Why get a Macbook?

SS-89

SS-89

SS-89

Soldato
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Im currently in the process of purchasing a laptop for university and was wondering why I should buy a macbook over my alternative option of the dell m1330.

The reason I'm contemplating these two laptops is due to their portability. Bear in mind I've never owned a mac (Ipod touch being the closest thing lol :p) so that is swaying me towards it.

Is Iwork08 compatible with Microsoft office 08?

Also HED Discount is 14% whilst on campus networks correct? Would I be able to order over the phone? If so what form of identification do they require?


Thoughts?
 
Over the phone, no identification. That's how we blag it you see ;)

And you can do it over the uni network too.

Yes iWork is compatible with MS Office.

What do you want to use the laptop for? General usage?
 
Well i'll probably take my 360 along at some point so gaming is not a priority at all, mostly general usage, uni work etc.

Thing is I dont start Uni until september so I won't be able to access the Uni Network. I would prefer to buy it now than wait until I Start.

Have you actually managed to get 14% over the phone?
 
I was making a similar decision to this earlier this year. Was looking at getting an XPS M1330, but started giving serious consideration to the base-model MacBook because it was around the same price (about £50 more, with the HE discount). In the end, I went with the XPS - was a far better overall machine, looked nicer and more unique (in my opinion, entirely subjective of course), and suited my usage better. Dell were doing some amazing deals at the time and I managed to get a £720+ machine for £557.

Would have been nice to have a MacBook as a second machine - I still prefer Windows, but I'm always keen on trying new things and I'd have enjoyed having an alternate OS to play with. But the main factors were that the overall spec of the XPS was better (for less money), and Office 2008 on Mac isn't as nice as Office 2007 on Windows. I'd have probably ended up booting into Windows on the MacBook just to use Office, which largely defies the point.

Hope that gives you some insight. :)
 
Because buying a Dell will leave a nasty taste in your mouth that even soap won't remove plus the chicks will dig you if you have a MacBook*

The real reasons to go with the MacBook are (note: some of these are subjective!):

- MacBooks are one of the best looking laptops.
- OS X an Apple Applications just work. No need to mess around or re-install Windows every 6 months or so (The Windows boys will jump me for this!)
- Battery life seems to be longer on a Mac (compared to a Dell D620 I had)
- iLife is great and iWork is as good as Office.
- Unless you need real obscure applications you don't need to Dual Boot.


* This may not actually happen.
 
Anyway, This:

1031104873_b9946ce3a7.jpg


Versus this:

MacBook7.jpg


Choosing the Dell is like doing the older, fatter, more ugly sister. Sure she may be better at lifting weights or in the sack but come on think of your image! :D
 
I managed to win on ebay an imac G3, the old clunky CRT style ones. It should run Panther/Tiger ok, you could try that I got it for £13.50 lol

No we don't talk about illegal activities here. FF.
 
Why don't you compare it against the base model macbook and not pro...

Was in the same position as well but the £465 base model M1330 deal won me over :)
 
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Aslong as you don't think buying a Macbook with actually improve your image...

The battery life is fantastic.
The wifi is fantastic.
If you get Mac-Care you can get as many new free keyboards and hand rests as you like (Comes at a cost though: Because they WILL get grubby) :D
They just 'feel' like a very sorted laptop. Thats the hard thing to quantify. Every windows based laptop i use just feels a bit 'meh'. Corners cut, random grills, ports, this and that. The Macbook just 'feels' complete.
 
Adrianr said:
They just 'feel' like a very sorted laptop. Thats the hard thing to quantify. Every windows based laptop i use just feels a bit 'meh'. Corners cut, random grills, ports, this and that. The Macbook just 'feels' complete.
Click to expand...

True, very true. It took me a while to work out where the hell it was venting the hot air from. On my PC laptops there is big, nasty grills on the side or stupid ports seemingly scattered at random around the machine.
 
Currently talking to an apple assistant, very impressed has helped me a lot. Looks like i'll get my sister to purchase it (if i choose to) as she has an NUS and uni email address. Will let you know but it would be a Macbook Black.


Edit: £816.03 for a Macbook Black

Sound good?

Also aside is it possible to install office 2007 on osx? im guessing not.
 
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Adrianr said:
Aslong as you don't think buying a Macbook with actually improve your image...

The battery life is fantastic.
The wifi is fantastic.
If you get Mac-Care you can get as many new free keyboards and hand rests as you like (Comes at a cost though: Because they WILL get grubby) :D
They just 'feel' like a very sorted laptop. Thats the hard thing to quantify. Every windows based laptop i use just feels a bit 'meh'. Corners cut, random grills, ports, this and that. The Macbook just 'feels' complete.
Click to expand...

Battery life on my 1330 is pretty good, but that's just with the 4-cell battery. The 6-cell is quite a bit better. Wireless is fine too, never had a drop yet.

I agree with you on how solid the MacBooks are, most PC notebooks are a bit creaky, but theyn they're cheaper too. The 1330 I've got is just as solid as a MacBook. And it's got some nicely placed metal accents too, which look good. Not as nice as the MacBook Pro obviously, but it's not really competing with that.

SS-89 said:
Currently talking to an apple assistant, very impressed has helped me a lot. Looks like i'll get my sister to purchase it (if i choose to) as she has an NUS and uni email address. Will let you know but it would be a Macbook Black.


Edit: £816.03 for a Macbook Black

Sound good?

Also aside is it possible to install office 2007 on osx? im guessing not.
Click to expand...

Not that great, it's a lot of money for a notebook with 2GB of RAM and integrated graphics. Can't believe you have to pay £15 for the remote now too, they've been coming with their systems for 'free' for ages already.

As for Office, there's Office 2008 for Mac, which has most of the features of Office 2007. In my opinion, it's not as good though - far too many different interface designs battling each other.
 
TheVoice said:
. Wireless is fine too, never had a drop yet.

I agree with you on how solid the MacBooks are, most PC notebooks are a bit creaky, but theyn they're cheaper too. The 1330 I've got is just as solid as a MacBook.
Click to expand...

What's with the reference to no WIFI dropouts? I have never had any on my MacBook. :confused:

I can't speak for the XPS1330 but I have experienced just about every other Dell laptop and whilst they are great value for money the all seem to be somewhat tacky when it comes to build quality.

You pays your money and makes your choice. I like Dell I like Apple but if I had to choose I know where my money would go!
 
LordSplodge said:
Why black? Costs you an extra £80 just to have it in black.

You cannot install Office 2007 but you can install Office 2008. :)
Click to expand...

Personal preference really, I prefer the Black macbook over the white (Though it is still sexy). More inconspicuous too.

TheVoice said:
Not that great, it's a lot of money for a notebook with 2GB of RAM and integrated graphics. Can't believe you have to pay £15 for the remote now too, they've been coming with their systems for 'free' for ages already.

As for Office, there's Office 2008 for Mac, which has most of the features of Office 2007. In my opinion, it's not as good though - far too many different interface designs battling each other.
Click to expand...

Well as I said graphics are a non-issue for me as it will not be used for gaming and ram isnt either as it is easily upgradeable.

I might just stick to Iwork 08 as mac office 2008 seems a tad clunky.

Any opinions on Neo Office?
 
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Fair enough, seems like the MacBook fits your requirements quite well. :)

For what it's worth, there's a 10% discount code going around for the Dell XPS machines at the moment also.
 
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