Mac rumors and speculation : Are Apple's notebook computers really that good?
Are Apple's notebook computers really that good?
by Nlimited - 8/20/08 2:40 PMI'm a college student who's looking to replace a 5 year old hp dv1000 notebook computer and from examining cnet's reviews (a site that i look to when buying any device or gadget) on Apple's line of notebooks, i'm almost completely convinced that a macbook or macbook pro would be the notebook of choice for the rest of college. However, i couldn't help but question whether their computers really live up to the hype that their company advertises or whether the extra $500 is simply the price of having an apple emblem on your computer. I'm also curious as to why apple computers seemingly top each category that they're placed into. Are they really that good? or do the editors (with all do respect) add more points to the product review because of the Apple brand? are comparatively priced pc notebooks and computers just as capable as mac computers, if not more capable? Or, in another scenario, if the editors (or computer experienced individuals) could price mac notebooks based on their hardware and software, would their prices match those that Apple advertise their products to be?
Frankly?
by R. Proffitt
- 8/20/08 4:49 PM
In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by Nlimited
You are paying for the OS as well as a pretty good machine. Some will try to compare the nuts and bolts "cost" to your average Windows PC but the OS is worth something. If you feel you can't use the Apple OS keep shopping.
Bob
Are Apple Notebook computers really that good?
by dbennett48 - 8/20/08 6:12 PM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedIt is worth the money if for nothing else than the LACK of worms and viruses. I have been using computers since Windows 95 came out. The Apple computers are a JOY to use!!!!
They are
by BeatleMegaFan - 8/21/08 12:14 AM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedMac OS X is a great system to use. It's stable, easy-to-use, and for the moment, secure from malware and viruses. Because of Intel's hardware, Apple has been able to build better and faster machines to compete with their Windows counterparts. The combination of Intel's CPUs and chipsets with the Mac OS has really worked out well. My Intel Mac performs exceptionally. Of course, I do a lot of media work and editing, so naturally I turn to OS X. But thanks to Intel, Macs can now do everything. Using Macs for regular office tasks is a piece of cake, and running Windows is easy to do. You can even run games on either the OS X or Windows side of a Mac. I hear the gameplay isn't bad at all.
If anything, Macs are more capable than PCs in the fact that Macs can run OS X and PCs can not do so without some hacking and rule bending. I wouldn't advise you to even try to do so. Plus, Macs are developed in closed environments. Macs run so well because of this. With Windows, the system has to run on any combination of hardware. Then you have problems with drivers and compatibility.
You will find lower-priced Windows hardware out there, but you are not getting OS X, or the good technical support that Apple is known for. You are not getting the closer integration of the hardware and software either. In my opinion, Macs are as good as they are represented to be because everything "just works" with a Mac. Literally. Now if you end up going with a PC, I would recommend HP or Sony, but they can't compare to Apple. Apple has actual retail stores and with helpful employees and support on hand. Sony has stores too, but they are nothing like the Apple Store. What stores are? When you buy a Mac, you are getting a good deal, and you will usually be satisfied. With a Mac, you can actually enjoy using it, unlike with Windows. OS X is about the user, and it really makes a difference.
New MacBooks are rumored to be coming out next month. If possible, wait for those, as they will supposedly incorporate a newer design than the existing MacBooks and MacBook Pros.
-BMF
Have just purchased a new Mac Book - love it already
by Larry Launstein Jr - 8/23/08 8:42 AM In reply to: They are by BeatleMegaFanI am a student at the University of Michigan-Flint, and will be graduating this December. I just purchased a Mac Book for my classwork - and even though I still have to get some of my files from my Mac Mini copied over to the new machine, I already love what the Mac Book offers. I could not afford a Mac Book Pro, but this is definitely the next best thing.
As far as OS-X Leopard goes, it is very stable.
Yes -- mostly for the support
by RICHARD VANDERDRIFT - 8/22/08 3:53 PM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedRecently bought my daughter in college a mac as was totally fed up with being her support tech. Apple support is world class.
Got to ask this,
by mrmacfixit - 8/22/08 6:01 PM
In reply to: Yes -- mostly for the support by RICHARD VANDERDRIFT
Now that your daughter has a Mac, and you are no longer her support tech, does she need as much support as she used to?
P
Absolutely, yes
by Elizabeth Marner-Brooks - 8/22/08 9:50 PM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedThey save time and angst. User-friendly. No time wasted running anti-virus programs every 3 weeks (minimally). Apple's service is great, in person and over the phone. I've had 3 MACs and 1 PC. I never had a problem with my Dell PC but, I love being being back with a MAC. Do hear ever hear anyone say that they "love" their PCs? Yet, there are people who say they "love" their MACs.
Also, if you are near an Apple store, for $99 a year, you can sign for "One to One" and book an hour every week or two with a technician to learn more ways to work with your computer and its programs. I even used this service when I traveled for a month and booked time in other cities' stores. And they offer 20" time slots at their "Genius Bar" for any other quickie things that might come up. Example: I got an i-pod that worked and then stopped. Took it to the "Genius Bar", they tested it and immediately replaced it. Just make sure to save your physical register receipts!!
Absolutely
by lloydraphah - 8/23/08 2:31 AM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedNot only are you getting OS X, an amazing, smooth, and beautiful os, Apple computers themselves do live up to the hype. A few months ago, my old computer just wasn't producing the quality and speed I wanted, so i began to look for a new one. As an avid computer gamer, definitely graphics capability and speed are crucial, but, being a gamer, I was all but tied down to using windows. After some time of searching I began looking at a macbook pro, and talked myself into buying one, because I have worked with apples before and absolutely loved them. This computer runs windows via boot camp at incredible speeds, far beyond anything I had seen on brand new Dells or HPs that friends had recently bought, and has yet to disappoint in terms of graphics capability and game speed.
APPLE MAC
by jmillen - 10/4/08 4:46 AM In reply to: Absolutely by lloydraphahI fully agree with the answers regarding PC Or Apple, I really, really, love my Mac Desktop which I purchased in September, having previously always owned PC's and at 53 was rather dubious as to whether I could make the transition, my son purchased his Mac a few weeks previously, he convinced me that they were awesome! I am so pleased I took his advice and bought one as found they are just so smooth and easy to use, it took no time at all to adjust from the PC to the Apple I am Absolutely delighted with my purchase.
They are and here's why!
by BxVelocity - 8/23/08 4:25 AM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedI bought a macbook two years ago. I've used windows for years and was waiting for Vista, but heard all sorts of horrible stories about it, and then tried it and found it rather slow, despite 3Gb RAm and a dedicated video card, So I thought I would give OS X a whirl, and I could always dual boot windows on it.
1. The specs in my macbook were 2 GB RAM, 2.0 7200 Intel Core 2 processor and the usual stuff, you get cheaper PCs, but Macs always use something near the high end. No Celeron stuff or "duo" processors.The 7200 C2D processor in my mac, was the one with 4 MB cache memory, so a similar PC would not have been cheap. I've noticed, they always give you a mac with the latest processor (the move to Penryn was pretty quick for macs), you seem to get the latest tech, and the latest usually is more expensive and this was for the entry level macbook ( I added 1GB RAM)
2. There are a lot of extras you get, like the subtle, tiny webcam, magsafe charging point, LED lights to check the battery charge without booting, magnetic latch, sleek form factor, that you wouldn't get in most PCS, or none
3. I love the keyboard
4. Finally, the OS is just incredible, for instance XP always used to hang on me, crash a times, slow down after a years use, I would have to defrag, virus check, this and that.. my mac has never slowed down in over two years. Leopard came after a year or so, but I found Tiger so good, and didn't really want spaces, cover flow or Time machine,and stuck with Tiger. It is smooth, doesn't have that taskbar jitter on start up and works seamlessly with all my apps. It still works as fast, even though I have only 500 MB left on my hard drive, in some of my old windows machines, that alone used to slow the whole PC.
5. What I would like in my mac: Palm desktop for mac that is like the app for windows, a lot of software was a little better ( I felt) on the windows OS, which might not be so for mac, Nokia PC suite, things like that. No card reader for my macbook , wish there was one,
But all in all, I do 95% of my work on the mac, and only used the windows side (slow boot, slow work,and jittery) for syncing my palm and some programs, maybe games and I do not like MS word for the mac.. but text edit and pages serve my purposes pretty well too.
So, if you have a mac, and add windows, you have both, and trust me, you won't be using much of the windows. Unless Windows 7 does something radical, I feel macs will penetrate further into microsofts market share.
The attention to detail is the difference
by minimalist - 8/23/08 8:27 AM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedAnd while this detail does show up in the nice industrial design its mostly apparent in the OS itself. Things work intuitively and simply. Open the lid on a sleeping Macbook and you are up and running instantly. Open a lid on a windows laptop and your machine take forever to come out of "standby". This is just a small example of the attention to detail that Apple feels is more important than 3 page long spec sheets. They believe in quality. Other manufacturers give you quantity.
And for the extra cost of a Mac you also get:
1. Piece of mind (no more reinstalling your OS when things go wonky, or hunting down updated drivers when your printer stops working, or defragging your hard drive, or worrying about virus and malware.
2. lots of excellent built in software not included with bargain basement windows systems (iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, Garageband, iWeb, and iDVD.
I'd say 400 extras dollars now is well worth the lack of hassle you'll experience throughout the life of your machine.
Apple is worth the price
by geenosr - 8/23/08 8:39 AM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedThe answer is yes. I have been running both platforms on different laptops and there is no comparison. Apple products are head and shoulders above all other competitors. Some people will feel more comfortable staying with an OS that they have history and experience with (windows). I am glad I ventured out and tried both. I used to recommend Windows products to my friends and family, but after I used an Apple product (Macbook Pro) I changed my mind and now I recommend Apple/Mac to everyone I know. It's just better, and that's all I can say.
Cost vs. value
by onemoremile - 8/23/08 11:33 AM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedIf you are finding that a Mac notebook costs $500 more than a Windows PC, then you are comparing machines with very different capabilities. If you want the cheapest possible computer, then buy a PC; Apple does not compete in the bargain basement. If you want a laptop with which you can grow, try out a Mac. Having owned several Apples, several Dells and an HP, I can certainly agree that Apple support is far better: courteous competent and (with one exception in my experience) quick.
(NT) Meh. It's standard ia32 hardware.
by 3rdalbum - 8/23/08 11:52 PM In reply to: Are Apple's notebook computers really that good? by NlimitedSee the subject title.
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