Amateur question, is a mac right for me?

Robi

Robi

Robi

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14 Apr 2007
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I'm considering purchasing a macbook as my laptop is on its last legs. The only problem is that i'm a poor student so this really has be justified over a cheaper windows based laptop.

With the rebate scheme and student discount I can pick up a new macbook with an ipod touch and printer for £620. Hardware wise for the same amount of money is there much difference between a this and a windows alternative?

I produce music so logic is looking quite a handsome prospect at the moment but its not serious enough to justify spending 200 odd more something cheaper.

Basically, hardware / software / reliability wise, whats the difference?

Thanks.
 
I love my Macbook and couldn't really afford it, . As a worthwhile investment I'd say yes if you are prepared to put up with the whole 'this works in windows this way' kinda way for a few months... :)

The price is ace even if lowest spec Macbook.
 
Enclosure - Probably a fair bit better quality.
Components - Easy enough to compare.
OS - Do you like Mac OS X?
Software - Mac OS X has a lot of good programs, as does Windows. What do you need?
 
Doomy said:
I love my Macbook and couldn't really afford it, . As a worthwhile investment I'd say yes if you are prepared to put up with the whole 'this works in windows this way' kinda way for a few months... :)

The price is ace even if lowest spec Macbook.
Click to expand...

Yeah i've heard its a cracking price, especially with an ipod touch and printer too.

Simply put, if I spent £620 on a windows laptop, would the hardware be similar or worse/better?
 
I'd suggest going to your nearest Apple store and getting a feel for the whole Mac experience. You can compare raw numbers/hardware all day long but in my opinion it's the whole package (hardware/OS/software) that you need to look at.

Go to the Apple store and explain that you're thinking of making the jump. They'll be only too happy to answer any questions, give you a few demos, let you have a good play around for yourself. That's your best bet I'd say.

Quite right though; Logic really is superb.
 
For that price you'd do well to bite their hand off :) think of it more as an investment. I'd definitely say that if you're contemplating getting a lappy then buy apple. Maybe more expensive and yes for £600 odd you can get a windows based machine that will have faster hardware than the Macbook but I'd say that it's the way the Mac's use their resources that makes them better (in my opinion) than PC's. I find they're easier to use and thus more productive and if somebody offered me a HP or a Dell for the same price as a Macbook then I'd choose the Mac every single time :) OSx is an absolute joy to use and even windows 7 which seems a vast improvement over Vista doesn't really stack up to OSx for usability in my opinion :)
 
Hi Robi, I am thinking of getting a simular. What combination of macbook / ipod / printer come out at £620? The best i can get is £644 for the white macbook if i order it while being on uni campus + £9.95 for HP C4480 printer + about £15 for ipod.
 
If you can afford it (or if not save a bit more) get one of the entry level MacBook Pros (probably the 13") especially if you are considering running Logic at a point in the future.

The White MacBook is a great laptop (I know I have one - a 2007 model) and it hasn't batted an eyelid at anything I have asked it to do. Build quality is very high (although I did suffer the plastic peeling issue but Apple fixed it for free out of warranty) and the OS is very good.

Go to an Apple Store (not an Apple Reseller) and have a go.
 
Having been a long time PC user, and coming from a Windows Vista laptop I can wholeheartedly say that a Macbook Pro and OS X is a worthy purchase. I'm in the transition period at the moment, trying to work out how to do the usual Windows tasks in OS X but I don't regret it for a minute.

The whole experience from hardware build and spec right down to how you install/uninstall applications is very user orientated and easy to pick up. Even if you didn't like OS X you'd be able to find your way around in very little time. Worst case you can always boot camp Windows on there (runs...!)

If you do get one, take a look at the OS X sticky in the Apple Software forum. It's got some seriously good advice, tips/tricks and everything to get you accustomed.
 
I brought my Macbook a few weeks ago albeit before the little upgrades they announced at the WWDC and I love it so far. It really does just work and I haven't even got around to installing extra software on it. I got the 13" Aluminum Macbook - which now is called the Macbook Pro and has a few extra bits like SD slot and a illuminated keyboard.

Definitely go into an Apple Store and check out what is on other and which Mac would suit you best. ;)
 
The quality of the Macbook is just so much better than any other laptop I have used, definitely go for it. Also the customer support is superb, 3 years hassle free warranty is worth buying a macbook alone.
 
It's an attractive design, but I don't think the plastic MacBook's build quality is anything to write home about (I own one)
 
wush said:
It's an attractive design, but I don't think the plastic MacBook's build quality is anything to write home about (I own one)
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I disagree. I deal with a lot of laptops at work and not many compare to the build quality of the WhiteBook and if they do they tend to cost more.

Got a 13" MacBook Pro in at work today and the build quality on that is in a different league.
 
As others have said, if you can stretch to the new 13" Macbook Pro I think you'll enjoy it a lot more than the Whitebook.
 
I had a White MacBook and compared to the dozens of wintel laptops i have used it's of far better quality, now i have a Aluminum Macbook and it's even better :)

I think for desktops a Windows PC can't be beaten but for Laptops Apple is the way to go,

It's also worth pointing out that you can Dual Boot and have OSX and Windows (XP, Vista or 7) on a Macbook, One other thing Applecare 3yr cover is unbeatable and very cheap through HE and trust me this will give you peace of mind.

Oh yeah a 2nd hand Apple Macbook will fetch allot more on the Bay than a normal Laptop when it comes to upgrading which kind of offsets the premium paid for the Macbook in the first place. :)
 
I asked myself that same question about 10 months ago and now i have a MacBook Pro and an iMac.

I also remember saying i would never buy a mac but i can safely say now that i will NEVER go back to Windows.

Once you go Mac, you dont go back!!!
 
Right looks like i'm gonna go for a play in the manchester store later on this week. The rebate deal is starting to look pretty sexy. Think i'm gonna sell the ipod touch though as it isn't really needed.

Any upgrades you guys seriously recommend? Or is the standard spec tip top?
 
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