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Resolved Question

Should I buy a Mac book Pro?

Sep 29, 2011 7:03AM PDT

Hello everyone, I'm sure this question has been asked many times on this site but, I need help. So I really would like to buy my first MAC book. I've never owned an Apple laptop before I want to see what it is all about. I really would like to play Diablo 3 when it comes out and I think the Mac book can handle it. Keep in mind I'm not a support tech guy or anything like that. I know my way around a computer and the internet (obviously) but I've never been computer gamer. Anyhow, long question short. Should I spend the 1,300 plus dollars for this upgrade? And if so what Mac book is best for "some" gaming and enjoying the whole Apple experience in general. Again please excuse my ignorance on this subject but, I'm trying learn LOL.

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TheWiFiJedi has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Try one at an Apple store... and THINK it through
Sep 30, 2011 1:04PM PDT

I have been a Windows-user for years, using desktops and (mainly) laptops. My experience with the iPod Classic, the iPod Touch and the iPad has been delightful and impressive. So, a year ago, I bought a MacBook Pro (running a dual-core 2.4Ghz, with 4Gb RAM).

I am a late-middle-aged language teacher (not a games player!).... and a heavy laptop user (documents, Internet-research, audio editing and creation, photo-editing, elearning materials creation, and would-be videographer and digital artist).

PRO MacBook Pro

1. Beautifully built and designed; way better than any of my Windows machines have ever been
2. Long battery life
3. Some programmes/features/processes run much slicker/faster than the Windows equivalents. For example, scanning books, converting to text with OCR, and pasting into Word is pretty nifty. And many many more.
4. Much easier to add certain hardware. For example, I found it difficult to add a new Canon scanner to Windows 7 machines without invoking certain unhelpful 3rd-party software, whereas the Apple experience was just 'plug and play'.
5. Many programmes seem to allow a more sophisticated range of options, accessible through the toolbar. For example, Google Picasa I have found appears to be more versatile (because of a clearer, more comprehensive set of options on the toolbar).
6. Some of the touch/swipe gestures on the trackpad are simple and useful.
7. Great screen.
8. Certain content creation facilities are a real joy. Creating a video composed of still photos to accompany a music track is a current pleasure for me.

CONS

1. It is generally much, much less intuitive than the IOS devices (iPod Touch, iPad). You will probably need help from the Apple store training sessions to find your way around. I did! (At my age, and with the work pressure to produce results as quickly as possible, I don't want a long, involved learning curve with new technology; for me, it's the productivity that matters - and I have to master it ASAP; generally, the MacBook Pro is palpably not an IOS device).
2. No trackpad buttons. Which means no right click (there are Apple alternative approaches - but I can't get my head round them!. For me, the right click is an essential part of how I use a Windows machine - and why I often prefer to use a much more modest Windows machine).
3. Certain programmes are not available. (I run Windows 7 on a bootcamp partition to solve this; Bootcamp is a facility that lets you run a Windows OS; you decide at start-up whether you want Apple or Windows).
4. No forward delete button. A real pain for me, as I use it heavily for text editing.
5. Doesn't seem to be as simple as Windows for doing all the janitorial tasks: creating, moving, deleting folders and subfolders. I am sure it is just unfamiliarity on my part.
6. Certain other ways of doing things will seem daft and quaint (as I am sure certain Windows MOs will seem equally potty to an Apple user).
7. Opinions on the latest operating system (Lion) can be mixed.

Overall I use the MacBook Pro for certain tasks; for many others (including document editing and associated tasks) I revert to a more modest Windows laptop.

If you have been using Windows for a long time (so that the experience is deeply-rooted inside you), don't underestimate the learning experience. A MacBook Pro is not an iPod Touch with a keyboard. Some things are miles easier; some a real pain!

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Nice post.
Sep 30, 2011 11:39PM PDT

just wanted to point out that your MacBook Pro certainly does have a Right click option and it is built right into the track pad. For some reason, the MBP is shipped with that option turned off.
Go to System Preferences, > TrackPad and you will find an option for Secondary Click. You can set it so that the RIGHT side of the trackpad, when clicked, will cause the display of the Secondary (contextual) Menu's

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Answer
Reading the requirements at the D web site.
Sep 29, 2011 8:18AM PDT
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Answer
In this case
Sep 29, 2011 10:36AM PDT

In this case, I'm going to say no, and for two reasons.

1: Laptops are horrible gaming machines, period, and Apple's are probably the worst of the lot for that specific function

2: Diablo 3 just hit beta, so there's still the possibility that the sysreqs may change

Once Diablo 3 has been released, or they have pinned down the requirements, then you could decide whether or not you want to buy one anyway. Apple makes great laptops, but they're not really intended for gaming, so you'd do that at your own peril so to speak.

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Answer
No
Sep 29, 2011 11:01AM PDT

How about an iPad instead. Check one out at the apple store nearest you. You can demo any of the Macs, iPads, etc. at any store.

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(NT) And this would allow them to play Diablo, how?
Sep 29, 2011 9:57PM PDT
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(NT) Maybe so they can check the web sites about Diablo?
Sep 30, 2011 4:43AM PDT
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(NT) Ahh, good point
Sep 30, 2011 6:07AM PDT