Notebook: Mac or Windows machine?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by NewComputer, Jun 14, 2005.

  1. #1
    I am about to purchase a new notebook. I have been looking at Mac and Windows machines. I am not sure which way I should go. Anyone have any good advice and know where I can get a deal on a good new laptop?

    Thanks in advance...
     
    NewComputer, Jun 14, 2005 IP
  2. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #2
    Get whatever you prefer (Mac or Windows). Personally, I like Macs better, but it's not for me, it's for you. :)
     
    digitalpoint, Jun 14, 2005 IP
  3. NewComputer

    NewComputer Well-Known Member

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    #3
    I am looking at it more as tool for travel. I will probably end up getting a Windows machine, but everyone else uses a Mac... It would be so easy if BG business practice was a little better.
     
    NewComputer, Jun 14, 2005 IP
  4. vprp

    vprp Peon

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    #4
    I just purchased a 12" Powerbook 3 months ago and I love it. I travel a lot and I find the 12" screen makes it extremely easy to carry with me. At home, I have a 20" widescreen LCD display that I hook the Powerbook up to.

    For me, it was a choice between the 15" Powerbook or the 12"/20" combo. I chose the latter for more portability and more screen real estate while I'm not on the go. I'm certainly happy with my choice but as Shawn noted, this computer's not for me, it's for you. :)
     
    vprp, Jun 14, 2005 IP
  5. minstrel

    minstrel Illustrious Member

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    #5
    With MAC going to Intel, you might want to hold off on purchasing a new MAC notebook... I wonder about replacement parts in a few years.

    Either go with Windows or wait...
     
    minstrel, Jun 14, 2005 IP
  6. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #6
    With no new version of windows for a long time and everyone I know complaining about dialers, spyware, security bugs etc. I would go for a Mac, but then, its wise to have a pc backup.
     
    Design Agent, Jun 14, 2005 IP
  7. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #7
    As a creature of habit, I stick with windows :)
     
    Blogmaster, Jun 14, 2005 IP
  8. cornelius

    cornelius Peon

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    #8
    oh god dont go for anything apple


    where u live? just because evrybody uses them doesnt mean they are good, it means apple are good at marketing

    my friends should have listened to me when i told them not to get an ipod, now they they have an ipod that doesnt work, and they are paying even more to fix it.

    they look good, but thats where it ends
    (hey i have a dozen pcs that beat any mac hands down by looks and raw power)

    also with pc/laptop they are easy to fix upgrade or built

    unlike macs,

    why lock yourself into a proprietary box?


    as for screen size my latest notebook is 13'' widescreen hdtv, when im at home i hook it up to 110'' hdtv DLP projector
    with no problems or hassle
     
    cornelius, Jun 15, 2005 IP
  9. minstrel

    minstrel Illustrious Member

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    #9
    I've NEVER had a problem with any of that crap. I simply use a 5-prong approach:

    1. common sense
    2. updated real-time AV software
    3. updated firewall
    4. anti-spyware protection
    5. common sense

    ...that just became obsolete with the announcement of Apple going to Intel processors (and by the way the reason they're doing that is for the increased security potential).
     
    minstrel, Jun 15, 2005 IP
  10. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #10
    Im not surprised, nor do I after years of using various versions of windows, but if you are seriously trying to say that those kinds of problems do not occur daily to MANY windows users ? Do you own a mac?

    I have seen most firewalls + AVs crash too.

     
    Design Agent, Jun 15, 2005 IP
  11. minstrel

    minstrel Illustrious Member

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    #11
    That's because large numbers of Windows users do not use either common sense or updated AV, firewall, and anti-spyware protection.

    Have you ever seen anyone suffer who REALLY used my 5-point security strategy?

    Yes, I too have seen AV and firewall software fail... because it wasn't updated, or because the system was warning about a conflict that hadn't been addressed, or because it hadn't been installed and configured correctly.

    As for my using a MAC, yes but not often and I've never owned one. I don't like MACs. I'm not surprised they've always lagged in popularity.

    But this thread wasn't (at least for me) about "MAC is better than Windows" or "Windows is better than MACs" - it was about the recent announcement from Apple that they are switching to Intel processors, which IMO sounds the death knell for existing MAC users and future hardware and other support for current MACs. Hence my advice to buy a Windows notebook now or wait until the Intel MACs are released if you insist on a MAC.
     
    minstrel, Jun 15, 2005 IP
  12. TwisterMc

    TwisterMc Mac Guru

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    #12
    Any Mac that doesn't have Intel inside will be supported until at least 2010. Apple knows that any machines are not cheap to replace and that in order to keep their current user base they need to keep support for the PowerPC chip for many many years to come.

    So I wouldn't worry about the Intel thing.
     
    TwisterMc, Jun 15, 2005 IP
  13. Henny

    Henny Peon

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    #13
    Get a nice Dell laptop dual boot with redhat and windows.
     
    Henny, Jun 15, 2005 IP
  14. minstrel

    minstrel Illustrious Member

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    #14
    Is that an official statement from Apple, Twister?

    (not doubting you... just asking)
     
    minstrel, Jun 15, 2005 IP
  15. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #15
    Auto installing software, viruses that attack AVs, its not easy for the average user to keep up with IE updates, AV, blue screen of death, driver incompability, office crashing, outlook collapsing name it Win does it all :D
    I was the same way until OSX and refused to switch, now I have both and If you use both regularly its like you will prefer the Mac. It is not what it used to be.

    No, the thread is about what he should buy (although there is a thread about the processor switch somewhere).
    It is NOT the hardware that I really like with the Mac, enough care and you get PCs to match. Alienware is nice PC hardware for example. Its all about the OS to me & the fact that the 2 parts sw + hw are put together with consideration. Although, your advice is not bad. But then why not wait for longhorn too? And arguing about Mac and Win is really the central issue of this thread.
     
    Design Agent, Jun 15, 2005 IP
  16. NewComputer

    NewComputer Well-Known Member

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    #16
    NewComputer, Jun 16, 2005 IP
  17. TwisterMc

    TwisterMc Mac Guru

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    #17
    Nope, not official. ;) I believe they said 'for years to come' or something like that. I just don't think they'll survive if they force people to upgrade. My opinion.
     
    TwisterMc, Jun 17, 2005 IP
  18. T0PS3O

    T0PS3O Feel Good PLC

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    #18
    From the product literature I understood that only the 15" Powerbook's videocard can handle the HD displays.

    How is yours performing then?
     
    T0PS3O, Jun 17, 2005 IP
  19. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #19
    I believe any of the PowerBooks can drive any of Apple's external displays, with the exception of the 30", which requires a 15" or 17" upgraded to 128MB video RAM. I'm not 100% sure, but that's what I thought.
     
    digitalpoint, Jun 17, 2005 IP
  20. mushroom

    mushroom Peon

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    #20
    mushroom, Jun 17, 2005 IP