Make me want a Mac

pc-modd · 4 Mar 2008 at 20:36

MarkyMark said:
Ok ok, so the mac route seems promising Right, so not being able to afford a pro what would you nice people recommend for my 1k budget. I keep being seduced by the air due to its ultra portability so if need be could scrape the bottom of the barrel for the air. And damn that backlit keyboard is damn sexy

Personally i would just get the middle spec MacBook as for over 1k the Air is disapointing spec wise.. However i must agree it is very cool and i always have a play on one in the apple shop.

Unless you need it to be Ultra-Portable why waste the money on it being small when you can have more for less with the MacBook.

Edit: Meh!! beat to it

MarkyMark · 4 Mar 2008 at 20:48

hmmm I see you points actually.......... I'm just thinking of frequent flying trips I am having to make and how a smaller lighter package could be better. Ok, last question then I will stop bugging you guys

What is the battery life like on the macbook? I know there are quoted figures, but what do you all find is the average "actual" battery life for say Normal internet usage? What about dvd usage i.e. on a 2 hour European flight would the battery hold out for the length of a movie?

Cheers everyone for your help. You mac guys are even more friendly than the pc guys

gumbald · 4 Mar 2008 at 20:49

TTIUWMP!

They're just generally awesome. I needed a well-built portable laptop and wanted to have experience of OS X, so the MB ticked both boxes. It simply works. I don't use it full time, I couldn't cope without my dual screens, but when I do use it it can do everything I need it to. I love the simplicity of things like iCal and iSync, in being able to get my Google Calendar onto my phone over bluetooth with such ease. Something I still can't find an easy way to in Windows!

My battery life is still 4 hours of general usage, had it since September. I've never watched a DVD on it though, can't vouch for that.

hyper_piper45 · 4 Mar 2008 at 20:58

The 'wireless productivity test' that apple have on their site is actually pretty accurate, and find i do get about 4-4.5 hours battery time browsing the net etc when using the wireless. Don't know about using a dvd because i never use them but you should get playback of a video file for over 2 hours.

RoleyBirkin · 4 Mar 2008 at 21:56

I'm in a similar position.

I'm due to upgrade the pc and presently have access to buy a discounted new Mac.

I've had no problem at all with my Dell/XP set up in the last three years. So I'm trying to figure out if there's 'really' any benefit in switching to Mac for what I do(Word, Outlook, Browsing ect), other than cost saving ?

hyper_piper45 · 4 Mar 2008 at 22:17

Seraph said:
So I'm trying to figure out if there's 'really' any benefit in switching to Mac for what I do(Word, Outlook, Browsing ect), other than cost saving ?

Isn't a cost saving enough of a benefit? You can always put windows on your mac and use both os'es so you get the benefit of both worlds.

Also macs have a better resale value so you will get better value overall aswell.

iSam · 4 Mar 2008 at 23:45

Simply, they just work. Thats it, they are reliable as they come. Superb.

RoleyBirkin · 5 Mar 2008 at 07:29

hyper_piper45 said:
Isn't a cost saving enough of a benefit? You can always put windows on your mac and use both os'es so you get the benefit of both worlds.

Also macs have a better resale value so you will get better value overall aswell.

This is very true.
But if I'm going to still use all my PC software, what 'real' benefit is there in crossing over. Bear in mind, I could still get a decent PC for the same money, despite the discount offer.

Big Bernard · 5 Mar 2008 at 10:12

If you're happy with PCs in general then you may as well stick with them. You don't HAVE to buy a Mac if you don't want to of course. No point trying to get a Mac just for the sake of having one

Personally I'm delighted with mine though

Rooky007 · 5 Mar 2008 at 10:15

Seraph said:
This is very true.
But if I'm going to still use all my PC software, what 'real' benefit is there in crossing over. Bear in mind, I could still get a decent PC for the same money, despite the discount offer.

IF you get a Mac you get the the best of both world. You can still the use the mac as a pc if you like for the software you have now...

RoleyBirkin · 5 Mar 2008 at 11:50

Big Bernard said:
You don't HAVE to buy a Mac if you don't want to of course.

Rookies said:
IF you get a Mac you get the the best of both world. You can still the use the mac as a pc

Indeed, this is my dilemma! What to do!....

hyper_piper45 · 5 Mar 2008 at 11:59

Seraph said:
Indeed, this is my dilemma! What to do!....

Macs also look a lot nicer than pc's. If i was going to run windows i would still buy an iMac because i love the way they look and its a big selling point for me.

RoleyBirkin · 5 Mar 2008 at 12:45

Not hugely bothered about cosmetics, but just a keyboard & power lead is quite handy.

Rambaud · 5 Mar 2008 at 19:38

I went for the cheapest spec macbook and added 2Gb of RAM, 160Gb hard drive and an external 16x DVD burner.

You can now run 4Gb of RAM ('cos it's so cheap) and a 320Gb (5400 rpm) hard drive.