Should I get a Mac or PC laptop?

Question

I am a high school student, and have a summer job at my school district as a sys. admin. I plan on spending a portion of my check to purchase a laptop, and am not sure whether to buy a MacBook Pro or PC (Vaio perhaps?). I am a web designer and avid coder. I run Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Flash, and iTunes on a regular basis. I also play the occasional game of Warcraft or WoW at friends' houses. Due to the lack of gaming capabilities in Macs, I was planning to run an XP virtual machine for gaming. Would this work? Also, is networking between a Windows VM and the other PCs on my network going to be easy? I know that in most cases I could get higher hardware specs out of a Windows machine, but am interested in playing around with OS X a little. Do you think it's worth the hardware difference? Mac or PC? Thanks in advance!

(PS: forgot to mention...currently running windows 7 rc.)

Answer 1

PC will get you more bang for buck and they can be repaired and upgraded more cheaply.

Answer 2

Get a Mac! It works great for Adobe software; and as for gaming, new Macs are just as good at gaming than PC's now. It use to be that Macs had bad graphics and were not good for gaming, but recently Apple has updated the graphics and now games work great.



As for compatibility and networking between windows VM I'm not too sure. This may be something you'd want to research before committing. However there is almost always a way around this kind of stuff.



Also, you'll love OS X. It's works better and there are so many more options and fun things to do that will make using a computer so much more useful and easier.



If you get a Mac, definitely get a MacBook Pro as you said (do not get just a macbook!). The hardware is hardly different than most PCs for the same price, another big miss-conception. By this i mean if you add all the extra's needed such as virus protection, word, a good photo organizer, (the new computer you have to buy after yours breaks in a few years) etc, you'll probably end up saving money.



I work with both Mac PC frequently and i cringe every time i use the PC. There are many other plusses to Macs that i wont go into for the sake of keeping the response from getting any longer and from sounding like I'm just annoyingly nagging Windows. So this is my suggestion, i hope you agree. Check the pro out on apple.com to learn more if you'd like.

Answer 3

You can have the Best of Both Worlds.........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. Mac, the User Friendly Computer.

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

Answer 4

I suggest the Macbook Pro. You will not be able to play games in windows XP running on a virtual machine inside OSX, instead you will need to dual boot OSX and any version of Windows you choose to take full advantage of the MBP's hardware.You will have no problem networking a windows vm to other pc's in the house. If you get Adobe CS for Mac it gets a little getting used to due to the fact that there is no background. I currently have CS4 on my mac and it runs fine.

Answer 5

I would recommend a windows machine as you already stated you get more bang for the buck and as for wanting to mess around on the mac os I would just get familiar and do some ready on the hackintosh setup now that Mac switched there CPU's to intel you can use x86 software on them. I would recommend a 64 bit windows machine with a nice built in graphics card...and as far as running xp as a vm I would just dual boot windows 7 or vista and xp much easier and fast. I have a vaio that works great but I might recommend getting a HP ( A little cheaper ) or a Acer or Dell something like that just make sure if your going to play games and edit video and use photoshop you get a 64 bit processor.

Answer 6

Here's the deal: If you're looking to save money, get a PC. Really, its that simple. If you have thousands of dollars on your hands, get a Mac, because every new Apple laptop costs 1000 dollars or more. PC laptops can cost as low as 300. In your situation, I would say its really up to the cost. The other factors you provided are important, but the most determining factor is which one you want to pay for and how much you want to pay. My personal opinion is: if you have the money, just get a Mac. There is a nice refurbished aluminum Macbook (Previous generation but still really nice) on the Apple store for 949 not including tax. http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB466LL/A?mco=MjE0NDk5Mw that Macbook will really serve you well, it has nice graphics (an Nvidia Geforce 9400m) and, really, everything hardware is good about it, as well as software. On the other end of the spectrum, on the PC side, you can get a really cheap PC, such as this one http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=Everyday+computing&series_name=CQ60Z_series or these ones, http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-inspiron-14/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-inspiron-14&s=dhs&cs=19 . They will both run your applications that you want to run very well, running the apps isn't really a factor because they'll both do them very well. And about running XP on a Mac if you get one. This is how it works, you can buy a copy of Windows, and insert it into the slot loader on your Mac, and install Windows. At bootup, you can choose which O/S you want to run on, and to switch to one or the other, a restart is required. You can get around that by buying more software, and one of the programs is called VM Ware Fusion. Also, Windows on your Mac runs natively, meaning its just like Windows, it is Windows. It is the same as a Windows PC when its running Windows. It will be very easy to network with your Mac running Windows on an Windows wireless network. You can even have your Mac connect to your Windows network and it'll work just fine. Hope all this helps.

Answer 7

I run Dreamweaver and Flash on my Macbook Pro. It works greats! I would recommend using BootCamp instead of virtual machine. It's faster and better for games. I currently have Windows 7 RC for my windows boot drive and works fine!

Answer 8

Although a Mac is a PC. I would just get a non-Mac. Mac's are just way too expensive for what non-macs can offer with the same price. if you want to play around with OS X, then just get a cheap used one. and I read in an article you can somehow play around with OS X kinda how linux distros are. i forgot where i read it though, but i'll try to find it.



You can get all those programs on windows too.

Answer 9

I'd get the macbook pro for photoshop and itunes, but I've never run dreamweaver or flash on osx

Answer 10

Save your self from a lot of compatabilitie issues and buy a windows pc, 98% of the world has.

Answer 11

pc laptop, i tried both and the mac had trouble downloading files and all fine with the pc

Answer 12

Get a PC, here are reasons why...



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 more 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 either 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 FASTER/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 Starting Price: $500

Ending Price: $500

15" Screen

CPU: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [5% slower]

Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD [Not as good/fine for general use[

Memory: 3GB DDR2 SDRAM [75% of ram)

Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (same)

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dndozm4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-1545



Cybperpower Notebook Xplorer X5-2900 Starting Price: $755

Ending Price After upgrades (not including 5% rebate): $860

15" Screen

CPU: (upgrade to) 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (+$100) [FASTER]

Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9600-GT 512MB [MUCH FASTER/BETTER CARD]

Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM [MORE MEMORY]

Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (+$5) [LARGER HARD DRIVE]

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X5-2900_Notebook/detail



Macbook Starting laptop Price: $1000

Ending Price After Upgrades: $1200

13" Screen (SMALLER)

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SLOWER)

Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 9400 256MB

Memory: (upgrade to) 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (SAME)

Hard Drive (upgrade to) 320B Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC240LL/A?mco=NjcxMTQ3Ng





**(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: ($700)

CPU: 2.33 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: 4GB Ram

HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer

GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 512MB

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dddwra4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=desktop-inspiron-537s



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 ($1300)

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

SCREEN: 20inch Screen

MEMORY: (upgrade to) 4GB Ram (SAME)

HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 320 GB hard Drive (LESS HARD DRIVE)

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

GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (APPROX SAME BUT LESS MEMORY GAPHICS)

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB417LL/A?mco=NDE4Mzg3Ng



Equivalents to ILife

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

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



FREE Windows Stufff

http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html

http://www.iobit.com/

http://www.ccleaner.com/

ANTI-VIRUS

Avira Antivir (FREE) for 2009 personal edition is free (there is a paid version) the free version was rated the best by consumer reports 2009.

http://www.free-av.com/ Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/



ANTI-MALWARE

Windows Defender (FREE)

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

Malware Bytes (FREE) Limitation - No Realtime protection on free version.

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol

Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)

http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol



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/