Considering a Macbook

[Siedler]

Any Mac users here? I've been looking for a laptop and I think it's going to be Macbook. PC laptops are ugly (expect VAIO) and I think I've had enough with Windows already. I've never actually used OS X.

[Steve]

Coming as someone who's used Macs all his life, I can wholeheartedly recommend a Macbook to you. Mac OS X is far more secure and robust then Windows. We are prone to very few virus threats, and our system is built upon UNIX, security is never an issue. I have never once had a virus thread in my entire life, nor have I had to force restart a machine. Sure an application might freeze time to time, but you will never find your computer in need of a forced restart. The apps are competely compatabile with windows, (and the new macbooks can even run windows and OS X at the same time!). They are well-built, and feature speedy processers with enough memory and hard drive space for anything you'll ever need. You cannot go wrong with a Macbook, or a Mac in general. 

I'm typing this on a Mac! 

[PSmith08]

Any Mac users here? I've been looking for a laptop and I think it's going to be Macbook. PC laptops are ugly (expect VAIO) and I think I've had enough with Windows already. I've never actually used OS X.

OS X is pretty user-friendly and intuitive. In fact, writing this on an Intel iMac, I can say that making the switch from OS X to Windows really simplified a lot of my computing. Using Macs for layout is miles easier than Windows, too. There's a degree of integration and simplicity that the Windows interface just doesn't have.

[hornteacher]

Coming as someone who's used Macs all his life, I can wholeheartedly recommend a Macbook to you. Mac OS X is far more secure and robust then Windows. We are prone to very few virus threats, and our system is built upon UNIX, security is never an issue. I have never once had a virus thread in my entire life, nor have I had to force restart a machine. Sure an application might freeze time to time, but you will never find your computer in need of a forced restart. The apps are competely compatabile with windows, (and the new macbooks can even run windows and OS X at the same time!). They are well-built, and feature speedy processers with enough memory and hard drive space for anything you'll ever need. You cannot go wrong with a Macbook, or a Mac in general. 

I'm typing this on a Mac! 

Strongly second everything he just said!   

All Mac, all the time.  My MacBook is where I do all my composing, arranging, grading, finances, email, GMG, surfing, artwork, web design, and general time-wasting.  Love it, love it, love it.

[mahlertitan]

Any Mac users here? I've been looking for a laptop and I think it's going to be Macbook. PC laptops are ugly (expect VAIO) and I think I've had enough with Windows already. I've never actually used OS X.

a wise step, excerpt, there will be problems associated with using a mac.

[Daverz]

I think the Macbook is one of the best deals you can get on a compact laptop.  The build quality is also very good (though there were some problems with the early models).  And you can run windows on it.  I dual boot windows/os x on mine, though I don't boot into windows very much.  You can also use Parallels to run windows in a virtual machine without rebooting.

Some suggestions:

* If you need to do presentations on video projectors, you'll need to get a mini-DVI to VGA adapter from Apple, unless you're lucky and the projector can work with the supplied mini-DVI to DVI connector.

* Apple RAM is very expensive, so I would just get the lowest RAM configuration and buy RAM online from a third-party website.  I replaced a 512M RAM module with 2 1G modules I bought online, and even though it wasted the 512M module, it was much cheaper than getting it that way from Apple.

[Steve]

I think the Macbook is one of the best deals you can get on a compact laptop.  The build quality is also very good (though there were some problems with the early models).  And you can run windows on it.  I dual boot windows/os x on mine, though I don't boot into windows very much.  You can also use Parallels to run windows in a virtual machine without rebooting.

Some suggestions:

* If you need to do presentations on video projectors, you'll need to get a mini-DVI to VGA adapter from Apple, unless you're lucky and the projector can work with the supplied mini-DVI to DVI connector.

* Apple RAM is very expensive, so I would just get the lowest RAM configuration and buy RAM online from a third-party website.  I replaced a 512M RAM module with 2 1G modules I bought online, and even though it wasted the 512M module, it was much cheaper than getting it that way from Apple.

Even the mac salesperson warned against buying ram from Apple. There are many, cheaper options.

[E d o]

Another happy Mac user here. If you do buy one wait till tomorrow, as some products may get an upgrade at the developers conference. I'm waiting for a small ProBook to replace my iBook. The LED screens that were added to ProBooks last week seem to be a nice improvement. iPods are due for a update too. I'm very much looking forward to tomorrow.

[Steve]

Another happy Mac user here. If you do buy one wait till tomorrow, as some products may get an upgrade at the developers conference. I'm waiting for a small ProBook to replace my iBook. The LED screens that were added to ProBooks last week seem to be a nice improvement. iPods are due for a update too. I'm very much looking forward to tomorrow.

I, too am quite excited tomorrow. I can't wait for the 12in powerbook's replacement. I might make a purchase tomorrow...

Does anyone know whether Steve Jobs's address will be streamed online?

[Bonehelm]

The only thing I hate about Macs are their ridiculous price. The quality is undoubtedly excellent.

[hornteacher]

I only thing I hate about Macs are their ridiculous price. The quality is undoubtedly excellent.

That's why I usually go for the refurbished Macs on the Apple store.  If you don't mind being one step behind the current model you can get great prices.

[Steve]

I only thing I hate about Macs are their ridiculous price. The quality is undoubtedly excellent.

While they are expensive, Apple does offer many student discounts and promotions. When I bought my laptop, I got a $200 discount, a free printer, and a free iPod.

[George]

That's why I usually go for the refurbished Macs on the Apple store.  If you don't mind being one step behind the current model you can get great prices.

Smart man. 

[Bonehelm]

While they are expensive, Apple does offer many student discounts and promotions. When I bought my laptop, I got a $200 discount, a free printer, and a free iPod.

Wow...how long ago was this?

[Steve]

Wow...how long ago was this?

I bought my current Mac about a year ago, but Apple just announced the return of that promotion. So when I buy my new machine (possibly this week), I'll be sure to nab it again.