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Apple or Pc laptop???? Options
tmhlee
Posted: Monday, April 28, 2008 10:16:35 PM

Rank: Valedictorian
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Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 607
Location: Mississauga, ON
Lol I love linux in those youtube videos.

I think you gotta know what you're doing to use linux though, no? All my computer science friends obsess over linux and it's divine open-sourceness.

Ncliffor wrote:
tmhlee wrote:
I'm really tempted to get a MacBook...and probably will since I've wanted one since what.. grade 3? My PC-oriented parents would never switch over so I need to purchase one on my own worry

Is there much of a difference though between a MacBook vs. MacBook Pro? Do you really notice a difference? I'm pretty spec illiterate when it comes to Macs.. But I do a fair amount of graphic work and how much better is the graphic card on a Pro?


Going from a Macbook to a Macbook Pro is a HUGE jump.

Firstly, there is no video card in a Macbook so don't expect anything visually stunning if your graphics need to stun on your screen. That being said, there are many people who claim to do graphic work when really they just fool around with photoshop's basic features. A regular Macbook will handle it no problem since most of it is processor work and RAM, which the macbook can handle.

If you really need the graphics because you do 3D animation or use really advanced graphic features than in the long run it would be better to get a Pro. The Pro romps the non-pro in every single way and that's obvious when you look at the cost comparison.

Bottom line, if you're doing basic graphics, the Macbook will do fine and not drain batteries quickly. If you're going for advanced work, get the Pro.


Thanks. By no means do I need programs that meet the professional standards of the industry but it'd be nice.
But in terms of graphics and processing rendering and stuff.. would it be ranked like.. high-end PC> MacBook Pro > Mid-range PC > MacBook?
The pros get a little pricey. I'm wondering if it's worth it. And it's nice that the MacBooks are light, but their screens are so tiny. Strain your eyes much? Are Pros a lot heavier?

And just another question.. as more users jump over to macs, the virus thing is going to be inevitable for mac users as well right? So that shouldn't really be a factor for you if you are switching over?
Does anyone know of anyone that aren't happy with their macs?

NEM99
Posted: Monday, April 28, 2008 10:17:46 PM
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I've never met anyone unhappy with their Mac.

Taiyab wrote: Is it me, or is Karla Homolka gorgeous!

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bijanv
Posted: Monday, April 28, 2008 11:10:31 PM
Rank: Student Council
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Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 454
Location: Toronto, ON
NEM99 wrote:
I've never met anyone unhappy with their Mac.


I'm met many who are / were unhappy (many being 5 or 6)

and yeah the virus's are inevitable but again if you have the right protection, virus's shouldn't be a concern anyways

-University of Toronto Electrical Engineering 1T0!
alys98
Posted: Monday, April 28, 2008 11:53:39 PM
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Joined: 3/5/2008
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D.Dickin wrote:
Apple sucks. That seems to be a big enough con for me ;)


Enough said! lol

Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do in life, you will be a success!!
alys98
Posted: Monday, April 28, 2008 11:55:10 PM
Rank: Student Council
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Joined: 3/5/2008
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Location: Paris, Ontario
NEM99 wrote:
I've never met anyone unhappy with their Mac.


It's probably because they don't want to admit it. After all, they probably spent all of their time before purchasing one convincing their parents and friends how good they were in comparison to PC's and how much they wanted one. Not to mention how much they spent on it, in comparison to a similar PC

Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do in life, you will be a success!!
Noel
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 3:11:20 AM

Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member

Joined: 4/5/2008
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Location: Waterloo
alys98 wrote:
NEM99 wrote:
I've never met anyone unhappy with their Mac.


It's probably because they don't want to admit it. After all, they probably spent all of their time before purchasing one convincing their parents and friends how good they were in comparison to PC's and how much they wanted one. Not to mention how much they spent on it, in comparison to a similar PC


Right. It couldnt possibly be because they get to use a much better operation system.
bordeaux
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 8:56:26 AM
Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/24/2008
Posts: 45
Location: ON
alys98 wrote:
NEM99 wrote:
I've never met anyone unhappy with their Mac.


It's probably because they don't want to admit it. After all, they probably spent all of their time before purchasing one convincing their parents and friends how good they were in comparison to PC's and how much they wanted one. Not to mention how much they spent on it, in comparison to a similar PC


Have you actually ever owned one? Just curious. It's pretty funny how the most opinionated people often don't have real hands on experience with the things they trash.
Ncliffor
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 9:48:34 AM

Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member

Joined: 4/28/2008
Posts: 11
Location: Ottawa
tmhlee wrote:
Lol I love linux in those youtube videos.

I think you gotta know what you're doing to use linux though, no? All my computer science friends obsess over linux and it's divine open-sourceness.

Ncliffor wrote:
tmhlee wrote:
I'm really tempted to get a MacBook...and probably will since I've wanted one since what.. grade 3? My PC-oriented parents would never switch over so I need to purchase one on my own worry

Is there much of a difference though between a MacBook vs. MacBook Pro? Do you really notice a difference? I'm pretty spec illiterate when it comes to Macs.. But I do a fair amount of graphic work and how much better is the graphic card on a Pro?


Going from a Macbook to a Macbook Pro is a HUGE jump.

Firstly, there is no video card in a Macbook so don't expect anything visually stunning if your graphics need to stun on your screen. That being said, there are many people who claim to do graphic work when really they just fool around with photoshop's basic features. A regular Macbook will handle it no problem since most of it is processor work and RAM, which the macbook can handle.

If you really need the graphics because you do 3D animation or use really advanced graphic features than in the long run it would be better to get a Pro. The Pro romps the non-pro in every single way and that's obvious when you look at the cost comparison.

Bottom line, if you're doing basic graphics, the Macbook will do fine and not drain batteries quickly. If you're going for advanced work, get the Pro.


Thanks. By no means do I need programs that meet the professional standards of the industry but it'd be nice.
But in terms of graphics and processing rendering and stuff.. would it be ranked like.. high-end PC> MacBook Pro > Mid-range PC > MacBook?
The pros get a little pricey. I'm wondering if it's worth it. And it's nice that the MacBooks are light, but their screens are so tiny. Strain your eyes much? Are Pros a lot heavier?

And just another question.. as more users jump over to macs, the virus thing is going to be inevitable for mac users as well right? So that shouldn't really be a factor for you if you are switching over?
Does anyone know of anyone that aren't happy with their macs?


It's worthy to note that a laptop can never match a desktop in performance, period. High-end PC's will top the charts simply because the sky is the limit. If you're including desktops some are just dedicated graphics machines valued at 20k$.

That being said, more or less you are right with your assumption of rank. Although there is a big gray area between mid-range PC and Macbook Pro since there are so many PC choices.

The screen is a great size, and very crisp so now worries about eye strain. You have to remember what a laptop is, a LAP top. I quiver when I see people walk around with 17" behemoths, they're disgustingly bulky and defeat the purpose of being a laptop. If you want a screen that big you should just buy a reasonably sized laptop then buy a big bleepin LCD for your workstation.

Mac's are wicked in my opinion, I've owned and worked on both MAC and PC and MAC's will thrive over a PC any day if you use it appropriately. You have to remember what Apple targets with their products:
simplicity - really simple, lots of great features on all their OS's, comes ready out of the box with all the applications you need
reliable - I know one guy who lives in the bush driving pickups on the worst of roads and when he's done with his iMac he'll just toss it into the back seat and keep driving. They're bulletproof.
majority - Apple caters to the majority of what people want. This means music, videos, internet, email, word processing. And it does these things perfectly

Most people complain about Mac's because "they can't play games". Well, yeah, because Mac's aren't designed to run games, so Mac and games shouldn't even be in the same sentence unless it's "Mac's don't play games"

Hope that helps, and just to let you know I have no bias for Mac's my next computer is going to be an ASUS EEE PC 900 because it'll do everything you ever want it to do and it's smaller than most of my textbooks.

Carleton University - Mechanical Engineering III

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step"
-Martin Luther King Jr.
LuBu
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:45:09 PM
Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/12/2008
Posts: 34
About the whole virus thing, regardless of what you get your going to run into viruses.

Before you even talk about the differences between the frequency of viruses for each type of computer you have to take a look at the very first thing - If your a smart internet surfer to begin with!

If you constantly download high risk files - torrents and stuff like that than it really doesent matter which computer you use your ticket is going to be pulled sooner or later when that one time comes around when you dont play safe! angel

University of Western Ontario Biological & Medical Sciences 2012
poppy1337
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 3:00:11 PM

Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 230
Which is why you use private trackers.

Queen's Commerce 2012
tmhlee
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 5:51:51 PM

Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 607
Location: Mississauga, ON
Ncliffor wrote:
tmhlee wrote:
Lol I love linux in those youtube videos.

I think you gotta know what you're doing to use linux though, no? All my computer science friends obsess over linux and it's divine open-sourceness.

Ncliffor wrote:
tmhlee wrote:
I'm really tempted to get a MacBook...and probably will since I've wanted one since what.. grade 3? My PC-oriented parents would never switch over so I need to purchase one on my own worry

Is there much of a difference though between a MacBook vs. MacBook Pro? Do you really notice a difference? I'm pretty spec illiterate when it comes to Macs.. But I do a fair amount of graphic work and how much better is the graphic card on a Pro?


Going from a Macbook to a Macbook Pro is a HUGE jump.

Firstly, there is no video card in a Macbook so don't expect anything visually stunning if your graphics need to stun on your screen. That being said, there are many people who claim to do graphic work when really they just fool around with photoshop's basic features. A regular Macbook will handle it no problem since most of it is processor work and RAM, which the macbook can handle.

If you really need the graphics because you do 3D animation or use really advanced graphic features than in the long run it would be better to get a Pro. The Pro romps the non-pro in every single way and that's obvious when you look at the cost comparison.

Bottom line, if you're doing basic graphics, the Macbook will do fine and not drain batteries quickly. If you're going for advanced work, get the Pro.


Thanks. By no means do I need programs that meet the professional standards of the industry but it'd be nice.
But in terms of graphics and processing rendering and stuff.. would it be ranked like.. high-end PC> MacBook Pro > Mid-range PC > MacBook?
The pros get a little pricey. I'm wondering if it's worth it. And it's nice that the MacBooks are light, but their screens are so tiny. Strain your eyes much? Are Pros a lot heavier?

And just another question.. as more users jump over to macs, the virus thing is going to be inevitable for mac users as well right? So that shouldn't really be a factor for you if you are switching over?
Does anyone know of anyone that aren't happy with their macs?


It's worthy to note that a laptop can never match a desktop in performance, period. High-end PC's will top the charts simply because the sky is the limit. If you're including desktops some are just dedicated graphics machines valued at 20k$.

That being said, more or less you are right with your assumption of rank. Although there is a big gray area between mid-range PC and Macbook Pro since there are so many PC choices.

The screen is a great size, and very crisp so now worries about eye strain. You have to remember what a laptop is, a LAP top. I quiver when I see people walk around with 17" behemoths, they're disgustingly bulky and defeat the purpose of being a laptop. If you want a screen that big you should just buy a reasonably sized laptop then buy a big bleepin LCD for your workstation.

Mac's are wicked in my opinion, I've owned and worked on both MAC and PC and MAC's will thrive over a PC any day if you use it appropriately. You have to remember what Apple targets with their products:
simplicity - really simple, lots of great features on all their OS's, comes ready out of the box with all the applications you need
reliable - I know one guy who lives in the bush driving pickups on the worst of roads and when he's done with his iMac he'll just toss it into the back seat and keep driving. They're bulletproof.
majority - Apple caters to the majority of what people want. This means music, videos, internet, email, word processing. And it does these things perfectly

Most people complain about Mac's because "they can't play games". Well, yeah, because Mac's aren't designed to run games, so Mac and games shouldn't even be in the same sentence unless it's "Mac's don't play games"

Hope that helps, and just to let you know I have no bias for Mac's my next computer is going to be an ASUS EEE PC 900 because it'll do everything you ever want it to do and it's smaller than most of my textbooks.

You don't seem like a mac fanboy or something at all so it's all good. Do you own a 13" or a pro? I was trying to word process on my friend's macbook and it seemed so small. I think probably cause of the 21" screen I am used to on my desktop :S... (I hope it is easy to get used to/adjust? Does anyone bring a spare monitor to their room in rez and use two screens? lol. I'm really tempted to)

I agree 17" laptops are ridiculous. My parents and brother all use 15.4" widescreen laptops and I think that is quite big enough... if not too big. It just seems a bit heavy and I'm hearing that macs are so much more mobile and light in comparison.

And I'm by no means a hardcore gamer so it doesn't even matter. Lol. I don't forsee utilizing all my free time in university playing video games anyway.

Edit: And I saw those ASUS computers big grin They are so small. Perfect for trips? ... but don't they heat up really fast?

tmhlee
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 6:01:07 PM

Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 607
Location: Mississauga, ON
Wow, I am like living on this thread and forum.
One more mac question,

How easy is it to tweak around OS X ? if at all?

Like if windows messes up or gets a virus I can usually fix it myself; get a friend to; or just google the issue and there will be tons of people with the same problem helping eachother out / posting solutions etc, so it's pretty DIY.. is there the same support with macs? Or.. wishful thinking.. do mac users never have annoying little problems big grin?



Shismo
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 6:13:23 PM

Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 153
Location: Toronto
Quite a bit of misinformation in this thread.

A lot of people are bashing Macs simply because they haven't tried it or don't know what they're talking about. At all. (And by no means am I saying they're right for everyone). It being an Apple product is reason enough for you to not buy one? Are you kidding me? Not buying something because of its brand? How does that make any sense at all?

-Its harder to get viruses on the Mac as, there are thousands less viruses made for it. The few that do work for it require you to allow certain things and IIRC they all require you to enter in an admin password and username. In contrast, without the proper steps taken, Windows can get viruses without the user even knowing it.
-Its not that they're that much more expensive either. You can't simply look at the processor and HD size to determine what's a better computer. Sure, you can get an Inspiron with similar specs for next to nothing. But do you ever wonder why the Latitudes also offer similar specs and cost quite a bit more? No one seems to bash Dell for offering Latitudes. And there are many things the Macbook (or Pro) offer over something like an Inspiron. The form (its much smaller and lighter), things like the MagSafe cable which won't cause the laptop to fall if the cord is tripped on, the drop sensor, etc.
-PC World, a mostly PC magazine said the MacBook Pro was the best Vista laptop, and they also said Leopard was the best OS.
-In terms of reliability for the actual hardware Apple consistently ranks first (and by a large margin). IBM (now Lenovo) is second. Dell is fourth or fifth IIRC.
-The new Macs can all run Windows, can be at the same time, or not. If you are into games thats a viable solution. Just remember that if you're a hardcore game, you probably want a desktop instead, as you'll spend a lot for a gaming laptop (regardless of who makes it) and the hardware will be outdated fairly soon without the possibility of an upgrade.
Shismo
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 6:16:56 PM

Rank: Senior Student
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Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 153
Location: Toronto
alys98 wrote:
NEM99 wrote:
I've never met anyone unhappy with their Mac.


It's probably because they don't want to admit it. After all, they probably spent all of their time before purchasing one convincing their parents and friends how good they were in comparison to PC's and how much they wanted one. Not to mention how much they spent on it, in comparison to a similar PC
It depends. My Macbook when I bought it was $50 more than a similar Gateway and $40 than a Dell (keep in mind that this was maybe 2 years ago). My friend's Latitude cost quite a bit more than a Macbook Pro with similar specs (the Dell had a floppy drive(!), 40GB more HD, but 1GB less RAM).

Macs are not overpriced, they start a different price range.

Its like saying a Dodge Neon SRT4 is the same as an Acura NSX because they both have similar power. There's more to a computer than just the processor and memory.


tmhlee wrote:

And just another question.. as more users jump over to macs, the virus thing is going to be inevitable for mac users as well right? So that shouldn't really be a factor for you if you are switching over?
Does anyone know of anyone that aren't happy with their macs?
Macs are not 100% invulnerable to viruses, however, the OS has been proven to be a more secure system. The likelihood of viruses and other malware on Windows is far greater than that on a Mac.

Mac OS X has been out for 8 years and it was 6 years until the first virus was discovered for it (Leap.A). For it to work someone has to be sent a file over iChat and open it. When this was discovered, there was around 100,000 viruses and other types of Malware for windows, many of them being a lot easier to infect the system.

OS Security is one of the major reasons for people switching to Macs.









MOST people who bash Macs have never really tried to use them much. Even if you are skeptical, ask one of the people working at an Apple store to show you it, say why you're skeptical about it, etc.


I use both PCs and Macs, and they both have their pros and cons. Given the choice, however, I'll stick with a Mac.
Ncliffor
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 7:31:51 PM

Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member

Joined: 4/28/2008
Posts: 11
Location: Ottawa
thmhlee:

In the laptop realm of Apple products I've owned a ibook G3, G4 and a powerbook G4 which are older version of the macbook and the macbook pro, respectively. Obviously going from a 21" to a 13.3" will be drastic but just like a new prescription for your glasses you get used to it quickly (I do). Bringing along your desktop PC monitor to res with you is a good idea in my opinion. Nothing beats a big 21" LCD, except a 23", or a 31" (you get the point).

My permanent workstation has a desktop with all the fixings connected by a KVM (Keyboard/Video/Mouse) switch that allows you to switch between computer A and computer B while using the same keyboard mouse and monitor. When I get home with my laptop I can quickly and easily plug three cables in, boot it up and I can run the whole laptop just like I would my desktop. I think it would be a great idea to bring along a keyboard, screen, mouse, and speakers because a laptop will always be too small and why inconvenience yourself when you don't have to?

mobile and light are words thrown around in the laptop world too often. Light can mean cheap materials, and mobile can mean a 17" desktop replacement (just because it's smaller than a desktop computer doesnt mean it's mobile). The Macbook isn't the lightest (5.2 lbs) of the 13.3"ers with it's direct compariosn being a DELL XPS M1330 (4.0 lbs) but while examining the M1330 closer you can tell that there's cheaper plastic in it (palm rest is flexible for example). That extra 1 pound the macbook has on the XPS is build quality and that's what you want. Which is why I toss my friends macbook around for kicks.

I wouldn't disregard the XPS M1330, it's pretty sexy, just not as sexy as the old XPS 1210

The new EEE PC 900 (or 710, but wait for the 900 Canada) by ASUS is a barebones laptop that does everthing that you REALLY need a laptop to do (minus amazing battery life, but that's $$). It's a great concept that puts a new meaning to what ultraportables should be. ASUS is really doing a great job with the EEE PC lineup. cheap, reliable, get's it done (sounds like a honda). no, I haven't read anywhere that they have any heat issues whatsoever.

Carleton University - Mechanical Engineering III

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step"
-Martin Luther King Jr.
bijanv
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 9:30:56 PM
Rank: Student Council
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Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 454
Location: Toronto, ON
Shismo wrote:
-PC World, a mostly PC magazine said the MacBook Pro was the best Vista laptop, and they also said Leopard was the best OS.


Looks like you're spreading some mis-information too colors

PC world retracted that statement after people asked for information as to what they actually tested. They ONLY tested 10 laptops and when many proved to PC World that there were at least 6 or 7 other laptops that beat the MacBook Pro, they were forced to retract their false claim.

-University of Toronto Electrical Engineering 1T0!
tmhlee
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 10:45:11 PM

Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 607
Location: Mississauga, ON
You guys are full of info Lol. Thanks Ncliffor, shismo.

I am most likely getting a mac. I was all set on getting an ibook and never went through with it.. I guess it's sort of good I waited?

What are the chances of the next macworld bringing upgrades to OS X or the macbooks? (or lowering prices on the macs lol)




alys98
Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 2:06:39 AM
Rank: Student Council
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 389
Location: Paris, Ontario
bordeaux wrote:
alys98 wrote:
NEM99 wrote:
I've never met anyone unhappy with their Mac.


It's probably because they don't want to admit it. After all, they probably spent all of their time before purchasing one convincing their parents and friends how good they were in comparison to PC's and how much they wanted one. Not to mention how much they spent on it, in comparison to a similar PC


Have you actually ever owned one? Just curious. It's pretty funny how the most opinionated people often don't have real hands on experience with the things they trash.



Actually I have owned one in the past. I kinda feel like the person I described in my previous comment which got several people riled up including yourself, even though, for the most part, it was meant to be a joke. lol. I wasn't impressed with anything that it had to offer me, and when I finally got up the guts to admit there was nothing special about it, I went out and bought a new one. Obviously not a Mac.

My friend, who is in her first year of Advertising/Marketing, had a class specifically for using programs on the Mac. She definitely knows first hand, that Mac's are not void of their share of problems, and had to deal with them frequently while in a 100 degree computer lab. She was pissed, mainly because she could operate all of the same programs they were using on these Mac's on her own PC computer, just as well. If these computers weren't supplied by the school lab, she would have had to have gone out and bought one for double the price, in comparison to her laptop.

Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do in life, you will be a success!!
camodude51
Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 11:29:40 AM

Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member

Joined: 4/1/2008
Posts: 143
Location: Toronto
apple isn't compatible with anything! softwares are the reason why u need a computer in the first place big grin

Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS/AEO) 10'
Richard Ivey School of Business (HBA) 12'
tmhlee
Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 3:37:31 PM

Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 607
Location: Mississauga, ON
camodude51 wrote:
apple isn't compatible with anything! softwares are the reason why u need a computer in the first place big grin

Aren't compatability issues really minor? What programs should I be worrying about?



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