MAC or PC laptop?

[kathyc25]

Hey guys,

I`m in the market for a new laptop but I don`t know if I should get a MAC or a PC. I want something that will be able to handle computer graphic design as well as music composition software like Pro Tools, and be great with gaming as well (The SIMs 2 especially ) with great graphics. Any suggestions and why? Thanks a bunch...I`m so stuck!

[Tal]

As you know, lol, I just bought one. I wouldnt get a MAC. I looked at them of course, but the one I wanted was 2,800. I got something comparable with HP and paid less then half of that.

 

What kind of laptop are you looking for? Something small and compact or something large like a desktop replacement. If you want the latter I can tell you exactly what I got.....which is great for graphics (huge bright screen, great graphics card, fast processor, etc).

[kathyc25]

It dosn`t have to be light, I don`t move it around that much, maybe from living room to second bedroom/office but that`s about it. I know Macs are pretty pricey, but I would be willing to spend close to $2000 if I knew it was going to last me a while (more than 3 years unlike the one I have now) and it won`t slow down if I add a lot of pictures and games and stuff to it.

[Tal]

I got the HP dv9000t series. I did a customized build though (as opposed to a pre-packaged one). Here's what I included:

 

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

ntel® Core™ 2 Duo T5600(1.83GHz/2MB L2Cache)

17.0" WXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1440x900)

256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7600

HP Imprint Finish/Microphone/Webcam

2GB (2 Dimm)

80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

LightScribe DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer

Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection

8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

 

If you can spend up to 2K, the I'd suggest adding built in Bluetooth and upgrade the monitor to 1900x1200 max resolution. I wish I had done both of those things and I think it only would have been $75 more. You can also add more disk space and still be well under 2K.

 

They have these at Best Buy so you can look at it there and get a feel for it. But if you decide to go with it, order online cause you can customize and get a $150 rebate.

 

The same machine from Apple ran about $2800

[DianaLuts]

i have toshiba and it is great. i woul love to have mac thou. maybe for next school year...

[Céline's Blues]

Kathy, as far as longevity goes, there is NO computer like the Mac. If you will buy it with 2 GB of RAM he will last 3 years or more without upgrading and there is this quality issue - you certainly can get seemingly better equipped model from HP and Dell for much less but you won't simply get the quality of an Apple computer.

 

Unfortunately the cheapest Apple notebook for you starts @ $1999 (Mac Book Pro) so you may want to consider a cheaper HP or D'elles (LOL). In my honest opinion, though, there is no other operating system like Mac OS X - with an HP you will get Windows but it won't make you any more productive, unfortunately. But surely you have to know where to make a compromise. Everything has its price.

 

Be also warned that the battery life of the new Vista notebooks is terrible for now. They may change this, though in future revisions.

Edited May 8, 2007 at 07:46 PM by Céline's Blues

[kathyc25]

*sigh* decisions decisions...thanks Tal for the computer specs! I`ll have to take a look at it, it sounds cool! and Celine`s Blues I knew about the battery thing, I don`t really take my notebook with me anywhere so that`s not an issue, but it is nice that Macs last longer...argh. This is getting tougher

[Bellamy]

I don't think MacPro battery really last much longer. Mac hardware is almost same as PC now. So it's quite similar. Vista is getting better.

 

One advantage of Mac now is you can install Windows on it too. I think it's really depends on how much you'd pay, and the hardware spec you want. You can never get Mac at the same price for the same spec.

[Love,]

I have been a user of Apple computers ever since March 1994, which was the first year that Power Mac computers were first made. We've owned many, many types of computers. Apple has been the most reliable for us. So, I've had this relationship with Apple's for over 13 years ( longer than many marriages! :laugh: ). Because of my work, there are a few very important softwares that are made just for Apple computers, so I did not have an option, anyway... lol But down to it all, Apple makes their computers to last!

[Koolan]

Wow, Tal you got a beast! Personally, I'd go with PC laptop, for one- the price and compatibility. Seb, we all know you're a Mac fanboy

[sebyitaly]

Wow, Tal you got a beast! Personally, I'd go with PC laptop, for one- the price and compatibility. Seb, we all know you're a Mac fanboy

 

BTW me too :laugh: I got an iMac 24" core 2 duo, and it's just fabulous Looking forward to buy the new Macbook, after Leopard's release

[Tal]

About the longevity issue.....I bought my Gateway 4 years ago and it finaly crapped out this month. And what crapped out was the monitor which I could have fixed for $300. But the machine itself was working just fine and its 4 years old.

[kathyc25]

Yeah, I think I`m leaning towards the PC...my birthday`s next month so maybe that`ll be a nice present to myself

[stevethefan]

Macs are nice and they are still favored by many people for graphic design and certain music applications. It used to be they were the only way to go for those types of applications but the PC's have started to catch up.

The disadvantage for the Macs are that they are usually more expensive than PC's and there are less software applications that you can buy for them. Most people that use Macs tend to love them and stay with them. The main operating system for them has always been considered to be better than the PC versions and less prone to crash.

 

That being said, it's easier and probably cheaper to go and get a PC and you will be happy with it.

[kathyc25]

You`re probably right Steve. I like the fact that more software is availble for PCs. And the price is nice too.

[Céline's Blues]

Kathy, I wonder... do you have an Apple Store nearby you? If yes, go there and play around with the computers a bit. I'm sure you will be able to get a fair impression of a Mac computer there plus all your questions will be answered by an expert.

[kathyc25]

Yup there`s one in Soho (Manhattan) as Tal knows I might stop by there this weekend and check them out

[kathyc25]

So I went to the Apple Store on 58th (gorgeous by the way lol) and I played with some of the laptops and I loved them, but it comes down to the price. I went online later that day and added all the specs I wanted and it came to over $3000! Its an awsome machine, but its just not something I can afford. So PC it is! Maybe down the line I`ll get a Mac. When I fineally decide on which PC to get I`ll let you all know. Thanks for all your advice too. I really appreciate it

[kathyc25]

Well my PC came today! Its a beauty, I love it I got the same model as Tal, but a few different specs:

 

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

- Intel® Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/4MB L2Cache)

- 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)

- 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

- 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS

- HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam

- Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth

- 240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)

- LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer

- No TV Tuner w/remote control

- 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

- Microsoft® Works 8.0

 

Thanks again for all of your imput, I love it

[Céline's Blues]

Fabulous new computer that will surely serve you well for years!

[kathyc25]

Thanks! I hope so! It cost a bundle

[Bellamy]

dual HDD on a notebook sounds crazy.

 

I don't quite understand this part "No TV Tuner w/remote control". So there's TV tuner or not?

[AllCeline]

Well my PC came today! Its a beauty, I love it I got the same model as Tal, but a few different specs:

 

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

- Intel® Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/4MB L2Cache)

- 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)

- 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

- 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS

- HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam

- Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth

- 240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)

- LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer

- No TV Tuner w/remote control

- 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

- Microsoft® Works 8.0

 

Thanks again for all of your imput, I love it

 

That must be purrdy!!

[kathyc25]

dual HDD on a notebook sounds crazy.

 

I don't quite understand this part "No TV Tuner w/remote control". So there's TV tuner or not?

 

It comes with a remote control for DVDs, but I didn`t need to watch TV on it too so I took that option off.

[kathyc25]

Well my PC came today! Its a beauty, I love it I got the same model as Tal, but a few different specs:

 

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

- Intel® Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/4MB L2Cache)

- 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)

- 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

- 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS

- HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam

- Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth

- 240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)

- LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer

- No TV Tuner w/remote control

- 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

- Microsoft® Works 8.0

 

Thanks again for all of your imput, I love it

 

That must be purrdy!!

 

Oh it is! Its so space age-y that instead of typing your password to log on, it reads your finger print! Its at home now and I miss it terribly lol

[Dechen]

OMG kathy, since u play The Sims 2, u have to tell me how does the game play on ur computer. cuz If it plays smoothly, i wanna buy one too. Please let me know... thanks

[brasilero]

Wow, Tal you got a beast! Personally, I'd go with PC laptop, for one- the price and compatibility. Seb, we all know you're a Mac fanboy

 

BTW me too :laugh: I got an iMac 24" core 2 duo, and it's just fabulous Looking forward to buy the new Macbook, after Leopard's release

you dont have to wait for leopards release, tiger can be easily upgraded to leopard,

 

About the longevity issue.....I bought my Gateway 4 years ago and it finaly crapped out this month. And what crapped out was the monitor which I could have fixed for $300. But the machine itself was working just fine and its 4 years old.

if ur led screen crapped out, you can still hook up your laptop to an external monitor and use it. there is a command that allows you to switch between monitors. call your support center and they'll tell you what it is.

[freakyali]

I've got the new Macbook ... and I love it!!!

I think that if you need it for graphic programs it's absolutly the best!!!

and it has everything you need so ... if I were you I would buy a MAC!!!!

[kathyc25]

OMG kathy, since u play The Sims 2, u have to tell me how does the game play on ur computer. cuz If it plays smoothly, i wanna buy one too. Please let me know... thanks

 

The Sims 2 is PERFECT on this machine!! But I would definitely reccomend getting it with at least 2gigs of memory, a fast processor, and a decent sized hard drive for good performance. And if you`re into downloading custom content, the larger hard drive can handle it.

[Tal]

Oh it is! Its so space age-y that instead of typing your password to log on, it reads your finger print! Its at home now and I miss it terribly lol

 

they offered a fingerprint reader??? THAT is cool!!