Thinking of getting an Apple.

[seedubya]

Gunslinger, just on a few of your points above....

can you explain how Mac's aren't overpriced when they appear to cost significantly more than a similarly specced Windows machine? Does this apply to every model e.g. the MacBook and MacPro lines seem to cost crazy money, iMacs less so?

Most users aren't techs, so does Applecare cost a lot, or not and is it slow, or not. What's the difference between Applecare and say, a Dell premium warranty?

Bootcamp, AFAICT is just a utility to dual boot Windows. You need a full version licence to use it legally, not just a disk. Yet another cost. So, in fact saying it can run Windows software out of the box is the same as saying my Dell XPS can run Linux software out of the box - only if I install the approriate OS first.

On the surface, it appears to me that it would be a better use of resources to buy a well specced Windows system and run Linux in a VM for internet an email security.

 

[gunslinger]

When you compare the Macbooks to other notebooks, make sure you compare the exact same specs, not better specs, not worse. Metal case, same size, same features and the prices will be very close. The only thing you can compare the iMac to is another AIO system and when you do you will see only a little difference in price.

I have never had to use my Applecare so I cannot say how fast it is. But I have friends that have and they agree it was not that long and they got prompt service from someone that speaks English. The price depends on what you get it on. Mine was $139 with a student discount.

You do need a full version license to use Windows legally. Almost any program that is on a PC there is something just like it for the Mac. If you have to have Windows you have that option. If you live in a world were all your programs are windows only and you are a hardcore gamer then a Mac is not for you.

Right now I'm dual booting OS X, Windows XP SP3, and I'm running XUbuntu inside VMware. This is versatility you cannot get in a PC.

The two biggest things you get with the Mac are OS X,( far better than anything Microsoft has ever put out ), and high quality. The fact that you can also run Windows on it just makes it even better.

 

[seedubya]

No offence, Gunslinger, but I'm still not entirely convinced. I'll continue with my original plan to start of with a secondhand iMac (Leopard, of course) and see how I get on.
Actually I'd appreciate it if you could have a look at http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=83333&cat=8 just in terms of specification for a Mac virgin.

 

[gunslinger]

There is nothing wrong with getting a refurb Mac. Thats exactly what I did.

I did check out the link. To be honest if you get this understand that you are getting a 3 year old computer. Be sure you take that into account when reviewing it. I would recommend the Apple certified refurbed. I paid a little over $900 seven months ago.
My Macbook is running an Intel core 2 duo at 2.2 GHz, and has 4 gigs of RAM. I have 93 apps installed and I can open up 80 at once with no slowdown at all.

 

[Simmy]

OS X,( far better than anything Microsoft has ever put out )

Better than Vista?!

Also, I thought you could install OS X on a PC but Apple don't allow it? If I purchase an operating system, I want to be able to install it on any machine I like.

 

[14049752]

I have 93 apps installed and I can open up 80 at once with no slowdown at all.

Right.....

 

[gunslinger]

Better than Vista?!

Also, I thought you could install OS X on a PC but Apple don't allow it? If I purchase an operating system, I want to be able to install it on any machine I like.

Its not legal and you have to do some hacking to get it done.


@14049752

Would you like a video?

 

[seedubya]

Just for non-scientific purposes I tried comparing Dell and Apple on 2 different systems the entry level iMac and the entry level MacBook - the iMac came in a 67% more expensive vs.an Inspiron 530S and and the 13" MacBook (white plastic) at 38% vs a Vostro - this is based on Irish prices. Yes I know the particular Dell models are entry level - but on the surface the specs are the same. Also, I had to use these as I couldn't get any other models to go as low as the Mac specs.

Considering Apple charge only €129 retail for OSX 10.5.4 they're REALLY marking up the hardware prices .... It's an awful pity they don't allow OSX to run on vanilla Intel kit. Of course they can't or the insane profits that they're making on each computer would disappear like the whole clone wars thing of the early 90's.

There's no way MS would ever get away with tying it's OS to Intel boards only....

 

[gunslinger]

When I compared the notebooks I compared the Dell 1330 and the white Macbook, the Macbook cam out $13 cheaper with the same specs. This was a few months ago.

Its not an awful pity they don't allow OSX to run on vanilla Intel kit. If they did OS X would suffer from about 80% of the same problems as Windows does.

 

[seedubya]

If they did OS X would suffer from about 80% of the same problems as Windows does.

How come, d'ya reckon?

 

[gunslinger]

running apps in OS X For you 14049752, Only had 43 running with almost two gigs of RAM still free, need I go on?

I think if OS X was more popular it would become a far bigger target for hackers and virus makers. Also what you have to make one OS work on any one of a million possible combos of hardware, you are begging for driver issues.

 

[14049752]

Yeah, anybody can load apps into ram and switch to them.
When somebody says "I can do this with no slow-down at all" I expect normal use of the computer with no slow down.

I have Vista on this machine and I could replicate your video with only 2-gigs of ram and using comparable windows apps. If you were actually doing anything in any of those apps, like playing a video or downloading, or anything really, I'd say that you have a point. All you managed to show is OS X's windows manager.

I appologize, I don't have a screen recorder installed, so a screenshot and my word will have to suffice. I have youtube streaming, media center and media player playing two different movies, ZSNES emulating Super Mario World and of course, Folding at home is using its share of CPU..
I can switch between windows without a delay at all, too.
I have 1.33GBs of ram in use, and again, only have 2GB total.


Anyway, having said that....I'm not interested in arguing with you. I like Mac OS X, I just think your "no slow-down" comment isn't telling the whole truth.

 

[gunslinger]

Anyway, having said that....I'm not interested in arguing with you. I like Mac OS X, I just think your "no slow-down" comment isn't telling the whole truth.

I can run any combo of programs you like. The simple fact it OS X makes use of its resources better.

I don't want to argue either but the Mac hate from some of the people here is just ignorant. Simple fact is If you have not been on a modern Mac you have no right to even comment on them.

It would be like me saying why I hate a certain car and the only time I have been close to one was on a car lot 5 years ago.

 

[Jura]

It would be like me saying why I hate a certain car and the only time I have been close to one was on a car lot 5 years ago.

That's normally the case with most things. I already liked Macs from years ago. Wait, do those two sentences conflict?

 

[Simmy]

Flight of the conchords video

You sir, have good taste

 

[Alana]

Quote

I'm thinking of getting a desktop from them. Perhaps a year from now. I noticed they're quite expensive.

Also, Am I able to use a normal PC monitors, external hard drive, and flash drives with Apple computers? Is there anything I must know?

I've used them in the past and I noticed most of the programs I use support Macs.

If it be now.tis not to come;if it be not to come, it will be now;if it be not now, yet it will come; the readiness is all. William Shakespere

 

[Don]

Re: Getting Mac

I have an ibook G4 with OSX and have no complaints about the operating system but the logicboard was defective in that particular model (their hardware is usually really good but I happened to buy a lemon). AppleCare refused to fix it and now it works for only a short time until it gets hot. I looked into replacing the logicboard myself but they cost almost as much as what I paid for the laptop.

Macs use a UNIX based OS (that's why they are so smooth and stable) If you want a free comparable OS to Mac, give one of the Linux distributions a try. I recommend Ubuntu 8.10 or one of my personal favorites Fedora 10 and both can run from a Live CD which means you can try them out without installing them. Linux is also more secure.

 

[Andyuk2007]

I saw a video on imovie09 today and boy oh boy was i impressed with such a good video editing program Now if it was avaliable for windows I would buy it but sadly it isn't.

It makes me want to get a mac but they are a bit tad overpriced so i cannot afford it at the moment.

 

[14049752]

I saw a video on imovie09 today and boy oh boy was i impressed with such a good video editing program

I know this isn't in theme with the thread, but if you want a good video editting program, try Cinelerra in your Linux OS of choice.

 

[gunslinger]

It makes me want to get a mac but they are a bit tad overpriced so i cannot afford it at the moment.

Try a refurb. You wont regret it.