What type of Mac/Apple laptop should I buy? And When?

3 Comments

1. sally says:

   September 8, 2009 at 6:04 pm

   i say it’s between 1 and 2.
   the macbook air is just a toy. i was on a flight home when i saw a man step on his macbook air and it snapped in half. yeah, stepping on it is not a good idea. but it doesn’t even have a slot for cd’s. it’s not worth it.

   I have a macbook. i recommend it 100 percent. it still runs just as fast as the day i’ve gotten it and it’s been almost 2 years. the macbook pro DOES have all of those fancy features (try holding your hands over the speakers next to the keyboard…the screen dims! ) but in reality, it’s kind of unnecessary.

   i say macbook, 100%.

   i also have an ipod touch and it’s AMAZZINGGGGG. this is a great deal!
2. Mr. Pop/Rock/Country/R&B says:

   September 8, 2009 at 6:04 pm

   Mac is the best for you. A macbook does better than the basics. Get 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 250 GB Hard Drive trust me you will need it. With these specs you wont be out dated in 4 years or so. If you want your laptop to last for more than 5 years get a macbook pro 2.26 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive. BTW if you have an itunes account, you can use that account to buy a mac online.Free shipping.
3. Substance over Style says:

   September 8, 2009 at 6:04 pm

   I would really suggest goirg for the PC (even with the deals you can get a much better spec PC) but 1 first, then 2 second never go for 3.
   Here are reasons why I say PC.

   PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
   Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..

   Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn’t as secure as you think..

   Don’t believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.

   A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,

   If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.

   Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?

   I say: NO… for the following reasons…

   ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :
   Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.
   1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don’t have a legitimate copy of Windows.
   2) Supports more devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).
   3) More business software/games
   4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
   5) Used by businesses.

   ADVANTAGES LINUX :
   1) FREE (most versions are)
   2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)
   2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore….
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
   3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE
   4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet
   5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)

   Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
   Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm

   SECURITY
   Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.
   Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.
   Please Note: All OS’s have vulnerabilities.
   http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm
   http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html
   http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html
   http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml

   VIRUSES
   Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".
   http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005
   http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html
   http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/

   QUALITY/PROBLEMS
   Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.

   Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.
   http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html
   http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/
   http://www.appledefects.com/
   http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html
   http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/reliable-laptops.jpg

   Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
   With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
   IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.

   PRICE
   A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)

   **(LAPTOP)
   Dell Inspiron Laptop Starting Price: $500
   Ending Price: $500
   15" Screen
   CPU: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [5% slower]
   Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD [Not as good/fine for general use[
   Memory: 3GB DDR2 SDRAM [75% of ram)
   Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (same)
   http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndozm4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-1545

   Cybperpower Notebook Xplorer X5-2900 Starting Price: $755
   Ending Price After upgrades (not including 5% rebate): $860
   15" Screen
   CPU: (upgrade to) 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (+$100) [FASTER]
   Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9600-GT 512MB [MUCH FASTER/BETTER CARD]
   Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM [MORE MEMORY]
   Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (+$5) [LARGER HARD DRIVE]
   http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X5-2900_Notebook/detail

   Macbook Starting laptop Price: $1000
   Ending Price After Upgrades: $1200
   13" Screen (SMALLER)
   CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SLOWER)
   Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9400 256MB
   Memory: (upgrade to) 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (SAME)
   Hard Drive (upgrade to) 320B Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)
   http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC240LL/A?mco=NjcxMTQ3Ng

   **(DESKTOP)

   PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac’s vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don’t think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.

   PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple’s low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.

   Dell: ($700)
   CPU: 2.33 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
   SCREEN: 20inch Screen
   MEMORY: 4GB Ram
   HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive
   OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
   GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 512MB
   http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dddwra4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=desktop-inspiron-537s

   The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal… The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.

   IMac ($1300)
   CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
   SCREEN: 20inch Screen
   MEMORY: (upgrade to) 4GB Ram (SAME)
   HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 320 GB hard Drive (LESS HARD DRIVE)
   OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
   GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (APPROX SAME BUT LESS MEMORY GAPHICS)
   http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB417LL/A?mco=NDE4Mzg3Ng

   Equivalents to ILife
   http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html
   http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518

   FREE Windows Stuff
   http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html
   http://www.iobit.com/
   http://www.ccleaner.com/
   ANTI-VIRUS
   Avira Antivir (FREE) for 2009 personal edition is free (there is a paid version) the free version was rated the best by consumer reports 2009.
   http://www.free-av.com/ Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/

   ANTI-MALWARE
   Windows Defender (FREE)
   http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
   Malware Bytes (FREE) Limitation – No Realtime protection on free version.
   http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol
   Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)
   http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol

   LINUX INFO:
   http://distrowatch.com/
   http://polishlinux.org/
   http://www.desktoplinux.com/
   http://polishlinux.org/
   http://www.ubuntu.com/