Apple

[Mattrod]

In a couple of years i will be going to college, and i am planning on buying a laptop to go along. well i think the apple ibook looks great. how hard is ti to use a mac, and does it come with a word processing software or will i need to find another program to cover that job.finally, is an apple good for college use. i know thats a broad question but i mean would there be any disadvantages or setbacks. thanks for any help

[doctorgonzo]

A Mac will work just fine for college. They seem to be pretty common in schools; one of my college roommates had one. As long as you are just writing papers/surfing the web/reading e-mail, just about any OS will work: Windows, Linux, Mac, heck, probably even some old ones would work too. I think most Macs come with some kind of word processing program, but I've never bought one so I'm not positive.

The only disadvantages of Mac are their cost and a smaller universe of available software, especially games. If those things don't bother you, then go for it.

[Mattrod]

no im not that big into games. like you said im only going to be typing papers and surfing the internet with it.

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Whatever you do, check the RAM! My sister complained of a slow computer so I took a look. An older 900MHz, G3, White iBook. Only 1GB of the harddrive unused and the system was also updated from 10.2->10.3 with an over the top install. I figued maybe one of the two would have slowed it down, which is probable. She also has only 128MB of RAM apperently. How we bought it with only 128MB, I don't know.

Check the RAM, please.

Oh, I suppose more to your question:
An Apple will work, and work well, just be ready for some scoff's of ignorant users. My sister has one, and has had it since Freshman year at her college. 3 years, going to the 4th. Apperently people say her computer is bad because it's a Mac. Now, with 128MB of memory she can't do much to curtail their comments, but even with more people don't seem to gather that not everyone needs to have a windtunnel created by their laptop running at 3.6GHz, or needs the ability to play most games. Perhaps the second reason is a better one for them to learn of the two, but I have seen some massive laptops.

I would get one if you can afford it and your school supports the use(ie the software and network will be A-Ok with you)

[bigandy]

As far as the ease of use of the Mac OS, it's probably the easiest OS out there. There are a lot of things you can do with it too (tweaks and such), so don't think it's just a kiddie OS that looks pretty. Apple is also the platform of choice for many graphics editors, so if that's something you're into, it's just another plus. And if not, then it doesn't really hurt. The main things that I see taking away from the attractiveness of the Mac were both hit on the head by doctorgonzo, and that is the higher prices and the lack of software.

[Mattrod]

im not really a speedfreak, but i will keep the recomendation about plenty of ram in mind. i do have a question though. rigth now the computer i have is an amd xp athlon 3200. and i notice that the obook im looking at is 1.4ghz and 512mb ram will i feel a big difference or will they both be about the same. like i said im not a speedfreak. just curious

[ShadowSorcerer]

Well, there are a lot more factors to consider than just the clock speed when considering if a processor is faster than another. For example, I have a AMD Althlon XP 2800+ (2.08Ghz) that actually is out preformed by my Intel Pentium-M 705 (1.5Ghz)... Plus there's the fact that Mac uses a PowerPC architecture rather than x86 like your PC which can have a pretty good effect as well. So its very well possible that the Mac you're looking at is going to be as fast or faster than your current computer. I need more info to tell you for sure though.

WARNING: Macintosh is currently switching from IBM PowerPC processors to Intel x86. This is scheduled to run over a 1 year period. This will could make getting software for you Mac more interesting than you want it to be. I was actually thinking of buying a Mac for myself, but I'm going to wait until they are fully situated with Intel chips.

[Mac Medic]

I don't get this higher price thing? $999 for an ibook is cheap compared to a comparable light weight windows notebook.

OS X Tiger
ilife 05
Appleworks (supports .doc)

1.33GHz PowerPC G4
512K L2 cache @1.33GHz
512MB memory (DDR333 SDRAM)
12.1-inch TFT Display
1024x768 resolution
ATI Mobility Radeon 9550
32MB DDR video memory
40GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11g)
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Scrolling Trackpad
Sudden Motion Sensor
Up to 6hr Battery life
Less than 5lbs

I have yet to find the lightweight wintel notebook that compares hardware and software wise.

[Mac Medic]

dell e-value code: 6V620-i700mS2

This is Dells comparable model and it's still missing features and a ton of software. It's normally $1999 (DOUBLE THE COST!) but is on sale for $1527. How is Apple expensive again?.

[thefultonhow]

Mac Medic, Dell's regular prices are not that great, but it's possible to get a comparable laptop to the iBook (either the 600m or the 700m) for $750. The 6000, which is bigger but also more powerful, has gotten down to $650 in recent days. With that said, I do not think the iBook is badly priced for what you get (an ultraportable laptop).

However, Apple's other models are. For example, I can get a Dimension 9100 comparably speced to the 20" iMac (3 GHz P4, 512 MB RAM, ATI Radeon X600 video card, 250 GB SATA hard drive, DVD+/-RW drive, modem, and 20" widescreen LCD) for $1159 after a $100 rebate. That's a lot less than the $1799 for the comparable top-end iMac. It's also less than the least expensive iMac. Might I add that the 9100 is a lot more computer than the iMacs (closer to the PowerMac G5s if you get the dual-core processor option)?

Even the Mac Mini is overpriced -- if you're just buying it for its computer functionality and not its small size, why not just get the Dell Dimension 3000 with a P4 and a 15" flat panel (plus keyboard and mouse for $350? Upgrade the RAM to 512 MB, like the new Mac Minis, and you're only spending $30 more, vs. $150 more for the Minis.

Same thing with PowerBooks. I'm not going to do research on this one, but It's possible to get a much more powerful PC laptop than the 17" PowerBook for much less than the $2699 price.

Seriously, I have no problem with Mac zealots who list actuall advantages of the Macintosh platform. But price really isn't one of them.

[kram 2.0]

I can't seem to not make this a pun - you just can't compare Apples to Windows. People purchase both for different purposes. Many Apple Macintosh users purchase the Mac-based platforms for simplicity and processing power in select apps as opposed to the simple "frame rates in games" idea. In that sense, sheer clockspeed as seen in x86 based systems and a better graphics card are less of an issue. Will people pay to have a trouble-free system that is coupled with one of the easiest-to-use OS? Surely - for one, I did. If you want sheer power and frame rates, you're purchasing a Mac for the (w)rong reason - it doesn't necessarily make Apple Macs a bad choice for the price.

Seriously, I have no problem with Mac zealots who list actuall advantages of the Macintosh platform. But price really isn't one of them.

All that being said, Macs are a viable option and a fine alternative to Microsoft Windows Operating Systems.

kram

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by kram8806

There are clearly good reasons to get a Mac (the industrial design, the simple yet powerful OS, etc.). But Mac Medic was trying to say that pricing is competitive with PCs, when it really isn't in the majority of cases. You pay a premium for what some will say is a superior platform; that's an unaviodable truth of Mac ownership. That's not to say that paying that premium is a bad idea, it's just to say that the premium is there.

[Mac Medic]

I suppose we agree to disagree, naturally you will always be able to buy a cheaper PC than you will a Mac simply because the Wintel market is made up of so many hardware variables, but on pretty much any system I have looked at on a "comparable hardware" basis the Mac is always very competitive. Factor in TCO variables such as security, administration etc and the Mac will win hands down. And yes, you may be able to buy a 700m for less than $800 but what do you sacrifice?. Either way though, people should buy whatever is in their price range and suits their purposes, if thats Wintel thats fantastic, there are undoubtedly some very good deals to be had there.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by Mac Medic And yes, you may be able to buy a 700m for less than $800 but what do you sacrifice?

Not much. My mom got a loaded one with an excellent warranty for $856.

As I said, though, there are many good reasons to buy a Mac over a Windows machine, and price shouldn't really be a deciding factor if those reasons are important enough.

[Randomized]

Personally, I think Macs are fine except for one thing: customization.

First off, if you ever want to add memory, graphics card, or w/e into one of those eMacs, good luck. I had one (an older albiet) and I was goign to take it apart for stuff. The screws were retarded. How do you open it???? I had to take a drill and make it so I could use my philips screw on it. It had 256 of memory and everything else was crap. And it smelled like rotten eggs.

Though, the mighty mouse looks pretty cool, and one had to admit the mac desktop and stuff looks a lot cooler than windows.

I'd say go with a Mac, you shoudn't be gaming in college anyways.