Want to Get a MAC

I'm very close to getting a mac, I love the interface and I've heard they're alot less trouble than PCs.

I'm looking to spend somewhere between $1000 and $1500
I use it for: school work, internet browsing and doing various things online, watching movies/TV shows, listening to and at times recording music, downloading movies/music
I tend to do a lot of things at once so I'd like a laptop that can handle me doing that. Preferably one that will never crash or slow down.
I don't take the best care of my computers (sometimes downloading a bunch of things and not deleting them, becoming impatient and clicking a lot when it freezes etc.), so maybe that's something to take into consideration?
It would be cool if I could hook it up to my TV, but that isn't very important as I can buy an adapter.

I'm looking at the 13" macbook, would this be a good buy for me?

Is it true that macs slow down less and crash less than pcs of comparable price?

 

I own MCP as well as 2 pcs and the mac is great. The OS is the gem of the machine really fast and reliable. Go for it!! you will not regreat it.

 

Actually, Macs tend to cost more than PC counterparts of the same specs (or better specs, sometimes).

Here's what I think about Mac OS: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4390349&postcount=5

 

OP, I wouldn't take this post as truth. Go and make your own opinions about the OS if you can by checking out macs in a store or by using a friend's. You're asking this question on a mac forum, so of course everyone will tell you to get a mac (myself included). The beauty is that you don't need to beef up your specs to have OS X run faster - as in Vista - so the hardware you get is really a moot point unless you are into video editing. You are paying for the great operating system and though others may say its overpriced, I think it's fine...

 

I totally agree with fastrandstrongr, great job man! Of course if you get the beefed up specs with OS X, you are going to have a faster machine, but the stock specs are unbelievable! You won't know what hit you when you use a basic Apple stock configuration.

 

Cool thanks for the feedback.
As far as how often they crash, any difference between Macs and Pcs based on what I said I'll be using them for?

 

Have you actually read my post? Fully?

You "think" it's fine and are accusing me of lies for some odd reason. No lies included in the attached post... just an honest opinion that says that Mac OS is very nice. =/

SuperDayv, for your use, if you keep your computer well-protected (yes... there are Mac viruses... but very rare) you shouldn't experience crashing at all in either.

 

I wasn't trying to offend you in any way, so please don't take it that way. I'm just telling the OP to make his own opinion. I'm also pretty sure I never accused you of anything.

 

Don't know if this is an issue, but I usually use the laptop on my lap, is there any issue with Macs overheating or anything like?

Also I got the impression in other forums that Macs are a bit overpriced. Would I be able to get a significantly better pc for the price I'm willing to pay for a mac?

Another question, I'm planning to get a Macbook, are these alright? Or do all of the positives I've heard only pertain to the Macbook Pros?

Finally which version of the Macbook would fit my desires best?

Thank you all so much for the advice!

 

You'll probably be fine with the baseline version, if you decide for one.

Check out the Macbooks in person - the screens aren't all that nice, at least to quite a few people. Maybe you'll be fine with it, but many cheaper Windows 'tops have better screens...

What you can get with the same money depends on the price point... you can get a Lenovo IdeaPad U330, with very similar specs, and a few perks (HDMI port, OneKey system resoration, and such) for about 230 to 300 bucks less than a baseline Macbook.

All depends on your preference.

 

Is it just me, or the OP asking about macs? I dont see anywhere in his post about him thinkin about getting a pc over mac, or asking which is better. Enterknight, whats the point in coming into a mac thread, and then just saying, no dont get one, get a pc.
Whatever

Yea, OP if you an to get a similiarly speccd pc for less, but most of the things you listed about being the benefits of macs, dont apply to pcs(general statement..).



Yea the macbook will do everything you need it to do. Macs generally dont crash as often as windows machines, but sometimes if youre using some strange uncommon hardware, it can have fits. But generally theyre pretty stable. And although there are technically some viruses "out there", in all honesty, you probably wont get one until virus writers start thinking of macs as a decent platform for viruses, which isnt really happening right now.

But it looks like a mac will do everything you need it to do. If you really dont want osx, or the benefits (and possibly the downsides) to a mac, then get a pc.

 

I think it'd be fair to say you called him a liar.

 

I'm definitely looking forward to using the OSX. My only hang up now is the price. Part of me feels badly spending extra money when I can get the same specs on a PC for less. But then a larger part of me says that it is worth it for the bonuses a Mac can give me. When spending around $1500, could I get a PC that would be exorbitantly better than the Mac I could get with that money? Better enough to warrant not getting a mac? (When I say better I generally mean will not slow down and will not crash, and will let me do the things i want to do without stopping me.)

Thanks again!

 

Make sure you research all your peripherals work with your Mac.

I made the mistake of taking Apple's word for it when they screamed about how everything is "plug and play" on their "Get a Mac" ads.

I got a unibody Macbook in November and returned it in December for a lot of reasons. The display was kind of low quality for my needs (graphic design). It didn't work with my existing color laser printer despite using hacked firmware from Ghostscript/hjpts (sp?). Some keys started squeaking by the 3rd day despite light use. I needed a 30 dollar adapter to get it on my standard DVI 24" monitor, and even then, it experienced the infamous glitching problems. Don't get me wrong, the OS is a joy to use and I would prefer it to Windows any day. It was just that there was too many of these little things for the price that I paid that I decided to just stick with my old Dell desktop, and returned it within the 30 day window of MacConnection. If I was starting out completely from scratch with no peripherals, I would most likely go the Mac route. The only reason why I say "most likely" instead of "for sure" is because I have qualms about the price. Everyone here has valid arguments about OS X running on minimal computer specs, I'll give you that. However, since I work with extremely large Photoshop and Lightroom files, the 2.4GHz won't cut it.

 

OP... ignore all the HOO HAH over Windows. I am sure you are aware of Windows and about the macbook's specs compared to similar priced Windows machines... If it is the mac OS that appeals to you, then go for it. I would advise you try one out beforehand just to get a feel for what you will be working with. I do not have a mac myself so I can't really say anything about the operating system. But I hear it is much cleaner than Windows... and trust me I have had more than my fair share of problems with that OS, so that's why I am switching over to OS X as well.

 

The plastic mb just got upgraded today, if price is an issue, then perhaps these might be a better fit.
a

http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/

 

im shocked that this is still going on. i dont want to argue semantics but there's a difference between not being right and lying. i will concede the fact that i dont think the poster was right, but i certainly didnt call him a liar. now can we end this stupid nonsense, please?

 

Wow cool perfect timing!

I'm wondering, if I custmoize it so that the specs are the same is the only difference the casing?

 

No, the screen on the white is worse, it has more power-consuming RAM...

 

If you're going to spend a grand on the Macbook, then upgrade it, I'd think it'd almost just be worth it just to get the unibody one.

 

Not as if the AluBook's screen is much better. Also I doubt you will notice a difference in battery life between DDR2 and DDR3. DDR2 is much cheaper to upgrade too.

 

Anyone know if the price for the Aluminum Macbook is going to drop anytime soon? Also I heard about some sort of student discount, anyone know?

 

Yea theres student discount if you are in university/college. Highschool students dont get it though. Probably not dropping in price anytime soon.

 

Any idea how much the discount is?

 

The 2.0GHz processor is $1249, and the 2.4GHz is $1499 with the student discount.

 

Is that USD? Would be nice if it was canadian Dollars.

 

That would be US

 

Just a note: in terms of crashes, I notice that programs crash more in OS X than in Vista for me in general. Particularly web browsers and Office applications. But the OS itself experiences no slow down over time like Vista, so it needs to be restarted less often.

On an average, I would say OS X and Vista are fairly equal in terms of stability now. When Vista was new, it crashed a lot more. Similarly OS X 10.5.5 crashed a lot more, while 10.5.6 doesn't seem to crash much at all. They're both pretty solid in their current states.

 

Actually, that's incorrect. Not only do high school students get the discount, anybody that buys online can get it. You don't have to show any kind of ID or even select a school. You can just select homeschooled if you want.

 

As far as the screen goes, it isn't really that bad for the average user. It has a crappy vertical viewing angle, horizontal is ok. Color and contrast will please an average user.

People who do intricate color work obviously will have some issues with it. But your everyday user who surfs the web, watches movies, does school work & plays a game or two, should be quite satisfied with the screen. It's quite bright and has a lot of contrast, which for a layperson, makes it a pleasing screen.

 

Last time I checked, they ask which university/college you go to, and your student number. I guess you could put in fake info, because they dont actually seem to check it.

Although, this is on the canadian apple store. It used to be the same in the states, but maybe its changed recently.

 

pro:
looks good*clean not black*

good for picking up chicks*chick: oh its a mac, you: oh yeah...sure is, let me show you photo booth. Chick: wow...so nice. You: give me ur email so i can send the pics to you!! score one for you!!!*

great user interface*to me*

Online security & off line

a lot of free stuff online, cool stuff.

Less Crash*for me at less*

Down:
cost a lot, everything apple COST A LOT

Less Game

HOT!!! for laptops....but good for winter.

not enough USB ports.

 

Guys please stay on topic. And please do not convert this thread in another flame war(again) otherwise it will get closed soon. Some posts have been deleted.

Thank you.