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I Need Your Input!!! Apple vs PC/Broadband Questions
David In Indy:
Thanks for the information Lee, Katherine and Louise! I appreciate it!
I feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment, because I know very little about Apple computers and wireless broadband. So your help and input is invaluable to me. The Apple computer I am considering is a MacBook Pro MB991LL/A. It has a 13.3 inch screen, a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4 GB DDR3 memory, 250 MG hard drive and built-in Bluetooth. It also uses the Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard with iLife '09 (whatever that means). Anyway, everyone seems to be selling it for the same price, so I suppose that means it is fair.
I am also considering a Sony laptop (VPCS111FM/S) which is a little bit cheaper than the Apple and is in the PC format. It also has a larger hard drive (500 GB) and an Intel CORE i5 processor. I know very little about processors and I'm not sure which is better - the i5 or the Core 2 Duo.
As far as the wireless broadband, I am already using Comcast as my cable provider, so it might be a good idea to use them for the Internet as well. Although a friend of mine is using Sprint, and like I said I have an account with them for my cell phone. So I suppose more investigation would be warranted to see which offers the best connection at the best price. Although I am not against signing up with a different ISP altogether.
Again, I appreciate all your help and advice! Thanks for taking the time to post some info in this thread!
:-* :-* :-*
LauraGigs:
David, are you familiar with the Apple interface? Have you used it? If you get a Mac and wind up being fluent in both operating systems — that's great. But don't underestimate the learning curve you'll be in for as you adapt to it.
Just about any given piece of software (even some fonts) have different versions for Mac than for Windows, so you won't necessarily be able to copy your favorite app or game from your old Windows machine to a Mac and have it work. (Just an fyi...)
(I've used both, have Windows at home, and also recommend Firefox & Gmail FWIW. Google Apps will also come in very handy if you had MS Office on Windows and decide it's too expensive to buy the Mac version.)
serious crayons:
Another thing to keep in mind, David, is that there will be a learning curve associated with switching from PC to Mac. I tried switching a couple of years ago and got discouraged because even simple little functions were done differently. They aren't harder -- they might even be easier -- but I found myself having to call tech support constantly for routine activities. I was in the middle of moving to another state and fixing up my house, also getting wireless set up along with all other utilities, and I decided I just didn't have time for it. I wound up returning the Mac.
In a more normal time, I might have had the patience to learn the new skills. It's not rocket science, just takes a little time.
Another consideration: My PC stopped working a few months ago. When I took it into my trusted repair shop, I asked the guys there if I should have bought a Mac. They said that although Macs are much more impervious to software problems (because the software and hardware all come from the same place) they have about as many hardware malfunctions as PCs do, and they can be more of a hassle to get fixed -- more expensive, fewer people able to fix them. I mentioned Apple's extended warranty (expensive, though highly recommended -- no surprise -- by the Apple people). They said, fine, but then you often have to give up your computer, possibly for weeks, while it's being fixed.
Still another factor: One big advantage Mac fans often mention is their longevity; Macs last years longer than PCs. True, perhaps, but then the question is whether you WANT your computer to last a long time. With the speed technology improves, whenever I get a new computer I am always amazed at all the cool things the new one does.
On the other hand, my PC laptop from summer 08 already seems kind of decrepit.
Laura, your post came in just now. Great minds! ;D
LauraGigs:
--- Quote ---The Apple computer I am considering is a MacBook Pro MB991LL/A. It has a 13.3 inch screen, a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4 GB DDR3 memory, 250 MG hard drive and built-in Bluetooth. It also uses the Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard with iLife '09 (whatever that means). Anyway, everyone seems to be selling it for the same price, so I suppose that means it is fair.
I am also considering a Sony laptop (VPCS111FM/S) which is a little bit cheaper than the Apple and is in the PC format. It also has a larger hard drive (500 GB) and an Intel CORE i5 processor. I know very little about processors and I'm not sure which is better - the i5 or the Core 2 Duo.
--- End quote ---
Wait a minute... do you really mean a 250 Mb hard drive on the Mac, vs. 500 Gb on the Sony one? I assume it may really be 250 Gb on the Mac?
Because if it's really only 250 Mb, that's a pathetic amount of storage space and you will inevitably be needing more. (Unless you only use the laptop for email and web, and never ever work with or store photos or music. And forget video files altogether...) If the Mac HD is indeed 250 Gb, then that's okay.
David In Indy:
--- Quote from: LauraGigs on February 15, 2010, 09:17:48 pm ---Wait a minute... do you really mean a 250 Mb hard drive on the Mac, vs. 500 Gb on the Sony one? I assume it may really be 250 Gb on the Mac?
Because if it's really only 250 Mb, that's a pathetic amount of storage space and you will inevitably be needing more. (Unless you only use the laptop for email and web, and never ever work with or store photos or music. And forget video files altogether...) If the Mac HD is indeed 250 Gb, then that's okay.
--- End quote ---
That was a typo on my part, Laura. Sorry about that. The Apple computer has a 250 GB hard drive. :)
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