I'm sorry to ask this again and again, i have been needing a computer(laptop) lately. I will use it to do my final thesis. The things i need from this computer: Windows works (work, excel, powerpoints....) <--I think I can add windows works on a Macbook, am i right? Surf the internet safely(Macbook>Windows laptop) Download NBA games by bittorrents (I dont know about this, it works the same on a Mac as one a Windows laptop?) So, which one should i pick? I need truly in need of help on this, and thanks very much for any advance!
Is price an issue? Do you want the illusion of being cool? If you answered 1. no and 2. yes, the Macbook is for you. I used to spend cash foolishly, now that I am older I tend to purchase things based on value. If your a cheap w**** like me and want the most value out of your dollar, go for a windows based notebook (on sale of course ).
I am the same way man. I got a nice Dell 700m 2 years ago for $700 using the magical 750 off 1499 coupon from Dell. Recently I have been wanting to get a new Mac laptop, but for what I use the computer for, typing and surfing, spending a crapload for a new Mac is unjustifiable. I have had no problems with my Dell. You can find awesome laptop deals online. Try looking for sales at all of the deal sites, i.e. slickdeals.net, fatwallet.com....
Shockingly, I don't buy Macs because they are "cool." There is no better machine for recording music (a big thing for me) AND, most importantly, I really hate the Windows interface. I've used them both and I just prefer Mac. To me, it is the best value because the Win interface is such a pain in my ass, it would cost me more in suffering to have to deal with it. One thing to keep in mind CDogg is that all of the software you are concerned with needing Windows for you can get native to Mac. I have Excel, Word, Power Point, etc. installed on my Mac and have for years. You'd need to switch from Outlook to Entourage (the Mac version of Outlook) but you can import all your contacts and even use Mac's built-in contacts feature to move them from program to program. Bit Torrents are not an issue on Mac. There are plenty of shareware programs out there for them. You can install Win on the Macbook, but you probably won't want to unless you just have some software that absolutely will not run on anything but Windows.
I disagree. As someone who will soon be in the market for a new system, I've done a lot of research, have spent considerable time with my friend's Mac, and have been using PCs (and building PCs) for a long time. I'd have to say that taking away alot of the windows upkeep (virus scanning, updating, spyware scanning, driver installations, etc.) along with a cleaner, more integrated interface of the Mac is a huge value and very justifiable IMO. Yeah, you will pay more obviously. But from what I've seen so far there is a value there.
the price-point is an old myth..somewhat. If you compare Macs & PC's with similiar components, they usually costs about the same, in some cases the Dell may actually be a little more. The problem is that Apple doesn't make Low-end computers. On the average, you can get more mileage out of an apple than you can with a cheap PC, but if you buy a PC that costs the same as a Mac, they'll BOTH last a lot longer. The real question is do you want to replace you computer in 2 yrs or 5 years. My in-laws have bought 3 $500 PC's since I bought my last $2000 Mac, and they'll probably buy another one before I have to replace mine. Right now, my 4yr old Mac will last at least another 2yrs at least. Its still powerful enough to run just about every software I need. I tried to convince them to spend more on their computer (no..not a Mac, but a more expensive PC). There are plenty of bittorrent programs for the Mac, and Microsoft Office has been available on the Mac for as long as I can remember. In all, the Only advantage a PC has is if your into games, then definitely consider a PC, or a Mac that will Run Windows on Parallels - then you'd have the best of both worlds.
Perhaps, but for what I use my laptop for...typing, and surfing....my Dell is way more than sufficient. I have never had virus problems and windows downloads updates and installs them automatically. A cleaner, more integrated interface is not a concern for me. Plus, I have had my laptop for over 2 years and the only thing I have ever had to replace was a new hard drive, and that was by choice not by product failure. If I were in the market for a new laptop similar to what I have now, an ultra-portable, the macbook would run close to 1300. If you look for a deal, and it must be a DEAL, then you could find a comparable Windows based laptop for 600-700. It has to be a DEAL though, otherwise you would still be paying a lot for the Windows laptop and then the Macbook would be comparably priced. The Macbook Pro is freaking sweet though. My brother has the 17" pro and it is awesome, both in its functionality and aesthetics.
if that's the ONLY two choices for you I definitely would go with the Mac. If Windows XP is an option maybe a Thinkpad *coughshamelesspromotionsinceIhaveathinkpadandabsolutelyloveitcough*?
Buy a low end pc. At this point you won't notice a different unless you play games and the mac isn't strong at that.
From slickdeals.net Toshiba Satellite 15.4" Widescreen Notebook PC (A135-S4677) Brand New..!! • Intel Pentium Dual Core T2080 • 80GB hard drive • Burns DVDs and CDs • 1GB of DDR2 memory • Built-in 802.11gb wireless • Windows Vista Home Premium $479.99..!!! No Rebates....!! LINK See, now for what I would use it for, this laptop is a good deal.
personally i would also get a mac these days. but i have to admit i think that is a great freaking deal for 1 gig memory 80 gig harddrive toshiba
Macbook user checking in. I've had 2 laptops in 2 years that eventually died because I went for cheap. So far with my Mac, it's been smooth sailing. I don't really have to worry about spyware or viruses. I can still torrent stuff, write on Word and do PowerPoints, a lot of stuff...yea, there's a few Windows programs that I can't use, but for me at least, it's rare. Plus the built in iSight is nice.
If price is the only reason for getting a PC, check for refurbished macbooks, macbooks on craigslist, etc. Apple pulls their lower end items whenever they introduce the next upgrades (like how you can't get a gen 3 ipod today). PCs are just too unreliable, IMO. My deskstop is still a Dell (2001, though), but I went with the black Macbook this February and love it. Very few blindspots as far as software. Evan
i hate macs!!! i've used macs at school but never liked it. i've always been a windows guy... gaming, programming, and the system just makes sense more. and i know what to do when things break and how to fix most of the things, hardware and software. windows feels more like a computer while mac feels more like a toy. plus pc's are way way cheaper, i got my laptop back in 2003 and it only cost 600 dollars brand new. there are soooo many more chioces of software. if you go with mac, you are stuck with the stuff they gave you.
One other thing: you're still a student so you can get a free nano (or +$50 for an iPod) when you buy a new Macbook. The offer expires in August or September. The Macbook itself is also discounted $100 (I think) and you can also get a free printer after rebate. Pretty good deal for students. You can also check out refurbs, but they don't fall under the student deal. Like others said, you're not just paying for the hardware, you're paying for a different computer experience. Whether that matters is up to you. I recommend trying one out. I tried one out to kill time at a CompUSA for 20 minutes and decided that the next notebook I get would be a Macbook. Otherwise frequently check out SlickDeals or FatWallet for great deals, there's a few every week. But due to the popularity of the sites you might have to jump on them quick. I picked up a Gateway core duo 1.7ghz, 160gb, dvdrw, 1gb ram for $500 at BestBuy last week, no rebates (which was the deal closer for me).
chow, c'mon man. While a typical win notebook will probably be a bit cheaper than a typical mac, people do not flock to the mac for the "illusion" of being cool. The mac is a better machine, mainly due to a better OS, and as Jeff mentioned, some of its media capabilities are unrivaled in the Windows world. I used to be a windows w**** until I finally got to play with a mac at length. I'll never go back. In fact, I have a mac (12" powerbook) for personal use AND a loaded, win laptop that work provided for me. I NEVER used the win laptop unless work calls for it. About the only drawback I can think of to the mac is the lack of gaming, but since I'm a console gamer (360 & a PS2) I don't care about that.
ever since windows mellenium edition was gon, later versions have never crashed on me. i've never had virus issues either. hardware never failed on me until 5 years later. and the problem was the fan was slowing down and that was it. heck, i don't mind spending $600 dollars on a laptop that works for 5 years. besides, 5 years is about the time to find a new machine anyways. i bet you would feel more attached to the more expensive mac, would be hard to give up something that cost over $1000 for a decent machine.
