American Mac

countylaois

My brother is heading over to the states in a couple of weeks time and he has offered to pick me up a new macbook. This in theory sounds like a good idea, but I have some questions that maybe you guys could help me with:


1. Will I have problems downloading / uploading software over here. Will European software work on an american machine?

2. I know that our voltage system is different than the American one. So in order to chrge my battery would i need to buy a convertor (the little black box) or would an ordinary holiday converter plug do the job. You see I'd rather not blow up the thing when/if i get it.

3. Are cables (for printers/projectors etc) and stuff the same on European macs as american ones or i need to get american ones?

Thanks for any all help and advice.:)

MagicMarker

My mac is Canadian...

1. I haven't had any problems, don't think there is a difference in softwares tbh

2. I use an ordinary holiday converter, does the job grand.

3. Couldn't tell you, but i highly doubt it, besides, lots of printers operate via USB so you could just get one of those.

babypink

countylaois wrote: »

1. Will I have problems downloading / uploading software over here. Will European software work on an american machine?

...

3. Are cables (for printers/projectors etc) and stuff the same on European macs as american ones or i need to get american ones?

back in the day there were Old World machines and New World machines (ROMs not geographical location), but thankfully concerning geographical location it doesn't matter whether you're in the Old World or the New World - software works the same, as do printers and projectors.

If you buy it - it WILL work.

Talisman

The only difference between a system bought in the US and Ireland is the keyboard. The US keyboard has a hash symbol over the 3 key, the UK/Irish keyboard has a pound symbol. To get the hash symbol on a UK/Irish keyboard you have to press Alt + 3.

johnk123

Just a thought...

Could you not just attach a 3 pin adapter thing to the power cable of your new macbook. Then it would eliminate the need to use a power adapter. Or maybe i'm missing something in relation to voltage or something like that

Gordon

I have one myself and have found no problems.

1. No
2. No, there is a converter thing that you can simply change the plug on if you like.
3. Dunno about projectors but printers are just USB usually so won't be a problem.

The only problem I have with my US mac is the fact that it is a little tricker getting the £ and euro signs.

atilladehun

What about the year warranty?

Fajitas!

Projectors use the same input/output too.

J-blk

Yep, everything will work just fine - practically all laptops these days are built for worldwide travel anyway. So for the power adapter, it's 100 - 240V meaning it'll work anywhere, with a suitable plug attachment. Software will never be an issue - the OS does not care which country you're in and you can set the location on your American laptop to Ireland anyway... No single cable is different for any device, that would make no sense - even devices that draw power from the laptop directly (mostly USB) always require up to 5V, so again, it makes no difference where the system came from.

Apple won't give you any hassle for an American bought laptop either - hang on to the receipt just in case, but if it goes wonky within the warranty period, you'll have no issues over here.

Only the arrangement of some symbols on the keyboard are different like Talisman said, but it hardly makes any difference.

Bottom line, buy one - it's a great saving.

sweet-rasmus

i've been using old hand-me-down computers from my brother (who bought them in america) for years. Never a problem. If the keyboard layout annoys you, simply change the settings (but you'll have to use memory to find the keys - if you've been on a computer long enough that is grand and it is the first thing you change). Updates are the same. And you can simply walk into an apple repair centre or shop and purchase the european plug attachement for 10 euro (which I did in Galmac in Galway last year). Warranty or Applecare will be worldwide cover. No bother at all. I've had my american macs repaired no bother under applecare here.

I presume it will be cheaper to buy there, otherwise you wouldn't bother?
And would customs charge when it's coming back through, or does that only occur in the postal system... hmmm

K.O.Kiki

Don't the American keyboards have a smaller Enter key?

Oh, and you don't need an adapter -- all you do is pull off the plug & put in a simple rounded power cable.

sedohre

I have a US mac, all works fine.

But could I ask How do you get a euro sign to come up? Sorry if I'm o/t

thanks

nialler

shift option 3 or option 3 depending on keyboard layout

sedohre

shift option 3 gives me ‹
and option 3 gives me #


Any other ideas?

Found it, option 2 gives me €

440Hz

You have to configure the key settings yourself for those keys i.e. change your keyboard setup or assign new keys to new symbols using the special char palette. I'm not at a Mac right now so I cant give a step by step but its straight forward.

Googling gives...

Assign a shortcut key to a symbol
1. On the Insert menu, click Symbol.
2. Click the tab with the symbol or character you want.
3. Click the symbol or character you want.
4. Click Shortcut Key.
5. In the Press new shortcut key box, press the key combination you want to use.
6. Click Assign.
Note After you press the key combination you want to use as a shortcut, the Currently assigned to box appears and displays any other action assigned to that key combination. If the key combination is already assigned to an action, and you click Assign, the previous action assigned to that key combination will be lost.

Also, you may be interested in http://scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/page.php?site_id=nrsi&item_id=ukelele

sedohre

Hi, Thanks 400Hz,

I've gone through to step 4 on your post and this is where I'm lost, where is the "Shortcut key"? I've tried googling but can't find it, am I being totally ignorant? Is there an actual key:o??