I used Spaces, or Multiple Desktops, on Windows for a while, and I liked it. I left one space open for web-related stuff, one for communications, etc. But now, I tend to just work in a single desktop, and bring to the foreground whatever it is I’m working on. I might try out Sapces again to see if it’s more useful.

On the issue of the SD card slot. They fixed that with the new Macbook Pro’s. All of the Pro’s now come with a built in SD card reader. Finially right…

And for me, i watched videos before i even got my mac so i would know how to work it before i got it. And i knew more stuff then someone i know with a mac.

And on the issue of the multiple windows. They already solved this problem! A LONG time ago! I believe they started to use spaces in Linux, if not before that. You don’t seem to like it, but it has done wonders for me! And i hardly have any windows open. iTunes, iMail, Safari, Limewire, and occasionally MSN.

Basically it adds a context menu entry to every app that contains a copy of that app’s main menu. This should keep you from mousing long distances back to your first monitor for it.

Thanks so much for your post. Since I wrote this post 6 weeks ago, I have managed to overcome some of my problems with OSX and this Macbook Pro:

- The OSX update fixed my dropped signal problem. I haven’t had any more problems since I went to 10.5.6.

- The machine has only woken up inside my bag once since I wrote this post and hunted down some fixes (disable the option to let bluetooth wake it, for example).

- Path Finder is a GODSEND. They seemed to recognize every problem with the Finder and make it better. I am so relieved that I can see folders grouped together at the top, a-la Windows. I would love it if it also did Windows-style folder merges, but I don’t think it does.. at least I haven’t figured that out yet.

- As for dismounting drives, I have occasionally forgotten to dismount prior to unplugging, and I get a nasty message. Fortunately I haven’t lost any data since my first few days when it chewed up an entire NTFS-formatted drive. (To avoid that, I took off the ability of OSX to have write privileges on NTFS drives.) XP did not actually require that you do anything special before pulling out a drive. I guess I’m going to have to get used to that extra step on OSX.

- I still don’t like the integrated task bar at the top. It gets especially irritating when using multiple monitors, creating for long travel distances to reach the menu bar. It is much more user-friendly to have the controls near the thing you’re trying to control, rather than a couple of feet away.

I am OK with the utilities being in the OSX menu bar at the top, but with XP, I think it was actually more compact. You could leave visible the things you needed (like volume) and then hide the rest behind a little arrow. Plus, you could reduce the height of the taskbar, so it took no more room than the OSX menubar.

What does make OSX more space efficient is having the menu bar double as the application’s menu bar, which is useful on small screens, but I tend to prefer working on dual monitors whenever I can, so that diminishes its value to me.

I’ve also had issues with some 3rd party RAM (tip: don’t get Patriot) which caused several kernel panics and sudden shut-downs. But since replacing the RAM with some from OWC (http://www.macsales.com/)

But overall, I’m happy with OSX and this machine now, especially since my main beef with the Finder has been solved by a 3rd party app. The only thing I’m really using on XP right now is Windows Live Writer for blog posts, and the occasional app that I don’t have on OSX. Still haven’t found anything to compete with that.

[1] I understand your dislike for the Finder, but you can press the beginning letter of a folder and it will take you there. For example, if you have a folder named Documents, just press d on your keyboard and you’re there. If you have multiple folders beginning with the same letter, type the first and second letter consecutively. Works for everything in Finder.

[2] Unless you want to go all the way down to your tray in XP to adjust the volume, then go all the way back up to your menu bar in an app to insert something, Mac OS X’s menubar is actually quite nice. Firstly, it’s designed with small screens in mind, for it uses less screen space than your traditional XP tray. Secondly, the most common stuff you need is there, like AirPort, volume, Time Machine, battery, date and time, etc. About the unattached to app thing, Mac OS X actually has this visual helper, the window that is active has a dark shadow, making it stand out more.

[3] Wireless signal getting dropped isn’t very common. I’ve had my MacBook for almost a year now and its never dropped a signal. Check your AirPort icon in the menubar. Like XP it shows your signal strength. If there are more lines, then it’s strong. Other than that, check your modem and if needed, connect via ethernet.

[4] Dismounting drives aren’t all that hard. Either drag the volume icon to the trash, ctrl-click and choose “eject” or open a Finder window and click the eject button next to your volume. Countering your point about XP not losing data with just unplugging, you need to right-click on the icon in your tray, select your drive, and click stop. At least that’s what I had to do on my other machine.

It’s getting mighty long, but these are some tips I’ve learned by pulling all-nighters playing with my Mac. Don’t forget to back up your hard drive! It’s probably one of the easiest things to do on your MBP.

Anyway, hope some of it helps. (Path Finder is $35, but you knew that)

Marko

Thanks a million for the pathfinder recommendation (http://www.cocoatech.com/). I’m downloading it now. The suckiness of the Finder, plus the inability to merge folders, remains my primary beef with OSX right now. I’m basically liking everything else. My number 1 favorite thing is STILL the instant wake from sleep. I suspect that amounts to a lot of minutes per day that you save.