Should I get a Macbook? (Or whatever happens at WWDC)

[Mammoth]

I've done a bit of calculating, and I've come to the conclusion that I barely have enough for a Macbook. If I sell some of my old stuff, I should have enough for a white 2Ghz model (My ideal one). Problem is though, if I buy one I will be completely broke. It's probably not so serious because I'm 13, but when you're spending all of your money, it's pretty serious regardless of age. Should I buy one? (I'll probably wait after WWDC to see if there's anything I like even more)

[Stridder44]

Well, do you want it? If you do, and you know it wont put you in great financial pain, then go for it.

[breakfastcrew]

well no....the question is do you really NEED it?? If it is going to break your piggy bank buying it I wouldn't suggest doing so. You should always have extra savings incase you need to buy something you really need.

[Mammoth]

I don't really need it, but I can't think of something I do need, and my mom put some horrible account restrictions on my account (can't install programs, open dmgs, open system prefs, etc.) so having my own computer could do me some good. All I really need is a good alibi to tell my mom.

[buffalo]

I can relate to your want of a MacBook, but since you already have an iMac, ask yourself really need one. I'm just a few years older, and was also struck by how nice it would be to have a MB to compliment my iMac, but I just can't justify spending $1300 on a notebook when I don't have the slightest need for it. (now if a cheeper ultra-portable came along...)

Write a list of everything you would do with it, and then decide if the list is worth spending all your money. If it is, go for it and be happy, but if not you probably made a wise decision.

[tobefirst]

well no....the question is do you really NEED it?? If it is going to break your piggy bank buying it I wouldn't suggest doing so. You should always have extra savings incase you need to buy something you really need.
If he was 25, I would say don't break the piggy bank, but at 13, piggy banks are meant to be broken. (: If you want it, and have enough money for it, and think you'll get $1300 (or whatever) out of it, f-it. Go for it. (:

[KingYaba]

I don't really need it, but I can't think of something I do need, and my mom put some horrible account restrictions on my account (can't install programs, open dmgs, open system prefs, etc.) so having my own computer could do me some good. All I really need is a good alibi to tell my mom.

Why not just crack your mom's password :cool:

[Mammoth]

Why not just crack your mom's password :cool:
As awesome as that would be, I have no clue how to do it. Help on this? :rolleyes:

[sonictonic]

I would say you should totally go for it, except for these couple things:

1. You already have a nice iMac
2. You said your mom has put a lot of restrictions on your user account, so I'm confused how you could go buy a MacBook and have her approval on it. I mean I know you'd be paying for it, but since it seems like she might be a little protective, what makes you think she would let you get your own MacBook and not have any restrictions? Could ya get away with it?

[Mammoth]

2. You said your mom has put a lot of restrictions on your user account, so I'm confused how you could go buy a MacBook and have her approval on it. I mean I know you'd be paying for it, but since it seems like she might be a little protective, what makes you think she would let you get your own MacBook and not have any restrictions? Could ya get away with it?

I'm a bit worried about buying a Macbook with her looming over me, but as far as I know, the only way I could get away with it is buying it without her knowing and somehow proving to her I'm responsible enough to have one. (Really crazy idea)
And the restrictions on my account render my iMac less useful than my PC which doesn't have restrictions.

[®îçhå®?]

You can do it really easily using Terminal. I'm not gonna tell you but with a bit of research, you can find it out :P I'm in the situation as well (but 2 years older). I have a nice G4 tower but need the portability of the MB for 6th form so i am upgrading. Get a job, it doesnt matter if it is just a paper round. I get the old babysitting, and something else small. During the holidays, go and help your dad work. I got £100 today from doing so and if you do that, you will quickly raise the money.

[Play Ultimate]

I'm a bit worried about buying a Macbook with her looming over me, but as far as I know, the only way I could get away with it is buying it without her knowing and somehow proving to her I'm responsible enough to have one. (Really crazy idea)
And the restrictions on my account render my iMac less useful than my PC which doesn't have restrictions.

OK...explain to me the things that you cannot do with the "restrictions" in place?
Further, it's one thing to break the bank to buy something you want. It another thing entirely to break the bank and buy something you want behind your parents back, especially a $1000+ something.
Personally, I think you should talk to your mom first before you buy anything. Heck, my wife and I have an agreement to talk about purchases over $200.

[buffalo]

OK...explain to me the things that you cannot do with the "restrictions" in place?
Further, it's one thing to break the bank to buy something you want. It another thing entirely to break the bank and buy something you want behind your parents back, especially a $1000+ something.
Personally, I think you should talk to your mom first before you buy anything. Heck, my wife and I have an agreement to talk about purchases over $200.

I don't see how he's buying the MB behind his parents back. He's going to need a parent to withdraw the cash, take him to the Apple store or give him their credit card number, so it's not as though he's going to just show up with a new MB.

[Mammoth]

I don't see how he's buying the MB behind his parents back. He's going to need a parent to withdraw the cash, take him to the Apple store or give him their credit card number, so it's not as though he's going to just show up with a new MB.
I believe I can pull off the buying part, there's no Apple Store so I'll go to Westworld and charge it all to my debit card.

[thejadedmonkey]

You'd be better off getting your mom to remove the restrictions. Hell, OS X is pretty much bullet-proof. Even if you managed to install every program that'll run on OS X, the computer shouldn't break like XP would. And if it did, your mom's user prefs are all located in her settings, so you just backup her user folder before wiping and reinstalling, and there's no harm done.

Save the $1300 and get a nice camera, some DVD's, a wii, and take up a nice hobby like model railroading or RC airplanes.

[Abstract]

....so it's not as though he's going to just show up with a new MB.

He really could. You weren't a sneaky enough kid, that's all.

Talk to your parents about removing the restrictions, and don't spend the money.

[Mammoth]

Talk to your parents about removing the restrictions
Been there, done that. The answer? "No." She won't let me install programs "because I'll fill it up with junk" on a 250GB drive. She doesn't seem to trust me with anything, she thinks I'll break anything I set my hands on.

[sonictonic]

Dude mammoth... based on all that's been said, I really think its not a very good idea to go get one now. Come on... this isn't a minor purchase. It's a BIG one. It's a big one for ADULTS who don't have to answer to parents. If you went through with this, I'd bet your mom would be pretty peeved.

I suggest you talk to her, start lightly, and keep goin at it. Keep trying and don't take no for an answer, but remain repsectful. Eveentually, she may cave in. Prove yourself and you can get one without worrying about hiding it, being sneaky, and getting your butt beaten ;)

[Mammoth]

I suggest you talk to her, start lightly, and keep goin at it. Keep trying and don't take no for an answer, but remain repsectful. Eveentually, she may cave in. Prove yourself and you can get one without worrying about hiding it, being sneaky, and getting your butt beaten ;)
..any ideas as to how I would prove myself?

[sjpetry]

..any ideas as to how I would prove myself?
Tell her you would never go behind her back.:p

Prove to her that you know how to properly use a computer and find a website that talks about how secure OS X is. Then show it to her.

[breakfastcrew]

you smack her into submission

[Mammoth]

you smack her into submission
I really want to do that. :mad:

[buffalo]

He really could. You weren't a sneaky enough kid, that's all.

Haha, I guess I really am that naive.

So you go out and get it on the debit card... You then hide the bill and never use it in front of the parents??? Doesn't sound like a great plan to me.

[Mammoth]

So you go out and get it on the debit card... You then hide the bill and never use it in front of the parents??? Doesn't sound like a great plan to me.
I kind of figured.

[bigrell486]

I'm sort of in the same situation as you. If I buy a new Macbook which I really want then I'll end up with no cash and I have to start college on the 27th of this month. I barely have enough to afford a refurbished 1.83 MacBook but I really want it for school and taking my girlfriend out really doesn't help me much. But I look at it this way, I'd rather have a new Macbook and be broke than a 1 year-old Gateway Notebook with Windows XP and $1200 :)

[breakfastcrew]

I'm sort of in the same situation as you. If I buy a new Macbook which I really want then I'll end up with no cash and I have to start college on the 27th of this month. I barely have enough to afford a refurbished 1.83 MacBook but I really want it for school and taking my girlfriend out really doesn't help me much. But I look at it this way, I'd rather have a new Macbook and be broke than a 1 year-old Gateway Notebook with Windows XP and $1200 :)
I would keep the cash and gf and not get the macbook.

[serpent]

Mammoth, did you ever discuss buying a machine of your own with your MOM?
Chances are if you do go out and purchase a MB and she finds out you will probably lose both your new MB and what ever privileges you now have on her iMac!(and be broke)
I don't know where ya from, but most debit cards have a maximum that you are allowed to draw off per day. in most places it's either
$500 or $1000. w/MB costing more than that how will you make the purchase.
Why don't you sit down w/her and discuss your problems and see what she suggests for an amicable solution?......maybe a good solution might be a refreshed iMM DC @ 1/2 of the MB price.

Serpent

[Mammoth]

Mammoth, did you ever discuss buying a machine of your own with your MOM?
Chances are if you do go out and purchase a MB and she finds out you will probably lose both your new MB and what ever privileges you now have on her iMac!(and be broke)
I don't know where ya from, but most debit cards have a maximum that you are allowed to draw off per day. in most places it's either
$500 or $1000. w/MB costing more than that how will you make the purchase.
Why don't you sit down w/her and discuss your problems and see what she suggests for an amicable solution?......maybe a good solution might be a refreshed iMM DC @ 1/2 of the MB price.

Serpent
I've tried that, and dear god... it didn't turn out well.

[kev0476]

Well how i always got my mom to crack was work my ass off. i was 12 when i got my ibook, (now upgraded to a powerbook). but i did all the chores that i never did but she kept bugging me about i.e. gardening.

But then i had my bar-mitzvah and all my purchases are up to me now. usually parents are happy when you will have AT LEAST 250, maybe 500 for some of the crazy parents, which it sounds like you have. Whatever you do, do not hack the imac, this will make you lose all of your mom's trust. usually with parents, it takes a long time before you will get that yes.

My boss told me of his job as a software salesman to big corporations. the first 99 times you will get a no, but the next time the yes will come. so don't look down at failures, think of them as a step closer to that yes. each time you get a no, you will learn new "persuasive" techniques. or if that doesn't work you will have to make a lot of compromises. but even if there are restrictions on your mb, your mom will soon start loosening it up, after all she can't keep all the restrictions on until you are 18.

Edit: WARNING, if you get the mb, (or any apple computer) you will feel compelled to own whatever new is coming out. this is what is known as the apple effect. avoid it's call as best you can... of course occasionally you have to indulge. but take apple's new specs with a grain of salt. operating systems, best to get them every other major upgrade. Hardware, space them out at least two years, unless there is a huge calling, (video ipod for me from my 3g ipod). always watch your money. with apple they have a way of sucking it out of you very quickly without you noticing, it is almost like crack. beware.

[breakfastcrew]

Well how i always got my mom to crack was work my ass off. i was 12 when i got my ibook, (now upgraded to a powerbook). but i did all the chores that i never did but she kept bugging me about i.e. gardening.

But then i had my bar-mitzvah and all my purchases are up to me now. usually parents are happy when you will have AT LEAST 250, maybe 500 for some of the crazy parents, which it sounds like you have. Whatever you do, do not hack the imac, this will make you lose all of your mom's trust. usually with parents, it takes a long time before you will get that yes.

My boss told me of his job as a software salesman to big corporations. the first 99 times you will get a no, but the next time the yes will come. so don't look down at failures, think of them as a step closer to that yes. each time you get a no, you will learn new "persuasive" techniques. or if that doesn't work you will have to make a lot of compromises. but even if there are restrictions on your mb, your mom will soon start loosening it up, after all she can't keep all the restrictions on until you are 18.

Edit: WARNING, if you get the mb, (or any apple computer) you will feel compelled to own whatever new is coming out. this is what is known as the apple effect. avoid it's call as best you can... of course occasionally you have to indulge. but take apple's new specs with a grain of salt. operating systems, best to get them every other major upgrade. Hardware, space them out at least two years, unless there is a huge calling, (video ipod for me from my 3g ipod). always watch your money. with apple they have a way of sucking it out of you very quickly without you noticing, it is almost like crack. beware.
ALso known as GAS Gear Acquisition Syndrome!

[Mammoth]

Agh, I asked my mom again, saying things like "What will it take?" and "What do I have to to?". And all she could say was "No". I HATE HER. She doesn't let me do anything with my money and it's starting to get to my head.:mad: :mad:

[Mammoth]

But then i had my bar-mitzvah and all my purchases are up to me now.

Lucky you, my parents are pretty much atheist.
usually parents are happy when you will have AT LEAST 250, maybe 500 for some of the crazy parents, which it sounds like you have.
I think I have about $1300.

or if that doesn't work you will have to make a lot of compromises.

...Like not being able to use it?
after all she can't keep all the restrictions on until you are 18.
I bet you she can.

Edit: WARNING, if you get the mb, (or any apple computer) you will feel compelled to own whatever new is coming out. this is what is known as the apple effect. avoid it's call as best you can... of course occasionally you have to indulge. but take apple's new specs with a grain of salt. operating systems, best to get them every other major upgrade. Hardware, space them out at least two years, unless there is a huge calling, (video ipod for me from my 3g ipod). always watch your money. with apple they have a way of sucking it out of you very quickly without you noticing, it is almost like crack. beware.
The beauty of this is that I'll be broke so I won't have any more money to blow on Apple stuff. (Which kind of proves this Apple effect)

[Mammoth]

I would keep the cash and gf and not get the macbook.
.....Who wouldn't? ;)

[reflex]

the only way I could get away with it is buying it without her knowing and somehow proving to her I'm responsible enough to have one. (Really crazy idea)

Seems to me you'd prove you're not responsible enough by buying it without her knowing :)

[mikes63737]

First, how old are you? That could make a huge difference.
Edit: Nevermind, I saw you were 13. I think you're old enough.

Second, it's your mom's iMac, right?? If she put restrictions on this, what's going to stop her from taking your MacBook and putting restrictions on it while you're sleeping??

Third, make sure that she knows that you'd pay 100% for it and you wouldn't need any of her money for it.

And, finally, if nothing works, and you think that you're still right in wanting a MacBook, then use the iMac as often as you can. Do all of your homework on it. Do all of your chores (and possibly extras). Just make sure that your parents know that you're doing chores to help out. Maybe then they'll realize that you're responsible enough for a MacBook. But wait until the next revision, no matter what. :)

[Play Ultimate]

I sill haven't heard what you are NOT allowed to do on the iMac. The restrictions that are in place only prevent you from installing new programs. What do you need to do that you can't do now?
(As a parent of 2 pre-teen daughters, that is the question I would want to know.)

[ImNoSuperMan]

Been there, done that. The answer? "No." She won't let me install programs "because I'll fill it up with junk" on a 250GB drive. She doesn't seem to trust me with anything, she thinks I'll break anything I set my hands on.

Wow. I cant fill a 250 GB HDD with JUNK.

Just talk to your mom. Thats the only way out. If she can restrict your access to the iMac, I bet she`ll never approve of the MB. Atleast not if you buy it without her even knowing. You know you dont really need it. You can easily get the job done with the iMac.


.. if nothing works, and you think that you're still right in wanting a MacBook, then use the iMac as often as you can. Do all of your homework on it. Do all of your chores (and possibly extras). Just make sure that your parents know that you're doing chores to help out. Maybe then they'll realize that you're responsible enough for a MacBook. But wait until the next revision, no matter what. :)

A very good idea IMO. Might take some time but will definitely work.


My boss told me of his job as a software salesman to big corporations. the first 99 times you will get a no, but the next time the yes will come. so don't look down at failures, think of them as a step closer to that yes. each time you get a no, you will learn new "persuasive" techniques. or if that doesn't work you will have to make a lot of compromises.


Keep trying. thats the only way to succeed.

Just make sure you dont buy the MB on your parents back.

[notjustjay]

You then hide the bill and never use it in front of the parents??? Doesn't sound like a great plan to me.

I tried that, when I got my first laptop :) I was just starting my first full time job after graduating from university, and still living at home at that point. Of course it wasn't a parental permission thing, but I thought I'd just not say anything about it and see how long it would take for someone to notice.

... It took not even a day. The following day after I placed the order from work, I got home and my mother said I had a message on the answering machine. "Hello, this is Dell Canada calling to confirm your purchase ...." :o

As for Mammoth, I know how you feel. When I first started working and suddenly had disposable income, I felt like I "just had to have" everything. That Dell laptop was just the first drop in the bucket. When 2 years later I got laid off from that job, I found myself having to sell off all my toys... and by then I had gone through 3 laptops, 3 camcorders, 3 digital cameras, 2 tablet PC's, 3 different PDA's, a box of home automation gear, 2 older Macs, .... I've since learned to be more realistic about what I buy, as tempting as some of those toys are. You really need to learn to step back and REALLY think about whether you REALLY need something. There will always be new toys.

I teach and mentor young guys your age, but feel free to ignore me. :) However, based on what I read in this thread, I think your best option to "proving yourself" is to NOT keep asking. Drop the subject for a while (by this I mean months, not just days..) Use the iMac. If you really want to make a statement about your lack of admin privileges, then find a number of legitimate things to do with the iMac, then ask (politely) for your mom to enter her admin password whenever she needs to. Don't hint, don't nudge, don't say it in an annoyed tone of voice, just ask her to come and enter her password, politely and casually, each and every time. This is the bed she made, so she gets to sleep in it. :)

You can find software to help you with school, or take up a hobby (buy a GPS unit and start geocaching, or learn guitar or piano). Get some good software or tools to support the interest. Do NOT fill up the hard drive with junk. And get your software legally. Your mom will see, over the coming months, that you are excited about using your iMac for enriching and educational purposes (and willing to spend money for good software or tools).

You're counting on her soon tiring of always entering her admin password. DON'T ASK OR HINT... not immediately... let her get the message. She will. If she feels you are ready for an admin account, she may bring it up, or you could casually ask about it at some point, months down the road.

Demonstrating you are responsible enough for your own admin account on your iMac is a first step toward being responsible enough to own your own computer. At the same time you are also demonstrating your maturity in being able to set long-term goals and being willing to work with your mom's restrictions (and eventually compromise with her when she feels you are ready) without pestering her and being annoying ;)

However, you do have to look at things from her perspective too. I really think parents do need to know what their kids are doing on their computers, especially online. This may just be her way of keeping tabs on you and seeing what you're up to. The best way to counter that, I think, is not to make it an "us versus them" thing, but involve her in a positive way. Be very open about what you do, what files you're creating, who you're talking to. "Mom, come check this out!" and so on.

If you can learn to be very open and non-confrontational about your use of the iMac, this is the best way to prove to her that you are mature, trustworthy, and capable of doing more than she's currently letting you do.

Besides, if you wait a few more months, something even better than a MacBook is sure to come soon. :)

[Glen Quagmire]

Agh, I asked my mom again, saying things like "What will it take?" and "What do I have to to?". And all she could say was "No". I HATE HER. She doesn't let me do anything with my money and it's starting to get to my head.:mad: :mad:

Comments like that only serve to show that your mom was right and that you aren't mature or responsible enough to buy your own computer.

You hate her? You want to smack her up? Because she won't let you spend your money as you want? On a computer? Grow up.

Presumably if you buy your MacBook and it gets stolen, you'd be expecting your mom to claim on her insurance and buy you a new one?

[hyperpasta]

Comments like that only serve to show that your mom was right and that you aren't mature or responsible enough to buy your own computer.

You hate her? You want to smack her up? Because she won't let you spend your money as you want? On a computer? Grow up.

Presumably if you buy your MacBook and it gets stolen, you'd be expecting your mom to claim on her insurance and buy you a new one?

You were obviously never a kid. :p

[Mammoth]

If she put restrictions on this, what's going to stop her from taking your MacBook and putting restrictions on it while you're sleeping??

....a password? Edit: ...and a good lock.

Third, make sure that she knows that you'd pay 100% for it and you wouldn't need any of her money for it.
Done.
But wait until the next revision, no matter what. :)
I don't think I have a choice.
Comments like that only serve to show that your mom was right and that you aren't mature or responsible enough to buy your own computer.

You hate her? You want to smack her up? Because she won't let you spend your money as you want? On a computer? Grow up.

Presumably if you buy your MacBook and it gets stolen, you'd be expecting your mom to claim on her insurance and buy you a new one?
Hah, were you ever the wonderful age of....13?

[JurgenWigg]

Look, why do you really need this computer at this stage in your life? As you said earlier in this thread, spending all of your cash is a big deal, no matter what age you are.

Your Mom probably doesn't see why you need this laptop, and saying that you'll blow all your money to pay for it 100% doesn't help her think that you're managing your money well. Parents want their kids to be frugal with their money, not be big spenders, and so with the knowledge that you'll be broke following the purchase, this isn't proving that you're responsible with money.

Again, I ask why do you need your own laptop at this point in time that your mom's iMac won't suffice? If you have a genuine need for it, show her that need, but if you just want it I'm afraid you're going to be out of luck.