MAC vs. PC laptop for college (please help me SOS)?

holst_henr

So i am going to major in environmental science, which i do not think will need the higher- abilities that MAC's offer in presentational devices. I also play World of Warcraft, and for this i have heard nothing but go with PC's for numerous reasons. Now i do not want to chose a brand based on video games, but if it doesn't really matter then...

HELP

Answer
The PC is the better Choice, here is why...

======================================...
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. They use a lot of the same parts as PCs. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.

I Would also install Avira AntiVir on the Vista since there is a FREE version and works well.
I Would also install Comodo FireWall on the Vista since there is a FREE version and works well.

======================================...
LINUX OS

Easily turn your system into a Dual booting computer with Linux, fast, safe and secure, easy to use (contrary to belief). You then get the best of both worlds (Windows with all of its supported products, freely go online without the worry)

My Recomendation would be either Ubuntu (Most popular and well supported linux), Kubuntu (KDE version of Ubuntu),
Freespire (has all windows codecs for watching videos, dvds out of the box),
PCLINUXOS (very nice Linux, easy to use and polished),
There are so many good versions of linux besides these.

PLEASE NOTE: In linux there are many forms of Windows Environments, the two main ones are KDE (K Desktop) and GNOME. Ubuntu uses GNOME, KUBUNTU is a KDE version of Ubuntu, PCLINUXOS, Freespire use KDE... The differences in the window environments (DESKTOPS) control how you configure, open close the windows, the appearances of the windows... linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting helps with printer support. ScreenCasts.ubuntu.com shows video and non-video help with learning to work with Ubuntu.

There are many good Linux distributions for different reasons, distrowatch.com, polishlinux.org, desktoplinux.com
are good websites for overall understanding linux.

Installing Linux in general is very simple and much more secure than OS X(Macintosh) and FREE.
Also, most Linux distributions have a LiveCD which means you can try without installing...
UBUNTU, KUBUNTU, FREESPIRE, PCLINUXOS, etc.. all have live CDS.
All you have to do is..
A) to download .iso file off the internet from the Linux website
B) burn the .iso file to a CD or DVD (Make sure your burning software can burn an ISO)
C) restart the computer with the CD in the drive
D) As computer is restarting, press on F12 Key a bunch of times to get a boot menu
E) Select the option to boot from CD or DVD.

ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: People have been able to run OS X on a PC since the PC and Mac use the same hardware. THIS IS NOT LEGAL and I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT FOR SECURITY AND LEGAL REASONS.
But, I have included a link to show you, purpose is to show that there is nothing special about the MAC.

**************************************...


A)Price...
A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)

*****************(LAPTOP)
Dell Inspiron Laptop $849
15" Screen
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks

Macbook $1349
13" Screen (SMALLER)
CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)
Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)
Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)
Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, ONLY reads DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE)

****************(DESKTOP)

PLEASE NOTE: Some responses might be that below is not a FAIR comparison but it is SINCE this is comparing Apple Mac's BEST DEAL vs Dells BEST DEAL. If you decide that you must have an all-in one. The Dell all-in-one has more ram, WIRELESS keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you upgrade the Imac to try to match. Personally I don't think the ALL-IN-ONES are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer. To me it is NOT a good deal.

PS: Apple was smart, they know that they must make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a Tower Option. This is not good for the consumer since it lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the simularities between the two and apple would loose people. In other words, in my opinion, it is "Style over Substance"

Dell: (Right Now) Specs Below costs $809
CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: 3GB Ram
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

The Best Deal Mac is not the Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup... IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.

IMac ($1400)
CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)
HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

************************END OF DESKTOP

======================================...

B) SECURITY:

Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 under 30 minutes, and hacked within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008. Linux and Vista were not able to be hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered.
All macs are standardized with Cameras, if your system gets hacked, the hacker would more likely be able to turn on your camera.
Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.

======================================...
B2) VIRUSES

The argument that OS X has less viruses is true, but that is against XP, BUT Mac OS X has viruses, a friend of mine has a VIRUSED MAC. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe". Linux is also very low in viruses and is free with plenty of free software.

Google/Yahoo Mac Viruses

======================================...

C) Windows License is discounted with PCs..

You do not pay the full price, for instance Dell -> you pay $50 or less for Vista Home Premium If you buy a Mac and want Vista, you pay full price.

======================================...

D) EXPANDABILITY & REPAIR...

With AppleCare you have to put down $300 and there is no guarantee the computer will be fixed, may cost more.. Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.

======================================...

D) BUGS

Macintosh's are far from bug free despite their fan base claiming so. Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc.. True, all computers have their issues but Apple Fans tend to hide their problems which makes it tough to trust any statistics about Apple.
Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts.

NO MORE THAN 10 Links were allowed... Here are the ones that I could not add..
www.ubuntu.com/
www.kubuntu.org/
www.freespire.org/
www.pclinuxos.com/
distrowatch.com/
polishlinux.org/
www.desktoplinux.com/
xwinman.org/gnome.php
xwinman.org/kde.php
help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsAppli...
help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToU...
www.linuxalt.com/
screencasts.ubuntu.com/
www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrintin...
www.free-av.com/
www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
Google/Yahoo OS X on PC

Mac laptop or PC laptop for college?!?!?

ihavawaywi

I'm not sure which one I should get for college. I grown up using a PC but Macs seem to be very user friendly and I can get to learn how to use it.
If I get a mac laptop, which one should I get? Macbook or Macbook Pro?
Or if I get a pc laptop, which brand would you recommend?

price range: $800-$1000 would be ideal

my major for college: Biochemistry/Cell Biology

Answer
Hi!

I'm going into my senior year of college and I have battled with this question for some time. Last summer I got a Mac Book Pro, 13 inch, no added or extra features and I think with the student discount, it cost me 1250$- my budget was nothing over 1000$ but if you are going to pay 1000, what is 250$ more?

Here are my reasons for doing so,
1. The battery life. I was so fed up with my PC, I bought a new battery/ charger for it after 2 years of having it. I'm not a gamer or avid photo taker so I didn't have crazy software running all the time. My battery drained in 2 years and would only hold a charge for 10 minutes. I couldn't take it to class, it was too big and bulky, and heavy! My number one thing about switching to a Mac was the 9 hour battery life. I've had it for a year, has not failed me yet.

2. It is unbelievably faster than my PC. I click on safari and less than a second, it opens up. Restarting it takes less than 30 seconds, shutting it down or powering it back up, like a minute. It's very efficient when youre in lecture, its a second, not 4-5 minutes waiting for it to wake up.

3. no Virus protection- this is expensive, and the difference that you are paying for the mac, you would probably save in yearly virus protection.

4. You can run anything on it or you can partition the hard drive to format windows as well. I am a biomed engineering major. I was always told, don't get a mac, you can't run the progrms on it.
When I found out you can parition it, I decided to go with a Mac. I haven't had to either since I've gotten it.

5. The operating system. I really like the design, it takes a little bit to get used to, but its efficient and it works. Plus, apple comes out with updates every now and then, like now they have OS 5, the Lion thing, that I plan on getting when it comes out.

6. It's a nicer looking machine- it just looks nice, takes up less space, runs better, and their service you can trust (apple care and customer service). You don't send it out, get charged a million dollars, then have it back in like 4-5 weeks. Ridiculous. Especially as a student.


I loved Pc's but I had a problem with buying a new one every 3-4 years. I think the only that last me was my first one and that lasted me 6 years. Since then, I've had to invest in several, which has probably added up to over 1300$. Where are I plan on having this mac book for the next ten years. It hasnt slowed down, and I am still extremley happy with it.

This was my first Mac product. It took me a while to convert to Mac, but when I did, I realized there wasn't any other service out there better. Since then, I've gotten the iPhone and iPad as well.. It really is just a great product. There is nothing better out there. And I used to SWEAR by PC's!!!!
good luck!!

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