MacBook (Pro) vs PC Laptops?

Answers to your questions,,,

1) It takes time to learn a new OS and not worth spending extra money on a Mac.If you have at least a PIV laptop, then not worth buying a new one yet, otherwise it is worth it. all OS's have torrent, not playable on quicktime but mac can play .wmv but with many problems, most mac users risk it since they think that Mac has no viruses, which is not true, I would get Virus software no matter the OS. ILife is multimedia software consisting of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand and iWeb. Itunes needed for IPods (there are workarounds). Recovery on Mac requires a separate HD and is called TimeMachine which is pretty allows for individual file recovery but lacks features. You could get software equivs on PC. On a Macbook you would need to buy an external floppy(if you wanted one). To get a modemon Macbook, you would have to buy a USB modem. Yes, only two. Don't pay money for advice. Windows on mac is through Bootcamp.

I would stick with PC, here is why...

PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support

Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..

Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. They use a lot of the same parts as PCs. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.

Today, Macs use the same hardware as PCs. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think.. Look below.

WINDOWS ADVANTAGES:

Aprox 90% of the market is Windows. Most PCs include windows already pre-installed.

1) There are a number of websites that still require Internet Explorer to view and IE for Mac Stinks (it is really ies4osx which is the Windows IE version running really buggy on OS X, too many problems with it).

2) More supported peripherals (printers and other things you hook into the computer) on Windows.

4) If you like the Dock on OS X (Mac) google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.

I Would also install Avira AntiVir, Avast, Comodo Firewall on the Vista since there are free versions.

LINUX ADVANTAGES:

1) Install Linux, and then get tons of stuff for free. Updates done, etc.. Linux is very easy and has tons of software that will be updated automatically. (Checking a checkbox in either two ways to install (Add/Remove or Synaptic Package Manager), search for something I want, check a box and click apply)

2) If you like the effects on a Macintosh go yahoo or google COMPIZ FUSION. It can do just about any cool effect a Mac can do and more...

3) If you like the Dock on OS X (Mac) google/yahoo Cairo Dock, avant window navigator.

4) Linux is MORE SECURE. I surf the internet and can even run some windows programs on Linux.

LINUX OS

If you are worried about viruses, spyware, security, Try Linux (it is free), I have included some information about Linux and links so you are not lost if you decide to try it.

Easily turn your system into a Dual booting computer with Linux, fast, safe and secure, easy to use (contrary to belief). You then get the best of both worlds (Windows with all of its supported products, freely go online without the worry)

My Recommendation would be either Ubuntu (Most popular and well supported linux), Kubuntu (KDE version of Ubuntu),

Freespire (has all windows codecs for watching videos, dvds out of the box),

PCLINUXOS (very nice Linux, easy to use and polished),

There are so many good versions of linux besides these.

PLEASE NOTE: In linux there are many forms of Windows Environments, the two main ones are KDE (K Desktop) and GNOME. Ubuntu uses GNOME, KUBUNTU is a KDE version of Ubuntu, PCLINUXOS, Freespire use KDE... The differences in the window environments (DESKTOPS) control how you configure, open close the windows, the appearances of the windows... linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting helps with printer support. ScreenCasts.ubuntu.com shows video and non-video help with learning to work with Ubuntu.

There are many good Linux distributions for different reasons, distrowatch.com, polishlinux.org, desktoplinux.com

are good websites for overall understanding linux.

Installing Linux in general is very simple and much more secure than OS X(Macintosh) and free.

Also, most Linux distributions have a LiveCD which means you can try without installing...

UBUNTU, KUBUNTU, FREESPIRE, PCLINUXOS, etc.. all have live CDS.

All you have to do is..

A) to download .iso file off the internet from the Linux website

B) burn the .iso file to a CD or DVD (Make sure your burning software can burn an ISO)

C) restart the computer with the CD in the drive

D) As computer is restarting, press on F12 Key a bunch of times to get a boot menu

E) Select the option to boot from CD or DVD.

ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: People have been able to run OS X on a PC since the PC and Mac use the same hardware. This is not legal and I would not recommend it for security and legal reasons

But, I have included a link to show you, purpose is to show that there is nothing special about the MAC.

A)Price...

A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)

*****************(LAPTOP)

Dell Inspiron Laptop $849 dropped to $799

15" Screen

CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm

Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks

Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224

13" Screen (SMALLER)

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)

Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)

Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)

Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)

****************(DESKTOP)

PLEASE NOTE: I am comparing Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you decide that you must have an all-in one. The Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you upgrade the Imac to try to match. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.

PS: Apple knows that they must make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.

Dell: (Right Now) Specs Below costs $809

CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: 3GB Ram

HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer

GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

The Best Deal Mac is not the Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup... IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.

IMac ($1400)

CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)

HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)

GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

************************END OF DESKTOP

B) SECURITY:

Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 under 30 minutes, and hacked within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008. Linux and Vista were not able to be hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered.

All macs are standardized with Cameras, if your system gets hacked, the hacker would more likely be able to turn on your camera.

Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.

C) VIRUSES

The argument that OS X has less viruses is true, but that is against XP, BUT Mac OS X has viruses, a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".

Google/Yahoo Mac Viruses

D) WINDOWS LICENSE is discounted with PCs

You do not pay the full price, for instance Dell -> you pay $50 or less for Vista Home Premium If you buy a Mac and want Vista, you pay full price.

D) EXPANDABILITY & REPAIR...

With AppleCare you have to put down $300 and there is no guarantee the computer will be fixed, may cost more.. Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.

With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.

IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.

E) PROBLEMS

Macintosh's are far from bug free. Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwin...

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Iro...

http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://www.kubuntu.org/

http://www.freespire.org/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://xwinman.org/gnome.php

http://xwinman.org/kde.php

http://www.linuxalt.com/

1

I'll try to answer your questions in order:

Mac OS X sucks, especially if you're used to Windows.

Macs are retardedly overpriced as you can see. I personally don't believe they are worth it at all. Apple overprices all their junk and people still buy it. Even something as simple as a mouse is about 2 or 3 times as expensive as it should be.

Mac really does not have any features over a PC, so no.

Mac's hardware is EXACTLY the same as PCs... just overpriced

I believe that Macs can use torrents. But the files you download may not be compatible.

I don't believe that WMV is playable on a Mac. I believe AVI is though.

There are no Office trials preinstalled on a Mac. It does come with iWorks which is like Office, only completely not compatible with it.

Macs generally don't get infected as often as PCs (not because they're any more secure, just because their less popular). You can typically be somewhat safe without antivirus as long as you aren't an idiot.

I'm not sure about the DVD burning programs. Almost all Apple software is "incomplete" because they're designed to be extremely easy to use and therefore lack a lot of features.

iLife is the preinstalled software. It includes iWorks, iWeb, and some other stuff. You'll probably use it.

iTunes is needed even moreso than PCs due to the lack of any real Mac software alternatives.

There is Time Machine which is like System Restore on a Windows PC. Also Apples typically come with discs.

Apple is almost sure to come out with a new laptop. However, the next version of OS X, Snow Leopard, should be compatible with the current version of Macbooks. You'd just have to buy the upgrade or whatever.

Yes, for the most part. Mac only programs like iWeb and Garage Band aren't portable to Windows, but there are very similar, often better, programs that do the same thing.

No Mac comes with a floppy drive.

There are typically very few ports on Macs. If by "cable modem" you mean ethernet, it does have an ethernet port (except for the Macbook Air)

Yeah, the screen sleeps pretty quickly, but you can change that.

Yes. Apple likes to rip you off.

Windows can be installed through bootcamp. You have to buy a separate copy of Windows XP to install though. And not everything works well when you do it that way either.

Ok, this way to much questions but i will give u some insight. THe last question about windows with mac, yes you can put windows with a mac through boot camp (that is already pre-installed on leopard software) with this software all u need is any windows operating system and install it, then the installation will guide through the entire way. their really is no difference other than the macbook uses the full 64 bit os system of vista. yes their is a system recovery setting just like a pc. for all the questions i suggest you go to the nearest apple store in your location and they will give you all the info u need. and their are no floppy disk ports.

I basically have the same question. I'd like to get a laptop, and I've heard great things about Macs. But I've been a Windows user for so many years, it's a little scary. I would like to go for the Mac though.

As far as Microsoft Office, there is open source office software out there. I've heard good things about NeoOffice. See: http://www.neooffice.org/neojava/en/index.php. Their website says "NeoOffice® is Mac OS X office software funded entirely by the time and money donated by our users."

mac's are good for all people, they are extremely simple to use, you do not get virus' on them at all. but if you want to do a lot of gaming this isn't the computer for you.

you can't put floppy disks into a mac, but who uses them now a days anyways?

itunes isn't needed but its on your computer if you need it (you don't need to sign up for anything)

the battery useage is great, it doesn't take too long to recharge the battery either. (i keep mine plugged in all the time because i don't bring it with me)

mac's are a bit more expensive but they are a great computer, i really enjoy them.

i'm sorry i can't answer anymore questions, for the most part i don't know the answers to any other ones lol.

go to Futureshop and play around with a Mac, they usually have a few running there that you can check out.

It's easy if you're not an idiot.

The only advantage the mac actually has is that you become more hip.

I don't think this is a question

Yes

Probablly

Who cares? start using google docs.

You wont get virus's on either operating system if you're not an idiot.

Who burns dvds anymore?

http://www.apple.com/ilife/

Itunes is junk

Yes

Apple will for sure make a new laptop in a year or so.

you don't need to buy any programs on a pc.

usb drives probablly work

usb hubs probablly work

is this really important?

No, if you really need help email me at Ryanbeasse@gmail.com and i'll send you my msn/yahoo.

You can replace the apple os with xp, or run a virtual system.

DONE

thanks for the redirection to your Q....my biggest obstacle is $$, if it wasn't about the money I would get a mac on my partner's advice, he has had his mac for almost 2 years now and would never go back. his battery life is great, it's light and portable and can't get viruses but they're just so much more expensive!!! the internet connection isn't lost when you close the screen but other processes might be eg.itunes. he can use torrent sites.

having said that it doesn't seem like the cheaper netbooks are lacking in quality just depends what features you're after i spose.

I easily got for free Burning rom here http://j.mp/1v82vCg

It's a really nice software.

Bye Bye

haha i saw your answer to the other person's questions.

Yeah macs are over priced. I basically agree with everything ryan said.

also NeoOffice is really good for mac!