Laptops

[brodee]

Apples are great machines but the availability of software still isn't there. Most likely when you get to college you are going to swap a lot of files with your friends and schools computers, get a PC.

I've owned at least 10 IBMs, 3 Dell's, an old Panasonic, and a Compaq. I now use a Toshiba. For the price the Toshibas are hard to beat. If price isn't an issue and durability is, then look at IBM, they are tanks.

[Beej '86 325es]

Man, I gotta disagree with the people dissing the Macs. I use my computer for a lot of things and the only software that isn't really available for it is engineering type of stuff. Granted, I am an engineer, so it would be nice to have a PC for some of those programs, but for everything else I would not trade my Mac for 10 Windows machines. I use PCs all day at work so I can state an objective opinion.

I switched to Apple years ago, and their old operating systems were kind of flakey. However, OSX is the most stable platform I've ever used. I got a new iBook (my 4th Mac) a few months ago and haven't had it crash yet...I could count on one hand how many times I've even turned it off. I used to do tech support on a mac for a company of about 50 Mac users and let me put it this way, if they had OSX back then, I probably would have been laid off.

Also, the applications that come with the new OS just make so much sense and make things so easy, it's ridiculous. It can be argued that there is less software out there for Macs, but it's quality software, not a bunch of sh*t. Engineering design programs are the only thing I haven't been able to do. I could argue all day, but it's a rhetorical arguement. I think it's obvious how I voted in the poll... :) Hope this helps.
:up:

[Tara 318is]

However, if you do want a Powerbook, wait until the fall, when the Powerbook G5's come out. They'll be screaming.

What's the base price on one of the G5 Powerbooks? $6k? lol

15.4" 2.6GHz (1.3GHz Bus) with 512MB RAM, radeon 9800 pro mobility with 128mb, 80GB, bulti in dvd-rw/cd-rw will probably run you around 2 g's.

a main problem with current powerbook costs is motorola's amazing ability to suck balls when it comes to production cost, and how they can't manage to produce jack shit on time, no matter what contract says. Since the G5's release almost a year ago, IBM has greatly superceded apple's expectations.

BTW, yes this is kris on tara's comp

[KenC]

I agree that Apples are amazing machines and the G5 kicks the shit out of the P4, but the thing that pisses me off most about Apple.... NO FUCKING SCROLL WHEEL ON THE MOUSE AND NO RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON. It may seem rediculous but it angers me to have to move the mouse over to the scroll bar on the window to scroll down.

[Beej '86 325es]

I agree that Apples are amazing machines and the G5 kicks the shit out of the P4, but the thing that pisses me off most about Apple.... NO FUCKING SCROLL WHEEL ON THE MOUSE AND NO RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON. It may seem rediculous but it angers me to have to move the mouse over to the scroll bar on the window to scroll down.

heh heh, I agree, that can be frustrating. You can buy mice with scroll wheels though. I get a lot of sh*t from friends, they say "how do you right click on a Mac?" :) But they don't understand that functions are performed differently on a mac, and it's really not necessary.[/quote]

[brodee]

Man, I gotta disagree with the people dissing the Macs. I use my computer for a lot of things and the only software that isn't really available for it is engineering type of stuff. Granted, I am an engineer, so it would be nice to have a PC for some of those programs, but for everything else I would not trade my Mac for 10 Windows machines. I use PCs all day at work so I can state an objective opinion. :up:

I mean that it's not as easly available in the "channels" where a lot of us get software. I'm sure you can buy whatever you want.

[bert]

you drive a bmw...so you've acknowledged superior engineering in an
automobile...you understand that you can't just zip down to auto zone
to purchase an si board for an 87 325i--but that's ok...you go to the extra
effort because you feel it's worth it...

same applies to the mac vs. pc debate...i'm a graphic designer...as a result,
i really don't even have a choice...i realize that i can't purchase most of
my software apps at the local computer store, but i can order it online at
10pm and have it show up at my door by 10:30 the next morning--so the
"channels" argument is pretty much mute...

if you're an analyst without a creative bone in your body, then you need
to be crunchin' your numbers on a pc...likewise, if you're a creative type,
the mac os quickly becomes completely intuitive--it just makes sense...

one mouse click...one hard drive...and we've got i tunes...nah nah nah boo boo...

bert

[CiLK WuRM]

They now have iTunes as well.

[bimmerphile]

NO FUCKING SCROLL WHEEL ON THE MOUSE AND NO RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON.

yeah fuck that shit.

The funny thing is, I don't know a single mac user that still uses that one button mouse. fuck it.

I'm rocking the logitech Cordless MX Duo (Mx700 mouse). That's 8 buttons and a scrollwheel. how you like them apples? ;)

[brodee]

same applies to the mac vs. pc debate...i'm a graphic designer...as a result,
i really don't even have a choice...i realize that i can't purchase most of
my software apps at the local computer store, but i can order it online at
10pm and have it show up at my door by 10:30 the next morning--so the
"channels" argument is pretty much mute...

if you're an analyst without a creative bone in your body, then you need
to be crunchin' your numbers on a pc...likewise, if you're a creative type,
the mac os quickly becomes completely intuitive--it just makes sense...
bert

That's not the "channels" I was talking about ;) . Oh, and I DON'T have a creative bone in me, that's why I'm the IT guy and my wife is the graphic artist :D

[bimmerphile]

One more thing I think I should point out....

Which OS have you grown up on? Given that you just posted a general "Which do you like" leads me to think one of 2 things is the case.

1. You have grown up using both OS's, and like them both equally. (doubt this, someone ALWAYS has a preference)

2. You are a windows user and starting to like Apple's stuff more now, but aren't a hardcore windows junkie.

Basically, if you've used windows your whole life, and are in that windows mindset, don't buy a mac, or at least demo one for a couple weeks. Granted, I (and apparently several others on this board) love their macs, but we are used to them, we *think* MacOS.

It's kind of like the matrix, when morpheus points out that they never normally "Free a mind" after 11 or so. If you've used windows your whole life, and like it, then there's no point to switch unless you really want to "Make the switch" and basically start over from point 1. I'd say at least 90% of the frustration that happens with macs from windows users, is when they try to make a mac work like a windows box. it just doesn't do things the same way.

Not to discourage a potential mac-buying decision, but I would rather you have all the facts before hand, then buy a powerbook, and fall into that 90% I just mentioned.