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General discussion

...Should I get a Mac???

Dec 31, 2006 2:20PM PST

OK, I would like to begin by saying if you are a die hard, uber mac fan whose only 3 words on this post will be "buy a mac!" without any explanation, please refrain from posting. However, I have kind of a dilemma on my hands. I have several friends with macs who only say how great it is, and I've tried it out and it looks pretty cool. Now, I'm kinda tight on cash, but I won't be getting another laptop for awhile (I just bought an HP DV6000Z), so I was wondering if I should get a mac way down the road. However, this is the problem. There are pretty much 3 things I do on my computers-go on the internet, homework, and play computer games. Now, Macs and Windows tie on the internet part, but the other two are Windows' strengths! Also, I cannot afford to get 2 comps. So, the question arises...Mac or PC? I will also repost this in the PC forum so I get a fair response from both sides.

-Stropko

Discussion is locked

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If you could buy 1 computer that could do both
Dec 31, 2006 3:09PM PST

Operating Systems, you wouldn't need two computers... Can you name that personal computer manufacturer that sells hardware that can run, natively, both Windows and MacOSX? And you can boot on whichever one you want so you aren't locked to a specific operating system...

I won't tell you to "buy a Mac"... because that is not an appropriate response to your question. The appropriate response is, "Maybe, if it is what you need".

I use a G5 flatpanel iMac and a HP/Compaq NC6220 laptop.

What would you do with an Apple Macintosh running OSX? If all you are going to do is "go on the internet, homework, and play computer games" and you are some how convinced that "Macs and Windows tie on the internet part" (there's this thing about viruses and security hacks that I don't need to deal with on the Mac side - but on the PC side, that's running me extra time and money keeping the various security applications current - so I don't know how that means they are equal, but this is your thread), but your homework and computer games are Windows strengths, PLEASE stay on Windows. It would be a terrible waste of elegant technology for you to not take advantage of the built-in iSight camera, the bundled iLife applications and all the other cool stuff OSX and the Apple Macintosh hardware platform allows.

I suppose it would be fair to ask why your homework is a Windows strength... Does this have anything to do with Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint or does your homework require some sort of Windows-only proprietary application? If so, the Mac hardware will boot to Windows.

Being a parent of a a son in college, I really don't care about the games - and while I understand they are important to you - this particular aspect is really not worth my effort to discuss. I would much rather people at school spend time actually seeing and speaking with other REAL people - learning about other cultures, learning about art, getting to know their neighbors, helping the environment, capturing and editing video of reality, doing volunteer work for not-for-profit organizations with a good cause... jeez, there is SO MUCH FUN REAL STUFF TO DO and you want to do virtual stuff... whatever... but, for the sake of providing some sort of response, if it is that important, boot the Mac in Windows.

Anyway, if you have to ask the questions you are asking after seeing what you have seen... please stay with Windows. It's all you need...

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Well, OK
Dec 31, 2006 5:18PM PST

First off, I'm a casual gamer (hence, my laptop is not one of those super powered 5-video-card computers). I play casually as a relaxer after a long night of homework. In all honesty, I do consider myself somewhat immersed in the arts (I play piano). Anyway, you are completely right about the lack of viruses on the internet. I didn't take that into account, and Mac does win in that category. Also, I've always loved the simplistic Mac design. Really, I guess I can run whatever I want on a Mac, but there are two downsides.

1: Only the Macbook Pro comes with a decent video card, and there's no way that I can afford it (you cant even put a video card in a regular macbook)

2: Cost. Lets see...Macbook+Microsoft Office (though I was also wrong about this...they do make office for macs so you dont even need bootcamp for it)+a copy of windows=$$$$$$$ beyond my limit. Now, my laptop comes with a built in webcam that I use fairly frequently (seriously, projects are really easy in a video chat, and its great to connect with my friends overseas in Australia). But anyway, I completely see where you are coming from, and it really isnt my place to say which operating system has strengths and weaknesses, considering I have not thoroughly used both. However, you are right...I honestly do not see myself using iLife to its full potential, and if you read my posts in the MP3 forum, I'm not a big fan of the Ipod either (I dont want to get into that whole thing right now). I'm sorry that I spoke definatively when I really didn't know what I was talking about, and if at the time I have enough money for a laptop...a mac sounds like a great computer and investment.

-Stropko

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I agree about the iPod as well.
Jan 1, 2007 3:46AM PST

While it is nice... it is rather high priced for what you get... and I have a problem spending so much money for what is essentially throw away technology.

The web cam/working on projects angle is nice. I use Skype for my school projects which supports the video and is cross platform so PC's and Macs communicate seamlessly!

grim

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I have read your post 3 times...
Dec 31, 2006 5:10PM PST

and maybe I'm missing something so lets go over what you wrote.

1- You just bought an HP laptop.
2- You can't afford another computer for quite a while.
3- You want to know if you should buy a mac sometime "way down the road."

4- And finally, you want people to give you a long explanation of why or why not buying a mac is a good idea... a future computer that we can only guess at what features it may have.


Are we on PUNKED? Happy

Is that you Ashton? Tell us, what's it like to be married to Demi Moore?

If your serious about your question, there are plenty of threads already started on this forum which go into great depth about the subject of buying a mac or a PC. You might try reading one of those before asking more questions.

In all seriousness, if gaming is your priority, sticking with a PC for the foreseeable future is the best route. When it is time to replace the HP you just bought, I would anticipate mac being just as competitive for computer gaming... way down the road.

grim

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sry
Dec 31, 2006 5:59PM PST

yeah, you're right...I should have definitely checked the forums beforehand. Sorry!

And Demi is awsome Wink

Stropko

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Apologies not necessary
Dec 31, 2006 11:41PM PST

These forums are about discussion. You have questions... someone has answers.

I did find your response interesting.

You discounted the internet item where you thought the systems were equal.

You discovered MS Office suite for OSX (BTW, there's an OpenSource productivity suite, NeoOffice, that is also cross platform and works quite well with documents created in the MS Office formats - and NeoOffice can save to those formats).

And as a casual gamer, in case you didn't know, Halo, Worlds of WarCraft, Starcraft, Lego Starwars and lots of others are out there and work just fine in OSX...

As far as the video card upgrade - I have not yet seen an issue where that's been a problem... and I edit high-definition (1080i) video imported from a Sony HDR-HC1...