Considering a Mac, but have some concerns ;)

Hello,

I have read the Switching guide and the 101 guide, but still have some questions about the Macbook!

Is it even worth getting a Macbook, when there are cheaper notebooks out there with the same processor speed and 2gigs of ram stock? And a great graphics card for around the same price as the black macbook, which only has 1g of ram???

Also, if I switched, is there a My Documents type place to save everything? because my friend has an iMac and everything is scattered across the desktop, in no folder of any sort.

Is there any way to open several internet windows at once, and keep them at the bottom of the screen? Or do they all dissapear in the mozilla or safari box? Do I need Expose for this???

Also, I know they're bad for gaming, but can they even run games like AOE III or WOW?

That's all for now, thanks!

 

AOE III I dont know. Wow yes, on low resolution and to minimum settings it's playable.

 

It depends what you're after. If you're looking for the most powerful system for the lowest price, its not going to be a Mac; it'll be something like a Dell. But if you want the extras of Mac hardware, and of course, OS X, then it'll be a Mac.

Yes, there is a Documents folder on the Mac. You save mostly anything in there. Of course, you can choose to put photos in the Photos section, etc. And of course, your friend could have just created a "Desktop Files" folder on the Desktop and put all the files in there .

To access all open windows of one application, press F10, which is a "form" of Expose. You can also minimize windows by pressing the "-" button on the top left corner, which will minimize that window into the Dock. You can minimize as many windows as you want.

WoW yes, AOE3 I don't know.

 

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

As for your gaming questions - check out the list of games available for OS X. It's limited but WOW is on it. A MacBook has no dedicated graphics card so it's not going to be a hot gaming rig in any case. However, it should play older or not graphically intensive games just fine. There's also the option to install Windows for gaming via Bootcamp but I find it too much trouble to reboot...

 

2 points on this:

1. In my opinion, a Mac is marketed and sold as a complete package. You get a solid OS and a good set of 'starter' software with every Mac as well as some solid hardware. The OS and the hardware are designed to work with each other. This is a huge difference when compared with Windows systems.

2. No matter what we tell you, at the end of day you need to determine if you can buy a MacBook and have no regrets. If you feel Windows systems offer more for your money, then by all means do not buy a MacBook.

Part of the experience is to keep an open mind and try different ways to do the same thing. Yes, you can simply minimize screens and you can see them at the bottom of the screen, but there are better ways to do this.

 

Well the MacBook Pro seems like a real advancement in technology, but the Macbook seems like its whiny little brother, thats why I am second guessing it.

I have been eying the Macbook for a few months now, but I hear it has a lot of problems. Since it's not viruses, its all the OS and it randomly shutting down, and the keyboard things coming loose and stuff, and I really don't want to spend like $200 on Apple Protection Plan because warranty's are a rip off almost 99% of the time.

I would want 2gigs of ram, but is it worth it? Or is 1 gig really enough for this little notebook???

 

I've never had those issues with my MacBook, so I wouldn't worry about it. The random shut down issue was fixed with a firmware update, and none of my keys are feeling the least bit loose from they day I got it, about five months ago.

It depends what tasks you are doing. OS X runs fine on 512 MB of RAM, but of course the MacBook is standard at 1 GB. 1 GB will run most applications fine. For more RAM-intensive applications such as Photoshop, 1 GB of RAM still works fine, but 2 GB of RAM will be much better.

 

I just switched from numerous PC notebooks to a macbook. I tried to upgrade to a macbook pro but it was stolen before I ever made it home, however this is a different story.

So far I don't regret it. IMO, notebooks are for productivity and work -- not gaming. If you want to play games, be smart and build a decent PC DESKTOP -- they're more powerful and much cheaper. I know college students and the like complain about how "big" desktops are and they can't fit into a dorm but this is bullhocky. You can make do. Keep in mind, a powerful-enough notebook that can "sorta" play games is going to cost just as much if not more than a nice desktop and a cheapy laptop for working on.

I try to stay under $1k for any notebook I buy, because I don't need an uber workhorse to write stuff in word and flip through powerpoints. The MBP was a stupid exception that being stolen got me out of

Besides that, you really shouldn't be playing on the same system you use for work.

 

Why not hold out for another month and see if the MB get refreshed with new stuff when Leopard's released?

Does your friend's desktop look like this?



In any event, I've seen Windows desktops where there are fils scattered all over the place. File organization is largely reflective of how organized the user is and how much control he wants over his organization method. That being said, if you're the type of person who doesn't want to deal with organizing all your files in a certain way, a lot of OSX programs (i.e. those in the iLife suite) go out of their way to make it so the user doesn't have to--and shouldn't--bother with organizing files manually.

 

House you make a lot of sense. I never really thought of it that way. I am guessing I wont even have a lot of time to play games throughout college, and when I do have time off I would rather spend it with my girlfriend or out with friends anyways!!!

I have read your thread on your MBP getting stolen, that sucks . Hope that tape shows something to catch the thief!!!

To Sam:
I won't be doing much photoshop work, but I do have Photo shop CS that I use to recolor pictures and resize them to upload them to the net. Also, is there an exact date for Leopard? Because I would like that to be pre-installed. Also, are there going to be big problems with it like in Vista???

I think I should do the switch and stop being scared of change!!! I have been pretty attached to PC's...

 

There is no exact date for Leopard's release, but it is still scheduled for an October release. And no, looking at the current Beta seeds it looks like its going to be good. Of course, there may be some bugs to fix but from the looks of it, its going to be solid overall.

Once again, this is an advantage in Apple's decision to only allow OS X on its own hardware. There aren't many, or any driver issues at all, because they know all the hardware on the Macs, and they also know what hardware they are going to use in the future, and they write drivers in advance to accommodate them.

 

Trust me, there is plenty of time to play games AND be with your girlfriend.

Just not much time for class

 

Hehe that sounds more like it Eallan .

Well I must say I am pretty much convinced, but to be honest I have been looking at Macbooks since they came out, and always thought they were really cool in the Apple stores.

My only beef with them is that they are so different and I don't know if I could get used to it. I have been using XP since it came out, but I don't want to buy a Mac to use XP on it, so I really like the current OSX (10.4?), but the previews of leopard on the Apple site really impressed me so I will wait for that, but I think I am going to be a new Mac owner around here .

I also read this:
Other issues on the MacBook such as the heat and cheap feel of the keyboard keep this from being the perfect notebook.

But then also that head ISN'T an issue at all!

 

It's true trying to game on a notebook means losing out on productivity, and it shouldn't be recommended, but it is much easier to use one machine for everything. You can't get a good desktop AND a lousy notebook for the same price as one relatively good notebook.

For the same price as I got for my notebook, I could have got...
1. My MBP.
2. One mediocre desktop, and one lousy notebook.
3. One good desktop (I mean quad-core, 8950GTX, etc, etc, if it's going to be a desktop that's what it SHOULD be, not the slightly better than what you're going to get in a notebook desktop).

It's either or, not both.

Still, I would never recommend getting older technology (which is what the current Macbooks are, even if only marginally) so wait till the refresh if that's what you plan to get.

 

So wait until October or 2008???

What refresh exactly? Santa Rosa?

 

Switching to OS X isn't that hard. Check out these two links if you're interested in seeing how to transition from Windows to OS X:

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101

As for the heat, its not as bad as it seems. Right now my MacBook's temperature is at 50 C with five applications open. And the bottom casing gets hot, but its not unbearable.

I absolutely love my MacBook keyboard. It looks nice, feels nice, works well. I wouldn't worry about that at all.

 

If there is an October update, it most likely will bring in Santa Rosa and possibly LED-backlighting. However, there is also the possibility that Apple holds out on that update, and waits until early 2008 to update the MacBook with Penryn.

As I always say, if you need the computer now, get it now. If you can wait, wait. But don't keep waiting, because once a product is announced, its replacement is already in development; if you keep waiting and waiting you'll just never get it at all .

 

What I'd say, if it's now, don't get a Macbook, get something with Santa Rosa and an X3100...

 

I agree with Sam. Wait as long as possible permitting your circumstances. Technology is constantly improving. And the rumors indicate an October update . On the other hand, there is always another update around the corner. At least wait until Leopard is released. That'd be enough for me, at least.

I think I'm just adding overkill to Sam's point though.

 

Don't worry, second opinions are always welcome, Xander .

 

Hey, I'm always interested in what I have to say . And that's all that matters, LOL!

 

i got my MacBook a few weeks ago knowing about the refresh in October. I have been very glad with my purchase. I saw buy it now!

 

yup me too.. can't fault it, it's a great bit of kit. I just figured I may as well just get on with it and get the use out of it.

I only got 1gb ram in mine but have had no issues with Photoshop, even when opening a folder of 20 7megapixel images.

Yes in my opinion they do get a tad warm if you sit it on your lap (especially on the left hand side towards the back) it's not uncomfortably hot by any means though, and that said I've only ever heard the fan spin up twice in the week I've had it. I mainly use mine on a desk or table anyway so it's not really an issue.

I have a freind who keeps waiting for the next new bit of technology that he reads about before starting his desktop PC build.. he has done this for the last 8 years.. he still hasn't got round to starting his build and is still making do with a prehistoric machine! (I kid you not!) No matter when or what you buy within months there's always going to be a new version talked about or a big price drop, it's just one of those things....

 

To each their own I guess. The only reason I got an Apple recently, was because I could compare exactly the same innards to other notebooks out there. At the moment Macbooks are dated. If you're happy with that, then go ahead.

 

Well I will get it when Leopard comes out, if the prices stay the same of course! They should do anyways, I am going for the mid model, because I don't need the extra HD space, and also I don't really like the look of the black one ( Well, I do, but not for $200 ).

Leopard is enough for me, once that comes stock I won't worry about any more updates, and I doubt after that there will be a price drop . Maybe the heat issue will be toned down, and if not, I still use my current notebook on a soft pillow on the couch anyways when I am watching TV or something.

 

^ If your current computer has fan inlets/outlets on the bottom then that is not a good idea to put the computer on a pillow.

 

Hi,

I played games in high school as pretty much my primary activity, other than band. I was involved with navy ROTC my first semester of college, where I didn't game at all, and left that term with a 3.7. I quit NROTC because I wanted to go to med school and took up my old high-school gaming habits. My second term GPA was a 3.2. Hmmm......

Some people may have no problem getting work done with distractions around. I'm not one of them. I learned from experience that higher education + gaming = mediocre performance. I dumped the games in college and ended up doing well enough to get into med school.

Med school is mostly independent, so I have a LOT of time indoors without much to do. Unfortunately, I get bitten by the gaming bug now and then. I do realize, however, that I'm not really interested in playing games from start to finish as I am just seeing what they're like; any game system I built, any game I get I only play through about the first 1/4 or 1/2 until I get bored of it. Once I realized I just like seeing what games were like and not really playing them, I started fighting the urge to play at all. *shrug*

Gaming is a nasty habit to break when you get older. Might as well start now.

 

I am like you, I never want to finish games.

The only game I have ever finished was Fable. I never play games through, I just play them for a week or two then put them in hiding. Good point!

 

This is one reason I wanted a MBP. If I ever get the urge to see what a game is like, I can switch to windows and play it for 15-20 minutes, then go back to OSX and get work done.

 

Most likely, the price of the MacBook will stay the same or even drop a bit. I don't predict a price increase even with a possible hardware update and Leopard.

 

Shop around at best buy. I don't know what the macbook price is with the apple education discount, but I only paid $990 for my macbook. Best buy gives 10% ish off for open-box items, and some coupon was going around to get 15% off. For some reason, people return a lot of macs to best buy

 

If you get the Student Discount, you can get the lowest model MacBook for $999. Yeah, you got it slightly cheaper .

Anyways, if anyone is really looking for a cheap Mac, I suggest they look at the Refurbished Macs, which are of great quality (nearly brand new) but much cheaper than a regular priced Mac.

 

What's the website? I could consider a refurb mbp. Too bad the education discount didn't stack

Nevermind, no deals on mbp.

 

http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/W...ertifiedMac&wosid=bqWjrT0PXtnO2R9jhyPNoxofrdU

Or you can Google "Apple Refurb Store", it should show up there as well. If you decide to get a Refurb, get 'em fast, they sell really quick .

 

Hello,

I am in an Apple store right now in Irvine, and the Macbook is really great! The typing is nice, and everything is running really fast. I have tested word, powerpoint and stuff like that. Gotta go now though.

 

Good to hear, Dustin. And when Microsoft Office 2008 arrives, Word and Powerpoint will run even faster, as it no longer needs to run under Rosetta.

 

Ok, so I am back home now (Saw Muse in concert last night, but that's a whole nother story!!!!) and I really liked the Macs I tried out. I tried the MBP, the Blackbook, and the Whitebook .

The White Macbook actually started Word and Power Point faster than the Blackbook, AND the MBP!!! But then again, the MBP had all sorts of stuff installed on it to show it's versatility. One of these things was Photoshop CS3. I opened it and it was a bit confusing, because in the screen it still had the background and the ability to press widgets or things on the desktop!!! Strange.

Also, it was hard to get used to double tapping to right click, but I got it after a few seconds. I also went into the documents, tested the iDVD, Garageband, and watched a Ratatouile preview .

I really liked it, but the Blackbook seemed to be really dirty from all the hands on it, and the White Macbook caught my eye moreso than the Blackbook, so I think I will go for the white, with an extra gig of ram, and the middle priced one for the super drive!

 

Cool Dustin, it's good that you actually took time to play with the computers. The forums can only do but so much just telling you and it's really best to try things out and not get caught up in the negatives. Remember, people with good experiences hardly ever post to tell about it so only the complainers will post making the Macbook look bad.

One thing to note, those computers are used in the store all day so some programs are cached and some are not henceforth why one Macbook opened MS Word faster than the other. Always launch and relaunch to test.

Photoshop's UI on the Mac by default is different than the Windows version, don't know why. When you start up Photoshop only the pallets show up leaving you accessibility to the desktop, that's actually better that way. However there's one button to press and Photoshop will take over the whole screen if you prefer.

 

Yeah, the black MacBook's matte casing makes greasy fingerprints show up more. And congrats on choosing a MacBook .

 

Thanks everyone! I will be hanging around if you don't mind, and I will probably post more in this thread, but I won't be getting my Macbook until Christmas OR until Leopard, whichever comes first .

 

Absolutely no problem, Dustin! Hang around as long as you like, you're always welcome. We can always use more helpful members .

 

First of all congrats to Dustin on choosing a Mac over PC.

I am looking forward to buying my first Mac soon. I plan on buying
a Macbook Pro. I'm getting a student discount so it should be $1799.

However I saw that a refurbished one comes for $1699. I know that
it's not a big difference. However I plan on buying the Bose Companion
2 speaker system along with this. So the $100 difference should compensate

However I'm a bit concerned since this is the first refurbished electronic
gadget that I'm even considering. So I need some doubts cleared.

1. How good will the refurb fair on counts of build, looks and functionality as compared to a new one?

2. What kind of problems do refurb laptops have, that they need refurbishing?

Thanks in advance.

 

Its understandable that you are hesitant to buy a refurb. I would never consider it myself, but...

They come with the same warranty as new ones, its not like they are a 'Open Box' item or an 'As Is' item. They go through re-qualification before they are labeled refurbished, and you can still buy AppleCare for a refurb.

From Apple:

More info here: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...mm=browse&mco=671D1EE8&node=home/specialdeals

 

Thanks SaferSephiroth. Man I love this place for the quick responses

I'll definitely keep the refurbs in mind when I make the purchase.

However if Leopard finds its way to an MBP by the time I do, I will have to buy a new one

 

BTW will a refurb come with Leopard pre-loaded after the launch of Leopard?

Guess it would make the refurb purchase next to irresistible

 

It might take some time, it depends on how many people return their Leopard-equipped computers.