MacBook concerns (potential switcher)

Hey,

I recently posted in the What Notebook? forum and one of the recommendations amongst Windows based machines was the MacBook. It seems to suit my needs but I have a few concerns:

1. Does the available Office software work seamlessly with equivalent applications for Windows?

I don't need to use any complex tools, but font and citation recognition is very important (don't want to be restructuring the document every time). This mainly applies to .doc files.

2. Will my music files for iTunes and other media files (not constrained to MS software) work on the Mac? I would hate to lose all my music, etc.

3. Does the MacBook run quietly & no colouring not fade if looked after?

My main uses are University work, web surfing, films & music. I would really appreciate some feedback .

 

1. Yes. It's all the same filetype. Occasionally the Mac version will give you some crud about compatibility, but is ok at fixing any major problems.

2. iTunes for Mac can convert .wma for .mp3 or .aac. Other than that, you can get Codecs for video files, or you can get VLC for Mac.

3. Runs pretty silently until fans come on, but even then they're not so bad.
A white MacBook will get grubby in some way, no matter how well you look after it. Pretty easy to wipe down and clean.

I still wouldn't switch to Apple. You can save a lot of money by getting the equivalent specs in a PC with Windows.

 

1. Aslong as you stick with Office, everything should be fine.

2. Yes they will. What fomats are they in?

3. It does run quite most of the time. If you stress it it will get loud but what computer wont? There will be some color fading/ changing whether you get the black or white, but you can get things like the shieldzone wrist wrest protector that wil help stop that.

 

The day I have to buy a wrist protector to preserve the colour on my laptop is the day I know I've made the wrong choice in notebook.

 

Like the dell with the crappy os you bought with it?


Anyway. I think you can back up your itunes library onto a external hard drive.

 

1 Yes, Microsoft office is available for mac, and so is openoffice (though another build neooffice is more popular.

2 Yes, as long as you have the right player for them

3. No. It gets quite noisy and it turns black / yellow very soon, especially the palmrest area.

I won't recommend anyone to buy a Macbook because of mac os x - don't limit your choices of hardware because of the software. The macbook is just overpriced - $1099 with a combo drive, 2 usb 2.0...Mac OS X does work, but far from what it claims. Beware Apple is really good at marketing

 

What crappy OS? Oh, you mean Vista? Yeah, sorted that. Because I don't use a Fisher-Price computer.

Anyway, I was making a point about the wrist protectors. Don't need them for my machine.

 

I think I'll take all of my mac advice from the guy with a crossed out Apple in his signature...

You got it backwards. You should get an Apple computer because you want the Mac OS.... It's what makes it a Mac.

What doesn't the Mac OS do again?

Since #1 is commented on enough, I'll move onto #2.
iTunes will play MP3, AIFF, WAV, MPEG-4, ACC, Apple Lossless. You can play OGG files (As well as others) if you have the plug-ins.

#3; I never noticed my brother's turning colours (And we are both guys that get dirty for a living), though he only had it for 3 months before it was stolen as well...

 

This is no longer a problem and a wrist guard isn't necessary. I own and know people who own first generation macbooks that doesn't have any fading issues.

 

Wow those are very strong words, this is strictly subjective territory so...I actually saw xps1330 while it is a good looking machine, the build quality was..... and if u compare your xps1530 which is PAINTED to ANODIZED macbook pro, xps has no chance. The rgument "you save more money in PC + windows" is no longer RELEVANT as the price difference is not as it used to be.

 

Exactly.


The macbooks have excellent build quality. The plastic and aluminum have both advantages and disadvantages.

 

You mean the guy who has been using Macs for 5 years? Ok.

EDIT: I'll make an addendum to this post, because I fear I'm becoming a little *too* abusive of the Mac community.
Make no mistake, the Apple can be a very good product. But I'm afraid I must disagree with Caveman. The price difference is still a huge factor is peoples' decisions.
Along with the choice of OS.
Yes, of course you can say that people can dual-boot, but why? If you want Windows, stick with a PC. It's cheaper.

 

Hey bro, I'm a university student and have absolutely no problem with macs. I find OSX to be much more practical when in a classroom setting (your word document doesnt have to take up the whole window and whatnot). Also stickies are a great way to remind you of assignments, exams, etc.

 

I couldn't agree more, If you want to stay with windows, there is no point in buying mac solely to run Windows. I think u first have to decide which OS you want.

 

The price difference isn't the main point, the main point is CHOICES. You can easily get exactly what you want for a PC, but not on a Mac, turns out you get it cheaper, and you love it more. Why PC doesn't run Mac OS X? not because PC sucks, but apple's strategy to force people buying Macs(O yes and apples use windows to advertise their macs as well, o and where's linux and other unix-like OS?)
I don't want people to make the same mistake as what I did

 

Most people have have used a Mac for 5 years don't hate it. Unless you're a gamer, most people get a huge "Wow, I can't believe I didn't use this sooner" feeling.

As for dual booting, some people need to use windows "once in a while". If you're using windows 100% of the time, you should get a PC, but if you use it once in a while for something (Gaming perhaps), and boot back to the Mac OS when you do your daily stuff, a Mac can be a good answer.

I use windows ONLY for testing purposes, and GPS navigation on my toughbook, and only because Linux doesn't offer a *good* GPS software package.

What mistake was that?

 

I think, most of the time, the people that publicly regrets having switched to Mac is people that switched for "marketing reasons", because Mac looked cool and that kind of stuff, instead of because they tried and thought about their needs. I totally agree, the main point about getting a Mac is Mac OS. If you don't like it, don't get a Mac, that's all. If you're not sure, try it and decide AFTER. But if you just get one because "ohhhh, looks coooool", and then you want to make it your unnoficial Xbox360, forget it. I'm really happy that I switched, three years ago now. I still use Windows (virtual machine) for some work stuff, because I have to, but I love Mac OS and it's perfect for my needs. As in politics, nothing is just black or white and I wouldn't trust much fanatics of either side. Lot of people in this forum will give you a very detached advice about switching to Mac. Listen to them and ignore the childish and grumpy comments.

DrPoi

 

But you do need resource hoggin virus software. O yea and a fresh re-install every year doesnt hurt. O and the fact that it will barely run with 1gig of ram.

 

For the things you want to do with your notebook computer, a macbook is a good choice that could fill all those needs, however, it depends on the OS you want to run and whether you want to use a new OS.

I, personally, found my macbook a very good investment, and it was worth every extra penny versus a notebook computer with better specs.

 

I disagree with your last statement. What if you want both? I wanted to use OS X as a main OS, but it's always good to not only be limited to OS X or vice versa. I want OS X, AND Windows, and an XPS just can't do that for me

The only use I have had for Windows so far anyway is gaming, and a non-watered-down msn for video chat. Everything else is done on Mac.

 

If Macs were more popular, you'd need virus protection software too.. It's not that viruses that infect OSX are impossible to make, just that no one bothers to make them.

 

Tell that to my Santa Rosa MacBook...

 

Lets keep it that way .We certainly do not want Apple to become ANOTHER MICROSOFT.

 

lol theyr worse than microsoft, at least everyone knows microsoft is a monster, but apple tries to be cute..

 

This is the kind of comment that I was talking about.

DrPoi

 

Yes, but most people don't want OS X as their main OS.
I'm pretty sure everyone wants an OS that can run on most PCs in the world.

 

Well, I disagree here. Most of Mac users (or wannabes) want OS X as their main OS. Otherwise, they stay with PC's. There's also the people that like Mac because of "the Apple touch" which, in my opinion, are mistaken if just want to go Mac cause it looks good.

DrPoi

 

I just say most people , and 93% = most, right?
(apple will say "all" for that case, remember apple saying 114000 viruses on PCs?)

 

Well, we're in an Apple forum, so my "all" refers to all the Mac users...

DrPoi

 

Why do they care if it runs on more computers? Compatibility isn't an issue anymore with most things. If you sent me ANY file, I could open it up on my Mac. I don't care if my boss uses Windows at home, or my cousin, or my neighbour... I've been happy with the Mac OS because I'm not a gamer, and every other need can be met easily. The BSD base is icing on that cake because it really lets me do everything.

So tell me how everybody wants to run the same OS as everybody else? You make it sound like the world is full of mindless sheep that can't think for themselves.

 

I mean an OS that is CAPABLE of running in most PCs, not the most popular OS

 

Again, why is that important?

 

Most people who have Windows have no choice in the matter. I know a lot of Windows users who dont really LIKE windows, just cant afford to get a Mac at the time.

@Moldy: It's not important. He's just trying to make a point, but doesn't realize everything he's saying makes no sense. lol.

 

so you can get a PC that suits you. say if you want a high-end 14" notebook, or a mid-range desktop without monitor, or a $500 computer with a 3850, you can never get it if you want mac os x

 

I respect your view, OS is more important than having hardware.
Perhaps I know too much about hardware to accept the "apple concept", and I am the "minority" who had a not-so-good experience with osx

 

Well, there are some compatibility issues between office for windows and office for mac. I usually use adobe pdf file for better result. Somehow office for mac will change the font and it will mess up. I do not know about office 2008 for mac, but office IV has this problem

 

Well, thumbs up on your comments anyway, man.

DrPoi

 

I know its already mainly died down, but I want to remind everyone to try and stay on topic please .

 

Just the fact of how your signature is done shows that you are not a creditable poster to help the OP. You are anti-Apple and Pro Dell. Drop your prejudices and help the OP rather than show your fanboysim.

 

If, if , if... we always get the "IF" thing. If Macs had more market share (which they do now) there would be viruses written for them (which there still aren't).
Well since no one bothers to make them that's a Deal Maker isn't it??? That's not a bad thing is it??

 

I guess it's all about the thrill of risking everything on your hard drive for those windows fanboys, hahaha.

 

The difference in why Macs don't get virii is pretty big. When anything critical is being installed, you have to grant permission in Mac OS X. This only happens with stuff that can affect system operation though. Vista makes an attempt to fix this, but it's a poor implementation.

With ActiveX and Internet Explorer, you also can get virii installed automatically without user input.

The other big difference is, you'd have to have a virus that could conquer BSD first if you wanted system wide destruction, which has never been done. Even so, when small exploits are found in BSD, they are patched quickly, and added to the next security update. So when every possible exploit is fixed within a month or two, it's hard for a virus to be well lived.

Just because there isn't a huge percentage of market share, there are still millions of Macs out there being used. Based on numbers from last fall, there are roughly 23 million Mac OS X users (Of all variants, 10.0-10.5), with more since then. Plus with all the antsy PC pushers, you'd figure one of them would want to cause chaos and unleash a mac virus.

Long story short, Get a Mac because you want it, and don't be discouraged by PC users telling you not to try it out. At the very least, go to an Apple store, and try one out in person.

There has to be a reason that Apple now covers 8.1% of the total computer marketshare in the United States, compared to two years ago when it was near 6%, and a few years ago it was only 2.2%. Compare that to other individual companies. Dell is now only at 14%.

Can't debate that.

 

www.ubuntu.com

 

Clean it, or try this. It shouldn't be happening.

 

Yeah, Ubuntu is great. This is why I say that Mac OS X will probably never be dominant, but Linux has a chance, if it gets its word out. Most people I know have never heard of Linux.

 

At least they try