Why doesn't everyone use the MB?

Until this day, I have been a devout Windows/Linux user and wouldn't use anything else! My Clevo M570U is excellent!

So today I was just strolling down a street in Chester (school finished early! yeah!) and decided to pop into the Mac shop as I'd been a bit curious about the MB/MBP. I had no intention of buying at all.

Inside I was totally converted! The MBP is EXCELLENT and I can't think of much that can beat it performance wise although the price may have to come down a bit before I invest in one.

However, the MB White is just the price that I could afford if I went hungry for a few weeks so I'm really considering buying this now! Any thoughts?

I'd still use my Clevo as my main computer as all my software is for Windows and I don't really want to change but if I ever upgrade to Adobe CS3 I might consider getting it for Mac.

Just so this post is actually help someone here are the specs of the different MacBooks:

MB 13" White (MB061): 2.0GHz/1GB/80GB/Combo: £699 - Might get this
MB 13" White (MB062): 2.16GHz/1GB/120GB/SuperDrive: £829
MB 13" Black (MB063): 2.16GHz/1GB/160GB/SuperDrive: £949

And now the MBPs:

MBP 15": 2.2GHz/2GB/120GB/8x SuperDrive DL/nVidia 128: £1,299
MBP 15": 2.4GHz/2GB/160GB/ 8x SD DL/nVidia 256: £1,599
MBP 17": As above (but bigger screen): £1,799 - This is one serious nice machine. I'd recomend it to anyone who can afford it and indeed if I had the funds I would definitely go out and buy it now!

 

Because MacOS is not for everyone, and running bootcamp on it is a pain in the arse, so I'd rather stick to windows machines.

 

In the best case, this post belongs to the Apple forum, if not the off-topic.
Thread moved.

 

Could oyu move it then please? Sorry I'm new to Apple's so haven't been anywhere near the Apple forum and haven't noticed it's existance before. Thanks.

What's bootcamp?

 

Boot camp can be used to install windows or Linux on an Intel based mac.

Also I think you missed a 1 infront of the 7 for the 17" macbook pro price. I dont know the UK prices but its not that cheap for sure.

 

Ah sorry about that - I've edited it now!

Thanks for telling me about bootcamp - I think I'll use my Mac for Mac and my Clevo for Windows/Linux though!

I am in the UK - those are the prices supplied to me by MCC in Chester.

 

A big reason for consumers would be that OS X doesn't have DirectX, so a huge number of computer games would not work. Second would be the lack of hardware variation - there currently does not exist a Macbook with say FireGL or Quadro graphics, or a finger print reader etc., and you cannot just buy any graphics card or motherboard from a shop and upgrade your Mac Pro with it, which could be very important to corporates.
OS X is not very good for large networks, another reason why it's not suitable for large corporates.
Another reason for corporates is the fact that Microsoft was first to hit the market hard, and now many companies have distributed systems running on a Windows backbone, and it would cost them far too much money and time to switch should they want to.

 

Well, after the first "wow" impression has faded, consider this a bit more objectively:

The 17" MBP is a great machine, but if you have a m570u, undoubtedly one of the main reasons for its purchase was its gaming power. The 17" MBP only has a 8600M GT, which probably would not suffice for your gaming needs.

Also consider if you really need 2 laptops. With the Clevo as your main, you might as well get a Macbook since the extra power of the MBP isn't as vital to you, whereas portability might be. However, the Macbook isn't among the lightest of its class.

Then, both laptops would be using different OSes - not a huge deal, but certainly can be inconvenient.

It'd probably make more sense for you to sell the Clevo, build a desktop and then get the Macbook if you want to go that route.

More importantly, if Adobe CS3 would be the only software you using on the Mac, it'd be a pain switching back and forth all the time wouldn't it?

I'm not trying to dissuade you from buying a MB or MBP, but you should probably consider whether such an investment is worth it when you already have a very good laptop already, and that a conversion, even if only a partial one, to OSX would require some investment as well in software.

 

Not everyone wants to spend extra money for given hardware specs simply to be able to run OSX.

 

What's so difficult about running bootcamp?

 

I bought a D630 because it is the equivalent of a 14.1" MBP at a fraction of the cost. If someone does not want Mac OS, why pay the premium price for an Apple laptop?

 

if you configure a d630 with macbook pro parts, its not a fraction of the cost anymore

also- you can't get an 8600m gt on there. the quadro card isn't even based on the 8600, thats either an 8400 or 7 series, i dont remember for sure.

and, thats just the internals anyway. macbook pro is a sleek machine on the outside too.

 

i agree... why is such a pain? dont u just pick what os u want to run and click on it? cant be that painful.

 

I do not play many PC games since I bought my Wii, so the 135M is more than enough.
Lets see how much cheaper my D630 is compared to a similar MacBook Pro. Both of these prices are through a student discount.

MacBook Pro
* 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
* 160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
* SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
* MacBook Pro 15-inch Widescreen Display
* Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
* Accessory Kit
* AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro/PowerBook (w/or w/o Display) - Auto-enroll

This plan does not include NBD service or Accidental coverage
$2,105

ntel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.20GHz
WXGA+ LCD
2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM
128MB NVIDIA Quadro NVS 135M
120GB Hard Drive 9.5MM 7200RPM
Touchpad with UPEK fingerprint reader
Windows XP Professional, SP2
90W AC Adapter for Latitude D-Family
8X DVD+/-RW w/ Roxio Creator and Cyberlink
Dell Wireless 1505 Draft 802.11n
9-Cell/85 WHr Primary Battery for Latitude D630

Warranty
CompleteCare Accidental DamageSvc, Lat, 3Yr
Dell Hardware Warranty, Extended Year(s)
Type 3 Contract - Next Business Day Parts and Labor On-Site Response, 2YR Extended
Dell Hardware Warranty, Initial Year
Type 3 Contract - Next Business Day Parts and Labor On-Site Response, Initial Year
This does include Next business day service and accidental coverage.

$1591.90
I ordered mine with the 2.0 GHz processor at 1511.90, but I could have ordered the 2.2 GHz processor for $80 more.

EDIT: I saved $500.

 

Thanks for this. I may consider just getting the cheapest MacBook - you've made some really good points here. Although I don't do much gaming I do like the graphics on the m570u to run CS:S and HL2 at max settings.

As you say the main reason for getting a MacBook is the portability so again this is another reason to get the smaller one. Thanks again.

 

Those are entirely different specs and machines though.
True, for your needs, the different specs don't mean anything so there's no sense in paying for value you don't need. But that doesn't change the fact that there are different specs in those two systems.

 

Oh and thanks everyone else for replying as well!

 

Wow, if you are going to post at least post sensible facts. Corporations don't need graphics card options.
A lack of a finger print reader is hardly a deal breaker.
OS X works very well with large networks. Many companies use OS X including NASA which runs OS X only.
If changing computers mean less IT and lower maintenance and now Macs can dual boot then mulit-million dollar corporations won't have a problem spending money.
Several corporations are considering dropping Microsoft's expensive licensing in favor of the Mac OS right now.

 

@hldan

I agree with pretty much everything you've said here. I think the trouble is that most people just don't know how good Macs actually are. I didn't know until today.

That's a new fact to my knowledge. I NEVER knew that NASA ran only OSX. Amazing. Thanks again.

@Budding
I was thinking this earlier when reading your post. Is a fingerprint reader REALLY that improtant. In my experience all they do is increase boot time as for an experience cracker they're just as easy to get round as the password field.

 

That's because it isn't true. The overwhelming majority of computers at NASA run Windows XP.

Seriously people, OS X is a fine operating system. But we really shouldn't make up stuff to prop it up.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199201229

Are those 60,000 computers running OSx86 in a double-boot with XP? Because otherwise, those are at least 60,000 computers at NASA that exclusively use Windows XP, and will be upgrading to VISTA in the future - not OS X.

 

@ Overclocker
Thanks for pointing that out and thanks for the link mate. I've given you some rep for that. I've narrowed it down to the 13" MB or the 15" MBP - but probably going towards the white MB because of price.

@hldan
Dude, where did you get that information from? I used to give out some incorrect info but I always gave a link. Maybe you should kick whoever told you that where it hurts. I gave you rep for that post as well.

 

I imagine OS X is just fine in large corporate networks. However, I have to say that I don't think Apple makes most of the hardware options that most companies look for. It's not just the fingerprint reader. The Macbook doesn't have the same durability as other laptops at its price, such as Dell Latitude D630 or Lenovo Thinkpad R61/T61... and the Macbook Pro is much more expensive, and most business users don't need the specs of the MBP. Besides fingerprint reader, the Mac laptops also lack a dock and a media bay battery, and a matte screen is only available on the MBP for $2000+. In desktops, Apple also doesn't make the kinds of machines that most companies want to buy: regular, sub-$1000 non-mini desktops without built-in monitors. Also, if a corporation has to dual-boot, then they will spend more on IT, not less.

There's always a few examples of anything around. I imagine that with most of them, the threat of switching is just a negotiating tactic. We'll see if it actually happens. I personally think that most medium to large business are more likely to switch to Linux than to Mac, because they won't have the kinds of hardware limitations I described above.

 

Yeh. Interesting points all round. Thanks for replying guys! As you say the MBP is much more expensive but already had and got rid of the T61 so might be disregarding that suggestion! LOL.

Also I just wanted to experience OSX. It was pretty cool when I had a go on it for the first time in 1.5 years today!