Mac to buy or not to buy

is it worth buying a mac book? I know this us a support discussion so um asking for just that. I have a pc w/ vista. Its a year old compaq. Use it mostly for school n entertainment. How does it compare to a mac book. I'm looking at the one that is 1099. Pc vs mac what major differences? Pros n cons of it. Anyone think mac is over hyped? Software? Pls be honest n response. Thanks in advance

well lets see where to start. well you say you have a compaq running vista, comparing that to a macbook i would say the macbook would be better for entertainment. the macbook is very powerful yet very portable. the macbook includes i life 08 which had itunes(a music software),iphoto(photo editing and storage software), imovie(movie making software),garageband(music making software),idvd(dvd making software),and iweb(website publishing software). these are all included with the macbook when you buy it. A compaq running vista of course dosnt come with all of this great software. including the fact that overall the macbook features MacosX10.5 leopard which is way better than vista in my opinion, id say that a macbook would be the choice for you. well i hope this answer helped a little .

Similar Messages

To buy or not to buy LENOVO 3000 N200

Hello!
At first I am from slovenia that's because mi english is not so good
I am buying a laptop for school (photoshop, programming, movies ) and i found the lenovo N200 in our store
http://www.bof.si/sl/product.cp2?guid=6F2B85B9-3CEA-CE25-1DA7-3D02A9C4EF0D&linkid=15.
I became interested in this laptop but i have some questions:
- Is the fan noise a pain in the ass? Because of it's on-off function.
- Is the housing durable for caring it around in a backpack? Is it well made?
- Does the this battery have the same problem as the n100 model?
- Any reasons why not to buy it?
Thans for you help and keep up the good work.

Here is my experience based on owning a Lenovo 3000 N100 laptop:
Thinkpads are built very sturdy. The "consumer level" laptops, ie the 3000 models, are nothing special. In fact, I would not recommend the 3000 model to anyone. In my personal experience, the 3000 models are plagued with engineering errors. The motherboards have defects that render the USB ports useless (my USB ports are dead). Many of the batteries need to be recalled (my battery failed). If they do recall your battery, they will not notify you (they did not notify me). You'll have to come to a website like this and search for details (this website is awsome). The laptop case is weak and flexes much like any other cheap laptop on the market. The power supplies are underpowered (my 65W supply sure gets hot).. Other than those 4 defects, my machine works fine.
Don't be fooled into thinking the 3000 series is anything like the Thinkpads in terms of reliability or service; they are not. You have to pay good money for a good laptop; hence the Thinkpad series.
Good luck.

To buy or not to buy 17" Mac Book Pro

I'm in the market for a new latpop, probably a 17" to have as a offline editor for FCP. I've seen in the website that they have a new model, but, aside from being able to put 4 gigs of ram and have a better display, are the Intel processors much better than the 2.33? Intel Core 2 Duo, means you have two processors instead of one? and finally, has anyone heard if they are coming out with a Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors like the ones on the G5 on the laptops?
My apologies for so many questions, any info will help.
Thank you,
Rogelio
Quad 2.5(4ram, 7800GT) Powerbook G4 1.25, G5 dual 2.0(5ram), G4dual533MHZ Mac OS X (10.4.4) G-Raids, BSP decks, DV decks, AJA I/O, FCP Studio
Quad 2.5(4ram, 7800GT) Powerbook G4 1.25, G5 dual 2.0(5ram), G4dual533MHZ Mac OS X (10.4.4) G-Raids, BSP decks, DV decks, AJA I/O, FCP Studio

Carry on... it has 1.4" more length and its about an inch of depth/longer more than a 15" laptop, so it's not much bigger than the 15" laptop. I guess its about priorities, don't know exactly how much gear overall you are taking with you, but, if you buy the 17" laptop with its enhanced monitor ($100 bucks more) you get the same 1920 x 1080 of a 20" monitor, and you have less gear. Anyways, I try not to use to much the computer on a plane, I can't really work in a plane, unless I'm in first class, which hardly ever happens. Oh, and you have no problem carry on the laptop in a plane, it's easy. As you probably know people take things much bigger than a laptop on a back pack.
Good luck,
RC
Quad 2.5(4ram, 7800GT) Powerbook G4 1.25, G5 dual 2.0(5ram), G4dual533MHZ Mac OS X (10.4.4) G-Raids, BSP decks, DV decks, AJA I/O, FCP Studio

To buy or not to buy an entry level 13in MBP? Have a 30in display I would like to connect it to for photo editing and a little video. Any advice?

In the last year the logic board in both my 17in MBP (5yrs old) and Mac Pro (4yrs old) have died. The local techies have advised due to cost and age that replacing them would not be worth it in the long run.
I am thinking to buy the most basic MBP and connecting it to my 30in cinema display would give me the best of both worlds - a desktop option when at home and a laptop for travelling. Is this a viable option? I would be using it for photo editing (photoshop) mainly and a little video editing with Final Cut Pro when connected to the cinema display and a little light internet usage, emails and such when on the go.
My other question is, do all MBP come with airport/wireless capabilities as standard? (I had to purchase airport separately when I bought the other computers.
Thanks in advance

The 13" MBP is c**p, it's a consumer MacBook quality in a silver case with a "Pro" sticker, comes with poor integrated graphics that overheat when it even looks at a web video, all shiny screens poor for video. Scores a mere 11 on Cinebench.
Like Sig said, 15" 2.0 (scores 18) or better, 2.2 (scores a decent 30) or better preferred, it has the hefty video card you need to power the external monitor.
also you get a anti-glare option, excellent for avoiding glare and reflections in portable uses.
also you may need the quad core i7 for processing video faster, dual cores are toast.
17" high res has true 1920 x 1080 (1080i) with it's 1920 x 1200 pixel screen, I've got one. Sweet.
Sad to hear you have been having such a bad run with Mac's, it used to be they lasted 5-7 years or longer easy.

To buy or not to buy in USA for use in UK , will I have problems with voltage ,should I buy UK cable or just use adapter?l I

I 'm off to the USA shortly and am wondering if I should buy my MacBook pro 15 over there. I will be saving about £300 but will I have to use a UK adapter to charge from power or can I buy a UK voltage cable to fit straight to the MacBook .
I 'm new to Mac but love my iPhone & iPad so would be glad of any advice please.

tjk wrote:
Csound1 wrote:
VAT does not apply but import duty does (and probably state/city sales taxes in the US), after import duties you'll find your savings to be closer to 100 pounds sterling, I send my son MBP's from the USA constantly but there is no significant saving anymore.
Message was edited by: Csound1
100 pounds is not a significant savings??? You and I may have different value systems.
I guess that came out a little wrong last time I sent one it was a 13" i5MBP, with shipping, taxes and import it was 78 pounds cheaper than in the UK, 3 pounds for an adaptor for the power supply made it a round 75 pounds, it took 8 days and was in perfect condition so .. you pays yer money and you makes yer choice.

To buy or not to buy....

After my pc died I purchased a mac. I need to use photoshop for work but cannot afford the over £800 price tag as I am just a freelance one man band(I did elements trial but its no good for me) I have several questions. One is that I have seen what appear to be large online retailers selling for around the £300-£400 price range....could this be real? Secondly I have noticed the phrase 'one use only' What happens if my computer dies in a couple of years, I have to renew it ...do I have to buy the softwear all over again? What if I have to have my computer wiped and reinstall everything again-would I be able to do that?

You don't need to repeat yourself. Everything was explained in the first post.
I am well aware that you are seeking one person in this forum to step up and say everything will be alright if you pay £300-£400 for a pirate copy. I think you will find the community on these forums will be too gracious to screw you in that way. We don't often encourage silliness or self-destructive behavior here.
Do you realize why they say 'one-time use'? It means if you try to upgrade one of these cheap versions later, you (and Adobe) will realize that you were using an illegal license and won't upgrade you. You'd be stuck in the same situation you find yourself in now with your license shared with the BF. Regular retail software from Adobe (or any of its authorized resellers) will allow you to upgrade in the future.
miapitcher wrote:
To repeat myself you have no idea why I find myself in this situation and I'm sure no interest to know either.
I said that I do not need to know (not that I don't want to know) but you keep selling yourself as if it might be a spectacular story. Go on. I'm curious.

To buy or not to buy, just a few questions

Recently i have been wanting to buy myself a new laptop, and the thought of a apple laptop crossed my mind, i really like how lepoard is going to be,
and i was wondering if this is the laptop i want to have and be able to run the OS in the system
I plan to buy this laptop in about 3 months, so after the 10.5 OS comes out, and i was wondering what i should do and what laptop might be best.
PS. My PC will be my gaming pc and home pc, this mac will be taveled alot and the net and small builtin apps are all that are gonna be on it

I'm thinking of buying a new laptop too. However,
I've had a run of bad luck with 2 of my parents
iBooks (which fell under the special warrenty
extension thing). My Pismo has been great, although
the monitor cable had to be replaced at 5 years old
due to wear at the joint, oh yeah, and I've gone
through 3 power adapters (which I got $30 from that
one apple settlement to buy a new one). But that's
fine since laptops are not meant to last 7 years.
Considering the quality, which mac laptop is the
best? The screen flickering reports on this forum
scares me away from the macbook. Is the design
quality of the macbook pro better?
Pismo Mac OS X (10.4.8)
They are both good units. It all depends upon what you want to do with them. I upgraded from a MacBook to a MacBook Pro because of the MB's weaker graphics circuit. My fan was running a lot when I was computing. This MBP is a lot quieter. Also, I think the MBP is a lot better value. I had almost as much money in my MB after upgrading it, as I got in my MBP. My 2¢.
-Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
Join Us @ MacOSG.com
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To buy or not to buy now......

I need to buy a new laptop since my sons is on it last leg. I was trying to hold off til Sept when they announce the new models????? I think! After reading the posts I'm unsure of buying now since there still seem to be so many unresolved issues. I know that things inly get better and cheaper buut the need is here! Let me know how your experience has been and any thought that you have. Thanks for your help! Jim

No doubt other MacBook Pro owners will contribute their opinions, but I'd like to set a bit of perspective for you. These forums are intended for people to come here and post their problems, so by nature what you're going to see will indeed be problems. The many thousands of MBP owners who are having no troubles have little reason to post to a technical support bulletin board, so just reading here will give you a skewed perspective on the issues. Quoting another regular contributor to the Discussions, "Trying to judge Macs by this forum is like trying to judge the health of a community by looking at the hospital ER".
There can be problems with any system and yours could fail at some point. The strong likelihood, though, is that you'll have no problems with your system whatsoever, particularly if you take care to give it a proper environment - low static, high quality power protection (no $15 hardware store special surge protectors), etc. - power problems are the number one cause of chronic computer problems. I've owned at least eleven Macs since Macs first appeared, and have only had a hardware problem with one (a bad hard drive in a Mac SE more years ago than I care to admit).
As to future revisions, there's no guarantee that there will be any revisions to the MacBook Pro in September. There have been rumors, but most rumors are found to be false.
So make your decision based on what's available, not what might appear at some point in the future. If you need a new system now, get one of the current MacBook Pros. The odds are that it will give you no problems at all.

To buy, or Not to buy? That is the qeustion??

Before the Ipad came out, I was seriously considering getting a Netbook. I already have a Laptop and Desktop at home. Waiting for the Ipad 3g to come out and considering to buy the 64gb one. Have read reviews that all the Ipad is is a glorified Iphone. It no where compares to a netbook and a lot of people have been disappointed. I know it's not going to be like a laptop but I am looking to use it for school (word processing and such) as well as entertainment and personal use! Before I spring for $800 should I wait for something better or just go for it?? I hate being the guinny pig when something new comes out and spend soo much money on something where a year later a better one is out! Any adivice?

This isn't directed at you, Tiffany, but all I can say is that negative reviewers are certainly entitled to their opinions. And with that said, I say they don't know what they're talking about. Either they're so enslaved to some preconceived idea or need that they can't see the iPad for what it is, or their needs seem to run counter to virtually everyone else's. Who would not want a computer of this magnitude with this degree of ultra portability? If someone says that, "Yeah, but I can do all that and more on my tablet computer," I say yes, but can you do it by just pulling out a 24 ounce slate the size of a small magazine, turn it on instantly and do everything right there on the screen resting comfortably in your lap requiring nothing else and do it for the next ten hours without a power cord? Can you interface with your tablet with the ease with which one can interface with the iPad? Can you almost immediately find and download a program for virtually any need you can think of and be using that program within seconds, usually? Well, can you?
There is nothing and never has been anything before like the iPad. The sheer extent of it's portability coupled with that gorgeous almost ten inch screen that is really the entire computer, make it thrillingly unique. I've been using it since I got it that first Saturday. The virtual keyboard I find easier to use than real ones. It's a joy, which is a real surprise. The only other Apple I've ever owned is my iPhone, although I'm comfortable on Macs. This device transcends any so called loyalties, however. A winner is a winner.
Don't think it's for you, naysayers, fine. But don't even bother trying to tell me anything otherwise. I'm sorry you can't see the enormity of what's going on with the iPad. One thing to keep in mind, it's only going to keep developing and advancing. The amount of creative energy this thing will release to feed it's complete open endedness is kind of awesome to contemplate. Frenzy is the only word that comes to mind. If sitting on the sidelines of such an event makes you feel better, then you're welcome to it. The rest of us will be sending you emails from the 21st Century that you can blithely read on your 20th Century machines.

To Buy or not to Buy - Macintel

Hi Guys,
I'm going to purchase a 20' inch, 2GB, 256 GC, iMac in April and I want to know if it is the right choice for me.
My family and I will use it for:
1.Internet, Email and AIM
2.Office Applications
3.Wacthing DVDs
4.Playing Sims 2
5.Fooling around with iPod/w Video and iPod Nano
6.Experimenting with new capabilities of Macs
Thats basically it. I am a PC user, but my sister has been tellign me to try macs. I want to know if I will be satisfied with my purchase.
P.S. How does Office 2004, and Sims 2 work wih Rosetta?
What is the difference bet. 256 GC and 128 GC?
What are the benefits?
Are there othe Sims 2 expansion packs for Mac?
Is April a good time to buy a iMac (enough time for more bugs to be fixed?
Success stories are welcome here too
Dell PC Windows XP Pro

Hello there, welcome to the forums!
You can buy it now, in April or any time, if you mean bug fixes in Mac OS X, yes they will be fixed. As it isn't any hardware bug (noticed yet) it wouldn't matter when you purchase your Mac.
For your uses:
1. Internet, great with Safari (Apple's browser), Mail (Apple's mailprogram) and AIM works on Mac OS X with AIM and other chatprograms.
2. There are several apps like Microsoft Word which is included with a 30 day trial when you get your Mac. However it runs under Rosetta right now so it might be a little bit slower but it runs good anyway. Microsoft will soon make it universal (which means both PowerPC and Intel Macs can run the software).
You can also find other programs for wordprocessing and other on the internet.
3. Watching DVDs is great experiense with Apple's built-in DVD Player in Mac OS X.
4. I am not sure if Sims 2 is universal yet but it might work in Rosetta.
5. iPod + Macs are made for eachother, so they will work great!
6. There are much to explore in Mac OS X and you will like it.
The difference between 128 MB videoram and 256 MB videoram is that 256 MB is better for games and 3D apps.
The benefits with Mac and Mac OS X are many. Take a look on the Apple.com and Mac OS X to learn more.
But isn't a 20" overkill for you with 256 MB videoram? Of course it depends on what you do, and of course you decide, but think about the 17 " aswell.
I am sure you will love Mac! Good Luck! And please post how you did.
//ImAlexander
iMac Intel Core Duo 17 " Mac OS X (10.4.5)

To buy or not to buy a rMBP?

Hi everyone!
This is my first question on the forum, so apologize if I'm asking something that has been asked a ton of times.
I was however unable to find a similar thread.
My problem is not whether or not I should buy a Retina Macbook Pro, but rather when.
At the moment I'm on a 2½ month roadtrip throughout the US and got about 3 weeks left or so.
I was kind of hoping for an updated rMBP, so I could pick it up in Oregon when I'm going there in a few days. (They do not have a state tax)
There is a lot of money to be saved by buying it while I'm in the states as they are 500-700 dollars more expensive back in Denmark.
My problem is that I've been reading several places that an update to the rMBP is expected within the next few weeks.
I know very little about computers and will only be using the rMBP for studying and photo and video editing and the usual internet surfing.. A little gaming here and there, but is by no means a priority.
Therefore I do not know how much of an update there is to expect and could really use some help to figure out what to do.
Should I buy a retina Macbook Pro while in the states and risk it being outdated within a few weeks - but save 500-700 dollars
... or should I wait for an update and buy it in Denmark and pay the extra price?
If you need any other information, please let me know!
Thanks

If your main concern is only the network connection, Mac and PC use the same "language" for example TCP/IP, wireless 11 B or 11 G, only the setting and approach might be slightly different, probably this is you afraid most, no one will help you to set it up when it fails.
If there is also specific software involved that Mac side cannot open and or will create problem during file swapping and transfer, I agree with powerpig, get a dedicated PC instead, it will create you less hassle and you speak the same with other collaguae. And no more scapegoat like" I cannot do my homework since my Mac cannot open the program".
Even though there is many alternative to open xp files by similar programs from different developer on mac side, but why bother to convert the instruction etc, when you can get the easy way with xp school environment, unless you are a Mac dedicated lover or you want to become one.
You can buy a MacBook, use it as "Jeckyl and Hyde" using boot camp, XP in the day and Mac OS in the night, but will you spend extra money to buy a licensed XP for your Mac Boot Camp.
If you afraid of having bad experience using xp, I believe your school has support for it, at least first aid support.
the decision is up to you, read more thread won't hurt and you'll learn a thing or two.

Buy or not to buy? that is the question !!

I have a powerbook already and I love macs, I being thinking about buying an iMac to have at home and enjoy the sweetness of the dual core intel processors but when I start reading "rumors" web pages I came down to the question of if it was the proper moment to buy an iMac or not, I mean, we have "Leopard" stepping at our doors an there are rumors about it coming on the end of march or beginnings of April, and possibly the computers may update then too, so should I buy it now? I don't mind to wait a little time to get some thing better like leopard or a little more of ram or video memory, what should I do?

Hi Kornfobic
Elmac is right as far as I am concerned. I just bought this iMac about three weeks ago knowing that I'll probably have to pay extra for Leopard whenever it comes out. I don't for a minute regret getting the iMac now instead of waiting. It is SOOOO much better than the old G4 I had. I am having a real ball working with it and, as a sort of bonus, when Leopard actually does come out I will no doubt upgrade and enjoy yet again all the new features as if I had just purchased yet another iMac.
Go for it.
Rick

I Pod Classic buy or not to buy

I have never owned a ipod before but was thinking of buying the new Ipod classic to store photoes and video clips more for fun than anything else but there seems to be alot of problems with it
so just wondering if it wold be a wise move to buy one.

To try to give a more balanced perspective (I own and have used heavily my new 160GB iPod Classic the past 7 days (over 20K songs at about 90GB used)):
1. cover flow is useless in 80 and 160 gbs
Myth: I use cover flow while music is paused and even playing and can spin through the covers in cover flow without a hiccup.
2. photo is useless also since the icon shown are not the picture shown and >>the if you scroll pictures you get the black screen of death (freezes)
Myth: The thumbnails for all my pictures are correct and I have yet to experience one freeze running through a photo set.
3. the HARD DRIVE IS NOISY !!!!
Matter of opinion I guess but I wouldn't say it is noisy at all - no more so than the 5.5G.
4.IT vibrates in your hand when you look for something (HARD DISK SPINNING) >>crappy feeling feels like a creative junk...
Sounds like this guy doesn't even have the classic as no one can say it feels like junk with a straight face and all hard drives vibrate when they spin.
5.sync erros by the 100'ss
Myth: I have yet to experience one sync error - though some people have I admit.
6. nobody tested the ipod with a lot of song and photos and video once is >>over 40 Gb it slows down to **...
Myth: Some Main Menu sluggishness but overall response nicely improved with the 1.0.1 update.
7. video out does not work.. All othe ipod stuff you have became uselles >>since the cool eyegalsses can not show video...
Never use video out so can't comment.
People on this borad are mostly here with legitimate problems or just to complain because it makes them feel good. But from my experience, I would buy the classic again ina heartbeat.

2 buy or not 2 buy, X-fi2

I'm thinking of purchasing the Zen X-fi2, but I see a lot of problems people are having with it. Should I wait for a firmware update or not. I know that most people who come here do so because of problems with their players, but I haven't seen too many people who said they are pleased with the Zen X-fi2. Is it worth looking into getting it now, or should I wait's
I have a Zen X-fi 8g right now and use it mostly for mp3 listening, but do occasionally watch videos on it. I'm also curious about the touch screen and how it handles smudges and fingerprints. I really like my X-fi but I like the ideal of having a little larger screen.
Thank you.
Frank

You might want to post this in the iPod forums (isn't there a place for the touch already?).
I was actually originally going to buy the touch as well, because I was on the fence about the iPhone, but now that I have the iPhone the things I like about it the best are the thing the touch doesn't have (ability to call from Google Maps, getting and sending email not at a wi-fi spot, etc.).
I suppose if you primarily used your iPhone for music and video (and either didn't need a cell phone or used one so very little you didn't want to spend a lot of money on monthly charges) the touch would make perfect sense. But given that my "normal" cell service was with AT&T and cost about $10 less than what I'm paying now for the iPhone, it was a no-brainer.
Remember -- there are lots of folks out there who either don't use much cell or can't afford the monthly fees (which is why there are a lot of prepaid phones sold). I'm sure Apple wants to target that audience.

To buy or not to buy?hmmm...

Hello everyone,
Finally, after a lifetime on the nightmare that is microsoft, I have decided to purchase my fist Apple computer and I cant wait to get my hands on it.
I have had my sights on the sexy 12"PB for about a year, as its portability and performance is perfect for my college needs. But now that i have the money to purchase it, here comes the new MBPros and the intel transition associated with the whole thing. Hence my dilema; i would have had my pb by now, but ever since this transition was put into march, ive grown weary that if buy the pb, the g4 procersor will grow obsolete before i cant dish out the cash for new computer.
Does anyone know how long apple will be creating binaries that will support both architectures?
Should I buy the 12"pb at the risk of it becoming obsolete in the near future?
I would greatly appreciate it if someonce can give me their advice ASAP as i need to buy something by the end of this week.
Thanks in advance.
pb12"
PB12"

Good advice. I bought the Macbook Pro when it came out, and I went through two of them within a matter of 19 days. And on the 19th day, I bought a 12'' PB G4, and I am happy with it. I am also a college student, and need this to last.
The first revision modles have so many problems with them. It's definitely not worth it. Also, they will be making universal binary, so I doubt they will just stop making software of PPCs.
One more thing, a friend of mine was telling me that Intel chips will eventually max out at a certain amount of GHzs, whereas PPCs do not have such limitations. I am skeptical about that claim, but if anyone wants to research that please let me know.

Mac to buy or not to buy

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