Questions for Mac users

[Spaceman Spiff]

I am a proud owner of a new MacBook Pro.  Been a user of Microsoft since C:>, mostly because that is what I used at work.  Since I am now retired, finally decided to come over to the 'dark side'    I know some of you are very savvy and experienced with Mac and would appreciate any nuggets of knowledge you can spare.

My questions are:

1. Are there any 'must have' applications for vandwelling, wandering?
2. Any additional 'must have' hardware?
3. Do you use password storage software - which one?
4. How do you keep it charged?
5. How do you keep connected?  Most of the time I am traveling in the west, with occasional forays into the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin for family stuff.  Don't use a lot of data, 2 - 3 Gig a month.  Boondock most of the time.
6. What is a good (and simple) bookkeeping software package.  I have used Quicken2 since the '90s, but the new quicken is quite bloated.  And Intuit has p!ssed me off with the TurboTax changes.

I will probably think of 10 more questions right after I post   Thanks for your help.

-- Spiff

 

[Hereandthere]

I started out with cp/m, then dos, then windows, and about 3 years ago got a MacBookPro. I also have an ipad.

1,2. I'm gradually trying to become less dependent on a specific platform so that if I need to change computers, my files are mostly already in Dropbox. I adore Evernote for this reason too.

3. I use Lastpass and really like it. Tried some others before.

4. Solar panels on our roof provide much of our power. We also have been staying in NM state parks and paying a little extra for more electricity when it's cold.

5. Verizon

6. Moneydance is what we use, me on my Mac, hubby on his Windows laptop, accessing the same data files though we don't do it at the same time. Used to use Quickbooks, before that Quicken, like this better.

 

[LowTech]

Has Mac come out w/ a DC charger yet? Last time I looked you could only get one that someone had hacked to fit the Macs. Or do you have to invert to charge it?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Thanks, Lovemy dogs.  Appreciate your information.  I am assuming you are using an inverter to charge your MacBook Pro, I haven't been able to find a charger that plugs into 12V.

  -- Spiff

 

[Hereandthere]

Thanks, Lovemy dogs.  Appreciate your information.  I am assuming you are using an inverter to charge your MacBook Pro, I haven't been able to find a charger that plugs into 12V.

  -- Spiff

Spiff, you're right, should have mentioned the inverter. We have a nice solar panel setup.

 

[LowTech]

This is the only Mac DC charger that I know of,
Tuff has been using one of his for several years.

http://www.mikegyver.com/

 

[RVTravel]

Lowtech, also see if GPK systems has what you need.

http://www.amazon.com/GPK-Car-Charger-Apple-Macbook/dp/B0056PXJ8O

 

[LowTech]

Thanks will check that out, but I don't use a Mac. Tuff does but I use Linux.

 

[Gregg]

Spaceman.... Slightly off topic but from another Mac user.

Are you the same Spaceman Spiff on ADVrider? I've noted a Spaceman Spiff around their forums