Transition from PC to Mac?

I've been a diehard PC and Windows user for my entire life, but ever since I've been on the market for a thin, light, sleek, and affordable notebook computer for my schooling needs, I've been eyeing the Macbook. The most important thing for me is size and mobility, but does it 5lb chassis of the Macbook interfere with carrying it around all day long across campus? Also, how sturdy is the Macbook? I plan on carrying it around everyday so this durability is a big thing I'm looking out for. I plan to use a machine such as this for multimedia (basic music and movie stuff), word processing, note taking, internet, organization, and other daily tasks. Gaming will not be a priority. I know Mac OS is easy to use, but should I fork out the $1100 for the basic 13" Macbook? I've been previously considering the new Asus Eee PC but after delay after delay, I don't know if I'm willing to wait till the end of October. Please let me know...thanks!

 

Well, I'm assuming you're a higher education student...if you are, you can get the base MacBook for $900 with a Student Discount.

I do not find the 5.1 lbs heavy. Its heavier than most other notebooks of the 13.3-inch class, but its bearable. The MacBook is built pretty well. Of course, its no Thinkpad, but its not going to fall apart while you're carrying it around.

If you can, I seriously recommend you wait until October. Leopard is going to be released then, and there is a high possibility of the MacBook getting an update; rumours are it will have Santa Rosa (which will almost undoubtedly happen if there's an update), and the MacBook may use aluminum, similar to the MBP. If it does, then it will be much lighter than it currently weighs.

 

Thanks for the advice...that $900 with student discount makes it sound even more tempting! About when in October will leopard and these *rumored* changes be made? If it happens to be late October I might end up going with something else, but we'll see. Also, if the Macbook is updated to Aluminum, will it loose the current white chassis and look more like the Pro's? To me, that's a turn off.

 

Well, no one knows when Apple is going to release Leopard...all we've been told is its going to be in October. Now, Apple always releases new OSes on Fridays, so the latest would be the 26th, if Apple is still on track for an October release (and they are, judging from the latest Betas).

Yes, if the MacBook is updated with aluminum, it will most likely not have a white look anymore. There's been some rumours of a silver look similar to the silver iPod Nano and Classic, and also a second aluminum version that is black.

What you may want to do then, is wait for the announcement (of course, it may not happen at all; Apple could update its MacBook in early 2008 for all they care), and see if you like the new MacBooks. If you don't, then get the old MacBook (which should be even cheaper then because the stores want to get rid of the old stock). If you do like the new look, then of course you'll get it .

 

Definitely don't forget that student discount. That takes the base model MacBook down to $999.

But it also takes the middle model, or "high end" white model, down to $1199.

If you can, go for that model. Bigger HDD, DVD writer, and a faster processor. It's definitely worth the extra money.

I honestly find the MacBook to be light. I don't mind carrying it around at all. In a backpack or something like that, it's like its not even there. I guarantee you its lighter than most of the books you have to carry

The build quality is great too. It'll stand up to every day abuse just fine. I'm hoping that Apple keeps this design and material, because I've seen too many aluminum MacBook Pros dent and scratch too easily where the MacBook came out of similar situations without a single mark on the case.

It looks like you're not willing to wait until the end of October for the Asus system, so I wouldn't recommend waiting for rumored MacBook updates or Leopard's release either. I mean, honestly, the MacBook as it is now will last you for years to come. Even with a Santa Rosa update, the real world difference in performance between that chipset and the current is very minimal. I can't see Apple going Santa Rosa yet anyway, because that would take the $1299 MacBook CPU up to the same exact speed as the $1999 MacBook Pro.

Tiger's support isn't going anywhere either. More people are using Tiger now than anyother Mac OS in history. Software developers, and Apple, would be fools to stop supporting it. And they're not. Apple is readying another major update for Tiger as we speak. Buying now rather than waiting for Leopard gives you the opportunity to use a completely stable and mostly bug free OS with software that is guaranteed to work. Wait to make sure the software you want to use works with Leopard or has been updated to, and wait for a couple of point revisions to Leopard then upgrade. That way you won't go from a stable OS to one that might have a few bugs for you.

 

Is it $999? I thought it was $899...

I just checked, and you're right. The Student Discount takes it down to $999.

 

The whole weight thing is way overrated. Unless you're a frequent flyer weight/form factor isn't super important.

Example:

I had a Dell 700m (pretty small laptop, ~5 lbs +/- 0.2 lbs w/ battery, not sure of exact weight).

I upgraded to a 15.4" MacBook Pro. The form factor is the same ...and it probably weighs a bit more but the weight is insignificant. In your back back, the 1-2 lbs isn't crucial.

The form factor is much more important. A bulky, thick laptop will not suit a student well. The macbook pro isn't tiny by any means, but it's very thin and not that much bigger than the 700m when you have them side by side.

Therefore, get the macbook, and don't look at the weight. It's a small machine, small enough to be very portable, but big enough to be comfortable to use.