speaking of computers...

[Katecab99]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 12:21pm

I'm pretty sure I'm going to sound incredibly stupid, BUT -

I'll be in the market for a new laptop in the next few months, and I've always had an IBM ThinkPad (my father is a pilot for IBM, so I've always gotten them at a great price), but I really want a MAC...and quite honestly, I have no idea what the differences are. I went on the Apple website to see if I could figure it out, but I'm still not sure I know what the deal is.

Help?

[pab]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 12:31pm

You should first decide what you are going use the laptop for. If you don't intend to edit major videos etc. and you just will be doing word processing and internet stuff then you will do fine with the MacBook. That would be your starting machine and you can then decide on more power and speed depending on your needs.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 12:39pm

If she's just going to do Internet stuff and word processing, she should stick to PC.

[pab]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 12:43pm

"but I really want a MAC"

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 12:44pm

The larger question would be WHY... if she's only surfing and word-processing.

PC's are better for both.

I love my G5, but not for either of those things.

[pab]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 12:48pm

"PC's are better for both."

That's a matter of opinion that everyone does not share. If she wants a Mac she should get what she wants. It's a question of which Mac she should get not a question if she should get a Mac or a PC

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 1:47pm

Katecab99: My husband and I own both (actually, more than one of both), and I too am curious as to why you "really want a Mac" if you know nothing about them? Is is because of peer pressure or something? Seriously. I'm wondering what the reason is.

[suzycat]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 1:53pm

Macs are great. Here's the section of the Apple site that talks about switching from PC to Mac.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/switch/

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 2:16pm

I too am curious as to why you really want a Mac. I'm not saying they are bad computers, but the change from PC usage to Mac is sort of a difficult transition. My big qualm is no right click, as lazy as that sounds. Apple does have software to emulate Windows for those who don't want to get used to a new computer system, but why get that when you can just stick with a PC?

Macs are great if you want to edit audios and videos in a professional way. Otherwise I just stick to Windows Movie Maker or Sony Vegas.

[pab]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 2:45pm

I will fully admit my Mac bias up front but looking at the whole thing logically, I personally don't see why anyone buying a new computer would buy anything but a Mac.

Here is why I think that:

The new Intel Macs have options that will allow you run whatever you like about the PC (Windows OS) and the Mac (OS X) on one computer.

The three options out there right now that are most interesting are:

a) Boot Camp. This software will allow you to boot your Mac into the Windows OS and use that operating system if you wish:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

AND if you are a Linux user you can boot into that OS if you wish:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/17/onmac-triple-boots-mac-from-boot-camp/

b) Parallels. This software will allow you to run the Windows OS at the same time you are running OS X so that you can switch back and forth between the two without having to reboot your system:

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/

c) Crossover. This software will allow you to run Windows applications on your Mac with having to even install the Windows OS:

http://www.macwindows.com/winintelmac.html#630b

So, if there are things that you like about the PC and things that you like about the Mac and can't decide, there is really only one machine that can let you run software for both operating systems and that's an Intel based Mac.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 2:58pm

It should be noted that the Mac/Windows converters are imperfect right now. Good, but imperfect. And as everyone's been saying, you should know what you're using the computer for. The chief difference between Macs and PCs is the operating system. Otherwise, just compare hardware. The important stuff is memory, processing power, hard drive space, monitor size and resolution, optical drive, and the number and type of ports.

ETA- Oh, and wireless Internet capability, in laptops.
Updated On: 9/14/06 at 02:58 PM

[Katecab99]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 3:11pm

I want a MAC only because I have been using my cousin's recently, and I love it. Of course, she just got the brand new $3000 one with the intel chip and all that stuff...it just seems to run faster, the picture is great and it appears to do everything (and more) that mine does...and i'm not going to lie...if both the mac and my computer are the same as far as how they run, i simply want the mac because i like the way it looks.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 3:25pm

Well, there ya go. It's a reason!

As far as Macs go, we only have Desktops (a G4 and a G5), so I can't really give any advice on a laptop for you. Good luck!

[pab]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 3:38pm

Katecab99, from a budget standpoint you can get a 13" MacBook for around $1,100, which will do pretty much everything that you want, except burn DVDs. If you want the option to burn DVDs, you should go with the 13" with a Super Drive (a built in DVD burner) for around $1,300.

Of course you can go up to the MacBook Pro line and either get a 15.4" or 17" laptop if you need something that big. They all have super drives, bigger hard drives and faster processors. Those prices will run you from $2,000 to $2,800.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 3:58pm

pab--you decided yourself what "the question" was. Re-read the first post. She's asking what the differences are. No need to get bitchy in your responses.

Honestly, I'm not biased at all. I use both a Mac G5 and an HP Pavillion PC, every single day. I do high-end editing (both for work and personal projects) on the Mac. It's far superior, especially with the HD suite of Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Compressor, etc. If you're into creating home video, there's no question that you should get a Mac. But PCs are much faster and more reliable processing certain types of data. That includes surfing the Web, downloadables, buring/ripping To deny that, means you surely don't use a PC regularly. Again, I use BOTH, and speak from a great deal of experience "in the battlefield" of daily work flow.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:02pm

Yeah, the basic Mac is what I *think* I want, but I really am so clueless about this stuff that I wasn't sure what the major differences are. But I'm reasonably shallow, and think the MAC is cute.

If I wasn't so afraid of my entire IT department, I would ask them...but they frighten me, and when they talk to me, it's like it's in another language.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:10pm

Once again- if you're looking for a computer that runs quickly, it's not about brand; it's about memory and processing power. A dual core chip and at least half a GB of memory will have you going more than quickly enough for most everyday applications. Pricewise, Macs are kind of expensive in comparison with some PCs for the same level of hardware.

But if you're looking for pretty; sure, go with a Mac. Remember that it will make loading up some websites more difficult, and you'll be somewhat limited in the software you can install unless you get one of those Windows conversion things. But it sounds like you're not into advanced functionality, so go ahead and get the Mac.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:11pm

advanced functionality?

nope, not me

[Plum]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:20pm

Okay, then just think what you do use the computer for. If you want to burn CDs or DVDs, make sure your optical drive can do those things. If you have lots of peripherals- Palm Pilot, iPod, external keyboard and mouse, whatever- make sure there are enough USB or Firewire ports, whichever you need. If you want to lock the computer in place so it won't get stolen, make sure there's a slot for that. Etc., etc.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:22pm

Porn.

Also, it makes a nice paper weight when it doesn't work.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:24pm

Switching from my IBM Thinkpad From Hell to my Mac was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:27pm

I will add this in your favor...

It's much easier for PC users to switch to Mac than a Mac user to switch to PC. They usually freak out.

You'll need about a week to get fully up to speed on it, if you buy a Mac. Not too bad.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 4:34pm

sa-weet

[pab]

Posted: 9/14/06 at 5:01pm

Wow, someone's skin is thin.

I did not see how I was being bitchy but anyway, there it is.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 11/25/06 at 1:44am

Bump for a question...or 2 or 10

I'm looking to a laptop now but a somewhat cheap (but good) one. I'd like it to be BELOW 300$ but I understand that's kind of difficult.
I'd LIKE a DVD burner but I guess I'm pressing my luck even more so, here is what I basically have to have:

Wireless internet access
I want to be able to watch DVD's
I'd like quite a bit of room to save stuff on (although I'll keep stuff on my USB drive too)

I've searched but nothing exactly comes up within my price. I'll post a link of the one I found at Best Buy and Circuit City. How do they look to you? If you were in the market for a laptop around the price I want, would you possibly get 1 of them? Open of all opinions!

Thanks!

Circuit City- after all rebates comes to 300$ https://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Compaq-Presario-15-4-Widescreen-Notebook-PC-C303NR/sem/rpsm/oid/166935/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Best Buy- after all rebates comes to 250$
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8103535&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050018&id=1158317794220https://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8103535&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050018&id=1158317794220

Updated On: 11/25/06 at 01:44 AM