MacBook Pro Update - Entourage

Ever since the screen on my ThinkPad cracked, I've been using my MacBook Pro as my primary computer.

So far, so good. Except that it gets so damn hot that I have to use a blanket to comfortably use it on my lap. I am going to look for some kind of heat pad for the thing.

I particularly like Entourage. In a number of ways, it's a better email/calendar/contact solution than Outlook. The search works a lot better and the interface is much simpler. And it's faster which of course could be because the MacBook is faster than my old ThinkPad. I thought I might have to run XP on the MacBook using Parallels to run Outlook. But there's no chance I am going to do that. Entourage works fine for me.

Comments

[Thomas B. Pedersen]

A good trick is to use a book or something hard and flat instead of a blanket. Because the blanket touches the bottom of the MacBook Pro it will be even harder for the heat to escape, causing an even higher increase in temperature.

[Marc James]

When I switched to the Mac from Windows and Outlook, my first instinct was to use Entourage, as well. But then I realize how much it sucked. Slow, bloated, Windows-like. Ruins the OS X experience. Not only that, but it will run *slow* on an Intel Mac since Microsoft never bothered to make a universal binary of Office. Lastly, it's over two years old now with no update ... I'm much happer with Mail.app and iCal. Entourage is junk.

[Greg]

Using the strategy guide for 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' as my MacBook leg shield. Works like a charm. Probably a little small for the MacBook Pro, though.

[Adam Kalsey]

Try this under your laptop: http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=4007

[Dan]

What do you use to synchronize the calendar, contacts and email? I think I remember that you are currently using a blackberry, do you have any issues synchronizing?

[greg]

Not so great for resting on your lap, but the Targus Podium Coolpad works wonderfully for a desk. Elevation and swivel capabilities.

Although Entourage is a bit bloated and sluggish, the Project Center and the Calendar integration make it my choice for my PowerBook G4.

[Hugh Lang]

You should try out the Lapinator as your laptop pad. http://www.lapinator.com/

I bought one over a year ago and it is essential. Silly name, but it's cheap, comfortable and works great.

[Ari Newman]

I love this topic...I'm a Mac user who had to make the PC switch for almost 10 years and have finally moved back. (insert long sigh of relief)

I used Entourage for 4 months before giving up on it and switching to the Apple suite. There are some very nice features in Entourage, especially if you took full advantage of the PIM in Outlook and the mail/calendar/contacts integration. However I also found it to be buggy and slow at times, and to have a more frustrating user experience than Outlook (and certainly than Apple suite). I finally got fed up with the IMAP connection issues and usability frustrations and moved over to the Apple suite. Sync with BlackBerry was sketchy at best (using PocketMac 3rd party sync tool).

The Apple suite has been great, but is def. lacking some of more powerful features found in Outlook and Entourage. The integration with the rest of the OS (iChat, Spotlight, dashboard, etc) is nice. What I found with running Entourage as my primary app was that I still had to use Apple mail/contact/calendar sometimes due to the integration with other applications.

I sync my RAZR and BB with the Apple suite. RAZR sync is native in iSync and works pretty well. BB sync is via PocketMac still and works better than it did with Entourage.
I also am using the Mac version of Plaxo which works well too. (thanks Plaxo!!!)

[Jim Butz]

Someone introduced me to the Targus Notebook Chill Pad last year and it has made a world of difference. Sits on my lap just fine and dramatically reduced the heat from my laptop especially since I started using a wifi card that creates a lot of heat.

Jim

[Josh Kaufman]

Fred,

Lowendmac.com has a good review of notebook cooling products at http://lowendmac.com/misc/06/0724.html.

Josh

[Joel Reymont]

I use the iLap with my 17" MBP and love it.

http://www.raindesigninc.com/store/index.php

[Vivian]

I am thinking about uupgrading my G4 Powerbook at work to a Macbook Pro. I do a lot of syncing with my secretary who uses a PC (like all other 700 employees in my orgnization). The sync works well with Pocketmac and her Outlook on the PC. My reason to switch was I thought the Macbook would be more compatible with all of the other PCs. Am I correct? How will the Macbook work with Pocketmac and Entourage, which automatically syncs with her Outlook on our Exchange server? Then I use the USB port to sync to my BB.