May Return MacBook Pro 13"

I was debating for a few weeks between purchasing a Thinkpad T420 or a Macbook Pro 13" and I ended up deciding on the Mac. I need it for a sales business I am starting.

I used a Elitebook previously and I can't seem to adjust the new Mac.

Dislikes:
- seems awkward or slippery when on lap, like its going to fall off
- I heard good things about the track pad but I think I preferred having the buttons seperate from the pad on the HP
- accounting software for business is rare for the Mac and what is available is so expensive it makes you walk weird
- looked for a hard case to cover the Mac and every case I have found has reviews indicating they scratch the aluminum
- Outlook appears to be a much better for mail

I purchased it from Future Shop so I have a few days left on their 15 return policy.

I'm beginning to see why most people choose Windows. Apple seems like it is only good for design and looks but is not suitabe for business.

I wanted ask how much time it took many of you to get comfortable with the Macbook Pro?

Anyone using it in a business environment?

 

1. It can be. To help with that, see point #4.

2. With the track pad, it seems most people either love it or hate it. I'm indifferent to be honest, since I prefer a mouse regardless. All the swoopy, fruity finger gestures might be useful for some people, I honestly never bothered with them.

3. I found myself spending a lot more on software for my Mac, and quite often even the paid versions of Mac software is inferior to what is available for free on Windows. IMHO, Mac software developers seem to spend more time polishing the -appearance- of their software as opposed to actually focusing on stability and usability.

4. Speck shells are great, as long as you're careful putting them on. The tabs that hold the shell portions on are quite flimsy. In regards to point #1, get a Seethru SATIN shell. These are grippy and are far easier to hold on to.

5. Office for Mac 2011 has Outlook included, although (IMHO) it is inferior to the Windows version.

These are just my opinions though. I'm debating selling my 2010 15", since I have come to realize that I just don't think I'm gelling with the whole Mac 'experience' and walled garden.

 

Thanks for your comments.

I checked for software before making my decision but I didn't realize that the software I found was not on par with Windows versions. Like Quickbooks for Mac and Outlook for Mac, very disappointing.

As for cases, seems like there are really only 2 popular makes on the market both of which scratch the Mac aluminum.

I am really starting to be convinced that Apple is for designers, students, people browsing at Starbucks or people who want another computer in addition to their Windows system.

I'm hoping someone using it for business will chime in!

 

I run my entire insurance business on Mac and I use Outlook 2011 daily. While I will agree that Quickbooks may be better on Windows, Outlook for Mac is very much on par with the 2010 Windows version. I don't have any idea what you're taking about. I would be a lot more helpful if you explained your issues rather than just saying the Mac versions of software are very disappointing. That says nothing.
But I can you're already convinced by someone that has already agreed with you so my point is probably moot.

 

I don't think I stand alone when I say Outlook is not on par with Windows. Majority of reviews indicate most have had problems even with 2011.

As for Quickbooks, it is not just better on Windows but it is simply different.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Mac but how can you argue the fact that there are very few business oriented programs for it and that in many cases software designers through together something that does not have has many functions as the Windows version.

Are you using any CRM software?

 

Wow, defensive much?

 

Previous versions of Mac office sucked but Office 2011 is getting amazing reviews. I have both a Windows machine with Office 2010 and Macs with Office 2011 and Outlook is very much the same on both platforms. You haven't even said what was wrong with Outlook on the Mac? You sound more agitated that I've had positive experiences with Outlook. I'm not alone either with people actually liking the whole Microsoft Office 2011 suite on Mac.

All I told him was Outlook 2011 for Mac is quite on par with the Windows version and I even agreed with him that Quickbooks was better on Windows and he took that a step further saying it was completely different and then I get this overly defensive response from him but you're insulting me. Shouldn't expect much from here.

 

I am not sure why "Outlook is better for mail" is a dislike? Outlook is available on Mac.

 

outlook is a clunky cumbersome program at best mac and windows. Why people still insist on using it in an era where 3rd party desktop e-mail clients (which are becoming obsolete imho) are thinner, lighter, and more streamlined than ever before beyond me.

The rest of your complaints are probably justified for your experience though. If you're unhappy, return it right away. No sense trying to live with it... no sense eating the cost of that kind of purchase.

 

i've switched from Lenovo W510 to Macbook Pro 15 with relative ease.

The trackpad issue...you get used to no buttons pretty quick. Took me a week or two, and now buttons feel awkward. And apple's trackpad is really the best i've ever used.

As for windows programs, I run Parallels and have a separate boot camp partition. I use a bunch of software which doesnt have a Mac version, and it works very well with virtualization and if i really need native windows I restart and boot into boot camp (same windows install runs vitualized).

Can't comment on outlook, because I use gmail for all of my email needs.

The only thing about Macbook that still drives me nuts is the lack of proper delete key. Having to hit Fn^Backspace to delete really gets on my nerves.

But overall hardware wise, Macbooks are really the best right now. Nobody so far matched the power, battery life and screen quality in such a sleek light package.

As for cases, I dont use one. My wife has had an original Aluminum (pre-Pro) Macbook which held up very well over 2 and a half years of use. Just don't drop it, because it will dent.

 

There really shouldnt be that hard of a choice — if you dont like it, just get something else and it seems like you are trying to convince yourself to keep using a mac.

As for my experience — only thing i really NEED is photoshop and since it worked just like on win my transition was absolutely painless.

I dont know how your business works but i cant imagine that there is nothing that can organize your mail good enough on mac.

 

I kind of like the clean bottom. I can lay it on bed without worrying about clogging the vents.

I am one of those who love the Mac track pad.

I use both MacOS and Linux, but when it comes to available software, Windows is still Windows.

I do not see the point of buying a hard case... I just slip mine into a Capdase "pouch".

Cannot comment, I have been using Gmail online since 2004.

I took two-three days adjust to mine. If you are not happy after ten, return it.

My 2 cents.

 

I have quite a lot of close friends using macs so i can speak for them:

Media artists got used instantly.
3d modellers — installed windows instantly.
Story writers are usually happy at first but then start moaning for 1 to 3 months because "word is bad and incompatible". Then they find some workarounds.
Project managers — within 1-2 days (but they also use gmail for all the mail and some web-project management systems). Then they start complaining that their movies doesnt play good enough on QuickTime, then they find proper drivers or get vlc (at least that happened on old Leo). Then they may also complain about word some.
CEO — rather happy. Once he knew how to print screen certain area of the screen he loved the mac. Also loved keynote and other stuff but he was more like "its your Word is incompatible, not mine!"

 

I'm not sure why the 3d modellers you know jumped ship on the mac... Maya and blender both work perfectly well in mac os x.

 

Apparently they still use 3dsmax as well.

 

well, 3d modelers who aren't stuck on 3dsmax should have no problem switching to any OS. Maya and blender are both industry standard proprietary and foss, respectively, and are cross platform win/mac/linux

 

Honestly, it really depends on how your mind works.

If your mind tends to work better in MacOS mode, then a mac makes sense.
If it works better in Windows mode, the is no reason whatsoever to own a Mac.

The sheer fact that Macs are massively overpriced for what they give you makes it extremely wasteful to have one if you aren't using it for the most expensive feature in the package. (the ability to use macOS)

 

when you say about macs being overpriced i assume you compare it to something? Enlighten us — what other system gives you virtually virus immunity? None. This feature alone is enough to justify mac cost for any sort of business.

In before "but windows can have anti-viruses and fire walls" — those are updated for a reason. And this reason is people getting screwed with the old version. I dont want to be part of this for example.

 

Edited earlier post.

 

Closed for obvious reasons.