Mac Book Pro Core 2 Duo VS. Dell, HP other Laptops

[whateverandever]

Anyway my point is that there is NO WAY of avoiding this software unless your computer usage is very minimal (which I'm assuming yours is, as you are defending that point). You will get spyware very easily, P2P networks will often get you viruses or spyware (I know because I USE them) and even firefox won't protect you from all spyware. Any PC running spybot will most likely get several hundred hits of spyware and adware on their PC.

Did you read my post?

In my 12+ years of heavy computer usage...

Good job.

And yes, doing questionable things on your computer is bound to result in spyware and viruses. So don't do it. It's that easy. Or you can just be smart about what you acquire and still won't have a problem (I never have).

 

[whateverandever]

Give you a break? Let me ask you something... what do you think the percentage of people who use PC's have problems with spyware and viruses? I mean, I know we're not all as gifted as you, but I have to believe it's pretty high, otherwise why would Symantec and McAfee be in that market?

FUD. Look it up.

As for iWork or Office, yes, you do have to buy those on either machine. I never once said anything about that... I was referring to ilife... the ability to easily and seamlessly make movies, songs and incorporate your memories with apps that recognize each other, and work together not compete with each other.

iLife is NOT "productivity" software. That term would fall under the office suites (and things such as TurboTax and MS Money). iLife is novelty software. It's not something you need, it's just fun to have every once in a while.

 

[zap2]

You *really* shouldn't come here asking the forum members here to judge fairly an Apple computer against anything else. They'll put the spin on it (as they have above, already) that Apple is not a premium system, and that it is a good value.

Well, it's not. Simply put... you're paying for a beautifully designed system that is quite capable (and if it's a selling point for you) runs OS X without problems.

Though people will configure their Dells and it will come out to high prices, they leave out the fact that you can apply 25% off coupons at Dell along with several other offers that get the price down dramatically lower.

Just last week Dell had a killer deal on an E1505. 2Ghz C2D (admittedly, lower than the MBP), 2GB of RAM, 1680x1050 display, 160GB HD, 8x DVD Burner, ATI X1400 (yes, lower than the MBP), extended life battery, and Windows Vista... now the real kicker: it came with a 24" desktop LCD as well. And how much did this cost? $1465.

So you had a machine that outspecs the lower MBP in ram, display, hard drive space, and (probably) battery life... and a 24" LCD ($600 value).

But that's at the cost of having a bulky, unattractive laptop. Some people don't mind that, some people do. Honestly, I don't think I'd be happy with anything less than a MacBook or MBP now that I've owned my MBP for quite some time... but man, that Dell deal was EXTREMELY tempting, haha.

Apple + deals = oxymoron.

Apple is a deal....find me a system with the SAME specs(not almost the same, but the same) as a Mac Pro? Oh wait, can't do it?


As for iMac. Mac Mini and MacBook and MacBook Pro, find me a system just like it(laptop, super tiny desktop or all in one) w/ same specs for a better price. Don't forget the built in Camera!
It might be possible for the MacBook...I doubt you'll find a PC w/ the same specs as the Mini

And if you do, then we'll compare the software.

 

[zap2]

And yes, doing questionable things on your computer is bound to result in spyware and viruses. So don't do it. It's that easy. Or you can just be smart about what you acquire and still won't have a problem (I never have).

1) There was a test a while ago, something like 12 mins on the internet, just surfing around, and they had a virues(I'd imagine it was an average)

2) I don't want to think about were I can and can't go. I want to be able to download apps and not worry about a virues. Not to mention there are virues that infect system while your doing work. To say they all are from p0rn use and fileshare isn't true

 

[ChrisA]

....how the 15" 2.16GHz Macbook Pro compares to other laptops

The Macbook/Macbook Pro will run Mac OS X. The others will not run Mac OS X. End of comparison. Who cares about how many bits per second per megabyte per dollar or how thin the notebook is if it can't run the OS you want the thing is useless as a brick.

So here is how you decide: Figure out what programs you need to run then buy the OS that runs those programs best, then buy the hardware that runs that OS best.

(I happen to be writing this on an HP, dual Xeon system running Linux because that's what I need right now to support my software development. But I use a Mac for Vide and still image editing and iTunes)

The software should always come before the other decisions not the other way around.

 

[synth3tik]

You should also show him the difference in support options, Dell or HP you would have to get a third party warranty (which are scams, admitted by Best Buy) or send it in if any issues come up. Apple has the Genius Bar where most problems can be fixed on the spot. Dell might be getting a little better with their support now that Micheal Dell is back at the helm, but they still don't have a place you can go in most cities to get you computer fixed.

 

[ChrisA]

...i'm trying to do is prove to my dad that apple dosn't have their stuff like over priced

The argument to use is that Apple simply ignores the low end of the market. If you compare same specs Apple is competitive. but because there are no low-end Apple computers the average price is lower for PC.

You can have the best of both by buying a $499 notebook and installing Linux. Linux is very much like Mac OS X and it's free. So your out the door price can be $499 for a very nice system.

I tell people if you're short of cash put Linux on a low-end e-machine for $300 but if you can afford more go for the Apple computer.

Use Windows only if some one pays you enough.

 

[whateverandever]

Apple is a deal....find me a system with the SAME specs(not almost the same, but the same) as a Mac Pro? Oh wait, can't do it?

Hah, you're obviously a bit less informed than you believe you are.

Have you taken a look at any of Dell's server line-up at all? They have all the same processor configs as Apple but also offer the Quad-core Xeon line-up as well.

Oh, wait, it has to have the exact same video card... that's a tough one.

How does this prove that Apple is a deal? You're just speaking nonsense now. I admit that Apple has a unique style to their products, which is why I bought a MBP. That doesn't make it a frugal purchase. I didn't buy it because I thought it was a good deal. I bought it because I couldn't find a better looking laptop.


Oh... and in case you care to actually check... Dell's server line-up is by no means a good deal. Their normal server prices are outrageous, and the MacPro does more than well against those prices.

 

[whateverandever]

Dell might be getting a little better with their support now that Micheal Dell is back at the helm, but they still don't have a place you can go in most cities to get you computer fixed.

Dell has in-home service as an option. That's a bit better than Apple store service where you may have to drive several hours. And Dell's in-home 3 year plan usually costs around the same as AppleCare.

But still, I don't like Dell computers, so I could care less. But their service is fairly good.

 

[whateverandever]

The Macbook/Macbook Pro will run Mac OS X. The others will not run Mac OS X. End of comparison.

No. Just no. Not the end of comparison. Not correct either.

First, just because OS X is a requirement for you doesn't mean it's a requirement for everyone. I bought my MacBook Pro because it could run Windows and was stylish. I ended up loving OS X and it's all I use, but for 95% of the population, they probably don't even know what OS X is, much less label it a requirement when computer shopping.

Second, JaS and other patched OS X installs run on a fairly wide range of hardware now. Legality aside (not that breaking your Terms of Service is actually against the law), OS X does run on non-Apple hardware.

All future arguments should be "the others weren't meant to run OS X".

 

[whateverandever]

1) There was a test a while ago, something like 12 mins on the internet, just surfing around, and they had a virues(I'd imagine it was an average)

I'm guessing you mean this article. Sure enough, its a report by someone who sells security software. Ahhh, reliable statistics at their best.

2) I don't want to think about were I can and can't go. I want to be able to download apps and not worry about a virues. Not to mention there are virues that infect system while your doing work. To say they all are from p0rn use and fileshare isn't true

... Do you think you can just download whatever apps you want on Mac OS and they'll be safe as well? Not to mention you render your argument useless by saying you want to download whatever you want. You just switched operating systems and got rid of all the programs you would have been interested in downloading. Brilliant. And I have no idea what kind of viruses infect your system magically while typing up a letter in MS Word, if that's what you're trying to convey.

 

[other]

I just read about a person who wasn't happy with the screen he had in his Dell laptop. So he called them up and they sent him a new screen (he asked to replace it by himself since it would be quicker). I thought that was pretty impressive. He got the screen model he asked for. Have Apple done the same when it comes to people who are unhappy with their MBP screens?

Then again, I wouldn't buy a Dell. From the ones I've used, their keyboards suck, and who would want a laptop with a bad keyboard?

 

[mgargan1]

FUD. Look it up.



iLife is NOT "productivity" software. That term would fall under the office suites (and things such as TurboTax and MS Money). iLife is novelty software. It's not something you need, it's just fun to have every once in a while.

Yes, i know what Fear Uncertainty and Doubt is, and I do agree with you that if one uses his or her computer with intelligence (ie. not going to porn sites, not using p2p sites, not going to stupid gaming websites...), that he or she regularly updates his or her computer (windows updates), then he or she should be fine. In fact, I don't have virus protection on both my pc's. I feel that it's cumbersome software that takes CPU cycles...

However, the OP stated that he needed to give reasons why the mac would be fiscally comparable to a windows machine... I was giving him a reason.

You're absolutely right about iLife not being "productivity" software. I mean, lets face it, when you're dealing with editing photo's in iPhoto, playing in photobooth (which technically isn't iLife), listening to iTunes (which you can have in Windows), or editing a movie in iMovie, you're not being productive... unless that is to say that you purchased a machine to edit photo's, have fun, easily manage your songs, or edit movies...

My point is, a lot of people like to do the things that iLife lets them. Do the need it? Maybe not, probably not all of us... but iLife has offered people a chance to do things that we normally would not. And it allows them to do it easily...

I'm really not trying to argue with you, and it seems that you've gotten very defensive. I was just trying to help out the OP.

 

[iW00t]

Apple is a deal....find me a system with the SAME specs(not almost the same, but the same) as a Mac Pro? Oh wait, can't do it?


As for iMac. Mac Mini and MacBook and MacBook Pro, find me a system just like it(laptop, super tiny desktop or all in one) w/ same specs for a better price. Don't forget the built in Camera!
It might be possible for the MacBook...I doubt you'll find a PC w/ the same specs as the Mini

And if you do, then we'll compare the software.

That is a BS comparison.

By the same token show me a Mac that compares to *any* Dull desktop tower. Mac Mini? Nope, I don't care about the size, it has no discrete GPU. iMac? Nope, I don't care about the design, if I don't want to see the computer I'd stick my head into the sand.

The only Mac that comes close to a $500 Dell el cheapo desktop is a $2000 Mac Pro. Because I only care about the ability to chuck in a new GPU. And not having to throw my whole computer away when the backlight tubes in my monitor starts dimming in 2 years. Or have a GPU for that matter.

All Apple products are niche market products. Their market share clearly reflects that.

As for software?

Two words: Microsoft Exchange. Does Mac support that?

Another two words: Microsoft Access. How are you faring so far?

 

[iW00t]

I just read about a person who wasn't happy with the screen he had in his Dell laptop. So he called them up and they sent him a new screen (he asked to replace it by himself since it would be quicker). I thought that was pretty impressive. He got the screen model he asked for. Have Apple done the same when it comes to people who are unhappy with their MBP screens?

From my experiences and many others on these forums, fat chance in hell. Considering Apple is a much smaller company, they have a much smaller inventory on parts too. Unlike Dell which can probably sideline as a PC components distributor, Apple's inventories are limited to the few chip lines/that one size of display and resolution.

Ever wondered why the iMac and pretty much every desktop Apple sells uses notebook parts?

 

[whateverandever]

I'm really not trying to argue with you, and it seems that you've gotten very defensive. I was just trying to help out the OP.

Nah, I'm not defensive. That's just the role I play on the forums... the PC Apologist.

 

[suneohair]

Nah, I'm not defensive. That's just the role I play on the forums... the PC Apologist.

Just what we needed...

 

[deadpixels]

To the OP : get whatever you need / can afford ... just don't use windows !!!

 

[whateverandever]

Just what we needed...

Someone needs to give the other side of the story; I can't trust the rest of you to not spin everything in Apple's favor... except for iWoot

 

[applemacdude]

Someone needs to give the other side of the story; I can't trust the rest of you to not spin everything in Apple's favor... except for iWoot

wow. youre annoying.

 

[whateverandever]

wow. youre annoying.

Thank you for contributing nothing.

 

[iW00t]

Someone needs to give the other side of the story; I can't trust the rest of you to not spin everything in Apple's favor... except for iWoot

Yay! I have 1 supporter!!!11

Don't get me wrong, I like Apple too

 

[jimytheassassin]

You sure? I thought the rebates ended on 27th Jan last month.

Edit: Oh they are back again! A hint that something's up soon!

Amazon always has rolling rebates on Macs.. it's nothing new or foretelling. This is probably one of the best ways to get a new mac online, or you can try MacConnection and the like. Be mindful of rebate deadlines and time it right. Apple also has refurbs for 20% off online, and 10% off "refreshed" models in store.

Dell will win on price always with rebates, but they will never look as good or be built as nicely as a Mac. Macs main disadvantage is you can't make it cheaper by getting lesser specs and it's not as user upgradeable. Macs main advantage is OSX, quality parts, it's thin and light for a 15" laptop, and has sharp and clean design.
Example: the macs x1600 has ddr3...most others only have ddr2
Dells disadvantge is "white bumpers", and cheaper parts. Dells advantage..it's cheap. You get what you pay for.

But if you don't need OSX..then there's no reason to get a Mac

 

[other]

...quality parts...

As in the logic board that causes the computer to whine (that might be MacBooks only though) and the grainy screens?