Simplify your laptop buying
Miscellaneous laptop discussions : Should I go Mac or stay PC?
PC, yes
by larrance - 2/27/09 7:57 PM In reply to: I bought a used Vaio cheap for the same reason by tinman1275This thread is on the right track. To me, the real issue is what comes loaded on the notebook computer, from the manufacturer. I have been managing work stations for years, and never go with what comes preloaded. Though it takes a bit of effort it is well worth it when you start from the beginning, build it up using best practices for the OS and your apps, and you should be happy, provided the computer has enough muscle.
A computer that crashes from birth, runs slow, etc. is having software issues 99 per cent of the time. However, when you look at the bloat and garbage that comes preloaded, should you really be surprised?
For driver support, I personally prefer Lenovo. Fantastic support. Beware of buying a new Dell, HP, Sony, etc. and thinking you will be able to install XP, by the way. Might not have driver support for a 'vista' machine.
One last thought. Even four and five year old Thinkpads are still nice machines. For mobile staff I have a group af t-41's with 1g ram and 1.6g processor. Run both vista and xp well, once you set them up right, though a little problem finding best graphics driver for vista.
Sony VAIO wins my vote!
by JohnnyBravo-UK - 2/27/09 9:15 PM In reply to: I bought a used Vaio cheap for the same reason by tinman1275I have had my VAIO since early 2005. I bought it off Ebay for 1400 GBP at that time (around $2000). It's P4, 1GB RAM, 2.6GHz CPU, DVD+-RW and 80GB HD, and it still runs like a racing horse even after being dropped accidentally a couple of times. I can literally count the few times it froze or crashed. Used it with memory devouring software like Autocad, Adobe Photoshop and many other imaging and movie making packages and they all ran just fine. In relation to what someone mentioned about formatting the C drive and getting rid of some of the preloaded crapware that comes out of the box, I have done that, and managed to keep important and essential files saved on the D drive (partition), untouched, and the computer ran even faster and smoother by doing that.
Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend VAIO laptops to anyone, professionals or non-professionals, that's because they are durable, reliable, come with some good and well thought of software, stylish designs and value. You would certainly get your money's worth.
Mac vs. PC
by Renegade Knight - 2/23/09 12:07 PM In reply to: Should I go Mac or stay PC? by dilasluisThere is no complessing reason what so ever to try a Mac other than you want to try something different. Thus far I find the MacBook to be frustrating both in that it does things different (that will change as I become more familiar) and in that there are things it can't do at all as simply. I have not found anything easier on the Mac than on Windows though as I become familiar maybe that will change as well.
If you had a bad computer, that's not Windows's fault.
Even if you go Mac, In your case the MacBook isn't the one for the job. It will do it, just not as well as a MacBook Pro. OS X does crash and does so more than Vista on the same MacBook. Irony at it's best.
As for laptops in general. I've not had a single one bought new not fail at some point during the warranty. HP, Dell, Toshiba I've bought new. The MacBook is 3 months old. The jury is out there.
IBM Thinkpads I've bought used (and those havent' failed, man I love that you can buy more reliable used laptops than new...) So far so good.
RE: Mac vs. PC
by DComander1 - 2/23/09 12:25 PM In reply to: Mac vs. PC by Renegade KnightExactly, and My IBM Thinkpad was around $490 tops, and it lasted most likely 5 years before i accidentally dropped, it, it still worked before deciding to dismantle it to sell for parts, as its not worth saving. If anyone is having trouble with windows, its either the end users fault, or the brand, or even MS's fault as in Windows Vista (BSODed (blue screen of death) on my Custom built desktop with proper drivers). One thing the buyer needs to know when buying a comp, is to go with brands well situated, and have better PR than others, like IBM and HP, they have better PR and products than Dell, and Sony, and Even apple, as they require you to bring it into their facilities to get it repaired, which for many people is a hassle, as apple stores are still spread far apart,except for cities, and as for Lemons, all my comps thru the years- 7 Desktops and 3 Laptops- never failed on me, except that me, the end user, made 5 desktops, and 3 laptops fail, as i was experimenting and fooling around, or getting plain frustrated (as i hate slow comps, and learning how they ran).
NASCAR fan?
by macewan_ - 2/23/09 1:45 PM In reply to: Should I go Mac or stay PC? by dilasluisI your a NASCAR or wrestling fan you'll probably want to stay with Windows. Mac OS X is more elegant that Microsoft could ever hope to copy.
A bit arrogant
by dilasluis - 2/23/09 2:53 PM In reply to: NASCAR fan? by macewan_I'm not a NASCAR nor a wrestling fan... but probably that's not a good indicator of OS choice...
I am only trying to figure out what is the best system for me... and one of the reasons i was inclined to buy a MAC was the elegance (my current browser is SAFARI and although it crashes sometimes - I was thinking that it was because of an apple software on a microsoft OS but probably I am wrong and Apple also crashes a lot... - I am addicted to how the pages look like. It has a simplicity that I love... And I own a iPod and an iPhone and I would like to connect them all to a MAC - cherry on top...).
But I am a engineer not a designer, so I don't know because I need a laptop to work...
Funniest Post I read all day.
by Renegade Knight - 2/24/09 11:31 AM In reply to: NASCAR fan? by macewan_OS X vs. Vista. Both do the job. Neither is "elegant" They both have rough edges. Yeah, Mac Fanatics like to think they have a certain something more going for them than Joe Windoze. They don't.
OS X, Windows, Linux. I can crash them all. No OS crashes with elegance.
Most unbiased post yet!
by dilasluis - 2/25/09 10:09 AM In reply to: Funniest Post I read all day. by Renegade KnightJust that I wanted an unbiased perspective on both systems. Not form Mac Fanatics or Joe Windoze...
Crashing all the above OS's?
by macewan_ - 4/19/09 6:42 AM In reply to: Funniest Post I read all day. by Renegade Knightwhat are you doind? Dropping the computers?
via: iPod Touch
Vaio SR
by akintosyali - 2/24/09 2:33 PM In reply to: Should I go Mac or stay PC? by dilasluisYou van ge a Vaio SR model for about $1000 here:
http://vaiousa.com/6-133_Inch_SR_Model.html
typos
by akintosyali - 2/24/09 3:02 PM In reply to: Vaio SR by akintosyalisorry for the typos, didn't look as I typed. I meant to say "You can get a Vaio SR here..."
crashes
by jekjones15581 - 2/27/09 7:01 PM In reply to: Should I go Mac or stay PC? by dilasluisI cannot speak to whether or not all the apps you will be using are Mac friendly and that is obviously a key consideration you will need to research. I can only say that I have had my MacBook for 2 years and it has not crashed even once. Of my friends/colleagues who use Macs I can't name a single one who has ever complained about crashing. Our tech at work has remarked to me about the stability of OS X over Windows (she works in both environments). JMHO. YMMV. Good luck with your decision!
Windows Versus Mac
by afakirani - 2/27/09 7:17 PM In reply to: Should I go Mac or stay PC? by dilasluisI think we need to determine first what is the issue that you are having currently with your VAIO. From there, we can think of solutions that are appropriate for you.
What is it that you didn't like about your VAIO? Was it that is was running slow? Did it heat up? Was the battery life poor? If these were issues that you had, then there was a problem with hardware. If you had problems with interface, program compatibility, etc, then you might have had a problem with your operating system. I don't think that Windows has as many problems as most people make it out to have. As you said, you've been using a PC for years and perhaps the only reason that you've had issues lately is because of poor hardware.
At the same time, I can see the attraction of going for a Mac. I've been a Windows man for years and I have to say that the familiarity that I'm used to with my PC makes it very hard for me to think of switching but I'm sure I could get over the learning curve quickly. Macs have there advantages. To begin with, the hardware is configured to run the operating system as effectively as possible (both being manufactured by the same company). Macs have been known to be more stable as well and run common programs including Microsoft Office. Most would advice you not to get a Mac based on compatibility issues but this is a moot point when you factor in Apple's BootCamp software that lets you install Windows on a Mac. The advantage is that you get both a Mac and a PC in one. The disadvantage is that you have to pick which operating system you want to work on at bootup making switching between OSX and Windows tiresome. You could run Parallels on a Mac which lets you run Windows WITHIN OSX allowing you the use of both Mac and Windows programs simultaneously but the disadvantage is that your computer will slow down (though, based on the specs of the Mac you're thinking of purchasing, this shouldn't be a problem).
Ultimately your decision has to consider whether you had issues with your hardware or you operating system. If the problem was with your hardware, than perhaps just purchasing a better PC (like the Lenovos that were suggested) might be the solution (and running XP, Vista is a nightmare!). If you are having issues with your OS, then perhaps it's time to switch to Mac. If you do switch to Mac, you might be limited in terms of the programs that you can run natively on OSX but you have the advantage of being able to switch to Windows. You have to ask though, if you're buying a Mac to predominantly run Windows on, is that really the best way to spend you money? Check to see if the programs needed for your work are available on Mac, otherwise, my honest suggestion would be to spend the money you would on a Mac on a PC. And lastly, and I realize you probably know this, whatever decision you go with, make sure you have a backup solution for all your files.
Buy a MAC!
by jdk4asu - 2/27/09 8:22 PM In reply to: Should I go Mac or stay PC? by dilasluisI have been a devoted Mac user for 20 years now! I have purchased at least seven, two of which were powerbooks for my salesman and I. Of those total of seven, five of them were purchased through Apple and were refurbished. I am a salesman and although I am self-employed and do not have to worry about servers, Outlook and networks, I still am able to send and receive just about any file out there other then AutoCad. I have Microsoft Office and it pretty much opens any file I need to and can modify pretty much anything as well. I have also owned some sort of a Palm since 2000 and have had great success in synchronizing those as well. Although I have not used windows and the software to run them on the Mac, I do know that it seems to run just fine for most windows programs. What I LOVE about Apple is the tech support you receive, especially if you get their extended warranty. Yes, I said EXTENDED warranty! BUY it if you get any Mac! Why? One reason: TECH SUPPORT for three years, not just for the parts and labor! Did you know that Consumer Reports and the Today Show both said that this is about the only extended warranty you should buy? I have had a few problems with my machines and Apple took care of them right away. The customer service you receive from Apple is just amazing. You can call them or go to one of their stores as well.
So I think when you are looking at a Mac, you have to not only compare the raw data and what the machine can do, but also how you are going to get supported as a customer. They make rock solid products and back them up. OK, so you have to spend nearly twice as much sometimes, but they come with so much more software and usually far better machines that are also much more expandable then PC machines of their ilk. NO, I do not work for Apple nor have any stock! LOL! I just love their stuff enough to get a new one every three years, without fail. Again, I do highly recommend utilizing their refurbished product, which is in their online store, as it has been brought back to new specs, with the same new warranty. However, if you want to customize, then you need to buy the new product.
So speeds, hard drive size, screens, etc., do not always tell the true story of a product. By the way, when you buy their extended warranty, they are open SEVEN days a week! OK, only from 8-6, but at least they are open on the weekends!
I do hope this helps!
Stay with PC
by mwooge - 2/27/09 10:10 PM In reply to: Should I go Mac or stay PC? by dilasluis> because I'm entering in my PhD research phase
Entering a phase where you'll be doing a lot of important work and you want to learn a new computer? Stick with what you know. The last thing you need now is a major headache.
> allows me to program in C++ and MatLab & Symulink, use ANSYS and other FE Software, use Adobe family products including Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Flash
Do Macs run all of these programs? And do they run the same as you've already learned? Trust me: getting a new program that doesn't work the same is a serious pain. The re-learn curve is steep.
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