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Up to Discussions in Laptops

7 Replies Last post: Mar 20, 2007 5:33 AM by Starka

unique

3 posts since
Oct 4, 2006

Reply

Oct 4, 2006 8:55 AM

Dell or MAC - need some help with this one ... urgent :-)

Hello everyone. I am about to purchase a new laptop for work and need some advice. I personally own a Dell Inspiron 5150 and HATE it. It is so loud that I'm surprised I have not gone deaf. It also gets extremely hot. Overall, I just have not been happy with it!
So, a few people are telling me to try a MAC. It seems that the people I know using MAC's do not have the virus, spyware, and other problems that I've had.

Here is what I will be using the new one for:-
1) a lot of internet use, 2) connecting to company's ERP (international), 3) ton of email, 4) Microsoft Office package, 4) quite a bit of photo editing, 5) there will be a lot of PDF documents to be stored, 6) Skype ... I'm sure there's more, but I just can't think of everything.

SPEED is a big deal for me. I'm tired of this slow going thing I have now.
I have never used a MAC and am worried about running into problems with software, etc. However, I am also willing to try one if I would really eliminate some of the problems one gets with a PC. I am not too technical and do not care to be constantly having to deal with problems. I just need and want a machine that runs smooth and FAST.

If a MAC is suggested, could you please offer some input on which one. Same for a PC. I swear I do not want another Dell, unless someone convinces me otherwise.

Thanks very much in advance for any help. I really appreciate it as I just don't know where to even start.

Thank you,
Marie

Reply

kellie

2,923 posts since
Jun 27, 2007

1. Oct 4, 2006 9:49 AM

in response to: unique

Hi Marie,

I run Mac at home and am extremely happy with it.

Macs generally are more intuitive to use and require less technical expertise and fiddling around. Also, there are no known viruses for Mac, so there is less worry there.

From what you've said you'd be using it for, a Mac would fit your needs nicely. Since you are looking for a laptop, you have two main choices.

MacBook - it is a 13" glossy widescreen, with either a 1.83 Ghz or 2.0 Ghz Intel processor. They come with 512 MB of RAM, and you will probably want to get more since you are so concerned with speed. It will take up to 2G. I don't know how much you have now, but I would recommend 1G as a good starting place. If you are comfortable with adding it yourself, you can probably save money by ordering it from Crucial or OtherWorldComputing. Otherwise, you can order it through Apple and have them install it for you. The computer comes in either black or white, but be aware that the black one costs more than the white one for the same configuration.

MacBookPro - This comes in both 15" and 17" models, with your choice of a matte or glossy widescreen. You can have a 2.0 Ghz or a 2.16Ghz Intel processor. These also come with 512 MB of RAM, so what I said above with the MacBook is applicable here too. The MBP is generally a faster, higher end machine, but of course it does have a higher price tag.

Another nice thing about an Intel-based Mac is that if you need to, you can install Boot Camp (still in beta) or Paralells (full release) and run Windows on it as well. But you can't run Mac OS on anything other than Apple hardware (legally, anyway).

Just a few more notes...

MS Office - You should purchase Office 2004 for Mac, that is the most recent version. If you can find a Student/Teacher version, it is only about $150 and it is full function. It is fully compatible with the Windows version -- I pass documents back and forth with Windows users all the time with no problem.

Photo Editing - You didn't specify what program you use, but if it is an Adobe program (Photoshop, etc) you should know that these are not "universal" applications yet, meaning that they are not optimized for the Intel processors. They will work on an Intel-based machine, but they will be slower than they would be if they were optimized. I don't know a firm release date but we do expect the Universal program to be available in 2007. (MS Office is also not yet optimized.)

Overall, I think a Mac would fit your needs perfectly. If you have more questions, feel free to ask. I would suggest that you look at the websites that I linked to, and if possible, go to your local Apple store and try one out. Ask questions, use the computer a bit, and see how you like it. Another great thing about Apple is that if you have a store nearby, they have "Genius Bars", or in-person tech support. Sometimes it is really nice to have someone in front of you to talk to if you have a question or if things go wrong.

You can also check out the Macworld forums for more information.

Kellie

Kellie Parker | Online Community Manager | PC World

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unique

3 posts since
Oct 4, 2006

2. Oct 4, 2006 10:06 AM

in response to: unique

Kellie:

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You provided some wonderful information and I really appreciate it. The last time I purchased a new laptop, I just picked up the phone and told Dell what I wanted and that was the end of it! This time I am ever so frustrated having added in the possibility of getting a MAC (and the fact I hate my Dell!). I will print out your note and use it in the decision process.

Thanks,
Marie

PS - so sorry about the double post ... I did think about it, and then realized that I have done that on other boards so I didn't take the time to check ... should have done my homework!

Reply

kellie

2,923 posts since
Jun 27, 2007

3. Oct 4, 2006 10:11 AM

in response to: unique

Hi marie,

Not a problem at all. I hope that someone will come along and give you some advice on the Windows side, too. I know that computer shopping is frustrating, but if you take your time and really think it through, you'll be much happier in the long run.

Kellie Parker | Online Community Manager | PC World

Reply

ArchsageVal

75 posts since
Aug 21, 2006

4. Oct 4, 2006 3:12 PM

in response to: unique

Re: Dell or MAC - need some help with this one ... urgent :-

unique wrote:Hello everyone. I am about to purchase a new laptop for work and need some advice. I personally own a Dell Inspiron 5150 and HATE it. It is so loud that I'm surprised I have not gone deaf. It also gets extremely hot. Overall, I just have not been happy with it!

So, a few people are telling me to try a MAC. It seems that the people I know using MAC's do not have the virus, spyware, and other problems that I've had.

Here is what I will be using the new one for:-

1) a lot of internet use, 2) connecting to company's ERP (international), 3) ton of email, 4) Microsoft Office package, 4) quite a bit of photo editing, 5) there will be a lot of PDF documents to be stored, 6) Skype ... I'm sure there's more, but I just can't think of everything.

SPEED is a big deal for me. I'm tired of this slow going thing I have now.

I have never used a MAC and am worried about running into problems with software, etc. However, I am also willing to try one if I would really eliminate some of the problems one gets with a PC. I am not too technical and do not care to be constantly having to deal with problems. I just need and want a machine that runs smooth and FAST.

If a MAC is suggested, could you please offer some input on which one. Same for a PC. I swear I do not want another Dell, unless someone convinces me otherwise.

Thanks very much in advance for any help. I really appreciate it as I just don't know where to even start.

Thank you,

Marie

I recently bought a 17 incher macbook pro, and it's slower wen running windows, but the OS is solid, and PDF files work best on MACs. Dell blows, just plain blows, unless you get gen 5, m1710, or m90. Go with MAC, as it's much better for simple tasks, not for gaming and graphics design, but for photo editing, and protability, it's pretty great. Side note though, the macbook (no pro) 13 inch has had many heat problems, the macbook pro has not.

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kellie

2,923 posts since
Jun 27, 2007

5. Oct 4, 2006 3:54 PM

in response to: unique

It's true that the MacBooks have had some problems, but they are not widespread (not every MacBook owner has them) and Apple will fix them for you if they do come up.

I do recommend purchase of the AppleCare extended warranty, though. But I would recommend that with any product.

Kellie Parker | Online Community Manager | PC World

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PC4Me

1 posts since
Mar 18, 2007

6. Mar 18, 2007 10:21 AM

in response to: unique

Choose a Mac , now what to do with the Dell

I am a developer and have used the PC all along. However for portabilty/travel use , bought a Macbook. You know surf the web, read .pdf etc.

Now do I sell the used Dell. I am wondering if a Mac will fulfill all needs of a Software Developer. Does it make sense to own 2 laptops. And a Dell and Mac for that.

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Starka

11 posts since
Mar 19, 2007

7. Mar 20, 2007 5:33 AM

in response to: unique

I bought a MacBook around the time that this thread was started, and am VERY dissatisfied with it. For the price charged, I'd stick with a Windows PC. As to the manufacturer, I've been using HP Pavilions for quite some time and have been very satisfied. In retrospect, I wonder why I ever wandered away from HP!

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