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Dec 19, 2005 1:23PM PST

I posted a similiar question in the Notebook forum but I wanted some "Mac people's" opinions.

I'll be going off to college in the Fall and am majoring in Political Science and my parents are getting me a notebook. I am divided between a Dell 700m/710m and an 12" or 15" Powerbook. I won't need it to play games so that's not a concern.

My quandary is how long it would take for me to adjust to OS X, I know XP pretty much in and out so I've become pretty used to it. A person in the notebook forum said that since most other people have PC's (other students, professors, etc.) I should go that route.

On a final note, I am going to wait till the Intel Macs and the new Pentium M chip is out before I make my final decision.

Thanks,
Alex

Discussion is locked

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IntelMac makes your question moot
Dec 19, 2005 3:19PM PST

since it should be able to run both OS.

There are many bennies to mac, Ease of use, Security, The extra time you have when you don't need to tweak your OS constantly. I bought an iBook 10 months ago and had it updated and running in a half hour. I bought a win tower after Thanksgiving and it took me all night (about 4 hours) to run updates and patches... now I only spend about 2 hours a week running spy ware detectors and antivirus (yes, some of its automated but still annoying). Yes, Mac OS takes some time getting used to. Often times you will access a drop down menu and adjust a preference and then ask yourself " That's it?" because it seems too easy. You will cruise the web and wonder why you aren't getting virus warnings. You will have 5 programs running at once and wait for the screen to crash... and wait some more... Macs are not perfect and they can't do everything a WinBox can do, but they are a lot less work than windows.

Best bet is to find someone with a mac and take it for a test drive, then talk to the mac owner about the things you need it to do and ask for a demonstration.

The real question is this... Since it's for school, will your degree require software that only runs on Windows like cetain CAD and other architectural/scientific programs? If so the get the Win Box.

good luck

grim

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IntelMac
Jan 1, 2006 2:17PM PST

Grim, Nice post. Just great from experience on your part going back to school. I like the test dive.

-Kevin

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From a Switcher
Dec 19, 2005 11:25PM PST

Hey! Welcome to the Mac Forum.

I bought a Mac mini 05 Sept 2005 and I haven't looked back. I was a HUGE Windows user since the age of 8 (I'm 17 now) and learned pretty much anything you could know about Windows. I got tired of the unreliability of Windows and made the Mac jump.

The initial learning curve (being able to download and run files and move my files to my Mac) took 10 minutes. Since my old Windows laptop didn't have FireWire or USB 2.0 (or anything else that would aid my migration) I just plugged an Ethernet cable to my Mac mini and networked them (took 5 minutes) and lifted the files off the laptop. After getting all the files onto my shiny new Mac mini, I was listening to music, managing photos, downloading my e-mail, etc. within half an hour. Another thirty minutes went by and I was online via AirPort, had synced my Bluetooth cellphone with iCal and Address Book and was swapping files with the other Windows machine in my house.

The long-term learning curve (learning the intricacies of OS X) goes as fast as you do new things with your Mac. The Help feature in OS X is very useful and the Tech Support is always willing to help you out (for 90 days only if you don't get AppleCare). Also, there are always forums (like this one with legendary Mr. MacFixIt).

As for college, you need to check with your people and see if they will have you use specific Windows-only applications. However, since you are waiting for the MacIntel PowerBooks, you may be able to dual-boot Windows XP or Vista on a separate hard drive partition, eliminating the need for a Windows machine. There is also Virtual PC, which is a stand-alone app or sold with Microsoft Office Professional. You can also get the cheap-but-not-dumbed-down Office Student and Teacher Edition for $149.

If the stars are aligning to allow a PowerBook, go for it and lose your headaches. I have. Oh, on the screen size issue (12" or 15"), unless you have an external monitor, staring for hours typing on a 12" 1024x768 screen can strain your eyes. I'd go for the back-lit 15" that has more video RAM, a higher screen resolution, and a faster processor than the 12" PowerBook (NOTE: That's with the current G4 technology; Apple may put equal processors with the Intel chips, but it's not likely).

Hope I helped!

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Thanks
Dec 20, 2005 4:12AM PST

While I still have a wait and the inevitable decision, your post certainly put everything into perspective, especially since you seemed to have gone through what I'm worried about going through without any problems.

On another note however, would the 15" be feasable to carry around campus everyday?

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depending on the college...
Dec 20, 2005 10:01AM PST

you will find computer labs and classrooms all over the place. Some colleges even offer FTP storage space so you can access your home work from anywhere. In short... you may not need your notebook with you. If you do... then a good, well padded computer bag is in order. Mine has a velcro strap to keep the laptop from sliding around inside and 1 inch foam around all the edges. Make sure it never leaves your sight and never get up and walk away from it or you may never see it again.

BTW... you will get more use out of a half gig or a full gig thumb drive with a neck lanyard. You will take that to class more often than your laptop. Leave that chained to your desk back at the dorm.

grim

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Yes You could tote around the 15 inch
Jan 1, 2006 1:10PM PST

I have a 14 in iBook and carry it around everywhere with me. I think the 15 powerbook would not be that bad. If you are looking for a good case check the PowerBook Backpack, iBook Backpack at http://mac-case.com/MacCase%20Combo.htm . It is well worth the $70 or so.


-IDB