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A little disappointed I didn't buy a MBP, but will I be alright?

To the OP. I'm going to sound like my dad here, but here goes anyway:

You're in college. Focus on your studies. Your HP will see you through and can do everything a Mac as far as studies go. Get a good antivirus, backup regularly and avoid installing/uninstalling software all the time. The HP will see you through.

When you graduate with good grades, and get a good job, go buy that top of the line MacBook Pro. It will feel so good to have worked for it and bought it on your own.
 
I don't understand the point of this thread. The OP should TRY and sell his compouter at a higher price, and TRY to contact the manager of the retail store and explain his situation and see if they'll take back the computer with a restocking fee...
 
I'm in the similar situation that I'm starting University in September (in the UK, where prices are freakin' high right now). However I've had my HP for about 8 months or so now, but that still isn't putting me off buying a Macbook Pro. My HP does everything that I'd ever need it to, spec and software-wise.

But I can't escape how decent OSX (plus Snow Leopard) looks and how much re-vitalizing a new OS would be just before a pretty major change in lifestyle. The Educational discount, iPod and printer rebates just sweeten the deal really, and urge me to spend that £1400 that it's going to cost to kit me out for the next 3 years.

I'll still use my HP, it's always handy to have a back-up, but I just see a Mac fitting in a lot better with what my life is going to be like in 2 or so months.

I was the stereotypical 'PC Lover' who would sit around and cuss about Mac's to anyone that'd listen, but now I'm spending the most money I've ever had on one :D
 
I was in the OP's position this time last year. I wanted a Mac. End result: got an HP. Not even a year later, things got bad for me, but at the beginning everything was all good. Now the system slows to a crawl, the hardware build quality is horrible, and the battery life sucks. Not that I shoulda got a Mac necessarily, but I think I would have come out better. But now, regardless, I need a new laptop and its 9/10 gonna be a 13" Macbook Pro
 
I had a web design class where everyone needed a laptop. All but one person had Macs (wasn't me) :D
I go to a slightly more expensive school and many people (not myself, sadly) have money to spend on anything, so a large percentage of people have Macs. Really the only people who have PCs are people who hate Macs (usually because of Mac addicts, my roommate is a prime example, but I'll convert him back) or people who only look at hardware specs (these are the same people who think more MP in a camera is better).
There is no doubt that everyone wants a Mac. The problem lies where people don't think they can afford the computer and they don't factor in the ongoing costs of a Windows PC.
I'm not a hardcore Mac addict (in fact, I'm typing this post from a Windows machine), but I want to convert as many users to Macs as possible to give Microsoft a slap in the face. Microsoft is a monopoly that is based off mediocrity and is stifling innovation. They have some absolutely AMAZING working concept products coming from their R&D department, but none of them will ever see the light of day because what already exists is "good enough". I hope that Microsoft will someday change to the innovation approach instead of the copying approach they have today. I hate Windows and there are already hundreds of alternatives from Microsoft's R&D alone, but they could care less about the consumer.
 
...

I had a Toshiba (Tablet M7, high end) and a Dell Studio 15. Trust me, the MBP 13 is way better.
 
gpatrick15 said:
I was in the OP's position this time last year. I wanted a Mac. End result: got an HP. Not even a year later, things got bad for me, but at the beginning everything was all good. Now the system slows to a crawl, the hardware build quality is horrible, and the battery life sucks. Not that I shoulda got a Mac necessarily, but I think I would have come out better. But now, regardless, I need a new laptop and its 9/10 gonna be a 13" Macbook Pro
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Hmm, so after a year in college, you're going to buy a new notebook? That seems kinda crazy, if hardware is really poor...
 
Ryuukumori said:
I've decided to keep my HP until it begins to bog down, then I'm not hesitating whatsoever and getting a Mac notebook! I hope by then USB 3.0 will be common, since that is something I think many people are looking forward to. Plus, SSD drives will become much more cost-effective, and quite possibly standard in the notebook lines 2 years down the road.

As a self-assuring thought, having a PC for the first few years is a smart move. I can really test how this thing can handle the elements of everyday use in a busy environment. It's like getting driving experience with a cheap car from Craigslist, then with more time behind the wheel, buying a newer car can be safer.
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The specs on your PC sound just fine and you made a good decision. These are just computers, and remember they are not part of your identity. Having a mac doesn't express or create any positive personality traits. Focus on your classes and good luck.
 
Poor you, being "stuck" with a PC. There's nothing in OSX or Apple's hardware that will make you more productive. If you don't have the money, don't get it. No wonder we're in an economic crisis. :rolleyes:
 
I was in the exact same position a couple months ago and was considering that same HP. When you factor in the free iPod touch and printer that I sold on craigslist, the 13" MBP was actually cheaper!:eek:

Very happy with my choice but the HP has its benefits too, like HDMI.
 
To answer the question no, you won't be alright. You can't get any homework done on a PC and probably won't be able to sleep at night. All they are good for is gaming and boring spread sheets. :p

But really, I probably wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Try to get at least 2 years out of your PC and then buy a Mac.
 
To answer your question, HP will be fine. I just passed throught college with a ThinkPad, telling myself everyday that I wish I had a macbook. Still my thinkpad did the job, and didn't cost me 1500$ for crap hardware :), just 800 for super crap OS :)
 
MacMini2009 said:
I think a lot of people have buyers remorse. When I got my Mac Mini, I loved it. After reading these forums, I kept thinking to myself, "Why didn't I get the 2.26GHz Mac Mini," "Why didn't I just get an iMac," and "Why didn't I get a Macbook Pro." Reading the Macrumors forums made feel like I had a slow computer because of many people purchasing faster computers than me. I actually almost returned my Mac Mini but I kept it. Now I still love my Mac Mini and I will never sell it. I'm just happy I got a computer.

Its up to you if you want to sell your HP. If you absolutely want the Macbook Pro, then by no means get it.
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You and me both brother. I'm addicted to forums, but I'm convinced it has caused me to have cognitive dissonance all almost all of my tech purchases. My name is Rick and I have a problem. :D


As far as the OP. Your HP will be fine. Enjoy it and you can always get a Mac down the road - say after me: "I'm a PC and I'm okay with that."
 
should have bought used. thats what I do and I get practically new hardware that I trust for a fraction of the price
 
m1stake said:
Poor you, being "stuck" with a PC. There's nothing in OSX or Apple's hardware that will make you more productive. If you don't have the money, don't get it. No wonder we're in an economic crisis. :rolleyes:
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No. Maybe not. But for me, there were a ton of things in windows that made me LESS productive. Maybe I was just unlucky with microsoft for...my entire life...but I cannot seriously remember the last time I used a windows based computer for more than aprox. 30 minutes without at least one issue.

Fast forward to 2008, my brother got an old iBook G3 that was broken as a project because he really needed a hobby, and my eyes were opened to the world of macs. I sold my Toshiba and inherited the iBook, and I have never looked back.

barkomatic said:
These are just computers, and remember they are not part of your identity. Having a mac doesn't express or create any positive personality traits.
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I'm an architecture student, and as I've learned from my first year of college, architects are very strange people. In my world, you are defined by your tools. Having better equipment to draw with or better computers make people have more faith in you as an architect. When my professor found out I had a mac, he congratulated me on making a good decision. PCs may be good for some, but I have entered a world full of vain, shallow people and having a mac makes them like me more than the fool next to me using a pc.
 
Ryuukumori said:
Hmm, so after a year in college, you're going to buy a new notebook? That seems kinda crazy, if hardware is really poor...
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Only because the HP i got last year (after my 1st year was up anyway) is crapping out. Otherwise I'd keep it. But the battery life and cracked screen hinge make it hard to bring along to school for now. HP wants $298 to fix the screen. No go
 
rkdiddy said:
You and me both brother. I'm addicted to forums, but I'm convinced it has caused me to have cognitive dissonance all almost all of my tech purchases. My name is Rick and I have a problem. :D


As far as the OP. Your HP will be fine. Enjoy it and you can always get a Mac down the road - say after me: "I'm a PC and I'm okay with that."
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Since reading the Macrumors forums, I keep questioning myself why didn't I get the better/faster/bigger version than the one I got when I purchase my tech. I don't why, maybe its jealousy because of others here. Lol. :D
 
Everyone here has contributed well in each own's perspective. I am impressed by the amount of fair-giving advice here, rather than an overload of biased PC-hatred comments. This is what the world should be more about!

Anyways, as this thread has developed into an ongoing discussion of college advice when computers are the concern, the software/OS are the big selling points. What about the MacBook/Pro hardware? I really want to know if it is able to tackle the elements as good or better than my HP dv3t.
 
Well, they are made of aluminum, which looks sexy, but can dent and bend fairly easily if you aren't careful with your MBP. That being said, build quality is phenomenal; you get what you pay for. As for your HP, do a clean reinstall of Windows. That should get it back on its feet. Also max it out with RAM if you haven't already.
 
mike1123 said:
Well, they are made of aluminum, which looks sexy, but can dent and bend fairly easily if you aren't careful with your MBP. That being said, build quality is phenomenal; you get what you pay for. As for your HP, do a clean reinstall of Windows. That should get it back on its feet. Also max it out with RAM if you haven't already.
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Personally I rather have my computer dent then have plastic crack which I think is a lot easier on other computers but I have never stressed a laptop so I'm not sure. I think the biggest concern of mine would be having the glass screen crack on my MBP, while probably pretty unlikely, it is a possibility.
While I handle my MBP with loads of care as it was kind expensive for me and looks like a piece of art, it really is built tough, especially when closed. There really are no extra parts hanging around waiting to get broken off. It's like literally a slab of aluminum.
 
if you guys are concerned with windows growing to a crawl, another option is to keep the HP and install Ubuntu/Linux on the HP and ditch windows. I'm dual booting my Mac with Ubuntu and I love both.

Whatever you choose, I can't emphasize enough the benefits of splurging on your computer, regardless of what you prefer. If you think about it, a computer is something you use every day, even more than a car. An extra $300 is worth it if your computer is beautiful enough to be in industrial design museums!:apple::apple::apple:
 
I had a HP laptop when during my first and second year of college. warranty replaced the battery once, the laptop once, and once i was out of warranty, it died on me. all in all, it was a POS. i replaced it with a dell xps, which is a pretty awesome laptop.

i say sell the hp... it's full of headaches and replace it with another pc or a mac!
 
Check prices on Fleabay and see if it's an economical choice to sell and upgrade to a MBP...
 
Sell it on eBay and then buy a MBP on eBay. You can get much better deals on new MBP's on eBay with AppleCare. Buy from the companies with good feedback. I bought my MBP on eBay for $1650 in Jan. 2008...retail was $2000+ tax. Take a look.
 
My god, HP and Apple have the best build quality in the industry. Anyone that can't use Windows for more than 30 minutes without an issue is most likely making a huge exaggeration (My MBP locks up more often than my vista rig, about once a week vs once every few months), or is incompetent.

Stick with the computer, if you're doing a work study job you'll be able to buy another in six months anyway.
 
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