Is a Mac or PC laptop better for college?

Question

Is a Mac or PC laptop better for college?

Answer 1

what bsghost123 says is wrong. A mac should 100% not be used if you are taking a business program. I was on a campus tour at emory university and the tour guide said that if you are majoring in business, you should not get a mac because it will not support all of the programs that you need, and you will need to get a pc. Also, macs do get viruses and they crash just as much or even more as a pc. I had a mac for a little bit, but i gave it to my brother because i didn't like it. If you are doing a graphic design program, pc's support much more sophisticated graphic design programs and movie editing programs. you can get a much better computer if you go with a pc. The only advantage that a mac has is that it is pretty and it has garage band. that is it. get a pc, they have much more computing power and i love vista and it doesn't crash like many pc haters say it does. BUY A PC. My sony vaio has more GHz than a macbook pro offers and has the maximum gigs of ram that a macbook pro offers, it has also has a bigger 320 gb hardrive (HUGE) has a Movie and photo editing software which are more sophisticated than iphoto and imovie, a better gfx card than a mac, can play actual games, and have a antivirus software installed all for less than the price of a macbook pro. I have a better machine than the best mac and it was cheaper. i also have microsoft word home and student. MACS DO GET VIRUSES. if they didn't, why does apple suggest to install an antivirus software on your computer? for fun? i don't think so. get a pc.

Answer 2

I would say pc for you. If you write down specifically what you need, like battery life, and then research them souly on those deciding factors, then it will help you. I like the personalization factor that mac's give you, but pc's are better in detail. For example, if you look at the macbook air, a pretty good example of all around mac performance, then you'd see that is very pretty, lightweight and is adaptable to many softwares. But on the contrary, it has no cd rom built in, only one usb thing, and no replaceable battery.

Answer 3

I would say PC(Opinion) The pc are much more friendly for using third party hardware and has many options to upgrade unlike the mac. What sorta computer have you been using till now? do you like it? if you do then stick with it.

Answer 4

Okay, so even though I am a Mac fan, I will still try to keep this objective :) :

1. iTunes is a really good music organizer for all that music you'd like to load onto your computer. Plus, right now, if you buy any MacBook from Apple, you get a free 8 GB iPod touch! The 2.4 ghz MacBook starts out at 250GB hard drive, PLENTY of room for thousands of songs :) . Although you CAN also get iTunes on a PC, it works better on a Mac (as do many things).

2. It can run Windows. If you still NEED your Windows apps, no fear. Boot Camp is on every new Mac, just bring the Windows install disk and you're good to go.

3. Good Battery Life! My new 2.4 ghz MacBook can run to just about 5 hours. Pretty good.

4. Movies? Mac's got it covered. With better graphics and a built-in (non 3rd-party) DVD player, your DVD's will look really good on the MacBook screen.

5. NO VIRUSES. None to speak of, anyway.



Summary: Some will argue that PC is the way to go. And, if you're on a super-tight budget, then it probably is. But, you really do get what you pay for. Macs are more durable, longer-lasting, and become outdated much less often than PC's do. FYI: You can get a new MacBook for $999+free iPod touch. I'm going to be a college freshman next year, too, and from experience with both sides (Windows/Mac), I really do believe that Mac is the better choice for your needs. Good luck!

Answer 5

In terms of reliability, GUI and competence, Mac is the way to go.

Answer 6

i just switched to a mac from a windows xp and i think that mac is totally better and i dont think that i will ever go back to windows. and if you get a mac right now and its for education, then you get a free ipod touch. so win win.

Answer 7

@David - troll



I would say a Mac. iTunes runs fastest on Mac, Safari 4 does too. You can hook up your mac to a tv in your college room if you want for watching movies. It's a lot simpler and as you won't be doing a ything artistic, etc, you won't need to buy much extra. iLife is great for easy things. The mac will come bundled with all you need. Also, if you buy a mac.now for education, you get a free iPod touch 8 gb.

Answer 8

Macs are only good if you're in to graphic design... anything else and you should get a PC. As long as you don't play any games or do anything graphic intensive, it's ok to get a mid-range laptop (extra cheap ones aren't that great, unless it's a netbook)

Answer 9

Mac all the way you can do everything on a mac that you can on a pc and more. But macs are better because they give you tools to unleash creativity and they never crash.



MAC ALL THE WAY.

Answer 10

PC is better and here is some information to back it up.. Anyone who claims macs do not have viruses do not have the facts.. read below..



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

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



Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think..



Don't believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.



A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,



If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.



Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?



I say: NO... for the following reasons...



ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :

Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.

1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows.

2) Supports devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).

3) More business software/games

4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.

5) Used by businesses.



ADVANTAGES LINUX :

1) FREE (most versions are)

2) Install software by eitjher 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)

2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)

3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE

4) It is FASTERr/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet

5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)



Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm



SECURITY

Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.

Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.

Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html

http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml





VIRUSES

Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), 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".

http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/



QUALITY/PROBLEMS

Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. 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.



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://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/

http://www.appledefects.com/

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html



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.



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)

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~857204&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Duo&a=55103~0~857204

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB402LL/B?mco=MTkzOTI0Nw



**(DESKTOP)



PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you really want 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 matching specs. 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 need to 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: (At The Moment) 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 Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal... The 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

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~861680&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Extreme&a=55103~0~861680,55103~0~861681,55103~0~857204&page=1

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB323LL/A?mco=NzMyNjMy



Equivalents to ILife

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html

http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518



LINUX INFO:

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.ubuntu.com/



http://www.kubuntu.org/

http://www.freespire.org/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

http://xwinman.org/gnome.php

http://xwinman.org/kde.php

http://www.linuxalt.com/

http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/

Answer 11

Get a mac.

A. You can download windows on it

B. Mac laptops have good battery life

C. They come with 100GB and can be upgraded to 150GB

D. You can put tons of music on

E. You can watch movies on it.

F. YOU HAVE SPOTLIGHT the best search. Much better than anything windows has

G. No viruses

Answer 12

Macs are for everyone no matter what they major in. Here's why you should get a Mac:: There are NO CONS. The MacBook does both WinBloze and OSX, no other computer can make that statement. You have the best of the best. Apple Stores are popping up all over and you can make an appointment for a time and date, bring your computer there. They will troubleshoot it and fix it if it's a software problem it's FREE. What other computer company has stores and can make that statement? Get the 2.4 GHz with 4Gigs Ram and you got a speed machine like mine. The WinBloze people may not like a Mac computer but I'll bet they all have iPods. Go Mac and Never Go Back.

If you read the questions here you will notice that most problems are about every computer except a Mac.

Answer 13

last time i looked a mac was a personal computer (PC) and you are going to college and don't know what a pc is