A thread to explain apple laptops?

DELETED_83755

DELETED_83755

DELETED_83755

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Hey Guys,

I'm going to be travelling across the world in a few weeks time and I would like a decent laptop so that I can pretty much replace my desktop in most tasks apart from gaming.
This means I need it to be able to play 1080p videos, stream HD videos on youtube and generally run smoothly without slowing down.

However I'm having difficulty understanding which specs or models I should go for as I understand that hardware on OS X runs differently to that of windows:

1) What are the disadvantages of getting the basic macbook as opposed to a macbook pro? I'm interested in the 13 inch models of both.

2)Where can I get one for the best Price, is there much variance in price in apple stores and other retailers?

3) What is the Higher education discount and is this only available through the apple store?

4)Do files such as .mkv and .avi work the same as in windows. Will browsing and flash content run the same?

5)Will I notice a speed drop/gain in booting and loading files compared to my rig in my sig?


Thanks In advance!
 
Not a direct answer to your question but how long are you going travelling for ?If your going for a year + I would seriously consider consider scrapping the apple idea, they are expensive and in hostels etc etc things can go missing.

Speaking as a past traveller I would get a netbook small,can do all you have said above and above all easy to hide in your back etc etc and doesnt scream out nick in with the big apple logo.

Also with a netbook will be £400 plus cheaper save that and spent it having fun! You'll only go travelling once and you will have the time of your life. I did best thing in my entire life I have done with the exception of getting married!
 
Im going to Malaysia hopefully! Will be there most of the time!

My first idea would be a Dell Inspiron Mini as it looks more robust. Can I get any better for the £180- £250 price range?
 
I wouldn't take one at all. I had a Nokia 1100, money for Internet cafes and a throwaway email address. If you HAVE to take something an iPhone or iPod Touch would be ok.

I know it feels like you can't get much done without the Internet these days but believe me you'll manage without carrying a computer around.
 
I guess I could take my phone and use a local data sim and use that. The thing is I need to type up my experiences there and submit a piece of written work. It may be possible on a phone but I'm not sure.

Also I would go mental without the internet when Im travelling!
 
Well, if you need it for work then maybe you could justify it. But honestly if I was going I would take a pen and notepad instead. I kept a diary which I could throw in a bag and take anywhere. This is just my opinion of course - I'm not saying it's the worst idea ever to take a computer just don't think you'd never manage without one.
 
+1 for not taking a netbook/charger.

Use the voice capabilities of your fancy smartphone and write it up when you get back. 1080p? Flash? Pah you won't miss anything like that in 5 weeks.
 
When I went travelling I bought some extra flash cards for my camera and made a video diary. I was already carrying the camera so it wasn't much extra weight and I sold off the extra cards when I came back.
 
5 weeks isn't really long enough to need a laptop, and trust me when I tell you that at some point you will definitely be somewhere exotic and have the chance to do something really exciting - but be afraid to do it because you've got your laptop with you.

The one thing I would say to buy is a high quality, small digital camera with super-zoom (Panasonic's Lumix range with 12X optical zoom are great) or a cheap digital camera that's waterproof. That will give you photos to remember for a lifetime, something you can enjoy even more when you do eventually buy that MBP :)
 
divaboy said:
Not a direct answer to your question but how long are you going travelling for ?If your going for a year + I would seriously consider consider scrapping the apple idea, they are expensive and in hostels etc etc things can go missing.

Speaking as a past traveller I would get a netbook small,can do all you have said above and above all easy to hide in your back etc etc and doesnt scream out nick in with the big apple logo.

Also with a netbook will be £400 plus cheaper save that and spent it having fun! You'll only go travelling once and you will have the time of your life. I did best thing in my entire life I have done with the exception of getting married!
Click to expand...
I've never had anything taken when staying at hostels and only know of someone having something taken and that was a lot of stuff from one person when I was staying in a hostel in Amsterdam. They provide lockers for a reason!

Anyway, Malaysia is safe, the people are generally very honest so I wouldn't worry.

If I had to have those requirements, I'd get the MacBook Air 13".

But, I just came back from travelling for seven and a half months and used a HP netbook, although longed for an 11" Air (which I finally have). I travelled before three years ago for about six months and used the EEE 701.

Five weeks is nothing though really, maybe get a netbook, but an iPod Touch would be fine.
 
I meant the hostel in Amsterdam had lockers.

Hostels in Asia are cheap, lots let you store valuables somewhere but you shouldn't have too many with you anyway. Quite a few places are hotel rooms in places like Thailand for £5 - £6 a night, so your own room is far more secure.

Price doesn't have anything to do with undesirables, they're everywhere.
 
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