I have taken the Mac plunge!

Well after deciding the pros and cons I have decided to take the Mac plunge.

I got myself iBook G4 12". It's too bad the Powerbooks are too expensive or else I would have gotten that instead.

The iBook fit my sub $2,000 budget and performance requirements -- A good graphic card and decent processor.

I'm even suprised myself that I got a Mac. The Dell Inspiron 6000 and Toshiba Satellite M50 were in the forerunners for my notebook choices.

I have to say that the iBook is very slick and stylish. There are some features on this Mac notebook I haven't seen on a PC notebook yet.

I just have to figure out how Mac OS X works now.

 

Congrats. You certainly could have gotten a PB for under $2k.

 

Not with the extra accessories I would have gotten with it.

I upgraded the RAM to 1 GB, got a S-Video Out adapter and MS Office with the iBook.

 

Congrats and welcome to the world of Mac. I have that model as well and all i can say is that OS X and the ibook pwn windows. I am a recent convert too, and i found it quite easy to learn. The only thing is that there are sooo many little hints and tips and little software addin's to learn and get.

Personally, right now with the intel switch coming, i don't see the point of getting a powerbook yet, once they switch cpu's, then they are going to really take off in power and such. Esp with the ideas for a remake of them are going around.

 

I ran some test with it.

It can play UT 2004 with no problems.

Playing AVI and MKV is no problem with Mplayer and VLC. (Though the MKV subtitles are missing in Mplayer and VLC plays MKV files somewhat slowly.)

I also found it out it's almost impossible to have dead shortcut links. It seems Mac X OS keeps track of apps when they are moved around on the hard drive.

I find that the screen looks a bit washed out compared to a full size monitor and the audio on the notebook isn't too great.

 

by Mplayer, are you talking about media player classic?
as for sound quality, what notebook has excellent quality? the speakers are so small in notebooks, basically (mabye abit smaller) then the speaker grills that you see.
I figure that VLC would perform better with a more powerful processor, but that isn't why we got the ibooks now is it . I think people however generally think that they are weaker then they actually are.

 

Isn't Media Player Classic only for Windows.

I'm referring to this MPlayer.

 

Windows still has OS X on compability! But yes, overall, OS X is a much better OS than Windows is and is virus free! I couldn't quite grasp that concept when I got my iMac

 

The iBook is more for general family use.

If the Intel processor in a Mac proves to be a large boost for Windows programs next year, I may get myself a Powerbook.

 

RZetlin, thanks for the Mplayer link, its always good to have a backup player that can play near everything.

xAMDvsIntelx, the only reason windows is more compatible is because they created a near 100% monopoly. But eventually the mac platform will take the monopoly from windows and the software for it will explode and it will prolly overtake MS. Even when the macintels come out and the possiblity for dual booting, there will prolly be an increase in mac software as people will want it for OS X over windows esp when they can see the diffs side by side. Or at least thats what i think.

 

True, OS X may become more common as an OS, but I don't know if it'll ever overtake Windows notebooks, unless they can sell their iBook/PowerBook lines for less. Just about all Windows notebooks can beat out a Mac in terms of price/performance ratio. Plus, OS X doesn't give out its OS like Windows does to other notebook manufactures. In addition, I have also seen many Windows notebooks (Toshibas/HPs/Dells) run OS X, which will become more common as OS X moves to Intel processors.

 

I would consider buying a mac but you cant game on them and they have terrible gpu's in them. I mean 9600's in iMacs and 9700's in pb's, come on apple.

 

The gpu's perform better then you think. My ibook with the Mobility Radeon 9550 with only 32 mb ram, was able to handle Myst V End Of Ages. Not on full graphics mind you, but it was still good. And that game has intense drawn graphics.

Oh, and the main reason there is less games is that macs use open GL as there graphics engine of choice, where MS has everyone using Direct X as the graphics engine. In my opinion, open GL is better.

 

Depends on what you're doing.. I'm not going to start a huge debate on whether OpenGL is better than DirectX or vice-versa..
To put it simply... To develop an OpenGL game costs much more than to develop the same game using DirectX.
However, an OpenGL game tends to have much more value and is far more futureproof. Because of this, much money can be saved using the same OpenGL engines over and over such as the case of Quake 3, Enemy Territory, C&C Renegade (Quake 3 engine) etc. etc... Unreal Tournament 2003, 2004,etc. etc.

Half-life would never have been made if DirectX didn't exist. The company couldn't afford the development costs to hire OpenGL programmers to write an engine from scratch. The Quake OpenGL engine was too expensive to license.

 

I've thought about getting a Mac notebook. They seem to be of very solid build and very high quality. The biggest thing that is holding me back is it seems that you can get a pc notebook w/ way more options for the same price or less. There are a lot fewer games put out for the Mac as well.

Somebody is going to have to point out why I would pay more for less before I would buy one. So far as I can tell, it must simply be a quality issue. Yes, it may not be as powerful or come with as many bells and whistles, but it will hold up better and perform better on a day to day basis. This is all speculation here, somebody fill me in, please! =o)

 

Well its all about the OS - no spyware, viruses and all that other junk you get on PCs (I am the proud owner of an iMac). Personally, I think that Macs are great computers, but as you said, are heavily overpriced for what you get. Also - Mac doesn't come close to Windows in compatibility.

 

Macs are pricier than the PC. I never really pondered the reasons til I bought my first PC four months ago.

PC was defective and getting a half-fast resolution to the multitudinous hardware issues was a hassle. Hours of my time on the phone, email, waiting for FedEx etc. Doubt that my experience is representative of all PC makers, but it cured me.

I have purchased a couple of Bad Apples over the years. As soon as the problem was made known to Apple Computer adjustments were immediate and satisfactory. 100% refund or a new unit, my choice.

As long as that continues, I am Apple's customer to lose.

Happy Holidays to all!

susan

 

welcome to the club. i recently bought an ibook 12in also and have no regrets. It really works well and isn't as frustrating as windows with everything freezing. Also the 1 gig i think is really important as that is what it really needs especially if you have lots of widgets like i do.

 

OSX is a very smooth OS! I use both platforms, due to some minor apps that are only available on Windoze. I am waiting for the magic day when I can consolidate to 1 OS...OSX!

 

I recently replaced a Dell 8600 with a 15" Powerbook. The Powerbook was more expensive, but I had it up and running in no time at all. As far as stability, there is no comparison, I have rebooted the Powerbook twice, each time after software upgrades. The Dell had problems maintaining a wireless connection and required reboots on a regular basis.

 

I don't really get how the MacIntels will suddenly start supporting windows softwares, unless the software manufacturers make/port softwares specially for the MacOS. and that will hapen when more users get in on the action. Personally i would love it beyond any of my computer dreams to have the MAC supporting all the softwares that I curently want. The OSX is really cool and have some really nifty features that microsoft just don't have the brains to invent. I just hope they at least keep up with the practice of copying it onto their new OS releases until all major software vendors start making software for the MAC. Then I can make the shift to the MAC world.

As an ending note, for construction/build quality and hardware reliability on the PC (in fact unmatched even by anythin Apple makes), you have the IBM
http://www.pc.ibm.com/ca/thinkpad/community/legends/

 

the increased windows compatibility will come from the very possible ability to dual boot with windows and os x. then you have windows to run the windows only programs a person may need.

as for that link, i don't have one for macs, but they have survived many similar situations.

 

That means even the MAC users will be buying a copy of windows and many many curently windows users will by a MAC. Win Win situation i guess for both parties