Macbook vs Netbooks

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by Little32

Well, this is different. Most of the folks that I know who do graphic intensive work sing Macs praises. But I know quite a few that do this work who use and love pcs too.

Modern PC architecture (and the changing of Mac procs) has narrowed the gap significantly, but not necessarily on the "Best Buy" out-of-box/OEM models . . . especially with the floating-point/vector change-over for graphic design software. At this point, the preference for Macs is probably because that's what the majority of professionals started on.

Seriously, just like with automobiles, personal preference trumps just about everything.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Modern PC architecture (and the changing of Mac procs) has narrowed the gap significantly, but not necessarily on the "Best Buy" out-of-box/OEM models . . . especially with the floating-point/vector change-over for graphic design software. At this point, the preference for Macs is probably because that's what the majority of professionals started on.

Seriously, just like with automobiles, personal preference trumps just about everything.

Kind of amazing sometimes how Macs (even though they have their own stores) have such a small shelf space in Best Buy....

Just on another tangent, I find it bothersome when I go to Best Buy to do PC shopping in general how so few of them know how to sell the products they have and how so many people are willing to buy it just because it's there.

I tend to tell folks that buying a PC is like also buying a car. Take someone that knows PCs with you so they can speak the languane and if the person that is trying to sell it to you don't know thier stuff move on.

I had a friend of mine that recently bought an HP....had nice specs and everything..bought it because it was on sale...was very diappointed with the battery life....long story...suffice to ssay AFTER he read the reviews, AFTER he bought it did he understand why it was on sale...

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Just on another tangent, I find it bothersome when I go to Best Buy to do PC shopping in general how so few of them know how to sell the products they have and how so many people are willing to buy it just because it's there.

I tend to tell folks that buying a PC is like also buying a car. Take someone that knows PCs with you so they can speak the languane and if the person that is trying to sell it to you don't know thier stuff move on.

I had a friend of mine that recently bought an HP....had nice specs and everything..bought it because it was on sale...was very diappointed with the battery life....long story...suffice to ssay AFTER he read the reviews, AFTER he bought it did he understand why it was on sale...

Unless they know a lot about computers, your average PC buyer is going for the cheapest option, which explains why some seem to fail almost right away.

When I made the decision to switch from PC to Mac, I compared the performance-level Mac laptop (at that time, a PowerBook G4) to a PC with the same specs and the Mac came out a little cheaper. That's not why I bought it--again, I'm in the creative industry and back in 2003 PCs hadn't quite gotten a handle on that industry (it's gotten better, though). Of course, most people see the $500 price difference between the entry-level Mac and the entry-level PC and don't realize that the entry-level Mac won't have to be replaced at a certain point. The difference between the entry-level Mac and a performance-level PC is a little less stark, though.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

At this point, the preference for Macs is probably because that's what the majority of professionals started on.

Seriously, just like with automobiles, personal preference trumps just about everything.

Interesting you would say that. Macs were the first computer I ever used, but that was in elementary school, when Apple had the schools outreach program (back when all the computers came complete with the big floppy drive and Oregon Trail loaded on the machine). I actually find PCs far more easy and intuitive to use, probably because that's really what I grew up using for practical work such as typing out assignments and making presentations to my class; Macs were what we learned to type on in elem. school (think "home row" and "keep your feet flat on the floor").

My university requires its business majors to work on PCs. But I see that a bunch of the freshmen want to know why, and they're insisting on bringing a Mac with them. Well, one of the reasons why the school probably wants them to use a PC is that in the corporate world, almost everyone works on a PC. Macs are for people in digital arts, graphic design, the "creatives" in advertising agencies (but not even the account people) and things like that. Macs are just too expensive for most companies to purchase over and over, not just the computers, but the servers and stuff, too.

Oh, and whomever was saying that Dell's quality has gone down is totally right. Five-10 years ago they were pretty great, but my mom got a brand new one at around Christmas and the hard drive died ONE MONTH later. She is now having issues with the second machine. Other than my old Dells, I've had some good work laptops from HP and Toshiba. IBMs are terrible.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Interesting you would say that. Macs were the first computer I ever used, but that was in elementary school, when Apple had the schools outreach program (back when all the computers came complete with the big floppy drive and Oregon Trail loaded on the machine). I actually find PCs far more easy and intuitive to use, probably because that's really what I grew up using for practical work such as typing out assignments and making presentations to my class; Macs were what we learned to type on in elem. school (think "home row" and "keep your feet flat on the floor").

My university requires its business majors to work on PCs. But I see that a bunch of the freshmen want to know why, and they're insisting on bringing a Mac with them. Well, one of the reasons why the school probably wants them to use a PC is that in the corporate world, almost everyone works on a PC. Macs are for people in digital arts, graphic design, the "creatives" in advertising agencies (but not even the account people) and things like that. Macs are just too expensive for most companies to purchase over and over, not just the computers, but the servers and stuff, too.

Oh, and whomever was saying that Dell's quality has gone down is totally right. Five-10 years ago they were pretty great, but my mom got a brand new one at around Christmas and the hard drive died ONE MONTH later. She is now having issues with the second machine. Other than my old Dells, I've had some good work laptops from HP and Toshiba. IBMs are terrible.

What kind of issues is she having?

hey let me ask something to everyone replying...is there anyone here using Linux, Ubuntu or Red hat? Also what do you think about the fact that Google is trying to make Chrome into an OS?

[AGDee]

I have a couple Ubuntu servers at work. I've considered installing it at home, but just haven't gotten around to it.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Seriously, just like with automobiles, personal preference trumps just about everything.

This seems to be key, if this thread is any indication.