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Community Newsletter: Q&A: MacBook or PC laptop for college?
- 8/22/08 4:21 PM
Mac or PC for College
by sbarrmed - 8/16/08 8:44 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
We had to help make this decision for our daughter, and based on the experiences of her brother, father, and and others, the Mac wins hands down; if for no other reason than they are not full of the problems and issues that come with a PC. The fact that a Mac also runs Windows (better than a native Windows computer, in many instances), makes this even more appealing (however, be aware that the Windows side will still be ripe with all of the issues that plague XP and especially, Vists).
This being said, a few other points:
-Many of the high end universities are very "Mac friendly", and even dominate. However, there are some universities (usually community colleges, lower budget schools, and trade schools) that go with what is the cheapest, or older technology, and Windows may be a better choice.
-Macs do not have a really cheap entry level laptop, and a Mac cannot compete with the deals at Wal-Mart and Circuit City, so if you are really strapped for dollars, a PC is about the only choice. Remember, however, you get what you pay for, so many PCs are like disposable pens, and end up in the recycle bin after a year or so. Our children still have their Macs (one is 5 years old), but their PCs are long gone.
-Majors like accounting and business are PC dominated (remember, cheap is the word), whereas the arts, advanced scientific imaging, animation, and design are almost all Mac domains. Others are friendly to both worlds.
-Although this should not be a factor, the Mac is a status symbol on campus. Some call it "the cool factor", but it is an advantage Apple has that is sort of unfair.
-The biggest reason to "go Mac", is that they just work and do not require constant help from IT and tech support. OS X is just much better than Windows, and even Windows users (if honest), will admit this. After 5 PCs and 7 Macs, our family will never go back to the problem filled Windows world.
Break it down
by ggabagat - 8/16/08 8:45 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The factors I consider are 1. Function/Purpose, 2. Support, and 3. Price in that specific order. For general computing use - word processing, email, internet access, etc. a laptop with XP/Vista will suffice. You also get more support with PCs and MS OS in general. You will find laptops between $500 to $800 including software to be more than adequate. Apple doesn't even come close.
On the other hand if you are need a computer for multi-media creation or graphics design, then a Mac is for you. Most likely you will find enough support from your school if that is your major. In this case, prepare to spend $1,300 to $2000 or more depending on your software.
Files between PCs and Mac are more compatible than ever. In fact I send a word file from either my Mac or PC and the recipient can't even tell where it's from.
In summary, buy the type of machine that you will end up using when you step out of college and start your profession.
PC or Mac Laptop
by FJProenza - 8/16/08 9:02 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have used a PC all my life, mainly because that is what my employer provided.
I am 60 and about to retire; it is sort of a life change for me, as big if not bigger as your going away to college. I decided to follow my 4 children's advice and get a Mac laptop for myself. I am very happy with my choice. There is little learning curve, and what you learn is worth it.
I will mention just three great features that I use all the time and you are likely to do so:
i. a built in camera in every Mac laptop. Whenever I call anyone in the family, it is very nice to have a video call which works great.
ii. I hate to have to worry about viruses all the time; no such problem with a Mac.
iii. I edit my own website using PHP. To try to install Apache and PHP in a Mac is a nightmare. It was a zinch on my new Mac.
Maybe new PCs are better now, but all PCs are different and trying to figure out which one is right for you is a nightmare.
You can meet your objectives with a $1,500 Mac. I would recommend that you get 4 Mega of ram; which comes in handy to run several programs or powerful programs at the same time.
God luck and have a successful college career,
Francisco
A solution that can be modified as needs dictate.
by DaveUssell - 8/16/08 9:05 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
As an IT professional I occasionally recommend Macs or Linux for clients depending on their specific needs. 95% of my business users are on the PC. The arguments against switching have always been based upon a) learning curve and b) having to buy all new programs (despite the fact that many useful programs are free with Linux). Vista has essentially leveled the playing field. It has been my experience that the better you know Windows XP, the more you'll dislike Vista.
Vista has created a significant exodus of my clients from PC to Mac and I must respond to my client's needs so I am doing the same research you are Wendee but with a different focus. Don't forget you can have the best of both worlds.
My solution: MacBook Pro quad booting into Mac OS/Windows XP Pro/Windows Vista Ultimate/Ubunto Linux. For you I'd recommend the Mac solution as you can add Windows to it at any time you deem it necessary without throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
MacBook or PC Laptop? Get both for the price of one!
by mikesessler - 8/16/08 9:56 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
So far, there's been some good information posted here, as well as some mis-information. I hope I can clear things up for you a little. Before I start, note that I've been a Mac user/IT guy since 1986, and I've used Windows at work since version 1.1. Thus I know a little about both platforms.
First, price. Someone said you cannot possibly get the software you need and a Mac for your budget of $1500. This is nonsense. Even buying retail (which you should not do since you are a student and will likely get a good discount at your college), a MacBook is $1,100. You can get iWork which offers (in my opinion) a superior alternative to Office for $79. That should cover 95% of what you need to do. If you feel you need Office, you can pick up the Student/Teacher addition for $135 or so. You could even get both and stay under budget.
Second, I've rarely had trouble connecting to any network with my Mac. There are the occasional IT departments that don't quite get Macs yet, but it's not any failing of the Mac OS. I currently connect to my office Exchange server using my Mac and have fewer problems doing so that my colleagues using Office. Since Macs have become so prevalent on campuses in the last few years, chances are slim that you will have problems on that front.
Third, if you do, you can always run Windows on your MacBook. I have done this with great success for over 2 years now. In my line of work (live sound, lighting and video), there are some software control packages that are Windows-only. I chose VMWare's Fusion and installed Windows XP on my Mac. Rather than use BootCamp (which is free), I spent the $79 on Fusion so I could run both Windows and XP at the same time. Surprisingly, Windows runs faster on my Mac than it does on my office-supplied desktop machine, and it's more stable. Running both at the same time is important to my workflow, though it may be less important for you. If you do plan on running both OSs at the same time, I would suggest upgrading the base MacBook's RAM to 2 Gigs, which will cost another $50 from OtherWorld Computing. It's very easy to do, and you can do it yourself.
So for less than your budget, you can have a fully functional MacBook and a PC. The MacBook is very rugged (mine survived a fall out of my SUV onto a parking lot without a hiccup), and will hold it's value far longer than a PC. Macs also tend to be useable far longer than PCs. I only last fall retired a PowerBook G3 that I had used every day as my primary laptop for over 7 years. It was still running the current OS at the time, and worked great.
Don't fall for the myths that a Mac will leave you "isolated," or without software to run. Unless you're going into a field that requires specialized Windows-only applications, you will do 95% of your work in iWork or (more likely) Office. Either will save compatible, cross-platform files. PDF, Flash, Silverlight, and other universal formats are, well, universal. PC users only feel there are no Mac software titles out there because most retail outlets cater to PC users, and thus carry few Mac titles. But check out ClubMac.com, MacMall.com or even Amazon and you'll find no shortage. You don't go the Chevy dealership looking for parts for your Ford.
Hopefully this helps, Wendee. I personally know a dozen hard-core PC users that have switched to Mac in the last 12 months or so and not a single one has regretted it. Several have even made efforts to apologize for bashing Macs, and have said to me, "You were right. This is so much better." I don't know a single Mac user who has switched to Windows.
reliable computer.... laptop
by kumarpoddar - 8/16/08 10:58 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
hey ther buddy,
i think i can help with your problem. i am in college and i am also live there. and all i can tell you is that ther is no MACs that school owns. 98% of all the college use PC. and yes mac's are great they really good nice looking and i would also like to say reliable( time machine). but i am a PC user. i bought a laptop last year. i have done alot of thinking and research. when people think of buying a laptop they want to be able to carry it and use it anytime you would require too. you have to look for something that is powerful, has enough space and memory. plus long long battery life. after looking around i have narrowed myself down to 3 companies with the budget of $1500; Dell, Lenovo,& Apple. i am need something that is going to be durable. i travel alot and i like to take note with my laptop( i type faster than i write). i have owned another laptop which i have retired i have droped that twice in the life time. so know for sure that i need somehting is not going to break. that is y had to even narrow my search even more. Apple makes great machines sure. it is just the OS. they only make a really really good OS but when it comes to hardware they really suck at it. alot of people are going to tell me that i am just a PC fanboy but i am not. i am a fan of linux. but it you know anyone with a macbook or a macbook pro they will all tell you that they had to service ther laptop atleast once. if they dont they are just lying and in denying the fact that Mac hardware is not that great. common problem with macbooks and macbook pro are the motherboard, HD , battery,logic board, CD/dvd-rw.
but please dont get me wrong mac os is really nice. it is just the hardware. and also the warranty. it just sucks. they are really tough on the warranty they will find ways to not fix the problem. and i can tell you this with experience my friends all had this problem they will tell you that you abuse the laptop so that is why it doesnt work they will just void the warranty .
so in my list i have Dell and Lenovo. let me start with dell. i would never get a inspiron notebook or a xps. i would get a latitude they are really good. very durable and and cheap. and another thing i am a tech savvy guy i know how to replace a keyboard and a HD or even memory. i dont think it is need to call have some one else look at it or even send it back to the company for replaces. it is not needed. any one can do it. but back to dell, it was not as good as the legendary Thinkpads. but then it came down i just wanted to use my notebook for at least 5-7yrs. and i know for a fact that dell would never last that long and i know that dell warranty isnt that long; max of 4yrs.
so i just looking to lenovo. i bought a really nice laptop very strong, durable and FAST. it is a thinkpad t61 w/ intel core2 duo @2.0 GHz with 3GB of ram, 120GB harddrive, bluetooth, intel wireless card with N, 6cell battery, media card reader, DVD rw , camera, and a fingerprint reader. it was less then my budget. it all come out to $1200 and with the 300dallors left over i bought a 5yr warranty. it was great
and it came with vista. which is really nice. i have had no problems with anything. and yes it uses alot of memory but if you shut off the fancy BS it works great. and if you still dont like the idea of vista then you can get a xp pro. it is still a option. windows is really good
honestly i dont even have a antivirus or a spybot. and my computer is not infected. you c if you download pirated material or even porn yes you are guarnteed to get a virus but if you just using your computer for educational and enterienment reason then you will not get a virus. i really hated when people tell me that pc get virus. sure macs do too. lol
i hope this helps
MACBOOK OR PC
by hitsch_e - 8/16/08 11:18 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
i'm an old beginner and i switched a few years ago, before the intel mac, and the learning curve was very fast and easy. i believe it is somewhat more complicated today but still worth it, if only for the greater security you are getting.
in my opinion it has to be a macbook because you can run the following os from it:
UNIX, LINUX & MICROSOFT
if you get an expert to set it up for you, you can run the systems parallel , which is very convenient and fast: one macbook fits all.
you can't run mac OS X on a pc
good luck with your studies.
Mac or PC for college
by robddack - 8/16/08 11:30 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Okay it's been a few years since I've been in college, however I have a number of freinds who are University Proffessors, the all use Macs.
One thing to think about is quality control in these machines, Macs are very well made. Our family has 2 macs (about to be 3) and 3 PC's. We've never had a hardware issue with any of the macs, but the PC's 2 HP's and a Toshiba have issues.
As my son said to me, have you ever heard someone say "I hate my Mac"?
All that rubbish about IT departments not supporting Macs is just that rubbish, they're not going to support your PC very well either.
reply
by jcompmaster1 - 8/16/08 11:41 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
the best thing to do wld b to check with ur campus's IT department whatever OS they r using is what u sld go with tho personally i wld recommend a windows PC such as a gateway use this link http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668158.php
this is one of their college laptops and it would b very helpful
also, try swithcing over to vista it is a lot better than xp better means higher grades 
-JCompMaster1
2 in 1
by gslrider - 8/16/08 11:54 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Having been a Mac and PC user, I have gone through cash and pain to run both. PC to run most of the software I was comfortable with, and Mac to run my design apps for work. I've found the Mac to be better for it's use along with it's ease and reliablity, and the PC to be more convenient for the apps available to it (that the Mac doesn't).
Then they came out with Intel based Macs. For years I've carried around a PC laptop and a Mac laptop. So I decided to take the plunge and stick to one. Yes I paid a little more for the MacBook Pro, but ever since I did, I laugh everyday (and curse) that they didn't come up with this a longtime ago. With a MacBook you get the best of both worlds. The stability and reliablity of a Mac, and the convenience of a PC. It's hard not to be biased now. What PC do you know that can double as another system with virtually no issues. The extra dollars that you would spend is well worth what you are getting. And on top of that, the life expectancy of a Mac is at least double that of a PC. Meaning you get much longer use out of a Mac than a PC. When you realize your PC needs upgrading or replacing because it can no longer support new software. The Mac will still be running without a hitch.
Like myself, other friends have switched, and haven't looked back. And after a few months, we don't even bother using Boot Camp or Parallels to use Windows anymore. Everything we need to do, can be done without Windows. There are of course those rare times, when you need to run an .exe file, or want to try out a new software not yet available for the Mac. But those are far few between. It's a comfort though that I have 2 computers in 1.
Operating systems that can run on a Macintosh
by ggoodenough - 8/16/08 12:46 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The native Mac OS is Unix. All the current macintosh computer with Intel processors can give you the choice of booting into the Mac OS or Windows using Boot Camp. If you purchase Parallels (about $80) you don't need to choose which OS to boot you can run, Use Windows and Mac OS X at the same time without rebooting. http://www.parallels.com/en/
The current version of Parallels Desktop officially supports the following guest operating
systems:
Microsoft Windows Guest Operating Systems:
Windows Vista
Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition SP0
Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition SP1
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition SP0
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition SP1
Windows Server 2003 Web Edition SP0
Windows Server 2003 Web Edition SP1
Windows XP SP2 Professional
Windows XP SP2 Home
Windows XP SP1 Professional
Windows XP SP1 Home
Windows XP SP0 Professional
Windows XP SP0 Home
Windows 2000 Professional Edition SP4
Windows 2000 Server SP4
Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP4
Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6
Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6
Windows ME
Windows 98
Windows 95
Windows 3.11
Windows 3.1
Linux Guest Operating Systems:
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS4
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS4
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS3
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES4
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES3
Red Hat Linux 9
Red Hat Linux 8
Red Hat Linux 7.3
Debian Linux 3.1
Fedora Core Linux 4
Fedora Core Linux 3
SUSE Linux 10
SUSE Linux 9.3
SUSE Linux 9.2
SUSE Linux 9.1
SUSE Linux 9.0
Mandriva Linux 10.1
Mandriva Linux 10
Mandriva Linux 9.2
FreeBSD Guest Operating Systems:
FreeBSD 5.4
FreeBSD 5.3
FreeBSD 4.5
FreeBSD 4.1
OS/2 and eComStation Guest Operating Systems:
OS/2 Warp 4.5
OS/2 Warp 4
OS/2 Warp 3
eComStation 1.2
eComStation 1.1
Sun Solaris Guest Operating Systems:
Solaris 10
Solaris 9
MS-DOS Guest Operating Systems:
MS-DOS 6.22
Good job
by nippywiffle - 8/16/08 1:20 PM In reply to: Operating systems that can run on a Macintosh by ggoodenoughGood job listing all the OS's that parallels can run... which, co-incidentally, you can also run on ANY intel/x86 based computer, macintosh or not.
You can also purchase "vmware", or use the FREE "virtual PC" software on a Windows based PC, to run any of those OS's as a 2nd OS within windows... the ONLY OS you can't (officially) run is Mac OS X - and even that is possible.. just not entirely legal.
I'm pretty certain, that since this person is having a hard time deciding if she wants a "mac or a PC", that she is not too interested in the fact that she can run various linux distributions, or Windows 3.11 on a mac (or a PC).
Flexibility was the point.
by ggoodenough - 8/16/08 2:10 PM In reply to: Good job by nippywiffleThanks. Point taken on Windows 3.11. I was pointing out the flexibility.
Just one system, please
by hansjorn - 8/17/08 2:26 AM In reply to: Operating systems that can run on a Macintosh by ggoodenoughYou might be right with the list of OS'es that a Mac can run, but in reality, why would you do that unless you are studying the development of operating systems in the 90'ies?
My point is this: Your computer should work right out of the box with no changes, no updates, no nothings ...
So what about viruses, spyware and other things, that can keep people busy?
Well - if you pick an honest OS, you will not be in so much trouble, that is why I recommend Linux.
Not installed on a Mac og Windows Pc in a dual or tipple boot-combination - but as the sole system.
Open source software can do the rest - but again, don't overload your system with 500 programs, just because they are free - basically 5-10 programs will help you out for the remainder of your life.
Sincerely,
Hans Andersen
ps! You save a lot of dollars/euros at the same time sticking to this concept
Mac or Pc
by mubbet42 - 8/16/08 3:06 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I Cannot understand all this bitching re Mac or PC. I have recently bought (last 8 months) A Intel based Mac, and a upper end Dell Laptop. They are both excellent pieces of kit, but as for which is the best, i believe it is personal preference. It is my first Mac and I have to say is a fantastic piece of machinery that has some advantages over a PC which an also use windows software through boot camp, I also have to say it cost alot of money for equivelant spec for my windows based laptop, BUT I love them both so take the dip or what suits you best, and ignore all this bitching, you would think they all personally owned the companies.
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