVD onto an iPod? Or must I download them?

4. One question about iMac:  I know Macs can run Excel and other windows programs now.  Do I need a special patch, software, or download to be able to do this? Or is it standard on all Macs now?  (I do a lot of personal work in Excel and Powerpoint, thus why I'd like to know.)

5. Any other helpful advice (tech-related or otherwise) would be a big help, thanks!

[Kari]

1.A full length movie (using a DivX compression system or some variant thereof) usually takes about 600 to 850 megs. A 1 hour show will probably take about 250 to 400 megs, depending, particularly on if the commercials are gone.

2.Wifi usability, itself, shouldn't cost anything. But without a wireless network, it's basically useless. (Or you could visit a Panera Bread or some other restaraunt/internet cafe that has free wireless and use it.) Don't know about internet usability though.

3.There are ways to rip movies. It's long. And complicated. And requires you have some practice with a variety of programs. It's better (and easier) to go find and download them.

4.I believe Macs nowadays have a Windows emulation software pre-loaded. If not, there's software out there for that. However, it's worth noting that Microsoft Office is available in a Mac version, so no emulation is necessary for that.

5. ...I think I'll pass on this question. (But I'm an avid anti-fan of Apple products.)

[PhoenixInferno]

Er...the iPod touch is a rip off - just get the freaking iPhone.  They lowered the price, and it runs on a 3G network.

This, of course, depends how AT&T-nee-Cingular-nee-AT&T (or another GSM-based provider, if you're inclined to hack it) performs in your region.

[Dictum Mortuum]

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone
:P

[X-Codes]

4.I believe Macs nowadays have a Windows emulation software pre-loaded. If not, there's software out there for that. However, it's worth noting that Microsoft Office is available in a Mac version, so no emulation is necessary for that.

It's called Boot Camp, and it is not emulation software.  Boot Camp is a user-friendly way to partition your HD and install extra OS's on the partitions.  You still need to own whatever OS you intend to install on it.

Also, I must say that Microsoft Office has a Mac version and there are a number of quality Mac games out there.

[Omen of Peace]

4. Excel for Mac is a different version ; you probably have to buy it separately.

[ksbsnowowl]

Er...the iPod touch is a rip off - just get the freaking iPhone.  They lowered the price, and it runs on a 3G network.

Due to the nature of the offer (and my available funds), I'm limited to an 8 GB Nano, or an 8 GB, or 16 GB Touch.  That's it.  And and iPhone doesn't have the ease of functionality that my enV does for text messaging (important, since my wife is deaf).

4.I believe Macs nowadays have a Windows emulation software pre-loaded. If not, there's software out there for that. However, it's worth noting that Microsoft Office is available in a Mac version, so no emulation is necessary for that.

It's called Boot Camp, and it is not emulation software.  Boot Camp is a user-friendly way to partition your HD and install extra OS's on the partitions.  You still need to own whatever OS you intend to install on it.

Also, I must say that Microsoft Office has a Mac version and there are a number of quality Mac games out there.

Forgive my lack of geek-fu... "install extra Operating Systems(?)"  So, I'll need to eat up another big chunk of my hard drive to load windows, and that's how I can run Microsoft Office?

But, if there is simply a Mac version of Office, and I can run previously generated files on it (generated from a PC), then that will probably be what I go with.

[Kari]

It's called Boot Camp, and it is not emulation software.  Boot Camp is a user-friendly way to partition your HD and install extra OS's on the partitions.  You still need to own whatever OS you intend to install on it.

Also, I must say that Microsoft Office has a Mac version and there are a number of quality Mac games out there.

Ah, yes, I remember hearing about that now. Although I was also under the impression that there's also an emulation program out there, too.

But, if there is simply a Mac version of Office, and I can run previously generated files on it (generated from a PC), then that will probably be what I go with.

There is, and it definitely can. Office uses the same file format, no matter which version you're using.

[PhaedrusXY]

I'd suggest saving your money, and just buying a PC and installing Ubuntu-Linux on it... but that's perhaps a bit off topic. I put Ubuntu on one of our laptops, and am very happy with it. With WINE (windows emulation) and Open Office, you can use most windows programs and open and save to Microsoft Office files on it, also.

[ksbsnowowl]

So I went to the Apple store after the wife got off work today.  I must say I'm well impressed.  The display models worked great for the few things I tested on them, and the Apple programs that "copy" the MS Office suite are going to be just fine for me (at half the price of the MS Office suite for Mac), as files can work interchangably on PC's and Macs.

I visited Brilliant Gameologists on the iPod Touch in the store, and it worked beautifully (though only for checking up and reading; typing is a tad difficult, admittedly).  The WiFi will work anywhere there is free WiFi, at no cost to me, which will be interesting to play with.

The computer will also run Skype, and won't need an external camera, which is great, since my sister is moving to Germany, and most of our conversations will soon be over Skype (and it'll let my wife sign with my sis, which will be great.)

They also have this program, called iDisk, that basically gives you 20 GB of storage space on the internet to back up files, share pictures (by giving people the address and password to view your page) and even host web pages.  Only costs $70 after the rebate it gets for being purchased with a new computer.  (Question I forgot to ask the salesman - how secure is this info, if you're backing up important files, etc?)

The only thing these can't do is rip movies from DVD and put them on the iTouch (and I could get 3rd party software to do it if I wanted).  I'll just end up getting the free TV show downloads from the major TV stations anyway, and maybe just buy one great movie that I love watching again and again (Braveheart...?)

It'll be a month before we buy it yet, but with my wife's college discount we'll get a 320 GB hard drive, 2 GB memory, 20" monitor, the Apple office suite, iDisk, and the 16 GB iTouch for around $1650 plus tax.  Not bad at all.  I might even go for the 32 GB iTouch.

Oh, and my cellular company called me today and offered me the chance to upgrade my phone 6 months early.  I'm upgrading from my LG enV to an LG Voyager for a grand total of $20.  And if I don't like it, I've got 30 days to return it, and I pay nothing.

This has been a great fucking day for me 

[ksbsnowowl]

Just got home with the 24" iMac, and it is AWESOME.

The 32 GB iTouch is nice too... 

When I let my mother know that we'd gotten it, she only then realized that the Touch could get WiFi... she said she'll just get us WiFi for Christmas.   Hehehehe.    I can't see that I'll ever turn back to PC now....

Now to download some BG podcasts....

[CountArioch]

I'd suggest saving your money, and just buying a PC and installing Ubuntu-Linux on it... but that's perhaps a bit off topic. I put Ubuntu on one of our laptops, and am very happy with it. With WINE (windows emulation) and Open Office, you can use most windows programs and open and save to Microsoft Office files on it, also.

Note that some companies are dicks and will fuck you over for running a Linux based system.

Generally, everything is compatible with linux unless it is specifically designed to not be.  Like Ipods.  And most modems.