Macbook & digital presentation ?

[Les McLean]

Hope someone can provide an answer.

I'm seriously thinking about replacing my Windows laptop with a Macbook.

One of the main uses of my laptop is to give digital presentations (via digital projector) at camera clubs.

I normally take my laptop along (with slideshow) and plug it into the club's digital projector.

Are you able to do this with a Macbook, and if so is it the same (or similar) attachment as a windows laptop, the last thing I want is to turn up to a club night and not be able to give my presentation

Also, if you can use a macbook for the above, any suggestions on software for creating simple slideshows on a mac?

Update: Or would it be worth getting an Ipad +iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter

Thanks

 

[MindofMel]

Hi Les,

Long time mac user here!

Yea its as simple as pie

1) go to apple - buy a mini displayport to VGA adaptor and then use a VGA cable (approx. £15)
2) for creating slideshows you can use powerpoint for mac or one of the mac equivalent called Keynote which I think is a lot better. It is also easier to make aesthetically pleasing slideshows in Keynote. Keynote is available as mac's office equivalent called iWork.. which you will be able to buy discounted when you buy a new mac.
3)im not a big fan of the ipad - i would grab a macbook if you can. I use a macbook from 06 with 4GB ram and intel core 2 duo and I edit RAW files in Aperture 3 and Photoshop without my laptop so much as making a peep. So investing a laptop should help you on the photo management and editing end aswell.

Hope this helps.

Make the switch - it will be be the best decision you have made!!

 

[neil_g]

basically as above.. youll need an adapter to suit your macs video connector to whatever the projector uses.

then use something like keynote.

 

[Peter_Hartland]

Hi Les
Agree with Mel, I do this regularly with my MacBook Pro but use FotoMagic

 

[specialman]

You can also run a slide show via Preview, although I don't think you can save a group of images, you have to drag them to Preview and it'll load them up. The little Apple remote is a handy gadget for this I think

 

[Nigep]

I'm on my second MacBook pro, the adapter came free in both cases. Would never touch a PC again. Well I have to at work but you get my drift.

 

[Kasalic]

I'd advise against using an iPad for two reasons.

It's possible to do presentations with an iPad, but at the moment the apps aren't quite good enough. The latest Keynote app is a big improvement, but be prepared to revisit all your presentations to make them iPad friendly.

Secondly, you did say you were replacing an existing laptop, buying an iPad would still leave you using your old laptop, whereas a new MacBook would cover all bases.

 

[Les McLean]

Thanks everyone for their sound advice, it's given me a good steer.

Just purchased an Ipad anyway (cos I wanted one), but will go down the macbook+vga adapter route for replacement laptop, confident it can be used for camera club presentations.