Should I get a Mac or PC laptop?

Question

If Mac, which one? If PC, which one? My budget is about $1500. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would get a PC (either Toshiba L305 or Toshiba Qosimo for gaming/video production), I would avoid Mac...



With the Mac you are paying significantly more for lower spec hardware.

Why? Because people don't realize that Mac uses a subset of PC hardware...



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 OS X worth buying a Mac?



I would say no... for the following reasons...



WINDOWS ADVANTAGES:

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

1) A number of websites 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 and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows, too many problems with it).

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

3) Many more games

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



LINUX ADVANTAGES:

1) Install Linux, and then get tons of software for free.Update software easily and automatically. (Checking a checkbox in either two ways to install (Add/Remove or Synaptic Package Manager), search for something you want, check a box and click apply)

2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION. It can do just about any cool effect a Mac can do and more...

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) Like the Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Cairo Dock, avant window navigator.

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. Surf the internet and even run some windows programs with Wnehq/Crossover..

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

For easy instructions on setting up Dual Boot http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm



VIRUSES

Mac OS X has viruses (which is 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/



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.

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://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: 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)



**(DESKTOP)



PLEASE NOTE: I'm 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

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

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



LINUX LINKS

http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://www.kubuntu.org/

http://www.freespire.org/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

Answer 2

I would get a Mac I have been using PC's for years I like Windows XP and Vista but when it comes to how long the computers last a Mac will outlast all the others. You can even run Windows on a Mac so why not buy a Mac it's like having two computers in one. If you buy a Windows PC you can't install Mac OS X on the computer so you are stuck with just windows. To me it seems like getting a Mac is a much better deal. Plus Macs come with a lot of free software such as iLife and there software is way less expensive then Microsoft's software. I own a Mac and it's the best computer I have ever bought. Just visit Apple.com and see for your self.

Answer 3

Mac:

1. Lightweight

2. Lots of memory

3. Runs slow if the memory is low

4. Mac-book very thin so it can fit in tight places

5. Battery long lasting

6. Photo booth, Quicktime player, ical, iweb, garage band, iDVD, iMovie HD, iphoto, itunes, Adressbook, iChat, Safari(internet), Mail, Dashboard all installed already to it without taking up memory

7. Camera built in

8. Blutooth built in.



PC:

1. Mediumweight

2. Lots of memory, runs horribly slow when memory depleted.

3. Touch-screen (HP)

4. Big

5. Some built in with camera

6. Thousands of games for online play.(WOW)

7. Long lasting Battery









Mac: Mac-book

PC: HP Pavilion

Answer 4

For $1500 you can get just about anything you want in a laptop.



Avoid a Mac. As stated above, the mactards that think their precious laptops aren't susceptible to viruses are quite comical: EVERYTHING can get a virus. It's just that with 90% market share, it's easier for a virus creator to write it to destroy Windows computers and cause haywire than it is to write one for Mac.



You should look into the Lenovo IdeaPads or ThinkPads. ThinkPads are known for being almost indestructible- I've got two that are over a dozen years old, and they both operate at near new levels. Sure, their battery life is a little short, but considering it's the same battery in both of them as what was in them the day they were created, you gotta believe they're built to last.



Go with a Lenovo. Avoid Mac.



If you have any specific concerns, feel free to message me, and I will help you beyond what I've done here. :)

Answer 5

Get a pc.Don't get a mac.don't listen to lies about them not getting viruses.They DO and are just as susceptible as windows based computers are.Security experts predict by 2010 that there will be a mac only virus epidemic as many mac users think they are"safe"



I can't recommend a certain model, but i do recommend Asus.They are mostly gaming laptops though.Some have a 1 year accidental coverage warranty free and 1 or 2 year factory warranty.



Do you live in the usa?Try www.newegg.com for great deals.

Answer 6

Mac the Mac Book

Answer 7

It relies upon what you elect and how plenty you may arise with the money for. a workstation is alot extra low-value, you may get all of the area for storing you elect and in basic terms approximately any application will run on it. regardless of if, they are extra susceptible to viruses and so on and that they start to deteriate and become slower. A Mac regardless of if is remarkable for image and video modifying, they paintings completely with ipods and so on, their rapid overall performance lasts and that they don't get viruses certainly. regardless of if, they are relatively costly and many abode windows classes won't run on them till you install a parallel workstation. in case you have have been given the money decide for a Mac, they have a great number of progressed beneficial factors and extra helpful overall performance than a workstation. And in case you have the abode windows xp/vista application then you may load that on and turn between mac and workstation. regardless of if, you may get a respectable high quality workstation which will final you some years devoid of the fuss of paying for for application which will run on it.

Answer 8

May I sugged an Hp pavillion? I've had one for a while and I have never experienced a problem with it.

My friend on the other hand, had quite the myriad of virus and pogram issues with her mac justin the first month. She no longer gets sound and is trying to sell it.

Answer 9

You can get either a White MacBook or Aluminium MacBook for that price - they both run Windows if your desperate or just sad.



Guide to Mac Leopard here

http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/



The MacBook also has the multi touch mouse pad

http://www.apple.com/macbook/



Macs run Microsoft Office:mac

or

iWork09 from Apple which works with MS office

http://www.apple.com/iwork/



All Macs can also run Windows with Bootcamp,

VMware

which contrary to some opinions DOESN’T run Windows slowly.



You can also develop apps for the Mac or iPhone with the iPhone SDK

http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/



Or you can download OpenOffice3.0

http://openoffice-software.com/new/home/?affebnid=124&gid=&ovid=&yid=&msid=&hop=howgood

which is native to Mac and FREE

- it works with MS Office too.



All Macs come with iLife09

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



PhotoBooth and Garage Band and Safari web browser.

There is also HEAPs of FREE stuff for Mac

http://mac.softpedia.com/

http://www.opensourcemac.org/

http://www.macupdate.com/

http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/

Answer 10

MAC