Macbook pro vs pc of same price?

Question

Macbook pro vs pc of same price?

Answer 1

If you are going to buy a mac, you better be familiar with them, because they are quite different from a PC with Windows. However, i would buy a Mac, since they are secure and it won't crash like a PC.



Macs are easy to use once you get used to them. Trust me, the first time I saw one and tried to use the internet, i didn't know that it was called Safari in a Mac, but after a couple of times of using it, I was ready to buy one.



Buy the Mac, but give yourself the time to experiment with it before using it for the important stuff like school papers.

Answer 2

I use both macs and PCs. The answer:



A Mac!



Why cause it is a PC too. Macs have been on Intel archetecture for a while now, so if you want to run Windows or Linux you can with the program bootcamp and a Windows install disc. You can use parallels to run windows and mac programs side by side.



What the other guy said about mac hardware being more substantial is true. and a mac includes all sorts of software.



So you can still play games, but I always liked macs for the reason that they didnt support games (this is 7 years ago) so I could focus on my work.

Answer 3

If you've never used a Mac before, you will be lost from the moment you turn it on!

Answer 4

Mac, there's no competition.

Macs are going to last a whole lot longer than Dell and HP.

Dell packs there laptops with cheap hardware so they can sell it for cheap.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

A PC the same price as a Mac? Definitely the PC. And 7 destroys Snow Leopard ;P

Answer 6

Macbook Pro Vs Pc Laptop

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

I think most people will buy a mac if their price range is higher. I'm also looking for a new laptop. I have never considered mac until recently and honestly they look pretty but I'm not sure if I wouldn't rather get a sony or toshiba. I really don't know.



http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/23/the-mac-versus-pc-debate-has-never-been-clearer/



edit: here is another really good link I just found



http://shopping.aol.com/articles/2009/08/06/computer-comparison-pc-v-s-mac/

Answer 9

MAC is for those who are into purely editting and not much more, such as; photos, movie makeing and ect. Keep in mind that a MAC has very closed in boundaries and sence you need a cp for college your options will be limite and quite pricey. Like for example lets say you want to chat with the folks on web cam. You cant do that unless you have a mac brand webcam. Which is alot more expensive and you probaly have to go out of your way to buy it. Anything that you need for mac has to be a mac based product or else it wont be compatible. Another con is the minorist of slip ups can mess it up. I like MAC, but only for editing purposes.

PC is purley wonderful for work realted issues. sense PC laptops are built in with windows 7 it makes it much more convienet. Windows 7 has a postie notes, user friendly navigation, and has a feture that lets you put 2 internet browsers side to side instead of switching from tab to tab. PC also lets you do pretty much whatever you want. Their are no boundaries. The only con i can think of is that your microsoft word is a trail but you can override that very easily.

Best of luck to you~

Answer 10

PC.. And Windows 7 runs better with Windows Codecs (WMA, WMV, etc.. most of internet uses this), Snow Leopard is better for Apple Codecs. Also copy the Links and paste them in Address bar (http://....)





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...



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



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: Deleting your Data (Snow Leopard), 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://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=5006

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

http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/reliable-laptops.jpg



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.





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/





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



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 Price Starting: $550 Ending Opt A: $854 Ending Opt B: $954

15" Screen (SAME)

CPU: (upgrade to) 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)

Graphics: OPT A: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (WORSE) Benchmark: 1243 http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-4500MHD-GMA-X4500MHD.9883.0.html

OPT B: 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 (BETTER) Benchmark: 4969 http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4330.13973.0.html

Memory: 4GB 1033GHZ DDR3 SDRAM (SAME)

CD DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD-RW

Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)

Battery Life: (upgrade to) up to 8 hours (BETTER)

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNDWZA3&s=dhs&fb=1



Macbook Pro Price Starting: $1700 Ending Opt A: $1850

15" Screen (SAME)

CPU: 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics Benchmark: 3263 http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9400M-G.11949.0.html

Memory: 4GB 1033GHZ DDR3 SDRAM (SAME)

CD DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD-RW

Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)

Battery Life: up to 7 hours (WORSE)

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC118LL/A?mco=MTM3NDcyODk





**(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 XPS8000: ($1018)

CPU: I-7 2.8GHZ (SUPERIOR ) RANK 12= http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7+860+%40+2.80GHz

SCREEN: (Upgrade to) 21.5inch Screen

MEMORY: 6GB Ram DDR3 Dual Channel 1033GHZ (MORE)

HARD DRIVE: 640 GB (LARGER, FASTER)

OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer (FASTER)

GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon 4350HD 512MB (SUPERIOR)

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dxdzkv1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&m_2=SXI7860&mo=2~SXI7860&kc=studio-xps-8000



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 ($1200)

CPU: 3.06 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (MUCH SLOWER) http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E8435+%40+3.06GHz

SCREEN: 21.5inch Screen

MEMORY: 4GB Ram (LESS)

HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive (SMALLER, SLOWER)

OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer

GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (WORSE)

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB950LL/A?mco=MTM3NDc2NDc



ILife Equivalents

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

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



FREE Windows Stuff

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

http://www.iobit.com/

http://www.ccleaner.com/

ANTI-VIRUS

Avira Antivir (FREE) rated best detection/2009 (Free version=no realtime protection) and here http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/

http://www.free-av.com/



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



ANTI-MALWARE

Malware Bytes-(Free version=no realtime protection).

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/

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Answer 11

Consider a laptop that has a replaceable battery, or else, you will be there at the charging station a few times a day.



Macbooks get hot and you know when you study for hours on end you want to lay down, put it on the bed etc, macs are in one word, horrible for school.



Go for a DV7T from HP, its big, but its light for a 17 inch notebook at 10 pounds total with extra battery (are those 2-3 pounds going to make the difference?)



Why I recommend DV7T?

Of all the notebooks I have used, owned and fixed, this ones the most solid, cool running 4 hour on a single battery Multimedia workhorse to boot!, its an impressive med range laptop that's very easy to use and easy on the eyes and HP is by a great margin superior to Apples warranty service.



you don't really need anything other then a P type CPU instead of the stock T, quad core or Gaming i7 type and you should run into a cost of no more then 900$ total if you order direct and use a coupon code that could easily be found on any search engine.



if you really want professional grade, go for an IBM/LENOVO Tablet (what all engineering students are required to have for schooling), I do warn you they can exceed 5000$ but with them you really get what you pay for, their quality, Warranty and customer support are spoken of in a soft whisper by their competitors.



Also, you get a tax credit for primary (1000$) students and for secondary students (2000$) on laptops to be used for schooling.

this is last I checked about 6 months ago.