Community Newsletter: Q&A: MacBook or PC laptop for college?
- 8/22/08 4:21 PM
MacBook or PC
by lplpaca - 8/16/08 12:54 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Personally I would go for a notebook pc, but with a 'BUT' ... I work as a technical support / sysadmin type role in a solely microsoft network.
The BUt is to dual load the notebook pc with XP and a version of linux suitable to your college needs. I have used windows since vers 3.11 and DOS before that, I have used linux since RED HAT hit the spotlight ( a colleague put me onto it)
I now run win XP plus ubuntu 8.04 on an older IBM TPad R40 - they both run great, but I did up the hard drive and memory from original spec. I find I can do more on the unbuntu than on the XP, but I still do need the XP for some corporate admin, otherwise it is always the linux boot I use.
On ubuntu all the add-on software I have needed has been free, and mostly trouble free, but for the odd problem I have had, there is a massive and very friendly ubuntu community on the ubuntu forum to help you out.
So on the BUT, buy an XP laptop, read up on the best version of linux for you, and then download that version for free, boot your laptop with the cd and repartition the hard drive to dual boot - if you are not convinced, then you can boot in live cd mode and not even touch the original install.
The drawbacks of both Mac and PC notebook is that for good proprietary software you have to pay, 99% of the time with linux, you just ask other peoples opinions, search and read up for yourself, then download and install all for free - you can't really go wrong, if you don't like it, remove and download something else and it hasn't cost you a bean!
rgds
Paul C
Do you know the difference between the two?
by white-bread - 8/16/08 1:13 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
There is none anymore. If you want a good computer you can choose one with one of these CPUs: SPARC, UltraSPARC, ARM9, ARM10, StrongARM, Coldfire, POWER, PPC, Cell.
If you want a good system, you can choose: FreeBSD, NetBSD, OPenBSD, Plan9, Linux/GNU, RISC OS, Minix3.
Since Apple changed the base CPU, the OS won't be as fast. RISC is different.
Windows: good- lot's of people use it.
Bad: Doesn't recognize partitions but does a horrible job of making a BSD type slice. Non-journaled. SMP support poor. IE still tied into the system. No user control.
Apple: good- open source base.
Bad- no more PPC. Old FreeBSD base is still used. Too much tied up in firmware when the BSD community has most of the drivers.
hmm
by nippywiffle - 8/16/08 2:02 PM In reply to: Do you know the difference between the two? by white-breadYou realize that out of your entire post, the original poster probably doesn't understand a single thing, except "windows : good a lot of people use it"
hmmm
by white-bread - 8/20/08 4:41 AM In reply to: hmm by nippywiffleUnless you yourself are the poster or can read minds, you do not know what he or she understands.
Actually...
by nippywiffle - 8/20/08 8:24 AM In reply to: hmm by nippywiffleActually, I said "probably" doesn't understand.
My reason for guessing that the original poster "probably" doesn't understand what you were talking about, is that if the she actually knew about all those different processor types, and OS types that you listed, and knew what a RISC processor was... etc. they probably wouldn't be asking a question as basic as "should I get a mac or a PC"... they'd probably have the knowledge to make that decision themself without even thinking about it.
From the type of question, they are "probably" a regular non-techie person, who just wants some simple advice on which system might be better for her - mac, or PC. She "probably" isn't interested in ARM, RISC, Linux, FreeBSD or any of that stuff, since she seems to just be a regular person going to college, and using a computer to write up her dissertations etc. Unless she is going to college for Computer Science (or similar) - in which case she would not be asking a forum which kind of computer she should get - then she will probably never need to even know what RISC or StongARM is.. or any of the other stuff you mentioned.
Mac versus PC for cllege
by matsbeem - 8/16/08 1:36 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It will always remain a matter of taste, however, many of the arguments used are showing a lack of insight in the issue:
- choosing Mac does not isolate you, neither in terms of applications, nor in terms of data. Apple's own iWork suits suports the familiar Microsoft file formats and a mature version of MS Office is available for the Mac with attractive 'college pricing'. Only for very specific applications, there are advantages to either of the two platforms
- if you compare like wit like, Macs are not more expensive. In several shot outs by computable magazine, the MacBook Pro eve beat all th great name PCs running Windows
- depreciation of a Mac is less than of a PC (check on eBay and other on line sales sites)
- the valid arguments remain 1. the matter of taste and 2. your campus/university IT policies
my macbook experience
by rpen - 8/16/08 3:09 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi, i thought i would post my macbook experience to give you more perspective. I switched from a thinkpad T60 to a macbook pro. As far as features/ease of use go, mac os wins hands down. Also, i am told vista is catching up only now to the safety that macos provides. However the macbook runs really hot with any cpu-intensive tasks. Cooling is very poor. Also, if your surrounding environment gets warm the macbook fan will remind you of its presence. Macos is actually bulkier than windows. it runs slower than windows. at least the networking apps (streaming video, etc). Also, you cannot control the video quality. You are stuck with whatever graphics card comes with the notebook, not much choice. With a PC laptop there is much better choice and u can actually get superior video playback. Also java apps suck big-time on the MAC (not that the JVM is bad but i think java apps were not developed with MACOS quirks in mind).
And lots of people have mentioned availability of apps for the mac which is an issue for me too.
Just trying to bring down the hype surrounding macs.
Where do you fall?
by NicoVanDamus - 8/16/08 3:29 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
From my personal perspective you should get a MAC or a PC if you think you fall in any of these six categories:
1. Business - Get a PC (software compatibility issues, better customer support)
2. Wannabe artists/real artists (visual arts/music) - get a Mac (Damned universities, Windows has excellent software)
3. Non-art professions (Most Sciences/Engineering/Architecture) - Get a powerful PC (If you are an Apple fan then get both, if not enough money then stick to PC.)
4. Power users/Technology junkies/Geeks - Get a PC (Linux + huge range of hardware + Next category)
5. Gamers - Get a PC (If you pay for all your games and you don't exactly know what I mean by this then get a PC and a MAC, if not enough money then stick to PC, boot camp is a no-no for gaming.)
6. Average computer user who wants to listen to music, browse the web, play flash games, and send emails - Get a Mac (you may eventually regret it for some reason, possibly software compatibility issues or getting into gaming, the majority will conform though or will simply run boot camp to run common software.)
In my opinion when Macs run most games and popular (top notch) software almost everyone will be able to make the shift, if that ever happens that means Microsoft died and Linux went back to the Dark Ages, or something crazy like Google bought Apple happened.
Conclusion: Both Microsoft (vulnerabilities) and Apple (software/hardware limitations) still have a long way to go, I would say Linux is in a similar position as Apple (software-wise speaking of course, see categories 1,2,3, and 5 LOL.) Computers are not toys and learning how to use them properly can save you a lot of money and time. Just because TV and movies show that is easy to use them doesn't mean it is, this means that you shouldn't go around clicking on every banner that offers you free stuff or being open to what strangers from the Internet may offer you (see malware, trojans, rootkits, and perhaps shock sites haha.) People shouldn't learn how to use computers by trial and error, get educated (In a way, Apple takes advantage of the computer illiterate and they rip 'em off gooood.)
The moral of this article is: Popularity trends should not affect someone's decision when buying a computer and learning how to use computers is g00d.
Happy buying.
Best investment
by maciasd - 8/16/08 3:35 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Wendee,
I am a college student myself and would like to advise towards the MacBook. I am a Criminal Justice Major (recently switched from a Computer Science Major) and have been using a BlackBook for 2.5 years (the Black MacBook). I have to say that it is a blessing not to have my computer crash every time i try to use it, or to have to constantly update my virus software every day. I have had some problems with the software freezing but, that is fixed with a simple set of key strokes every 3 months. The Mac will be the better long term investment and will make you more stress free in the end. The only thing is the learning curve, but as Lee Koo put it; ". . . if you're not willing to put the time and effort into learning something new or challenging, then you may not be ready for college." If you want more info, please email me at macias.dave@me.com.
Think about this; there is a reason 80% of all in coming university students are entering with Macs ... it just works . . .
Had the same question even two weeks ago
by shahadatakbar - 8/16/08 4:40 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hey Wendee,
Congratulations. I think you'll be surprised to know how many people are wondering the very same question. And so was I. I had almost the same budget. I'm almost half way done in my college. But needed a laptop. All this hypes about mac and different kinds of laptops made me so confused. My major is New Media Technology. So you can tell I'm into designing and love to work with graphics and video. So the first word my friends and others would have for me is Mac. And don't get me wrong, I love Apple products. I own an iPhone and an iPod for a very long time. Yet, I've been a Windows user my entire life. And a pretty advanced one. It was way out-of-the-box thinking for me to go for a Mac. Since I already know everything about PC I did some research about Mac. Went to their "Getting Started" workshops, visited there website every single day, looked for the alternatives for all kinds of software that I use every single day. A lot of my friends own MacBooks. And I didn't find one that wasn't excited about Mac when I asked them to compare Mac with Windows. And that's when Apple started giving away iPod touch and printer with every Mac (and of course a $100 student discount) when you use your student discount to buy a Mac. I felt like I was meant to get it. LOL. But anyway, after a lot of thinking, research, and questions I finally made up my
mind to buy a MacBook. I bought the Black MacBook and very satisfied and happy with my decision. Of course there are pros and cons and it does take a little while to get use to it. But it's fun learning Mac. Trust me. There may be people who loves there hp, lenovo even compaq laptops. But I'll say this, no other laptop could satisfy you more than a MacBook. And you're hearing this from somebody who works, studys, eats (even sometime sleeps) with his computer and has been a PC user forever. And has never used a Macintosh in his lifetime.
Good luck, for your laptop and for your education. College IS hard work.
No contest!!!!! The Mac is both PC & Mac
by OldRattler - 8/16/08 4:44 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
After reading through the first few responses it was obvious none of the responders were familiar with the new Macs. I have a MacBookPro. The HD is sectioned in two parts and I have loaded Windows Vista on one side, Mac OSX on the other. You hold down the option key at start-up to select which drive to be the start-up. Vista runs the entire Office 2007 package faster than the PC laptop I bought it for. The Mac is far more reliable as well.
Buy a PC
by johnsmkt - 8/16/08 4:59 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
When over 90% of the world is using PC, why would you want a MAC. Mac's are better, maybe, but so was the 'Beta' version of tape, need I say more.
At one time Windows was only 10% market share
by technewsjunkie - 8/21/08 3:53 PM In reply to: Buy a PC by johnsmktMarket share can change. In any case, BMW (auto) has small market share but that doesn't mean its a bad choice. Can you comprehend that?
Do you think that Windows just "happened" one day and it was at 90%?
Mac market share is growing, and at the expense of Windows, particularly Vista.
Besides, you can run Windows on Macs. If you still want to.
not a good analogy
by endaugust - 8/22/08 6:14 AM In reply to: At one time Windows was only 10% market share by technewsjunkiefirst off, it's convenient and specious that you'd compare Mac to BMW.
secondly, you pit BMW against the whole world's car industry, as if it's a specialized kind of vehicle and that Windows encompasses Ford, Toyota, Nissan, GM... BMW is a car just like all other cars brands. It might be above averagely made, but its "operating system" is the same.
Be careful
by pnpb - 8/16/08 5:31 AM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My friends daugther is going to college this fall so he checked with the college to see which laptop they recomended. They recomemded a Dell. They, also received a discount for getting it through the school. Come to find out, the class she is taking (graphics designing) in 2 years, she will need a Mac. So, please don't just check what the college recomend but check to see what that class will need
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