Why Macbook? Give me Some Answers

I keep hearing all these great things about apples, but i cant get myself to believe the idiots working at bestbuy. Can someone tell me why a Macbook will be better for me than PC? Im not gonna use it for photoshop or editing just for school and for pictures. I really like I photo. Im worried that nothing will be compad. with osx either such as my program for loading music onto my sony w810i, even though its the worst music tranfer in history. Also is it true that macbooks tend not to slow down over time unlike pcs. And no virus's is this true? Im a PC person but i need a laptop that will not die or slow down that much over 3 or 4 years. Thanks!

 

No Viruses - Pretty much True

But the only answer I can give as to why should YOU get a Macbook is if you enjoy OS X or the build quality of them. Go to a store and try them out. If you like them, great! Otherwise go with a PC if that's what you really want.

 

Most cameras are compatible with the Mac. You just plug in the camera and Mac OS X will ask you to import your photos to iPhoto (which is a great photo app).

I don't think MacBooks slow down over time. They use the same processor as PCs (Intel Core 2 Duo). I wouldn't worry about it.

And no viruses is pretty true. I wouldn't say you could go ANYWHERE, download ANYTHING and not get a virus, but enabling the firewall will basically handle the antivirus part. Almost all of us use no antivirus program for the Mac.

The advantage of the Macs are that they have great design and run Mac OS X. If you enjoy those, get a MacBook. However, if you're perfectly fine with a PC and really dislike the looks of the Mac and Mac OS X, stick with Windows.

 

I'm just keeping it real.

Windows wins on hardware options and pricing. You can get $700 PC laptops and for $700 you can build a very competent desktop system yourself.

Windows XP and OS X are both very stable. OS X multitasks better and I do push both OSs. For _most_ users, they won't push their OS enough for this to really matter. The problems you will have are more than likely going to be with software and drivers. Drivers are not really an issue with OS X, but if you know what you are doing with Windows, drivers are not really an issue either.

If I had to, I could probably come up with a gripe with Windows and then come up with a grip with OS X. Neither UI is perfect. Honestly, I still find the Windows UI to be faster and more responsive. I wish I could rename and delete files from within modal windows under OS X.

I don't run anti-virus software and never have. I've had 1 windows virus, and I've had one Mac Virus, and I think it was on OS 9 (Michaelangelo 666 or something?), so, whatever, that was a while ago. Lay of the young teen porn sites and you can dramatically reduce the amount of viruses you are exposed to.

Personally, I think the MacBook is a couple/few hundred dollars too expensive for the GMA and for the screen resolution. The CPU is top notch, but, then again, it's not like you can't get these CPUs on Dell's under $1000 either.

I use Windows XP Pro, OS X and Vista.

XP Pro and OS X are seriously a draw for me. I'm happy using whichever. The only real killer thing in OS X is exposé. I get very addicted to my middle mouse click showing me all my open windows. You can't assign individual desktop images to 2 monitors in windows, that's not a deal breaker, it's just stupid, and it's still the case in Vista.

Vista seems to work well, but there are a lot of software and driver issues, so, it's going to take some time for it to smooth out.

I'd say the OS X is somewhat more elegant, more aesthetically pleasing, and the hardware is prettier. Is it worth the price premium? Up to you.

If you got a MacBook, you'd def be happy for a few years, although, for the money, the thing should have at least a low end video card.

EDIT: about 6 months ago, using easily available coupons, I got a new Dell 15.4" E1505 with Core 2 Duo 2GHz, 2GB ram, 160GB HD, an x1400 video card and the screen res is 1680x1050. 3 year warranty. $1250. MacBook can't touch that for the money.

EDIT2: Macs are easier to sell used for a fair price.

 

The best thing about an apple is OS X hands down. I use mine for just school and personal stuff and I had no compatablilty issues. In fact, there is a lot mac users at my university. I am able to use my macbook with my w800i as well but I don't use the software that comes with the phone. If you want to transfer files, the best way would be to get a usb memory stick reader or just send it through bluetooth (good for individual files, not good for a large amount of files).

Another great thing about apple and their laptops is that they as long as you're not gaming and do not need a dedicated video card, the laptops get outdated a lot slower than PCs. Whenever apple releases new operating systems it tends to usually work smoothly on older generation macs. They also hold their resale value amazing well too.

 

iTunes is just as easy to use as iPhoto - at least when I load and transfer music for my gf's iPod. Frankly, I'm not sure how it works with other players, but would think it would be just as simple to use.

About the cost difference: You can buy less expensive machines equally well-equiped with hardware. The difference is the software which is great if you like what's provided and if it will be of use to you.

FWIW, I'd recommend you not buy from Best Buy if you have the option of purchasing from Apple itself - is there a local Apple Store in your area? If not, and you're not in a great rush, Apple ships reliably and fairly quickly.

 

Eh- this isn't exactly true. Macbooks use the same hardware as PC's and the hardware becomes outdated at the same time. It only feels less outdated when Apple is behind when it comes to releasing notebooks refreshed with new hardware (ie. the Santa Rosa refresh a few weeks back- still nothing from Apple).

As for you subtly referring to Vista being a problem for old PC's, I don't think that you aren't making a fair comparison. Like Windows XP, OS X has been around since 2001 so compatibility is far and wide insofar as the Jaguar/Tiger/Leopard/etc. updates don't fundamentally change the OS (they're more like Service Packs).

 

For Ericsson phones... u can enable bluetooth and exchange files that way between cell phone and computer. I do it for my k800i =D

 

Not exactly, if you went through the OS X's initial release with an old beige G3, you would have felt the intense pain of incompatibility. OS9 to OSX upgrade was painful for the G3s.

OS X upgrades are not similar to XP to Vista upgrade. OS X upgrades are incremental upgrades that you $120 each time (3 upgrades in 5 years?), so the older computers have been able transition better. The XP to Vista upgrade is 5 years in between. The PCs in the earlier days of XP will not perform well with Vista.

These days with the hardware being the same between a mac and a pc, buying a mac means you're paying mostly for the priviledge to use OS X and the excellent industrial design. If OS X and the looks of the computer are worth that extra 200-300 bucks, then go for it. I will say that MBP has some niceties in its hardware that many PCs in the same price range don't have--like backlit keyboard, magsafe power adapter, etc.

Having used a Mac for 10 years before i switched to PCs, I can tell they do "slow down" over time. I also keep my computers running for at least 4 yrs, so your mileage may vary depending on often you replace them. You can always just erase everything and start from scratch on your old computers to "refresh" their speed. Computers don't slow down because they're old, they slow down because of all the stuff you've loaded on them over the years, and also newer software are more resource intensive than older versions--updates are inevitable, and will slow down your computer.

 

When I think my computer is starting to act a little sketchy over time, I reformat it. OS X or Windows.

Seems like 12-18 months is the average.

 

Not sure I understand that, schemula. Not saying I've never encountered a problem, but with the Macs I've owned, I've never had to reformat. One of the machines is a 3 year old, 12" PB which my son now uses and abuses. Even so, the machine just marches on without causing any issues.

What caused your own Mac to require a reformat?

 

With the Mac it's usually more of a personal thing I guess. I prolly should have been more clear. Windows does seem to get more clunky. I seem to clunky up the Mac with trial apps, and things I don't use anymore and so forth, so, one day I get bored and wipe the thing. I can't really say anything has ever forced me to do it.

Nor with Windows, but Windows really does like the reformat and clean install.

 

Macs don't slow down, I've been using a 3 year powerbook and a 4 year ibook for a while now. When I upgraded to a macbook, I didn't feel that much of a difference even with intel's core duo.

 

I would have to disagree. We use DataStudio with motion and force sensors in physics labs and those G4 iBooks are pretty much crawl and are as temperamental as PCs. I would argue that PCs and Macs are created equal in terms of the fallibility of technology and performance.

As for advantages, I'd have to say that Apple notebooks generally retain their values much better than PCs for resale, if that's an issue.

 

I have to say, one of the things I love about the Mac platform is the lack of a wide range .. their range is just enough to cover the various needs, but too wide to make it hard to choose which one to buy.