Macbooks

[CapriiRecords]

So I'm really fed up with Dell. One of my work laptops is a redheaded step child and of course, it's 2 months out of warranty with Dell.

I'm thinking of just switching over to a Mac and being done with it. I know there is a huge culture clash, blah blah. I know very little about Macs so here are my questions.

I've been told that processing power goes much further with a Mac. Therefore - I can get a 2.4 ghz dual core, 4gb, 250gb Mac, and it's going to take me further than an equal spec PC version. I will not use it for gaming or anything like that - basically only for work applications - which are pretty much a few small legal document programs and writing, not intense.... and maybe some minimal video editing.

I've been told Macs have far less problems with hardware failure.

I've been told Apple customer service is far superior to companies like Dell.

I've been told Mac resale is way higher - which eBay seems to support.


That's the end of what I've been told that I can think of right now.

 

[EverquestBB]

My 2cp

From my perspective, most of what you are saying is true. But it does not change the fact that most anything I want to do, I cannot do on a mac. Coupled with the fact that they cost more than twice as much I have never seriously considered switching.

To illustrate my point:

The macbook you described retails for $1,100 on Apple's site.

A PC laptop with the similar (or better) stats on Tigerdirect is $430 (probably under $400 in the next few weeks).

For my money, if it is really just about dependability, just buy an extended warranty and get the PC. If you like the culture and status and stylng of a mac then it is hard to boil it down to money, but in three years when the extended warranty runs out you can replace the PC and still have spent less money overall than you would have on your three year old Apple.

 

[CapriiRecords]

Yea, doesn't have anything to do with culture and status.

Can you be more specific on what you cannot do on a Mac? I was under the impression that there are now very few applications that cannot run on Macs, with the exceptions being smaller software programs for specific industry applications.

 

[EverquestBB]

EQ baby

Yea, doesn't have anything to do with culture and status.

Can you be more specific on what you cannot do on a Mac? I was under the impression that there are now very few applications that cannot run on Macs, with the exceptions being smaller software programs for specific industry applications.

Mostly EQ. Let's face it - that is why most of us are here. But I also use QuickBooks extensively in my accounting practice and that does not run on a mac (well it does but it will not talk to the PC versions that my clients use). I have also had some trouble running some real estate software on my macbook air (and a lot of business software still does not have a mac platform). Office applications are mostly a wash anymore, but the the way you navigate on a macbook is going to take some re-training.

The re-training difference cannot be understated for me at least. I am fairly stubborn and like to think of myself as somewhat computer savy but even just trying to find a file on my macbook is tedious (although I have not really invested the time I should). Basically, my macbook is a really thin and pretty paper weight and my clients ooh and ah at it, but despite its size I never take it anywhere.

In the end, I cannot see spending money on a device that won't run EQ when I could spend less on a better device that will.

I know there are (or used to be) "Windows mode" macbooks, too - but to me that defeats the point.

 

[CapriiRecords]

Yea, I play EQ so little any more I just use my desktop for it.

What real estate software do you have issues with? I do have some contract software that's based off of QES - although I haven't checked to see if that will have a conflict.

 

[EverquestBB]

RE Software

Yea, I play EQ so little any more I just use my desktop for it.

What real estate software do you have issues with? I do have some contract software that's based off of QES - although I haven't checked to see if that will have a conflict.

Zipforms stuff that I create on the mac cannot be opened on the PC (the pdf can but not the actual data). I have also had some issues with Paragon (the online MLS software) due to what they are calling browser compatability problems. I am guessing I could find a workaround for both of these, but I gave up rather quickly after it took me 15 minutes to even figure out where Apple parks the program files.

 

[rob]

Can you be more specific on what you cannot do on a Mac?

Right click.

 

[Rasmussenn]

Can you be more specific on what you cannot do on a Mac?

Right click.

I'm on a Mac and I'm right clicking just fine

It's all in whatever mouse you choose. And any mouse will work. Right click and all.

I do everything on my Macs. Including play EQ.

My desktop is an iMac 24" with a 3.08 C2D processor, 512MB nVidia Video and 1TB HD. I run a 200GB Win7 partition for the 'must run in WinBlows' apps and do the rest in OS X

I also have a 13" MacBook Pro 2.4 C2D with an nVidia M330 video card. It runs EQ just as well as my Sony Vaio F Series with a i7-QM740. The MacBook has a 120GB SSD boot drive and is up and running from a cold boot before you even realize it was turned on.

Only thing the Sony can do the Macs can't is play BluRay disks without any add on hardware. Oh and it picks up viruses easier

 

[CapriiRecords]

Yea, I just went and got one today. Googled right click - you can do it with any mouse, as well as the track pad. We'll see if I run into software snags, my tech guy says I'll have no issues. Time will tell.

 

[mjtizzle21]

I'm on a Mac and I'm right clicking just fine

It's all in whatever mouse you choose. And any mouse will work. Right click and all.

I do everything on my Macs. Including play EQ.

My desktop is an iMac 24" with a 3.08 C2D processor, 512MB nVidia Video and 1TB HD. I run a 200GB Win7 partition for the 'must run in WinBlows' apps and do the rest in OS X

I also have a 13" MacBook Pro 2.4 C2D with an nVidia M330 video card. It runs EQ just as well as my Sony Vaio F Series with a i7-QM740. The MacBook has a 120GB SSD boot drive and is up and running from a cold boot before you even realize it was turned on.

Only thing the Sony can do the Macs can't is play BluRay disks without any add on hardware. Oh and it picks up viruses easier

But can you do all this for anywhere near similar pricing?

 

[devestator]

So I'm really fed up with Dell. One of my work laptops is a redheaded step child and of course, it's 2 months out of warranty with Dell.

I'm thinking of just switching over to a Mac and being done with it. I know there is a huge culture clash, blah blah. I know very little about Macs so here are my questions.

I've been told that processing power goes much further with a Mac.

Not true, just cause it's a mac doesn't make the same spec processor work better. This is just people on the apple bandwagon spreading false rumors to try and make macs seem superior.

Therefore - I can get a 2.4 ghz dual core, 4gb, 250gb Mac, and it's going to take me further than an equal spec PC version. I will not use it for gaming or anything like that - basically only for work applications - which are pretty much a few small legal document programs and writing, not intense.... and maybe some minimal video editing.

I've been told Macs have far less problems with hardware failure.

Possibly on a pure number basis, but on a % basis I doubt it would hold true, but honestly I don't know. There are less macs than pcs out there in the world.. if you have more of something it is going to appear to have more problems due to a greater sampling.

I've been told Apple customer service is far superior to companies like Dell.

Hahahahahahahahahaha.......

...

bahahahahahahahaha
...

Completely and utterly false

I've been told Mac resale is way higher - which eBay seems to support.

uhh... yeah it's more expensive up front so used ones are going to sale for more than a used pc.... It doesn't retain value any better.

That's the end of what I've been told that I can think of right now.

Now with all that said, mac does make some good hardware. But they are no better or worse than a PC. You can have just as many problems from a mac as you can with your pc. But you are paying an extreme premium to get the same spec on a mac as you would a pc.

Put it this way, my friend was starting to buy into all the lies and propaganda about macs like you seem to be. So I looked up the prices on the closest macbook to his current laptop, it cost twice what he paid for his laptop and wasn't quite as good spec wise, but was the closest thing they had.

Then take into account Apple's horrid attitude (they are the Nazi's of the computer world), and their terrible support (they will actually ignore you if they feel you did something you shouldn't have), a mac is not worth it to me.

Dev

 

[Rasmussenn]

But can you do all this for anywhere near similar pricing?

My Sony Viao F Series retails for $1795

A similarly equipped MBP 15 retails for $1900

My MBP 13 sold for $1299 The similarly equipped Asus I had prior to the Viao retailed for $1100 at NewEgg

So the answer is yes. I can.

The prices you're quoting for laptops and desktops are misleading. Compare apple and apples (no pun intended) Tiger Direct is closeout merchandise. Not truly current inventory.

Sure Apple is a bit pricier than a PC but the build quality is much better, the screens are excellant, the overall 'look and feel' is superior.

it's like saying "Why pay $75k for a Mercedes when I can get a Kia for $15k." At least compare prices on a similar quality machine. A Dell, Sony, something other than Acer or HP.

 

[devestator]

Just for a price / feature comparison, on bestbuy.com

PC:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...lack/1245308.p?id=1218240958342&skuId=1245308

Closest Mac:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple&#...inum/9911575.p?id=1218193867681&skuId=9911575

Video card is a full generation older and has 768mb less video memory, 1 inch smaller screen, 2gb less memory, 140 gb smaller hdd..
Oh yeah.. and the Sony has Blu-ray... where the Mac doesn't because apple has something against blu-ray and does not play right now to include it in any of their machines.

Yet it costs 900 dollars more, ridiculous.

 

[Rasmussenn]

Hahahahahahahahahaha.......

...

bahahahahahahahaha
...

Completely and utterly false

Well, define customer support.

When I call Apple for support I talk to someone who speaks English, based in the US. Or I can take my machine into an APple store and be helped right then and there. I've never had an issue with getting support for any of my Apple products. Not my macs, and not even my hacked to within an inch of it's life (Jailbroken, unlocked, fully loaded with hacked apps) iPhone (the one I dropped in the toilet, dried out and brought in to be replaced with a dead screen) The techs in the store looked at it, chuckled a bit, put it in a box to send back to Cupertino (or wherever dead Apples go) and handed me a new one. In and out of the store in 20 minutes.

When I used to call Dell on the other hand, I was routed to somewhere in India where if the question wasn't on the cue card the operator had i didn't get an answer. And when I had to send the machine in for service I had to pack it, mail it and wait.... and wait..... and wait.....

Dev, do you even OWN an Apple product?

Or are you just jumping on the Anti-Apple bandwagon without any first hand experience?

 

[devestator]

Hahahahahahahahahaha.......

...

bahahahahahahahaha
...

Completely and utterly false

Well, define customer support.

When I call Apple for support I talk to someone who speaks English, based in the US. Or I can take my machine into an APple store and be helped right then and there. I've never had an issue with getting support for any of my Apple products. Not my macs, and not even my hacked to within an inch of it's life (Jailbroken, unlocked, fully loaded with hacked apps) iPhone (the one I dropped in the toilet, dried out and brought in to be replaced with a dead screen) The techs in the store looked at it, chuckled a bit, put it in a box to send back to Cupertino (or wherever dead Apples go) and handed me a new one. In and out of the store in 20 minutes.

When I used to call Dell on the other hand, I was routed to somewhere in India where if the question wasn't on the cue card the operator had i didn't get an answer. And when I had to send the machine in for service I had to pack it, mail it and wait.... and wait..... and wait.....

Dev, do you even OWN an Apple product?

Or are you just jumping on the Anti-Apple bandwagon without any first hand experience?

I used to have a macbook a couple years ago, I own an iPod now and am considering buying an iPad. Will probably buy an iPad after New Year's if there is not a descent android tablet out yet. The only reason I'm considering android over the iPad there is because I want to be able to easily and freely develop my own apps for it without having to worry about getting approval from the compunazi's.

You said before compare similar products..

Dell is a fraking joke. That company is one of the WORSE pc companies in existance today. It used to be great when they first started and had employees that actually cared about their product. Now it's just another sucky company.

Sony is the only laptop manufacturers that I still consider having a high level of service. When I call them I've never gotten someone that didn't speak english and sound like it was their first language. I've never had to return something to Sony so can't comment about that.

HP is ok, but I don't care much for them. Haven't owned on in 8 years so no clue what their support is like these days.

Acer / Asus are your low end cheap systems. And both are going to direct you to some foreign country for support. But they also sale the same technology for much cheaper. I feel Acer quality is a little higher than Asus though when it comes to laptops. Asus is still the king of the motherboard world imo though.

EDIT:
In fairness, I will agree that generally now days, apple's do have far superior screens.

 

[jodwop]

Just to pipe in here real quick... I completely recommend Toshiba for laptops. I still have mine from 1999 and it runs np to this day. Has never had an issue with it. It has had the same XP installation since 2001. Has BS'd maybe twice. It has been sitting for about 2 years now since that is when I got my current laptop, Toshiba.

Can not comment on customer service, as I have not ever had the need for it. Sturdy construction, quality hardware. Not a "fanboy" but certainly a lifer as long as I keep getting the same results.

I could never bring myself to ever support such a proprietary, egotistical, innovation-less company. Iphone? Uhmm hello Palm Lifedrive was 1st and better.

/rant off

 

[CapriiRecords]

So I'm really fed up with Dell. One of my work laptops is a redheaded step child and of course, it's 2 months out of warranty with Dell.

I'm thinking of just switching over to a Mac and being done with it. I know there is a huge culture clash, blah blah. I know very little about Macs so here are my questions.

I've been told that processing power goes much further with a Mac.

Not true, just cause it's a mac doesn't make the same spec processor work better. This is just people on the apple bandwagon spreading false rumors to try and make macs seem superior.

Therefore - I can get a 2.4 ghz dual core, 4gb, 250gb Mac, and it's going to take me further than an equal spec PC version. I will not use it for gaming or anything like that - basically only for work applications - which are pretty much a few small legal document programs and writing, not intense.... and maybe some minimal video editing.

I've been told Macs have far less problems with hardware failure.

Possibly on a pure number basis, but on a % basis I doubt it would hold true, but honestly I don't know. There are less macs than pcs out there in the world.. if you have more of something it is going to appear to have more problems due to a greater sampling.

I've been told Apple customer service is far superior to companies like Dell.

Hahahahahahahahahaha.......

...

bahahahahahahahaha
...

Completely and utterly false

I've been told Mac resale is way higher - which eBay seems to support.

uhh... yeah it's more expensive up front so used ones are going to sale for more than a used pc.... It doesn't retain value any better.

That's the end of what I've been told that I can think of right now.

Now with all that said, mac does make some good hardware. But they are no better or worse than a PC. You can have just as many problems from a mac as you can with your pc. But you are paying an extreme premium to get the same spec on a mac as you would a pc.

Put it this way, my friend was starting to buy into all the lies and propaganda about macs like you seem to be. So I looked up the prices on the closest macbook to his current laptop, it cost twice what he paid for his laptop and wasn't quite as good spec wise, but was the closest thing they had.

Then take into account Apple's horrid attitude (they are the Nazi's of the computer world), and their terrible support (they will actually ignore you if they feel you did something you shouldn't have), a mac is not worth it to me.

Dev

Thanks, this was a super helpful post. Sorry I'm 'buying into all the lies'.

 

[Zippzipp]

I use my macbook for just about everything i do now. If i have a specific application that only runs on windows i just boot up a windows VM and run the application. Games do not run well under a VM though.

 

[rob]

(Courtesy of http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com)

 

[thez]

My perspective:

I've been a hardcore Windows user basically from birth (yeah, that dates me a bit, but whatever). I've been a pretty closed-minded and mouthy anti-Apple person for a long time. I have (and love) my iPod, and have had an iPhone for a year and a half now, but I was pretty convinced that Windows was going to be my go-to OS for life.

The turning point? I'm a programmer. I just recently graduated from college, and I'm working my first real job as a civilian contractor doing simulations programming. I spent all of my time programming in college on *nix machines, and ran all of my computers in dual-boot so that I could switch to Ubuntu (later Mint) when I actually wanted to get work done. I spent a long time trying to do my assignments in Windows, and -to make a long story very short- ended up realizing that it wasn't worth the effort. Once I switched over to *nix based systems for programming, I realized just how easy life could be. You want to know why? The fucking terminal. The terminal is GOD. I love my GUI stuff, I write code in an IDE, I'm not a Vi/Emacs nut, but by god if the terminal isn't the most useful tool for a programmer that has ever existed then we need to stop adding things like porn, hot pockets, and beer to the list.

Anyways. While our code base is written in C++ and is cross-platform for *nix, Mac, and Windows, development has to be done on Mac or Windows because *nix drivers just aren't usually dependable enough to be counted on when it comes to 3D stuff. That meant that when my work offered me the choice of computers, I had to choose between developing on a Mac or developing on Windows. For a lot of reasons that had to due with the structure of the code base, and not just because I'd rather tweeze my ball hair than develop code on Windows, I decided to force myself to transition to Mac. While it took me a few weeks to get everything together and learn everything, I'm still constantly amazed at how easy everything is to do. To rephrase, I'm still amazed that they've managed to take everything that I liked about *nix and managed to fix everything that I hated. OSX is the best flavor of Linux that I've used to date.

To sum everything up: I'm a Windows guy when it comes to home use. I will likely always be a Windows user. The reasons stated here are good ones: I build a pretty decent quad core machine from scratch for ~$600 about two years ago, I play lots of games, I stream content to my Xbox, and plenty of my computing set up is aimed at Windows usage. However, I'm no longer a pure Windows guy. When it comes to entertainment, I'll be staying with Microsoft for a long time. But my next laptop will be a macbook, and I'll be going with Apple for any computer I plan to develop on from here on out.