Getting The Best Out Of Your New PowerBook Or iBook
by Charles W. Moore
If you found a new PowerBook or iBook under the tree at Christmas, you have no doubt been enjoying it for the past several days. Much more so than Windows PCs, new Macs still realize the plug in and play ideal. A new Mac laptop -- particularly the iBook -- comes with all the software you really need for basic and even not-so-basic computing.
However, to get the full benefit and enjoyment from the Apple ‘Book experience, it pays to expend a bit of effort, and even a few more dollars, in order to optimize and equip your new laptop. What follows are some suggestions and tips for achieving this objective.
Partitioning
Hard drive partitioning is one of those topics that has passionate advocates and skeptics. I am among a former, and really don’t like living with a Mac that has a non-partitioned drive. I tried it for three weeks when I bought my iBook two years ago, and couldn’t stand it. The drive then got backed up, erased, and partitioned. It would have been easier if I had followed my convictions and usual practice with any new or new/used Mac that comes into my possession; making job one wiping and partitioning the drive.
Actually, there are software programs available that allow you to partition a hard drive without erasing and reinitializing it. Volume works and iPartition are two examples.
There are two principal reasons for my being a partitioning aficionado. First, I absolutely hate booting from CDs, and therefore I like to have two fully functional, bootable operating systems on my drive. In the old days, that used to be to Classic Mac OS systems, preferably two different version numbers. More recently, my Macs have had both OS X and OS 9 installed on separate partition volumes. Now that Macs will no longer boot to the Classic OS, my next Mac will have two installations of OS X installed on separate volumes. That way, if I need to do some troubleshooting or system maintenance, I can leave the OS X CD in its envelope and just boot from the other installed system, able to run system and disk maintenance utilities that prefer or demand not to be on the boot device.
My other reason main reason for being a pro-partition is that it helps me keep various classes above file segregated. My usual partition scheme is a big partition for my main boot system; a smaller one for my backup system; and a third for storage of seldom-accessed files like software installers and old document archives. Works for me.
A tutorial on hard drive partitioning is beyond the scope of this article, but it’s pretty straightforward, and you can get more info in Apple’s online Help. Just remember to back up any files on your hard drive that won’t be reinstalled by the Software Restore CD before erasing the drive.
You can find more information on partitioning here:
http://www.applelinks.com/articles/2003/08/20030825094114.shtml
Maintenance And Disk Repair Utilities
OS X is a wonderfully stable operating system most of the time, but it does require periodic maintenance in order to keep it working at top deficiency. One problem with this is at the OS’s Unix-based maintenance scripts are programmed to run automatically in the wee hours of the morning, which of course only can happen if your computer is up and running at that time of the day. Most personal computers are not -- especially laptops.
There is also a system maintenance routine called Repair Permissions which should be run fairly frequently, including after software installs and before and after system version updates.
The most convenient solution for executing these chores is to use one of the many little system maintenance utilities available from third-party developers -- most of them freeware or inexpensive shareware. My personal favorite is OnyX, which is freeware, but has an elegant user interface that makes puts many commercial software application interfaces to shame by comparison. You can find it here:
http://www.titanium.free.fr/english.html
Other alternatives includes Cocktail, sterMachine, MacPilot, Control Freak, Mac Janitor, Macaroni, Panther Cache Cleaner, and several others.
I have found that it’s also advisable to have a disk maintenance utility on your hard drive -- something more powerful and robust than Apple’s own Disk Utility. My faves are Alsoft Disk Warrior and SubRosaSoft Disk Guardian, but Tech Tool Pro and Drive 10 have their fans as well.
Laptop Stand
The laptop computer form factor is very convenient for mobile computing, but it is an ergonomic nightmare for extended computer use. Most laptops today — unlike the machines that pioneered the category a dozen years ago -- are used as desktop substitutes, and as such present the physical hazards of cricked necks, hollowed chests, rounded shoulders, and aching wrists if you use it that way over long periods of time.
Because the laptop monitor is attached to the keyboard, if you place the computer high enough for a comfortable viewing angle, the keyboard will be too high for maintaining healthy wrist posture. Conversely, if you place the laptop low enough for the proper elbows-at-90 degrees-wrists-flat body English, your neck will be cranked down at an uncomfortable angle.
Much better to use a laptop stand that can elevate the computer to a comfortable, head-erect eye-level in conjunction with an external keyboard and pointing device. There is an astonishing variety of choice in laptop stand configurations from a feather-light, razor-thin when folded units to take with you on the road, to 10 pound behemoths for desktop only use. You can find out more at the following Web addresses:
CoolPad And Podium CoolPad by Road Tools
http://roadtools.com/
or
http://roadtools.com/podium.html
Dexia Rack Laptop Stand
http://www.dexiadesign.com/home/
iCurve Laptop Stand by Griffin
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/icurve/
Keynamics Wheeled Laptop Stand
http://www.laptop-ergonomics.com
Laptop Desktop USB from Kensington
http://www.kensington.com/html/5558.html
The Laptop Desk UltraLite
http://www.lapworksinc.com
Laptop Laidback
http://laptop-laidback.com/
Laptop Solution 1 Stand
http://www.office-ergonomics.co.uk/laptop_stands.htm
Lapvantage Ergonomic Laptop Stand
http://www.lapvantage.com/
NoteRiser from Contour Design
http://www.contourdesign.com/noteriser/
XT-Stand Folding Laptop Stand
http://www.xtstand.com/
Most any Mac compatible USB keyboard and pointing device can be used with a laptop stand.
Cooling Accessories
Modern laptop computers -- Mac or PC -- run too hot. It is an as yet unresolved engineering challenge consonant with the use of faster processor chips and video accelerators. Many of the laptop stands cited in the preceding section are designed to passively enhance cooling characteristics, but there are also active cooling devices available.
The Targus Notebook Chill Mat
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=PA248U
MacMice iBreeze
http://www.macmice.com/ibreeze.html
USB Hub
Unless your peripheral needs are very minimal, two USB ports are not going to be enough, especially if you take my advice and use your 'Book with a laptop stand and external input devices.
There are many, many alternatives in USB hubs, but the essential issue is whether to go for a bus-powered compact unit (better for mobile use) or a self-powered unit (usually bigger and more versatile in the number and type of peripheral devices it can support. Some give you the option of either.
Cases And Backpacks
If you plan on taking your new ‘Book on the road, buying a good laptop case or backpack, or at least a protective sleeve, is highly recommended. There are so many different brands and models available that I’m not going to try to single out any here. My favorite type is a well-padded backpack with lots of compartments and a handle that allows it to be carried briefcase-style as well as in backpack mode.
Some Things You Need Not Worry About
One of the greatest things about owning a Mac is that many of the hassles PC-users are cumbered with are issues that as a Mac-user you can either ignore or at least relegate to secondary priority.
Firewall
Malware and hacker attacks are much less of a threat to Mac users than for the PC poor souls. However, OS X comes with a very decent firewall that should fill the bill if you feel the need. Check out Apple Help for instructions on activating and configuring it.
Anti-virus Software
There are at this time no known OS X viruses in circulation. That could change in the future, although it is impossible to imagine that viruses, worms, and spyware will ever afflict the Mac community the way they plague the Windows world.
That said, having anti-virus software on your ‘Book won't do any harm, and it is an altruistic gesture toward our Windows-using friends. For example, some Mac email clients can pass along viruses and worms, even though the Mac itself is not affected.
System Updates
Apple has released seven fractional OS 10.3.x upgrades and several security patches since it was released in October, 2003. However, there is nothing like the urgency associated with applying system patches on Windows machines. I recommend disabling the OS X software update function and updating the OS at your convenience, and after running maintenance and disk repair software for best results.
Enjoy!