Laptop: Macbook or Dell?

[Stumpy 284]

OK - actually looking at it more closely, a macbook may fit the needs better than the pro. What would i use in terms of functionality? (the fact that it is smaller is a GOOD thing)

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[freekflyguy 0]

Well lets see??

Do you have an iPod?? If so iTunes
Do you fly camera? If so iMovie
Do you have a digital stills camera? If so iPhoto
Do you film tandems? If so iDVD
Do you like to make music? If so Garageband
Do you like to make web pages? If so iWeb
Do you like to watch DVD's, listen to music, or look at your photo's? If so then Frontrow

I would recommend signing up to .mac and using Mail for email.

If you have other freinds that have .mac accounts then you can use iChat which rocks.

If you use Skype then the built in iSight is cool for video conf.

And to top it all off.

If you get a new intel Mac then if you really need to and cant find a Mac program to do it then you can always reboot your Mac into WindowsXP and enjoy windows running better than you could imagine on a PC.

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

[Stumpy 284]

Sorry - that was a mistake - my question was MEANT to say - what would i LOSE in terms of functionality over the pro!!! lol

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[quack 0]

It's like buying a vehicle. There are those that argue for certain features, and others that just want a certain look, colour, or what's trendy.

Both Macs and some PC's (Lenovo, Lenovo ) are great, depending on what you want to use them for. I had a Mac (very long time, so I won't even post what it was), have been using IBM for 6 years. Problems? Yeah, a few. But even a Bentley has problems, and I don't consider my inconveniences on an IBM / Lenovo to be so bad.

I'm also looking for a new laptop, and those that I know with the MacBook have commented that there are some programs they can't run, or download something, or whatever. What these users are having trouble with is exactly what I want to avoid, so I choose a Windows system.

The point is, buy something for what you are going to use it for. Not because of price or trends. Macs aren't anymore expensive than an equally functional [other] laptop. In the end you get what you pay for.

But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

[Stumpy 284]

Quote

It's like buying a vehicle. There are those that argue for certain features, and others that just want a certain look, colour, or what's trendy.

Both Macs and some PC's (Lenovo, Lenovo ) are great, depending on what you want to use them for. I had a Mac (very long time, so I won't even post what it was), have been using IBM for 6 years. Problems? Yeah, a few. But even a Bentley has problems, and I don't consider my inconveniences on an IBM / Lenovo to be so bad.

I'm also looking for a new laptop, and those that I know with the MacBook have commented that there are some programs they can't run, or download something, or whatever. What these users are having trouble with is exactly what I want to avoid, so I choose a Windows system.

The point is, buy something for what you are going to use it for. Not because of price or trends. Macs aren't anymore expensive than an equally functional [other] laptop. In the end you get what you pay for.

Sorry this is the problem i have. Hardware wise, the equivalent mac IS 500 quid more. and i haven't spent 500 quid on PC software.
The thing is - i'm not anti mac, completely the opposite in fact, i really want, but just can't afford one. I am currently moving to Linux on my desktop which is still reasonably painful due to having to learn and understand slightly technical bits and pieces, but i think its the way forward in the long run
Having said that - the standar macbook is looking quite attractive hence my other question.....

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[freekflyguy 0]

Over the new Core 2 Duo 15.4, you loose out on a Firewire 800 port and the Express card/34 slot.

That is other than processor speed and max ram.

I have the Core Duo 15.4 that doesnt have FW800 and I havent missed it.

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

[Stumpy 284]

Probably a stupid Q - but does 800 double the speed?

So i could still run windows apps on it and all that jazz?
Does photoshop run well on them?

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[quack 0]

Yeah, it's a tough decision when you're spending lots of dough on something.

As for functionality, it's seriously worth sacrificing somewhere and getting the pro. There's a reason they cost more - they do more. Day to day things may not be noticeable, but in the end you will be happier.

But you have to understand, mental illness is like cholesterol. There is the good kind and the bad. Without the good kind- less flavor to life. - Serge A. Storms

[freekflyguy 0]

Photoshop CS (Mac) runs very well under Rosetta as there is no Universal version yet.

Photoshop CS (PC) runs better in Windows on My Mac than it did on my desktop.

I believe that FW800 is double the speed, but not having used it I dont really know what the benefits are.

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

[jcd11235 0]

Quote

Probably a stupid Q - but does 800 double the speed?

So i could still run windows apps on it and all that jazz?
Does photoshop run well on them?

Yes, FW 800 should be twice as fast as FW400. Currently there aren't too many peripherals utilizing FW800. FW400 is typically faster than USB 2.2 anyway.

You can still run Windows apps. Boot Camp allows you to boot up on Windows. Parallels allows you to open Windows in a new Window while running OS X.

Photoshop is available as Mac software, so there is no need to use Windows to run it.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[bazelos 0]

I don't think it's much of a speed issue, I think it's the firewire being less of a hassle to the cpu as it has it's own controller, whereas the usb needs to be checked with the cpu first. I think

In any way, if you can get usb drives, that would be cool, you can daisy chain them and have something like 40 hard disks on one firewire port!

He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.

[Casurf1978 0]

Macbook pro if you can afford it. Screw Dell. I made the switch to Macs about a year ago and love it. All I have to say about Macs are they just work. I'm not rebooting ever freaking hour, no virus update software, no windows crap. It just works. Yes they are pricey but I'm willing to pay it for something that works and youre not spending endless hours trying to figure out why the PC you just bought wont play the video you just downloaded or the song you purchased. My mom didn't listen to my advice and went ahead with a dell. She bought it last week with virus software and all that security crap, well today she had to call Geeks Online because it cant access her wireless network and when plugged into the router IE wont open.

[murrays 0]

Quote

I would recommend signing up to .mac and using Mail for email.

If you have other freinds that have .mac accounts then you can use iChat which rocks.

I'd pass on .Mac if you only want e-mail. It's great for synchronizing address books and appointments on different Macs which is why I pay the freight for it.

For using iChat you can sign up for a trial .Mac membership and get your .mac id for using iChat. When the trial period runs out you can still use iChat. iChat is great for video chats!

--
Murray

"No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

[FlyingJ 0]

Damn people! I've been so broke for the last couple years that I've had no problem squashing my urge to get a Macbook. Finally making a decent wage again and had hoped to make a few other more important purchases/payments before getting a new computer but it only took me reading the first couple pages of this thread to have a new Macbook sitting in my Apple shopping cart. I think it might have to sit there for just a little while longer, but I don't think those other purchases/payments are going to happen before I get the new computer!

...naaahhhh...

Killing threads since 2004.

[murrays 0]

Enjoy your new macBook!!

I'm torn between a MacBook and a new iMac...I'd like the portability but I'd also like the larger HD, etc. It will have to wait until after the Xmas bills are paid but I won't be waiting too long.

--
Murray

"No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

[FlyingJ 0]

Quote

Enjoy your new macBook!!

I'm torn between a MacBook and a new iMac...I'd like the portability but I'd also like the larger HD, etc. It will have to wait until after the Xmas bills are paid but I won't be waiting too long.

I've always had a desktop with an occasional 2nd hand (aka $50 from ebay) laptop. I'm really looking forward the portability. Plus, I'm not sure how large the iMac HDs are, but you can get up to 200G with the laptops.

Killing threads since 2004.

[skymedic 0]

Quote

For using iChat you can sign up for a trial .Mac membership and get your .mac id for using iChat. When the trial period runs out you can still use iChat. iChat is great for video chats!

You don't need a .mac account to run iChat. All you need is an AIM screen name. it works great for my wife, daughter, and I. Also it will still allow you to do the video conferencing as long as your other person has .Mac. you can also talk with up to three people as long as they have OS X Tiger.

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[skymedic 0]

I just installed a 120gig on my Mac book and it took a grand total of 5 minutes to install.......and then an hour or so to reinstall all my software. etc.


they do make it ultra easy with the mac book to swap in a new one.

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[FlyingJ 0]

So Robby - did you decide on a Macbook vs. Dell?

I've spent the last three days playing with my brother's Macbook and I'm totally sold. As soon as I can piece together the money I'm there!

Killing threads since 2004.

[Stumpy 284]

I take it it is an easy enough job to upgrade the RAM in a macbook/ macbook pro after buying it?

Thanks

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[freekflyguy 0]

Its a piece of piss to upgrade the RAM in a MacBook Pro.

Its a little harder to upgrade the HDD but I managed to put a 120 Gb in mine in about 20 minutes, and that was going real slow.

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

[Stumpy 284]

Excellent cheers, think i am going to swallow the cost and get one, but to reduce initial blow a little bit i am just going to get 1gb RAM - will keep me going for a month or so!

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[jumpwally 0]

Its as simple as, Do you want a BMW or a Ford ? Its a $ choice for most folks,but what do you really want?

smile, be nice, enjoy life
FB # - 1083

[howardwhite 6]

Quote

Photoshop CS (Mac) runs very well under Rosetta as there is no Universal version yet.

True, but if you own a legit copy of Photoshop CS2 you can get the free public beta version from Apple. It screams on any Intel Mac and has a great new selection tool, among many other goodies.
HW

[Opie 0]

"Internet explorer has incurred a problem and needs to shut down. We're sorry for any inconvience."

I got a new dell 1505 about 10 days ago, hate to think about how many times I've seen the above already, jeese you would think microsoft would have this stuff figured out by now!

Duuuude I wish I'd gotten a MacBook