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Community Newsletter: Q&A: MacBook or PC laptop for college?
- 8/22/08 4:21 PM
No Brainer, it's Gotta be a Mac
by FEdward - 8/10/08 10:04 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Now that Apple is using the Intel chip on it's award-winning, innovative, solid and unquestionally reliable MacBook line, there is no reason to choose a lesser-product. You can run Windows faster and more reliably on a Mac than anything else out there in the universe. Of course, once you get the hang of the Mac OS you wonder what you were doing hanging out in the cheaper-is-NOT-better nonsense PC world. And any MacBook will come already loaded with almost any application you could possibly need right out of the box with iLife '08 and Leopard. Of course you'll have to decide on what word processing, et. al. you might need beyond AppleWorks, such as Microsoft Office. My suggestion would be iWork. Hands down superior to Office for the general user. Since you're new to the AppleWorld you should consider opting for AppleCare which will cover your hardware and entitles you to top notch customer support for a full 3 years. Apple's reps will never simply dodge your issues by shuttling you off to Microsoft or Hewlett Packard when they can go the extra mile to take care of whatever issue you might encounter.
Again, I am proficient on both platforms through-and-through; it's not even a question.
See: 10 Myths about Macs & Business
by Kathleen Lawrence - 8/10/08 11:41 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1231346
This article lays to rest all the old PC/windows arguments about Macs.
Go with the MacBook. Either the refurbed one for $899 to $1099, or the new one with an Education discount & Free iPod.
k
Can you test drive a Mac?
by Jenson2 - 8/10/08 1:18 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Test-driving a Mac sounds like it would be the best solution for you. If you're not into heavy gaming (which is still about the only thing Macs don't do well), it just comes down to a question of the user interface. Vista is slick, for sure. Macs are not so much slick as clean. I have had occaision to use both in college (I have a PC laptop, my school has Macs in the lab), and prefer the PC just because everything falls to hand so much easier. It's not that the Mac doesn't have everything a PC has, some of it is in a different place, or in the same place, but the menu has a different name.
Are you big on customizing your desktop? Vista allows you to customize window colors etc; good luck trying to do that on a Mac. Is a long battery life (5 hours and more) important to you? The Mac has the advantage here (though I have gotten 4 hours out of my PC laptop, and have never had occaision to need more).
Crashes and lockups: Both types crash about as often in my experience.
The bottom line for me when I was buying a laptop six months ago was bang for the buck. Macs usually start one-third higher in price than a comparable Windows model. I'm not just talking RAM and hard-drive, but processor power. Mac has the customer support reputation (though the only time I had to use my HP support, the help I received was excellent). Windows has more programs (and freeware) to add on later, offering a more diverse experience (though, thankfully, Open Office works on either!).
Bottom line for you (IMO): Find a friend who has a Mac, and fool around on it for an afternoon. If you like it enough to buy it, go for it (and be aware you'll probably use all of your parents' budget). If you're not convinced after using a Mac for a while, stick with the Windows.
Regards and best wishes!
Choose an inexpensive laptop - use with flat screen monitor
by JEM2114 - 8/10/08 2:51 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have worked with both platforms for years administering large networks in education and corporate environments and that experience isn't applicable to your question. What is applicable is utility of the system and the cost to the individual. Most of the issues dividing the two platforms have gone away and personal preference of the college student is the best criteria. Cost, availability of software and support, personal experience, comfort, fun, and utility of use are important areas. Both platforms access the Internet effectively, perform word processing, gather pictures and sound, and substitute as a TV set, among other things.
If I were to acquire a student system I would purchase: a 14.1 inch Intel CPU based laptop (HP/Gateway/Acer) with integrated wireless and camera, 200+GB disk, 3GB memory, Windows Vista Home Ed.; the MS Office 2007 Student package; a 20" - 22" 1080i flat screen rotating monitor (Dell/Gateway/Acer); a Hauppage USB HDTV TV tuner digital/analog); an HP printer (OfficeJet) with copy, print, fax capability; and two 2-4GB USB keydisks for backup and portability. Unless I have miscalculated the cost should be in the $1,500 range, particularly if the college has a good student buying program. If you have a "gold" credit card use it, it may extend your warranty to two years. Purchased extended warranties are generally not worth the cost.
Laptops are easily lost, stolen, or damaged --- more than most imagine. The 14.1" laptop is very portable and manageable in libraries and coffee shops. The coffee shop was and still is one of my favorite places, however, I found it to be the most dangerous place for laptops. It is easier, but not pleasant, to lose a $700 laptop as opposed to a $1,500 laptop.
Mac vs. PC
by joshman5 - 8/11/08 7:50 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Wendee, I think there are a couple of factors you should consider when you are planning your Mac vs. PC decision. One criteria may be what degree you are looking into? If you are looking into something that is more design or artistic in nature you may want a Mac. A lot of designers prefer to use Macs and you will find them in a lot of design offices. If you are going into something more business based, then a PC might be a better way to go. Business software that you may have to get familiar with is more likely to be PC based and you are more likely to be using a PC when you get out in the "real world."
If you are already fairly computer savvy, I don't think you would have a lot of trouble learning to use a Mac. There are more resources out there then ever before, but there is still a learning curve involved. You might want to ask yourself if you really want to learn a new platform while you are already busy adjusting to school. And if you do have trouble, chances are getting help for a PC will be easier then for a Mac (of course the argument will be made that you will have less trouble with the Mac to start with.)
There is also the price factor. For the most part you are going to be able to get more bang for your buck with a PC. You should be able to get a good Mac notebook for the price you mentioned, but for the same money you are probably going to get a more powerful PC. Some PC vendors (software as well) also offer discounts for their products to students, so this is not unique to Mac.
And lastly, depending on how technical you are, there are several options out there that make it possible to run Windows on your Mac, so you don’t necessarily have to choose one over the other. Your Mac laptop can be configured to dual boot so you can run either from startup or you can choose to run Windows virtually inside of your Mac OS. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. You would have to have a copy of Windows however to put on there and this could add to your price if you don't already have a legit copy.
Bottom line for me, is that I would probably stick with what I know, unless there was a compelling reason to change. Going to college can be stressful enough without the frustrations of learning how to use a new machine. Best of luck however you choose to go.
PC Versus MacBook
by tkainz - 8/11/08 9:07 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Wendee, your question is one that I recently had to deal with given that I just dropped my daughter off at college yesterday for her freshman year. I myself have even recently contemplated going from always having used a PC based system to "the other side". From my personal and practical experience here is the best advice I can give: "The ends justify the means".
1. You need to look at your major and beyond. Are you an art major or a computer science major which may require choosing one alternative over the other? What does the industy generally use in the profession that you are studying for? If, for instance, you are looking to advance into a design field and a majority of the companies you may be looking to for employment down the road use a Mac, then you may want to lean towards that direction.
2. What will your college requirements be? Looking over your schedule and courses for the next 2 to 4 years, what kind of software requirements will you need to meet and what system will be needed to run that required software? I myself just recently completed my BSIT degree through an on-line institution and my course objectives specifically required me to use Microsoft software products. While I understand that there may be tools which will allow me to run MS products on the Mac, given that I'm working two full time jobs and going to school at the same time, quite frankly, I didn't have the time to even consider that option. I had to go with what I know already. (I couldn't afford to go through a new learning curve)
3. What kind of support can you get? Back to the college point of view: will your instructors be able to help you with 'issues' if you choose one system over the other. I remember one student asking the instructor how to perform a certain function on a Mac system snd the instructor was clueless. Will the college technical department be able to assist you with Mac related isues in the same manner that they most likely be able to help you with PC types of problems? Or vice-versa, for that matter?
Finally, a bit of my sage advice about PC's and pricepoints - I never owned a Mac so the following relates to PC based laptops: More expensive is not always better. When I was travelling quite a bit on business I always used to justify keeping up in the tech game. Every two years, I would always go out and buy a new top end lap top; generaly plunking done $1,800 to $2,500 at a crack. I now own a $600 laptop I bought at WalMart, added an extra $100 of RAM and have a laptop that, for my needs, works as well if not better than any that I have owned in the past. Unless you have very specific, high demand needs, such as heavy video editing, major number crunching, or 3-D rendering and the like, I would suggest keeping the laptop simple and light. If you do need a powerhorse, consider, then, using a desktp system for the heavy duty stuff and a laptop for the everyday work. As your scholastic needs then expand, you can reletively easily upgrade the desktop to meet those new needs instead of becomming strapped in with a laptop that may have very limited expandability.
Oh, and one last piece of advice - albeit way off topic: Really consider paying the $100 or so for an extended warranty on any laptop. I have yet to own a laptop that hasn't needed some repairs. And for another $50 or so, really, really consider getting a student insurance policy to cover your personal items while on campus in case of loss, damage or theft.
I hopt that this all has helped.
Why not both...
by babyoli1 - 8/11/08 9:14 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Wendee,
I have been a Mac user for many years now.
It is a difficult choice to make especially if you have been a PC user. There is no reason to worry about the learning curve. Apple is not that much different than a PC in terms of what it can do.
Also, Apple now makes the choice for PC users very easy as you can run both operating systems on the one computer. The Mac is very easy to use, it is reliable, customer service is great. If you go with the Mac, I would purchase office for PC and install that on your Mac (on the PC Side). The reason that I say this is, even though there is a new MS office for the Mac it still falls behind in comparison to the PC version. I use this and it runs great. I have not trouble going back and forth between both systems on the one machine. This was really the greatest idea that Apple has ever had.
My feeling get the Mac!
Be sure to buy the $300 service extended service plan. It covers your machine for 3 years and if for some reason Apple is unable to fix any problems that arise they will give you a brand new machine. I had a PowerBook G4 and after almost 3 years it started misbehaving I sent it away to apple for repair and they could not figure out the problem and sent me a new (not refurbished) MacBook! I don't think that the other companies do this.
I was in your boat... have my oar.
by kalel130 - 8/11/08 10:32 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi there,
I'm heading off to college also this fall. I like to consider myself extremely tech savvy. All my life I worked on Windows machines and was first in line for Vista. Which, by the way, Vista has been nothing but great for me, so if you do choose a Windows machine, rest assured Vista, not XP, is the way to go. But anyways, as I was getting ready to start researching laptops (around January '08) I had this crazy idea that I might want a Mac. I say crazy because I KNOW Windows inside and out. I struggle with the daily hassles of editing start-up registries and keeping up with a networks and the occasional Registry editing. But as much as I was familiar with Windows I knew Apple computers offered an ease of use, so I researched and researched and researched. The only experience I'd had on an Apple was some programming I did two years ago on eMacs. Basically the new Intel Cores put me over the edge and I figured it was a good buy. So I bought the current MacBook Pro about a week after it came out and I couldn't be happier. Now on to your questions...
1) Learning Curve
If you can navigate a Windows machine, you can navigate a Mac. There was almost no learning curve required. It's cliche, but Macs just work, there really shouldn't be much tinkering involved on the user's end. The functionality of a Mac is so streamlined that it's made for a first time user to be able to sit down and start working with Applications. That's not to say that Macs are for entry level customers. They have a depth to them possibly greater than Windows, the difference being you don't NEED to understand the inner workings of Mac OS. Even in programs, like Microsoft Office Mac, it's nearly identical to the Windows version you're used to. And programs that come with the Mac, especially iChat and iPhoto, offer an ease of use that will make you wonder why all programs can't be that user friendly. Ultimately, a person who has never picked up a computer would be happy and able to use a Mac, along with the long time computer programers who take advantage of XCode and the like.
2)Difference
A lot of stuff here I already mentioned but some of the differences that take a little getting used to are aesthetic. For instance, programs on a Mac have the Close, Minimize, Maximize buttons on the left. Something that was annoying for the first couple weeks as I kept on going to top right and finding no buttons... but I transitioned and now find myself going to to the left on Windows machines. Another big difference is the drop down menus and system preferences. Another thing that might both Neat Freaks is that the application windows 'float' more on a mac, but it seems to me that you can almost 'train' certain applications to be full screen. But really, other than aesthetic differences, you'll get used to the interface in a jiffy. One more thing... the keyboard. Fair warning here... Microsoft's Backspace is Apple's Delete and MS's Control is Apple's Command. That will certainly screw you up, especially considering there is a 'control' key on the Mac's keyboard also.
3)Pros Cons
Ok, it's true, Windows machines have more software support in the world. They also have gaming support. It's also true that (currently) more people use Windows machines. So the pro for a Windows machine is it's heavy support. The Pro for Mac is it's friendliness, sexiness, and hey, let's face it, it's status. Many, many, many programs though that would be used in academia are very much Mac friendly, anywhere from Adobe to Mathematica. The Con for Windows is it's bulkiness and the need to keep up with it and it's Anti-virus updates. The Con for Apple is the Pro for Windows: the lack of program support that Windows has. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT APPLE DOES NOT HAVE SUPPORT, it just doesn't have as much.
4) Better in College
It seems to be a growing trend that more and more students, especially in college settings, are switching to Macs. I don't know if it's because it's a trend, or people are just getting tired of having to deal with Windows, but you can go to most any college's tech distribution and you'll see Mac usage growing by incredible percentages. Now every college is different. I'm attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which has incredible support for Mac on campus. But I was also looking at University of Illinois- Urbana, Champagne which had little to no support for Macs. So it's a matter too of what college you're going to. Also contact the department you're going in, to see what most of the prof. use. The main reason I got my Mac is for its ease of use. You can literally trust that it will do what you want it to do, and I think that's something all college kids want there computer to be... an ally you're at peace with, not the antagonist that kept you up all night trying to find where you essay had been deleted to so you can retrieve it from back-up.
5) Price
Now you didn't say what you were planning on going into, but if it's the engineering or science field, I would highly recommend that you try to convince your dad to go $200 higher for the MacBook Pro which gets you, among other things, (like a 15" screen, more RAM, and a larger HDD) a dedicated Graphics Card which will almost for certain be necessary in the science/engineering field. The student discounts Apple offer are really great, plus you'll get a free iPod, but also check at your tech store on campus because occasionally they'll offer even better deals.
Final Thoughts
As a whole, Macs are more expensive, but I KNOW that it's worth it. And you can be confident that if you absolutely 100% hate Leopard, the Mac OS, you can install Windows on your machine. I know a while back (I don't know if it's still true so be nice to me) when the current generation MBPs came out it was determined that a MBP actually ran Vista better than any other common consumer notebook you could get. It's ultimately your decision. I believe most people, if they gave Macs a chance, would see that it truly is a superior product. But I also know that Vista is a fine product too and that you'll succeed. I highly recommend taking a look at Apple's many video tutorials and seeing if you like the interface and you think it's something you would be interested it. If you live near an Apple store go to it and just spend some time messing around on their computers. Have a customer assistant show you some 'cool' features. By having stores, the hardware support is phenomenal and somewhat alien in the world of repairs where companies make customers feel guilty or at fault. I told them I had a faulty Airport Card (which I did) they ordered a new one, and had it installed within three days. Fantastic. You can read similar 'success' stories by searching any blog. I hope this long-winded answer helped and take it from someone who was right where you were... you won't regret a switch to Apple!
-Aaron C
Crystal Lake, IL
A PC student's perspective
by ASlyJD - 8/11/08 10:37 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm currently a law student and have a Vista laptop. (I have never owned a Mac.) I don't know all the benefits of Mac, and I'm sure people can give you much better advice hardware and software-wise. These are the minor hassels I've noticed the Mac users at my school have to deal with:
You are most likely to find that your college campus is PC based. The techs will likely be far more familiar with PCs if your computer has problems and you want some free help. Programs for class (such as Examsoft) require a PC or a Mac version of Windows to run. While the programs are very similar, the Mac word processor uses a different criterion for a word count. People in my classes found that they were under the word count limit on their Macs, but over it when the teacher loaded the files on her PC.
MAC or PC (try GOOGLE)
by seafehring - 8/11/08 2:05 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mac+or+pc+laptop&aq=1&oq=%22MAC+OR+
i like both becos dey provide the same thing but i prefer pc
by ikp4success - 8/11/08 3:28 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
whatever the two provide the same things i want ,the only that it just depend on the area you are ,the area you are can afect buying of softwares because mac softwares are scares especially i my country Nigeria ,Pc is all over.And another barrier is whether u know how to use the laptop.If not i will say just buy the one u like.If am to choose i will pick Pc .
Macbook or PC
by JCipo - 8/11/08 6:19 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use a PC but many love a Mac. But colleges sometimes suggest a type of laptop for their classes. Some schools even offer discounts on a laptop. Check with the school (dean of students).
Get the computer that you can use
by rfr - 8/11/08 9:07 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Wendee,
The religious PC vs Mac wars aside, the best that anyone can tell you is get the machine you can use best. You already know how to use a PC so that's a sure point in that direction. But also think about what you're going to be doing with the computer. Just going off to college, you probably have no idea of your major, but you might have some idea between the humanities, the fine arts or the sciences, or you might be headed toward something that specializes early at your college. If so, you need advice from someone in the selected academic division or department about special software used and what computer it runs on. That should be the decider for you. If there is no such software or recommendation from the division, go with what you know best. You'll have enough to do both socially and academically without having to learn a whole new operating system.
Mac or PC
by Tarquin X Zanzibar - 8/11/08 11:31 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You'll no doubt get enthusiasts of both systems advising you of the benefits of their choice, but I believe you are better off going for the system you are familiar with.
Do you really need the aggravation of learning a new system at this point? If there is no compatibility issue with college equipment the only justification I can see for change is if your intended profession is one that requires use of a particular system.
p.s.
by Tarquin X Zanzibar - 8/12/08 9:19 AM In reply to: Mac or PC by Tarquin X Zanzibar...of course if the machine is ever in need of a little maintenance or upgrading, PC's are more user-friendly in terms of actually "getting under the hood" as it were; Pc parts are cheap & ubiquitous & anyone with a bit of knowhow can get stuck in...
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