Buying a new laptop- Apple?

[replicant_argent]

hang on a second.....


I am really not sure how much blu-ray enters into a laptop discussion. Quite frankly.... How big is the screen?
You do critical watching of movies on a 13-17 inch screen? Wait... I hear the argument that you can use it as a media server to an external display....





Yeah.. if you are that into movies, you already have a dedicated blu-ray player.
You can install a radar detector in an old worn out Geo Metro, but you still really don't need the functionality.

[LeoM]

Hmm, well I was refraining from commenting here, but I'm bored, so wth?

Personally, I prefer Windows. Windows 7 at the current time (as Vista was the current rendition of Windows Me..........complete crap). I've worked with Windows, Linux, Unix, and Novell for over 15 years and still keep coming back to Windows (although there was a brief period when Mandrake was kickin it that I absolutely loved Linux).

I've tried Mac's, hell, even loaded my MSI Wind with Mac OS 10.5 and tried it out for a couple of months. Absolutely hated it. No features were where I thought they'd be, everything seemed to take twice as long to accomplish. This is not a dig on Mac's, it's just the way I perceived it. Most likely this was due to how used to Windows I am and how much I hate having to "tinker" with computers when not at work. For me, "it just works" means using a Windows based device. As for the virus issues, the only Windows computer (that I personally own, not work with) I have any malware protection installed on is the one I torrent with and I've rarely ever had an issue. Of course this leads to all kinds of discussions about browsing habits and such that we could talk about all year.

At the end of the day, try'em both (if you haven't already) and decide which one you like better. That's most likely the one you'll be happy with (at least for the next 4-5 years until you upgrade again ).

Just my

[replicant_argent]

You should really look at the Groundbreaking Commodore 64.

Just Sayin'.

[GreekGodX]

Played with some laptops today. Only real way for me to get a true feel is to take it home and use it for a few days but an hour in best buy will have to cut it. To me if it wasn't for most software being written for Windows I don't see why people wouldn't buy an apple (price is another reason). I'm so leaning towards apple now it's pretty much sold.

I'm definitely going to have to talk to a few of you more in private, especially 357 about what to get. I want to make a smart decision.

[AD720]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

Played with some laptops today. Only real way for me to get a true feel is to take it home and use it for a few days but an hour in best buy will have to cut it. To me if it wasn't for most software being written for Windows I don't see why people wouldn't buy an apple (price is another reason). I'm so leaning towards apple now it's pretty much sold.

I'm definitely going to have to talk to a few of you more in private, especially 357 about what to get. I want to make a smart decision.

The smart decision is to get the computer that works for you and what you want to do. They are not one-size-fits-all. For example, I couldn't imagine having one of those 17 inch "desktop replacement" laptops but other folks wouldn't know what to do on my 13.3 (or my mini 9 for that matter!).

Is there a specific piece of software that you are concerned will not work on/is not available for an Apple?

[GreekGodX]

Originally Posted by AD720

The smart decision is to get the computer that works for you and what you want to do. They are not one-size-fits-all. For example, I couldn't imagine having one of those 17 inch "desktop replacement" laptops but other folks wouldn't know what to do on my 13.3 (or my mini 9 for that matter!).

Is there a specific piece of software that you are concerned will not work on/is not available for an Apple?

No software concerns that I can foresee.

I'm not really a computer guy. I'm not really up to speed on computer technologies and what's available and what's good. So really I just want to get some help to make an educated decision as this isn't a cheap purchase.

[AD720]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

No software concerns that I can foresee.

I'm not really a computer guy. I'm not really up to speed on computer technologies and what's available and what's good. So really I just want to get some help to make an educated decision as this isn't a cheap purchase.

Understood.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

No software concerns that I can foresee.

I'm not really a computer guy. I'm not really up to speed on computer technologies and what's available and what's good. So really I just want to get some help to make an educated decision as this isn't a cheap purchase.

I mentioned earlier that this is the first time in my life I've ever considered owning an apple laptop or desktop, and I've been a windows developer since '99.
I spent a few years selling ipods on ebay, made lots of money.
Just recently got an iphone for my girlfriend and I, love them.
Have owned every ipod generation ever made, loved them all. The only one I haven't owned is the new shuffle and nano video, because I don't need them.
I absolutely love Apple.
Leo made really good points above. I'm kinda in the same boat as him.
Vista sucked while it was Longhorn. I have no idea what MS is doing, but they're crawling under my skin which each new release. Windows 7 can suck it, as far as I'm concerned. More crap.
The whole "viruses" argument is kinda retarded. It's much akin to "I might drop my laptop in the mud".
Don't drop it in the mud, and there's no mud.
I gather viruses to fix them because it's fun, and it's "what I do". But that's me. I understand most folks don't want that problem, and can't fix them, but it's a non-argument that comes up constantly and it's ridiculous.
Christos, buy that Apple. It's cool, it's swank, and Apple will cover your ass. Their customer service and presence is beyond reproach.
You'll be very happy, and that's what matters.
Just make sure the machine has an optical drive in it. Airbooks don't, and that makes for lots of pains in the butt you don't need.

[goalie204]

Originally Posted by GreekGodX

I'm so leaning towards apple now it's pretty much sold.

I'm definitely going to have to talk to a few of you more in private, especially 357 about what to get. I want to make a smart decision.

woot if you need any advice post here or pm me i'll do my best

[macpappy]

I have a spare two cents so I thought I would comment.

On the comparison of the Macbook to the cheap PC. While it mentions the PC has a webcam, built-in microphone, etc. it does not mention that all Macbooks comes with a built-in webcam/microphone, etc. Also does the PC come with a network card? The Mac laptops have built in airport (wireless) network cards and automatically searches for a wireless network when you turn on your computer. If you are going to do a comparison, then do an accurate comparison.

To the person who worked in "photography-journalism" for three years. I've been in the business since 1975 (back in the day when portable was a typewriter weighing under 10 lbs. and didn't plug into the wall) (Side note: Does anyone else remember working an a TRS-80?) I started using Mac's in 1986 and haven't looked back. If you are working in the graphic design, photography or journalism fields, the software you need use was probably written for the Mac before it was written for the PC.

As for the doctor who spent $4,000 on a Macbook. It just goes to prove you can be highly educated and an idiot all at the same time. I also know quite a few doctors because my daughter-in-law is one. They are about evenly split between Mac and PC users. Most of them don't care one way or the other as long as the machine works.

Dependability? My son bought a Dell Laptop a month after I purchased my 15" Macbook Pro in 2006. I am still using my MBP on a daily basis with no downtime. He has had to replace his Dell twice and had it in for repairs three other times. Don't know why the problems but the replacements were because the "motherboard" died both time. The "repairs" were because of viruses that weren't covered by the latest anti-viral software upgrades.

To the person is said he doesn't know of any situation where a Mac outperforms a PC (or something to that effect). You should start reading what many of the PC consumer magazines have been saying for years. They have done benchtests of comparable machines and the Macs win. Every year the do reviews and comparisons and generally the Mac comes out on top. Usually the only place the Mac loses is in price comparisons of bottom line machines and that because the Mac bottom line machine is not comparable to the PC bottom line machine.

What I can't understand is why there are so many "Mac-Haters" out there. Do you PC users think you are so superior to Mac users simply because there are more computer games written for your OS than a Mac?

The bottom line is simply BUY A COMPUTER THAT WILL DO WHAT YOU WANT IT TO DO AND SPEND THE MONEY YOU WANT TO SPEND ON IT. THEN LIVE WITH IT.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by macpappy

(Side note: Does anyone else remember working an a TRS-80?)

In the 80's, one guy, Steve Jobs designed the machine, built the machine, and wrote the OS for Apple. It was not rocket surgery.
BASIC was open source. There was no graphics support.
I coded the graphics support for BASIC so I could create an interactive book that worked just like you'd read a book on a Kindle nowadays.
It was on Marine Biolgy.
I also coded music to make singing Christmas Cards that astounded people. MIDI was already there, just no BASIC support, so I coded it.
I won all sorts of accolades, and got four periods a day in middle school and high school to do genius stuff. So I did.
I smoked lots of dope, drank tons of beer, and played Galaga at Sheetz while I was supposed to be doing brilliant things.
It was awesome.

[macpappy]

Originally Posted by shilala

In the 80's, one guy, Steve Jobs designed the machine, built the machine, and wrote the OS for Apple. It was not rocket surgery.
BASIC was open source. There was no graphics support.
I coded the graphics support for BASIC so I could create an interactive book that worked just like you'd read a book on a Kindle nowadays.
It was on Marine Biolgy.
I also coded music to make singing Christmas Cards that astounded people. MIDI was already there, just no BASIC support, so I coded it.
I won all sorts of accolades, and got four periods a day in middle school and high school to do genius stuff. So I did.
I smoked lots of dope, drank tons of beer, and played Galaga at Sheetz while I was supposed to be doing brilliant things.
It was awesome.

And all this time I thought the TRS-80 was made by Tandy/Texas Instruments.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by shilala

In the 80's, one guy, Steve Jobs designed the machine, built the machine, and wrote the OS for Apple. It was not rocket surgery.

IIRC, that was Wozniak, not Jobs. Jobs was more of the marketing type.

[replicant_argent]

Betamax was actually preferred over VHS by the broadcast media professionals for many years, as I recall. Purely aside from the conversation, but if you are gonna blow smoke.....

[Footbag]

I've used Windows and Macs but I'm a Windows user primarily. These days, unless you have a specific program that you need a specific OS for, both are good choices. I've even dabbled in Ubuntu which I think is a great package for someone willing to take a bit of initiative, but those users are in the minority. I have been very impressed with Windows 7.

I personally think you can get a better hardware value by customizing a PC to your specific liking, but very few people chose to go that far.

BTW, I'm a PC user and an Apple shareholder.

[shilala]

How bout a link to the machine you've chosen so we can pick that apart?
That'll be fun.

[Footbag]

Originally Posted by shilala

How bout a link to the machine you've chosen so we can pick that apart?
That'll be fun.

[gettysburgfreak]

I just got an Asus netbook for christmas and love it, have been playing with it non stop. Anyone have an idea where I can get MS office for Windows 7 cheap? I dont like the new version of Word, I was hoping someone might know where I could find Word 2000

[GreekGodX]

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/...co=MTM3NDczMDg

I know waiting is dumb as technology is dated shortly after you purchase anyway but 3.0 USB to me would make a huge difference. I thought it was supposed to come out around now?

[GreekGodX]

That link didn't save my configured laptop but i added the 7200RPM 320gb hdd. Antiglare screen, iWork, Aperture and the applecare.