Laptop..APPLE OR WINDOWS

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fudge69

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Wannabe Geek

#32142 14-Apr-2009 14:51

Hey

I don't really know much about laptops and the difference between the two.
I'm planning on going overseas next year for uni and am going to need a laptop. My budget is between 1k to 2k. Ive never had a laptop, only computer which was windows. I haven't used apple laptops, but they look much more cooler and flashy then windows ones.
What im looking for in the laptop is something that is really fast when opening up programs, documents etc, and a laptop that is able to work fast when having multiple documents open (apparantly thats when the centrino or celeron aspect comes in).
I don't really know the difference between apple and windows but I do know that apple laptops start at a much higher price.
I need a computer with wifi and I wouldn't mind having a laptop with all those little extras, e.g webcam, dvd writer, seperate graphics card, heck even bluetooth.
Any suggestions appreciated.

alsta

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#206871 14-Apr-2009 15:43

All apple laptops have core2duo chips so will perform well for what you're wanting.

The MacBook, which is just about in your pricerange, has the NVidia integrated graphics which actually perform extremely well. + wifi, bluetooth, webcam etc.

don't forgot when you do come to make a purchase to factor in cost of any additional software you may need on either windows or apple, i.e. antivirus etc.

Educational store is worth a look on the apple.co.nz site for best prices, or keep an eye on the refurb portion of the online store as well.

the included warranty on a apple laptop is worldwide, so you'll be covered wherever you go overseas as well.

i've yet to meet anyone who has regretted getting a macbook or macbook pro but in the long term remember you're the person who has to use it so best thing is to have a play with them in a retail store to get a better feel for it.

best of luck.

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Ragnor

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#206872 14-Apr-2009 15:44

The first two things I would do are:

1: Make a definate list of what you need/want (wifi, webcam, email, www. etc) and any specific programs you need to be able to run.
2: Decide on your budget, what's the max you're going to spend?

After that find the best Apple MacBook that meets all your needs and fits within your budget and compare it to the best Dell, HP, Toshiba, Sony (etc) running Windows that meets your needs and fits wiithin your budget.

Make sure you go try out various laptops in person before you buy.

tonyhughes

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#206873 14-Apr-2009 15:45

I switched to a White Macbook 2.4GHz 2GB a year ago, and haven't looked back!

It's brilliant for my needs.

nathanbarlow

48 posts

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#211945 3-May-2009 21:19

also remember if you buy a macbook, and decide that you dont want the mac OS, you can install windows on it (can you say sacralidge?)

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dawnraid

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#211958 3-May-2009 21:52

Get a MacBook im using one for Uni atm, they kick ass, and they can run windows too if you need it. (im running leopard and windows 7),

openmedia

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#211978 3-May-2009 22:58

dawnraid: Get a MacBook im using one for Uni atm, they kick ass, and they can run windows too if you need it. (im running leopard and windows 7),

My laptop is a white Macbook 2.4GHz.

Native OS wise I have

OSX
Ubuntu 8.10 64bit - soon to be upgrade
Fedorac Core 10 32bit
OpenSuse - 32bit
Ubuntu 32bit
Centos 32bit

Plus c/o virtulsation I can run my Ubuntu 64bit at the same time as my OSX and a bunch of other operating systems

The hardware rocks, and in my case it cost the same as the Dell Vostro I was going to buy as an alternative.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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tonyhughes

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#212022 4-May-2009 09:02

openmedia:
dawnraid: Get a MacBook im using one for Uni atm, they kick ass, and they can run windows too if you need it. (im running leopard and windows 7),

My laptop is a white Macbook 2.4GHz.

Native OS wise I have

OSX
Ubuntu 8.10 64bit - soon to be upgrade
Fedorac Core 10 32bit
OpenSuse - 32bit
Ubuntu 32bit
Centos 32bit

Plus c/o virtulsation I can run my Ubuntu 64bit at the same time as my OSX and a bunch of other operating systems

The hardware rocks, and in my case it cost the same as the Dell Vostro I was going to buy as an alternative.

I have the same machine... Never had more than two native OSes on it at once. Is the partitioning a hassle?

gehenna

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#212024 4-May-2009 09:07

nathanbarlow: (can you say sacralidge?)

Nope but I can say sacrilege

I'd go for the Mac if you can afford it. Bear in mind you'll need to get AppleCare as well so that'll tack on an extra few hundred to the cost.

That said if you're happy with the Windows environment you're probably just as well to go with a PC laptop. They're much cheaper depending on the spec you want.

openmedia

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#212026 4-May-2009 09:19

tonyhughes:
openmedia:
dawnraid: Get a MacBook im using one for Uni atm, they kick ass, and they can run windows too if you need it. (im running leopard and windows 7),

My laptop is a white Macbook 2.4GHz.

Native OS wise I have

OSX
Ubuntu 8.10 64bit - soon to be upgrade
Fedorac Core 10 32bit
OpenSuse - 32bit
Ubuntu 32bit
Centos 32bit

Plus c/o virtulsation I can run my Ubuntu 64bit at the same time as my OSX and a bunch of other operating systems

The hardware rocks, and in my case it cost the same as the Dell Vostro I was going to buy as an alternative.

I have the same machine... Never had more than two native OSes on it at once. Is the partitioning a hassle?

As long as you set up the first two OSes correctly the rest are relatively easy.

Steve

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.