To Mac or not to Mac?

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Gringuito

21 posts

Geek

#71275 7-Nov-2010 22:01

Hey guys!

I'm buying a laptop soon and I was wondering if a Mac was really worth it?
The help is really appreciated!

Cheers.

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3075 posts

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#401490 7-Nov-2010 22:04

Well you can save a lot of money if you buy a pc. It depends if the programs you need have pc versions/equivilant. With apple you are paying mostly for the brand and I wont lie, I love their designs but I love my Compaq CQ62 <3

corksta

2397 posts

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#401492 7-Nov-2010 22:17

Well tardtasticx is right, you pay a premium for Apple products but in my opinion nothing in the PC world comes close in terms of looks and design.

I made the switch to Mac last year and you can probably tell from my signature I love their stuff! But it's not for everyone, as said above you do need to make sure the programs you use have a Mac equivalent, or you can run Boot Camp or other virtualization software.

So it depends if you have the money, you can buy similar-spec PCs for much less, but I will never go back to a PC and Windows again.

billgates

4705 posts

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#401493 7-Nov-2010 22:18

Buy a Laptop running Windows 7. Cheaper and much larger software selection to choose from including games.

Do whatever you want to do man.

tardtasticx

3075 posts

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#401505 7-Nov-2010 22:42

Plus mac people usually turns into a snobs. hahahaha.

corksta

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#401506 7-Nov-2010 22:45

tardtasticx: Plus mac people usually turns into a snobs. hahahaha.

You want an HTC Magic? Remind me never to sit next to you on the bus then.

TeWharau

35 posts

Geek

#401516 7-Nov-2010 23:27

If you knew someone coming from the US, a Mac could be a lot cheaper...

Cheapest MacBook @ NZ Apple store NZ$1699

Cheapest MacBook @ US Apple store US$999 or NZ$1254 @ today's .7963 exchange rate.

I've been trawling ebay looking for something I "need" :)

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#401530 8-Nov-2010 08:10

I changed to MAC got a new MAC book pro about 12 months ago and its great

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ScottStevensNZ

245 posts

Master Geek

#401540 8-Nov-2010 09:02

Made the mac switch about 4 years ago and never looked back. As with all things the real question is what is your use case? Are you looking for a portable gaming machine? What software do you need to run? What do you want to do with the machine? If gaming is your thing, sure you can dual boot to windows, but imho you'd be better off with a windows machine. I do photo editing, development and database work so all the software I need to use from day to day is either Mac or UNIX so I am set either way :)

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use strict;
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Yes, they can.

robjg63

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#401562 8-Nov-2010 10:10

Well just remember - the Mac is made up of a disk, memory, motherboard and display panel (well - a case and keyboard as well if you want to be picky).
Apple dont make any of those main parts - they are mostly the same bits that go into other computers that cost considerably less to buy. The difference is you get OSX. If you cant live without OSX then buy a mac. Many people really like the way they do things - and that is certainly fair enough.

As to whether its 'worth it' as you asked - only you can answer that.

I get quite surprised how many people honestly seem to think that Macs are more reliable and superior quality to any other brand. They think that by paying more they are buying a more reliable product that wont break. In my experience they are (as you should expect) just the same - if not slightly more fragile - but they do look very pretty.

Anyway - thats my 2c worth.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Teeps

501 posts

Ultimate Geek

#401566 8-Nov-2010 10:14

I used Windows PCs for a long time and learnt a lot from having to sort out hardware/software problems which I think was very good for me. I then used both Mac and Windows for quite some time before just giving up on Windows completely for personal use. Even as a complete geek who loves fiddling and fixing things I just found Windows too frustrating compared to the Mac experience and every time I use Windows now I end up just thinking how much more I prefer the Mac way of doing things. The hardware is always so much more beautiful too and the marriage between hardware and software is just great, of course that's obvious as Mac OS is designed just to work with certain hardware and doesn't have all the variants that Windows has to support which causes so many problems.
Personally I love Macs and as long as there is software for the Mac to do what you need I'm sure you wouldn't look back, yes they are expensive but over time I think you get good value for money. Windows PCs seem to slow down and need replacing much more frequently than a Mac, invest in one now and you'll find it lasts you years.

jsr

16 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#401574 8-Nov-2010 10:24

I'm buying a laptop soon and I was wondering if a Mac was really worth it?
The help is really appreciated!

Disclosure: I routinely use various flavours of windows, linux and OSX during my professional and personal life. But all my home machines are macs - I made the switch a few years ago.

Everyone seems to open a Mac vs PC diuscussion by talking about hardware. Which is just WEIRD.

If you have a requirement for literally every last possible CPU cycle, and don't care 'bout nothin' else, then you're always going to get more bang for your buck from generic mass-market laptop brands with a short development cycle and minimal design focus. They can get from "Hey! A new, fast CPU!" to "Here's a laptop using that CPU that you can buy!" in way less time than anything Apple would ever do. Though Apple, when they do a line upgrade, do tend to use pretty good stuff, especially for their top-of-the-line gear. But for your dollar, you'll ALWAYS be able to get faster, gruntier gear from Happy Golden Lotus Lucky Laptop Company than you will from Apple.

However, for me, it's never about hardware. It's about software. Two things: (1) I am occasionally involved (in an amateur way) with making videos. And Final Cut Studio is exquisite. There's just no other option. Sure, you could edit stuff with Premiere or whatever, but it's just not as good. And (2) OSX is brilliant. Just .. brilliant. Don't get me wrong - I'm not a complete Apple fanboy, there's lots of stuff they do which sucks - DRM on iTunes back in the day, stupid carrier lock-in on the phones, deliberate feature supression (Why no Hotspot function on the phone, Apple? WHY?) on some hardware, every OS before OSX was utter dogcrap, etc. But OSX is really, genuinely, that good. Hell, it's worth having a Mac just for Time Machine.

Design, of course, is also a feature. I spend a lot of time in front of computers, so I don't mind buying _good_ computers that work well, and have a nice aesthetic. If I spent a lot of time driving cars, I'd buy a pretty nice car. It's not really any different.

So, yeah, your mileage may vary. But if you're going to switch, don't switch because of CPU spec or hard drive speed. Switch because of OSX.

Teeps

501 posts

Ultimate Geek

#401576 8-Nov-2010 10:27

robjg63: I get quite surprised how many people honestly seem to think that Macs are more reliable and superior quality to any other brand. They think that by paying more they are buying a more reliable product that wont break. In my experience they are (as you should expect) just the same - if not slightly more fragile - but they do look very pretty.

Funny you should say that while I was typing my post. I have to say in my experience (and those of friends and family etc who own Macs) that they do last longer than a PC and in my opinion the build quality is way better. Yes you can pick up a Windows Laptop for way less, but they end up being disposable, to get a good quality Windows Laptop you end up spending the same (or in the same ballpark) as a Mac but IMO still don't have a computer that is as good to use.

Yes there is certain software that is not made for Mac but I find those very few and far between and I have VM Ware on my Mac so I can 'play' or run this software if I need. This works well for me.

lotech

126 posts

Master Geek

#401585 8-Nov-2010 10:37

It's more than just a logo on the back, Apple really trying to offer a more complete computer.
You must also take into account what cheaper PC's aren't telling - what's the battery life? If it dies who do I go to? If I'm overseas and have an problem can I get still get it fixed easily?

On the hardware front it's also the little things, the fact all macs have audio ports that support digital optical audio or the maglock power connector or if you want to use it in bed - the illuminated keyboard. Sure none of those bits are completely necessary but when you have them you're glad they're there.

Another telling point is that switching is generally a one way street - I'm yet to meet a person to switch from Mac back to Windows by choice. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure there are a few out there but it's not common.

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#401592 8-Nov-2010 10:45

Buying into Apple gives one the implicit membership of belonging to a society that believe they will redefine how technology will be consumed. Branding comes as part of it but it should not stop other manufacturers to aspire to create the same experience. If you see yourself as one of those people then you will buy whatever Apple tells you to.

I. on the other hand look for the consistent experience across all my devices. Like many have said previously, switch because of OSX and the experience. I use Windows to the point of having to use it, no more and no less. The number of times Windows fustrates me even when using it on a Mac is evident. When I plug in a USB device, I just expect to use it. I don't care for the silly notification bubbles on a system tray telling me "Hey! I found a device and I am installing drivers", and when it is done installing them. On OSX, it just works.

If you are up to the challenge you can buy compatible osx86 PC hardware and install OSX on it to try. Although that is questionable, it certainly has helped me convert many others out there who are doubtful - they all ended up buying the real thing.

Pricing never becomes a major issue for me, if the product makes sense for what I will be using it for, I will pay for it. Whatever the cost.

Pickup a Happy Golden Lotus Lucky Laptop Company machine with your hands. Then do the same to the Macbook. The build quality will be apparent. The Macbook does not wrap, bend or creek. The number of ugly laptops on your typical display are just an example of how much care (or lack of) manufacturers put into the design of their products. That is why Apple authorised resellers are mandated to provide a separate display area for Macs and Apple products.

Teeps

501 posts

Ultimate Geek

#401596 8-Nov-2010 11:03

As jsr said, the main reason to buy a Mac is for OSX. Even though I do (personally) prefer the design and build of a Mac the main reason I use them is for OSX. Yes if I was buying a PC laptop I would still probably look into design and features etc and I would be paying way more than I would for a cheap PC laptop so the price difference isn't such an issue in the long run.

At the beginning of 2006 I bought a very good spec and quite expensive Dell Latitude laptop, a few months later I bought a MacBook Pro which wasn't much different in price. The amount of times I needed to reinstall the OS on the Dell was stupid, it wasn't that quick to use in comparison the the Mac and just kept getting slower.

I have given both the computers away, the MacBook to my sister and it is used on a daily basis and is working very well. She had also purchased a PC laptop which was experiencing lots of problems and loves the Mac and uses that all the time now. After sitting not being used for ages I wiped and reinstalled the OS on the Dell and gave it to my 11 year old nephew so he has his own computer for homework etc, it runs so badly though I felt guilty giving it to him, it felt less like I was giving a useful gift to help him at school and more like an anchor to weigh him down!

As I say, I had not skimped on the Dell laptop but it just hasn't lasted anywhere near as long. Both the MacBook and the Dell have needed new batteries but with the Mac that's been it, it still runs the latest version of OSX well and you really wouldn't know that this computer is approaching 5 years old and working well.

I think a lot of this has to do with the operating systems as yes most of the hardware is the same in both a Mac and a PC but some of the price you pay for on the Mac also goes to the development of OSX and other included applications, look at the price to update OSX and other Apple applications compared to a new version of Windows!?

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