Should I buy a laptop in the US or in Singapore? And should I buy a Mac or a PC?

Question

Should I buy a laptop in the US or in Singapore? And should I buy a Mac or a PC?

Answer 1

I suggest that you buy a laptop in the US. Price can be varies from place to place especially in Singapore. My experience in Singapore is that I want to buy a PS3 in Malaysia which cause around $700 (First Release) and when asking in Singapore it was $800. More or less Singapore's product is more expensive than other while quality mostly the same.



choosing Mac? Well, it depends entirely on you. A normal PC runs on window is very handy, ample provision of software. In contrast there is limit for Mac not many programs are usable. But if Mac is stylish and popular amongst a variety of people both older and younger. Which one? I suggest you should decide on your own perspective.

Answer 2

I have a Diploma of information technoligy networking and I have been studying IT for the last 3 years



We use Linux for some servers, and mosty windows for others

Unless you are in graphics design, I would insists to stick with Windows



Mac is a great operating system for some, it is based on UNIX which Linux is based, and it is a very stable OS, compared to windows, it rarealy fails.



The issue you will have if you go mac is you will have a hard time getting programs to work on there, I mean you go to a store or download a program, and its only available for windows, it would annoy you. where as, if you are just running windows, you can pretty much install anything.



So if you are into graphics design, I would go for a mac, anything else, stick to windows.



The other thing was, when I was buying my laptop, I had I thought of buying a mac, it was going to cost me $1600 AUS, where as, if I get a Windows Vista laptop with the same spec, it was only going to cost 1100, so there is a bit of price difference there as well.



If your living in Singapore, I would personally buy the laptop from singapore because if you have any issues, like a defection with the computer or something is faulty, you can just take it straight back to the store and sort it out with them, where as if you have purchased it in the states, and you get to singapore and something turns out to be wrong, then you are going to have a lot of issues



I hope this helps you and goodluck :)



DaF

Answer 3

A Mac is a waste of money. By a Toshiba or Sony laptop (4GB RAM) from a reliable seller either here or there. See if you can get one with an upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out in December. Be cool in Singapore. Very law and order place.

Answer 4

If you already have software on hand, buy the computer that corresponds (if you have Mac software, get a Mac. If you have Windows software, get a PC.) If you like gaming, a PC is the way to go. Macs are very pretty and user friendly, but there is a small learning curve if you are used to the setup of Windows. Macs probably have a lot less bugs overall than PCs, but there is a lot more software available for the PC (even though that is changing more and more.) In the end, it's up to your preference.

Answer 5

PC in the US... No matter what kind of laptop you get, you will run into similiar problems.. (Macs use the same components as other PCs). The person who says mac has only 1 virus is totally wrong, and so is the person who said that it was built better.. They are going with misconceptions.. If it is the power adapter connection the answer is easy to remedy..

1) Keep the cord as straight as possible (preventing wear on the AC adapter)

2) Always fully charge the battery (don't disconnect until it is done)

3) Once a month, wear down the battery and fully charge (to get rid of partial charged cells)



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 (snapshot taken 1-2 years ago but still holds true today)

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: 2.4 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 256MB



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_4-10

Answer 6

Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad. Seems to be pretty popular in countries like Singapore.



I'd go with what the locals use. If a company has a presence there, it would be easier to get stuff repaired. Whatever brand it may be.



I think the US offers the best pricing, since consumers are so avid here. You probably won't find deals that are as hot in Singapore than over here.

Answer 7

This is kinda easy- buy a HP Laptop and forget your worries forever.

MAC is WAY too expensive and most programs won't work on it- so whats the use? The HP dv4 series and the Mini or the dv6 or dv7 series if you need a bigger screen and a heavier laptop are perfect choices. Cheap, discounted and efficient, they are amazingly sturdy and steadfast. They rarely disappoint and with the 4th of July Sale going on I'm just SCREAMING that buy a HP laptop from the HP USA website. 50% discount dude, what more do you want? Cheapest laptops, best deals, 1 year international warranty. Singapore or India, China or Norway- your laptop is safe and secure for a year and thats for sure!

So make the right choice today,

Its definitely HP USA!

Answer 8

It's unfortunate that a fewer people giving answers to your question are giving poor or incorrect information about Macs. I have used Windows PCs (such as Dells) and Macs for over 15 years. So, I have extensive experience with both.



The truth:



Macs have extensive software. Just about anything you would want... you'll find for a Mac. The exceptions would be specialty software, a few games, etc. All the major software.... is written for both Windows and Mac. Anyone who tells you otherwise is simply incorrect.



Macs are virtually virus free. For every 100,000 Widows viruses you'll have 1 virus for a Mac. So, which one is more safe? The answer is simple.



Mac Operating System is much more stable that Windows, especially Vista. Vista is a resource hog and it probably the most disliked operating system software that you can find. Mac's operating system (Leopard) is very stable, user friendly and fast. If you run Vista, you'll NEED at least 2GB of ram in order for it to run well. You'll only need 1GB of ram for Leopard to run well.



Mac hardware (the computer itself) is well-constructed.



Mac/Apple is always innovative. Microsoft is behind Apple re: development and innovation. It's true. Mac users are always shocked when Microsoft "innovates" something that Mac users have been enjoying for years.



Macs ARE more expensive. Yes, they are! But, you're getting a better computer! Just like an Acura is more expensive than a Honda. But, which one is better? The acura. So, the cost of a Mac is justified.



Be cautious about listening to people who are anti-Mac. How many of them have actually owned one? Why are Mac users the most content computer users? Why do Macs consistently rate high on review charts? (Consumer Reports, etc). Just check out the user reviews for various Macs on Amazon. You'll quickly see that most people that switch from Windows to Mac are very happy that they did. In fact, some will say, "I should have switched over sooner."

Answer 9

I'll be blunt and personally, I dont care what you buy. Mac is exspensive, incompatible with mainstream software, highly over rated. Why spend a fortune on a Mac when you can buy a PC thats compatible with the software market, more powerful, and for a 3rd the price? As far as your Mac becoming outdated, its outdated when you buy it so I guess your right, it couldnt be anymore outdated than when you bought it huh?

Answer 10

US, Mac.

Answer 11

Truth is...



You shouldn't buy anything.



You should do more research. You should educate yourself. You should take the time to collect the information you need to be able to make an informed decision.



Sure... it makes sense that if you are going to be living in Singapore for the length of time most laptops are going to last, you would buy one there with a power adapter made for the local power grid. I mean, to me, that would be COMMON SENSE... apparently it is not common sense though, else you would have already come to that conclusion, and you would not be asking.



Then there is the customs thing... traveling with this laptop... conversion kits... again, more arguments for "Why did you even consider buying it here in America first?"



THEN there is this MAC question. You must not know anything about MACs. I mean, you must not know a thing. You must not have even gone and looked at them. I understand. Going to a store, and getting your hands on a Macbook must be scary. Afraid of Mac cooties or something I imagine. How could I be so rude or insensitive?



If you were familiar with Macs at all, you would realize there are fundamental differences in the interface and design. Hello... no right click, for one. Do you realize that not everyone who writes software for PCs, writes a Mac version as well? Do you already know if there are Mac versions of all the software you intend to use? If not, why didn't you determine that beforehand? How smart of a decision is it, to think about either getting a Mac or a PC, if the software suite you want is only for the PC?



Sure, Macs are built better. This is because there are fewer manufacturers making the parts that go into them,so there is greater compatibility between the parts and the OS. The OS is written specifically to work with the hardware it is on (as opposed to Windows, which is designed to attempt to work with whatever hardware you have drivers for... thus windows and minor compatibility issues, errors, BSOD, etc). People aren't writing malware, spyware, or Viral infections for Mac OSx.... but they are writing to infect the 88% of all computer users out there, that are using Windows.



Will getting a Mac guarantee a longer lasting laptop? Nope.



Wouldn't it be smartest, as I already suggested, to purchase a laptop there, that you can expect to last the duration of time you are there... so you can dispose of it when you leave?



It's like going to Jamaica. You buy a cheap motorcycle when you get there... and sell it when you leave. You don't figure out how to transport the brand new BMW motorcycle you bought just for the trip.

Answer 12

well if you are going to lean what ever language they have in singapore or whayt ever then you sjhoulkd just buy one there but if it were me i would just buy one here becuase that way you know that you are getting the actual comouter (no offence Singapore). now about your pc or mac problem. you should definityly convert to mac. they have probally the best computering power next to alienware. but the only problem with alienware is the operation system. so i would say you should totally go mac. macs can't get viruses becuase hackers are too cheap to buy macs and they figure if they want to infect as many people as possible they will infect pc's. so go mac. its the best way to go and well apple knowws there stuff.

Answer 13

US and MAC