Laptops: Mac vs. everyone else

[blueangel]

Once you try Mac, you'll never go back!

[FAB*SpiceySpice]

I have a MacBook Pro that I got about two weeks after they came out, I wish I had waited a little bit longer so some tiny annoying things would have been fixed, but overall I am in love with it.

I run Windows on it just fine, you can choose which OS to use when you start your computer up and the only thing that doesn't work in Windows is the backlit keyboard and scrolling trackpad. Other than that I've had no problems at all with Windows on my Mac. I also have all the Microsoft Office programs on my Mac and I've never had a problem with them. Also, I installed extra memory myself (which I didn't think I could do since I know nothing about that) and it couldn't have been easier.

The only thing is the price (mine was a graduation present, thank god) and since I'm not in law school I don't know how great they'd be for that, but as a general, overall computer I highly suggest them. They are so much fun!

[AlphaFrog]

Alright, I'm bumping this up, because I might be in the market soon for a new computer.

My old one was fine, it was an HP Pavillion, but somehow my mother fried it, and it won't even boot up. If I could get it to turn on, I have the reformat disks, and I don't need anything off of it (what the hell would I do with my old Eng 180 term paper?). I would be fine keeping that one and getting it fixed, but with the prices of computer repair being expensive, and new computers being so cheap anymore it might be cheaper just to get a refurbished desktop.

All I really need it for is internet access and really basic wordprocessing, etc.

Any suggestions?? Get the old one fixed? New ones to look into??

[Drolefille]

I recommend a Dell

Look at overstock.com and dell.com for refurbished laptops/desktops

[tunatartare]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I recommend a Dell

Look at overstock.com and dell.com for refurbished laptops/desktops

Definitely DO NOT get a Dell unless you want to have to replace it in a little over a year. Pretty much everyone I know that has a Dell laptop, including my mother and I, has not had good luck with Dell laptops.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

Definitely DO NOT get a Dell unless you want to have to replace it in a little over a year. Pretty much everyone I know that has a Dell laptop, including my mother and I, has not had good luck with Dell laptops.

Don't know much about their laptops, but these days it's the service/warranty that you want to buy.

No one like Dell or HP makes their own components any more they just box them up. My company uses Dell exclusively and besides the general reliability their service is EXCELLENT.

If you're just going for something refurbished though, the maker doesn't matter as much as the features.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

Definitely DO NOT get a Dell unless you want to have to replace it in a little over a year. Pretty much everyone I know that has a Dell laptop, including my mother and I, has not had good luck with Dell laptops.

. . . and everyone I know uses Dells across their entire respective companies, with little or no problem.

Anecdotes are fun, but let's talk about WHY these problems occur - and besides, your computer is out of date in 2 years anyway, so that's your price/benefit tipping point anyway.

[tunatartare]

My problem with my laptop is that it started running very slowly and has the tendency to overheat and crash. My mother's computer had problems with the screen that it would flash and go fuzzy or get these weird lines on it. A couple of friends also had problems with their laptops overheating or just crashing and losing files on it for no apparent reason.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

My problem with my laptop is that it started running very slowly and has the tendency to overheat and crash.

Sadly, 'slowness' is generally an operator issue - whether it be excess runtime 'noise' in the background, 'spyware' or lack of upkeep, or keeping it on too long, etc . . . or the computer simply being underpowered for what it's being asked to do.

Overheating may be a technical issue (poor design of the heat fan in the back), but there are steps you can take (keeping the laptop away from a wall, not working on a bed, etc.) to help in that situation, and often it's because of where the laptop is located and how it sits more than a bad design.

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

My mother's computer had problems with the screen that it would flash and go fuzzy or get these weird lines on it.

Sure sounds like a technical problem - this is the kind of thing people should be looking into, to see whether their particular model shows these kinds of endemic problems.

Things like 'crashing' or 'losing files' are usually not a problem with the actual computer - they're often issues with the OS or other software. Remember - Dell/Toshiba/whoever has little to do with that (which gets back to the Mac/Windows debate more than anything).

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Sadly, 'slowness' is generally an operator issue - whether it be excess runtime 'noise' in the background, 'spyware' or lack of upkeep, or keeping it on too long, etc . . . or the computer simply being underpowered for what it's being asked to do.

Overheating may be a technical issue (poor design of the heat fan in the back), but there are steps you can take (keeping the laptop away from a wall, not working on a bed, etc.) to help in that situation, and often it's because of where the laptop is located and how it sits more than a bad design.



Sure sounds like a technical problem - this is the kind of thing people should be looking into, to see whether their particular model shows these kinds of endemic problems.

Things like 'crashing' or 'losing files' are usually not a problem with the actual computer - they're often issues with the OS or other software. Remember - Dell/Toshiba/whoever has little to do with that (which gets back to the Mac/Windows debate more than anything).

And please people.. back up your files...

A friend of mine is a special education major and must provide a portfolio of all of her work at the end of her schooling. Last year her laptop crashed (she was a junior) Had she backed up any of her files? Of course not!

Much much easier to save that stuff ahead of time than to pay someone beaucoup bucks to access it later.

KLPDaisy, if your laptop was otherwise fine.. I would suspect the fan was the issue, overheating can cause it to run funny.

The thing is, laptops are really really touchy beasts.

this past weekend the apple store was giving away free nanos with the purchase of an macbook, but you had to have a student id

[Kali-n-Kohl]

i just got the white macbook with the 13' wide screen. and i'm totally in love with it. i got it for grad school (master of social work program) and everyone is right on with they are saying.


i got the back to school bundle which included a 2gb nano, and an hp all in one printer, scanner, copier.

[Kevin]

For laptops, I go Dell. If I watch gotapex.com, every few months they'll have a coupon that gives a pretty deep discount on the product. For example, when I purchased my current laptop, the coupon was $750 off of any purchase $2000 or greater -- so I bought a 600m (which is a good comprimise between size and being functional) loaded up on options. It runs reasonably fast, and I've never had a problem with it.

For desktops, I generally want something a lot nicer than a 'basic' system. I've found it's a lot more cost-effective just to build your own PC -- and it's not complicated at all. You just have to do a little bit of research to make sure your memory is compatible with your motherboard, things like that. If you're buying an office-application type of system, I really like Dell's basic machines if for no other reason than that they are extremely quiet.

[_Opi_]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Once you try Mac, you'll never go back!

So true. I've been using Mac for the past year and I can't STAND PCs anymore (considering I've using them for over 10 years). I use them in class too. Never really had any problems (except the exam software is not compatible with MACs).

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by _Opi_

So true. I've been using Mac for the past year and I can't STAND PCs anymore (considering I've using them for over 10 years). I use them in class too. Never really had any problems (except the exam software is not compatible with MACs).

ExamSoft?

That would be a deal breaker for me when considering a Mac. That exam software I think gives me a huge advantage.