redpepper Loc: Central NY

Hi all, I was wondering what way I should proceed in starting up LRs 4.3 catalog on my new MBP? I have LR on my pc with a catalog I imported in from existing file structure on HD. My new mac, where I'm still learning its "Ways", will have a new catalog. I can't remember, do I makeup the file structure within LR and import images in, or do I setup file structure outside LR and add catalog? Does LR let me setup a file structure w/o images in it yet? I thinl I did that preparing for downloaded presets. Thx. Have a Happy New Year!

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

I just moved to the Mac world from the PC, finally gave up on the blue screens of death, lockups, stuff just not working and so on. So I am a Mac newbe!! A helpful book is "Switching to the Mac, the missing manual".

I got an external HD because my MBPr has a small internal SSD. I setup a file structure on the external HD and let LR4 setup the catalog and such on the SSD. This works OK for me but I am not a pro, and this may not be the optimum configuration for LR4.

If you get an external HD get a fast one, the new MBP support USB3 and Thunderbolt. USB3 drives are pretty cheap now, Thunderbolt is still somewhat expensive, although MacMall has LaCie refurbs at 1/2 price. I ended up getting 2 LaCie refurbs, one is for Time Machine, the other is for image storage.

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

You best bet is to purchase an external hard drive for you Mac Book Pro. Depending on the configuration of your machine and what hard drive was installed you may fill it up quickly and an external hard drive will still allow you to create a Lightroom catalog and on the external hard drive. If your machine has Thunderbolt capabilities the data transfer is blazing. If you can afford a SSD external drive that is a good solution, if your tech budget pockets are not deep enough for either a Thunderbolt or SSD external hard drive. A USB external had drive will work great and allow you more space on the internal hard drive of your Mac Book Pro