Laptops: Mac v. Windows

[AMink]

I'm thinking of getting a laptop soon. I have an iMac and love it. However, when looking at the cost of Windows v. Mac in laptops, the price difference is huge! Macbooks start at $999 and have essentially the same capacity of a Windows based that is around $350-$400. You can get a 500 gig harddrive, 4 gig memory Windows for around $600. You're pushing $2000 in Mac! Also, you get a much larger screen in the Windows books. Weight is not a problem; I'd rather have a heavy book with a bigger screen. In your humble opinions, is the Mac product worth the extra coin? I'd be using it for travel, storing pictures until I get home, and probably a home network so I can move around the house with it.

 

[seafish]

I am biased personally as I have used apple products exclusively--
NOT for the cool factor, but for the RELIABILTY and intuitive ease of use.

On the other hand, my brother uses windows machines exclusively, and claims he rarely has problems. He uses ALOT of computers in his biz, so expense probably has much to do with his choices.

My niece has a Windows PC, everytime I talk with her (granted not everyday, but at last a couple times a year it is not working right and she is BORROWING someone elses' computer to do her homework.
My son has an iBook, it has NEVER crashed (knock on wood!!).

For a single laptop purchase, I would definitely go Mac IF you can afford it, PARTICULARLY since you already run a Mac at home. The interface will be seamless, particularly with iPhoto and iTunes.

If it makes you feel better, think about it in terms of buying a Dodge with Cummins versus Ford with 6. 4l --you are simply paying more for reliability!!

 

[jgillott]

I have a Mac laptop for work and I can't say enough good things about it. It literally has gone months at a time, without being shut down with several different programs running in the background, and has been 100% reliable. The next one I buy for myself will definately be a Mac.

 

[nickleinonen]

I'd rather have a heavy book with a bigger screen

been there, done that. . i had purchased a 17" hp laptop as i wanted a larger screen and a full keyboard with number pad. the screen size was nice but i still ended up connecting it to my 46" tv to use it as a monitor. the keyboard was nice too, but again i found myself using a bluetooth mouse & keyboard combo. i returned it. . now i am on the hunt for a sub 14" screen dual core laptop. i have looked at one hp with a 12" touchscreen that also swings so you can use it as a tablet pc. the keyboard is large enough i can type on it ok. it has no number pad but i can deal with that the few times i use it without a BT keyboard teathered on. .

if it is going to be a desktop replacement the large screen is great. if you have a desktop and you want it as a 2nd computer, i suggest you rethink the large screen model


$0. 02 cdn...

 

[tempforce]

been though both types of laptop computers. i'm on my fourth pc. my next portable will be a mac.

 

[Jim W]

I think most people are comfortable with what they used day in and day out. I am retired engineer and for the last 20 + years I have used window base programs. So therefore this is what I am use too, both of my computers are window base units. I have a dell station for home use and an HP min 1140 for travel. They both run Vista and I have had no issues with them.

This is what I and my wife are familiar with and we would not consider a mac. I feel that the controls on some of there components are not intuitive but that is because we are not familiar with mac components. I would buy what every you feel comfortable with and use that component.

Just my $0. 02

 

[sarj]

I went through the same decision mink. It was either a full size Macbook pro, or a windows machine. The first decision is what software you'll run & why. The next decision is if cost is an object. The last decision is on the exposure to damage or theft when moving around with it.



I wanted a Macbook pro because the rest of my home computers have converted over to Mac. I like Mac's much better. I went with an HP windows machine from Costco with a 17. 5 screen instead. Just be honest answering those questions, and your decision will find itself. The need I have is for a windows machine for trading stock when I'm not at home, since my brokerage company's software won't run on a Mac. My other issue is the Mac version of Quickbooks Pro doesn't work well for the invoicing I do.



Probably the big determiner was that my woman will use it when she travels, and I can't get comfortable with her handling a bigger laptop like that. If it was a smaller unit, It'd probably be ok. I'll probably end up giving the HP to my woman and getting a second one for me. It was $800, versus $3500 for the Mac, and I couldn't ignore the damage/theft factor. If something happens to the HP, it wouldn't bother me.



Networking at home is not a problem mixing machines, but if that were the highest use it would see, I'd get the Mac. Mine travels always, and stays in my truck full time.

 

[KLauber]

Get the macbook pro, you will not be disappointed! I tried to use PC laptops in the past and they were always messing up. Used PCs for years and always had problems. We have an all-Mac house and surf and print wirelessly with no problems.

Ken

 

[AMink]

I am really leaning towards the Macbook Pro 13". Thought the numbers don't seem to stack up against lesser priced PC notebooks (memory, speed, etc. ), I have been very happy with my iMac. No problems at all, except I wish the hard drive was bigger. Solved that with a TB external that I could take along with the laptop, if need be. Now, if I can get my wife to lean towards the Macbook. She hates the Mac office suite. I'm getting used to it, and for as much as we'd use those apps, I don't see it as a problem. Plus, it's really expensive to get Office, either for PC or Mac. I already have the iWork suite so I'm good there. We'll see what happens. Thanks for the responses and keep 'em coming!

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Go with the MAC you will not be sorry , when you get the blue screen of death 2or 3 times and your screen freezes you'll be sorry you didnt buy the MAC then it will be to late. You spent more to get a Cummins?? you wanted a bullet proof engine spend extra and get a bullet proof lap top.

 

[guldam]

I'm working in a Windows/Asp.net shop and I have a MacBook Pro of my own, on my desk and a loaded PC running Windows. I have to reboot the Windows machine once a day or it slows down to a crawl. My MacBook Pro rarely needs rebooting and I run the hell out of the thing with two or three browsers open, Photoshop, Mail. app, BBedit, iTunes etc and it is happy as a pig in mud.

I have to use Windows and if need be I can use Remote Desktop on my Mac and connect to my Windows machine from home and develop on Visual Studio. I can also run VmWare Fusion (windows) or boot from Windows.

Buy a Mac and get the best of both worlds. And when you start to compare Macs To Windows PCs, remember to include the software you get on a Mac, and the high quality of that software.

GulDam
Oh, and I don't run Anti -Virus software on my Mac and have been cootie free since about 1992.

 

[AMink]

I

Oh, and I don't run Anti -Virus software on my Mac and have been cootie free since about 1992.

That's the one thing I REALLY like about my iMac. My PC got something and the only way to clean it was a total wipe. I had McAfee and they had nothing for it. I'm sure that you *could* get something on a Mac, but it's not likely.



I went down to the Apple store and looked at the MacBook Pro in the 13" screen. It is really nice. Now, let the convincing begin!:-laf

 

[Steev]

Since you're going with a personal system, go with the Mac. Less headache. Sit on Craigslist for a while and wait for a MacBook Pro to come on there. My buddy scored a $2000 Pro for $1,200 and it was still under warranty. This pretty much makes up the price difference.

Mac hardware is non generic and limited to sub-set of components. This is precisely what enables them reliability - they test and develop their software and drivers on a relatively small set of hardware configurations. It's because of this that their support is usually pretty specific - problems are well documented early on in the product life.

As an aside...

That's why HP/Dell support for the consumer products (off the shelf) is wishy washy - testing is minimal at the factory. These products are considered more use and throw away but are offered at the lowest price possible. Therefore they change components (hard drives etc. . ) several times throughout the product's life with little regard to the impact on reliability. However, their workstation-class products (business oriented) go through more testing and are designed to be repaired easily. Macs follow this discipline.

Now if you're looking for the bragging rights and 3D gaming, you'll likely go with the PC - but know that you'll have to build it yourself - even then, it would be a desktop, not a laptop. This demographic is kind of a dying breed in the computer world I'm noticing however...

I was in that demographic a few years back. I built a KILLER PC for $3,200 over three years ago that up until 3 months ago outperformed and out-functioned even the $5k macs. But needless to say, like a lot of the guys here, I smoked a few clutches and popped a few injectors in the bullet proofing process. It sounds more like this is going to be your daily driver computer...

Sorry if it was more info than you wanted...

 

[AMink]

Since you're going with a personal system, go with the Mac. Less headache. Sit on Craigslist for a while and wait for a MacBook Pro to come on there. My buddy scored a $2000 Pro for $1,200 and it was still under warranty. This pretty much makes up the price difference.



Mac hardware is non generic and limited to sub-set of components. This is precisely what enables them reliability - they test and develop their software and drivers on a relatively small set of hardware configurations. It's because of this that their support is usually pretty specific - problems are well documented early on in the product life.



As an aside...



That's why HP/Dell support for the consumer products (off the shelf) is wishy washy - testing is minimal at the factory. These products are considered more use and throw away but are offered at the lowest price possible. Therefore they change components (hard drives etc. . ) several times throughout the product's life with little regard to the impact on reliability. However, their workstation-class products (business oriented) go through more testing and are designed to be repaired easily. Macs follow this discipline.



Now if you're looking for the bragging rights and 3D gaming, you'll likely go with the PC - but know that you'll have to build it yourself - even then, it would be a desktop, not a laptop. This demographic is kind of a dying breed in the computer world I'm noticing however...



I was in that demographic a few years back. I built a KILLER PC for $3,200 over three years ago that up until 3 months ago outperformed and out-functioned even the $5k macs. But needless to say, like a lot of the guys here, I smoked a few clutches and popped a few injectors in the bullet proofing process. It sounds more like this is going to be your daily driver computer...



Sorry if it was more info than you wanted...

Nope, never too much info! Thanks

 

[PC12Driver]

The only reason that you can get by without using an antivirus app on a Mac is because nobody bothers to write any malware for a target audience of about 7% of the home computer population. Macs certainly are not without their problems. They have a rediculous amount of vulnerabilities. Have a read here.



Every PC that I've worked on that had a BSOD issue was due to the user going somewhere they shouldn't have on the web, trying to perform DIY IT beyond their capabilities, or never applying MS patches. They're not as locked down as a Mac, which gets some folks in trouble. But that flexibility appeals to some of us PC useres (that, and having a mouse with more than one button).



Macs work well for most who own them. However, a properly patched PC with a current antivirus app will be just as reliable as a Mac, and a whole lot cheaper.

 

[Steev]

For anyone interested in a good free Antivirus for your PC - I use AVG. AVG Free - Download Free Antivirus and Antispyware for Windows 7, Vista and XP

Free download, no nagging popups and it's been giving me free updates for the past three years I've been using it. Except during a scan, it seems to use fewer resources than the other guys.

Three things: 1. When you go to the web site, its going to offer you a couple choices - to get the free version or the Trial version of the paid one. Make sure to stay on course with the freebie. 2. Also, the free version is supposed to be for personal use only - although I'm not sure how they would be able to do an audit. 3. Finally, when you're installing it, I think the new one tries to shove the Yahoo toolbar down your throat - pay attention to the installer and uncheck those options. No need to load yourself down with that kind of stuff.

A comment about security: The Mac is pretty wide open - so if you're an investment banker or deal with a lot of confidential files, talk with your Sys Admin at your job for some solution. Security patches (even for things like web browsers) take longer to come out on the Mac - precisely because there are fewer Macs than PCs out there. For the most part it won't be a problem, but if you draw a lot of attention to yourself it's something to mull over. Again, home user storing music and pictures - no one really cares enough about ya haha... .

 

[mberry]

Having worked with MS products almost exclusively for the past 15+ years or so, I would definitely recommend the MAC.

Your other option is to get a used/refurbished one and get the Linux flavor you like and use that if you want.

 

[AHarris]

Windows Vista PC = Ford 6. 0 Powerjoke



Windows XP = Chevy Duramax (after the bugs were worked out)



Leopard and Mac = Cummins Turbo Diesel



Any questions?

 

[KLauber]

Right about XP

Windows Vista PC = Ford 6. 0 Powerjoke



Windows XP = Chevy Duramax (after the bugs were worked out)



Leopard and Mac = Cummins Turbo Diesel



Any questions?

XP was good after a zillion (thats what comes after a trillion!) updates. I tried a Vista laptop for a while... briefly considered suicide or even joining the GOP, but a fatal BSD ended that scenario. I sent the offensive IBM back to my now ex-employer. Am typing on my MacBook right now. Go MAC and never look back!



Ken

 

[AHarris]

The only reason that you can get by without using an antivirus app on a Mac is because nobody bothers to write any malware for a target audience of about 7% of the home computer population. Macs certainly are not without their problems. They have a rediculous amount of vulnerabilities. Have a read here.

Every PC that I've worked on that had a BSOD issue was due to the user going somewhere they shouldn't have on the web, trying to perform DIY IT beyond their capabilities, or never applying MS patches. They're not as locked down as a Mac, which gets some folks in trouble. But that flexibility appeals to some of us PC useres (that, and having a mouse with more than one button).

Macs work well for most who own them. However, a properly patched PC with a current antivirus app will be just as reliable as a Mac, and a whole lot cheaper.

I have to respectfully raise the BS flag on this. A properly patched PC is NOT as reliable as a Mac. As for being cheaper--well, ya get what you pay for.


I used PCs for 20 years and put up with the BSODs, crashes, and software bugs in Windows 95, 98, ME, early XP, and (WORST OF ALL), Vista. It was Vista and hours of lost work that finally made me frustrated enough to take freinds' advice and get a Macbook.

Instead of a bloated DOS shell like Windows (that still uses many of the kernels and other basic architecture that dates from the 1990s), the Mac OS's are UNIX based and, by nature, much more stable and efficient.

On all my machines (especially the Vista one which was downgraded to XP so it was usable), I've always religiously kept Windows updated, kept the antivirus up to date, been careful what sites I visit, and used CCleaner religiously. I don't load up the computer with games, videos, and a lot of extra crap--never did. Despite that, I've had many annoying and time wasting bugs caused by the various iterations of Windows. Vista was the last straw--I went Mac and never looked back.

Apple simply makes a superior product for home computing.

I recommend the OP gets a Macbook 13". If you want a bigger screen, go to Best Buy and spend $130 on a 19" external monitor.

The extra $500 you spend on a Mac will be worth it in the long run. Kind of like getting the Lexus instead of the Kia. You will like it a lot more over the long haul.