Apple putting me in a bad situation for laptops

[EricNau]

Originally Posted by barneygumble
And despite what most people think XP SP2 is a pretty good OS, i don't even have antivirus software and it is still good and no viruses.

I'll bet you have viruses, you just don't know about them yet. I heard about a study from Somewhere (I think some University) that concluded from the time a Windows computer first went onto the internet, it was an average of 18 minutes before they got thier first virus. This was of course assuming you didn't have any anti-virus software.

 

[paperinacup]

I'm in the same position. A fully loaded Dell Inspiron 6000D is looking pretty good compared to the 15" PB.

 

[EricNau]

To be honest with everyone, I HATE DELL. I haven't had one myself (so I know I'm going to get a lot of comments back about this), but fact is I've heard too many bad stories about them. Besides, you get what you pay for!

 

[barneygumble]

I'll bet you have viruses, you just don't know about them yet. I heard about a study from Somewhere (I think some University) that concluded from the time a Windows computer first went onto the internet, it was an average of 18 minutes before they got thier first virus. This was of course assuming you didn't have any anti-virus software.

Nope regular virus scans, nada, zip, zilch, zero, 0

 

[EricNau]

Originally posted by barneygumble
Nope regular virus scans, nada, zip, zilch, zero, 0

How do you scan for viruses without Anit-Virus software?

 

[generik]

Another person that doesn't know how important OS X is.

I would spend 3,000 on a laptop to get OS X then get a FREE top of the line Dell laptop. No way in hell am i going to use Windows. You can't even give me it.

Easy for you to say, I do not see you spending 3000 on anyone of the equipment listed in your sig either...

 

[widgetguy]

I'll bet you have viruses, you just don't know about them yet. I heard about a study from Somewhere (I think some University) that concluded from the time a Windows computer first went onto the internet, it was an average of 18 minutes before they got thier first virus. This was of course assuming you didn't have any anti-virus software.

lol thast the trusth for real, DON'T GET THE DELL IS BFI TRASH. YOU WILL BE VERY VEYR DISAPPOINTED. Somthing I notice a lot about dell is they advertise the big machines and high speeds and that is the bfi of the food change thaose machines still run like p3 's thats whast so crazy to me DELL IS hHUGE WASTE OF MONEY ANY OF THEM

 

[NicP]

To be honest with everyone, I HATE DELL. I haven't had one myself (so I know I'm going to get a lot of comments back about this), but fact is I've heard too many bad stories about them. Besides, you get what you pay for!

i'm reading this on a dell, running ubuntu linux. My family owns 5 dell computers and the only one that has problems is my younger brothers (but thats his fault his ipod is also stuffed as well as most things he owns).

I have no problem with dell, all their stuff ive owned has been reliable, but i never go for the cheap sh*t! and their support has been great, next business day on site repairs!

Having said that i hate Microsoft and their crappy products!

 

[Bern]

I still don't understand why people compare Apple ppc with PC Intel.

If you want a Dell then get one, frankly you couldn't pay me to get a windows machine. Regardless of what some people may claim you will get viruses and you will get spyware on your Dell. Windows is a clanky outdated system, heck MS Windows is screwed or rather "broken" as far as Jim Allchin is concerned. Did you not read the news ?

People talk about Powerbooks being outdated, take a read of that article.

 

[barneygumble]

How do you scan for viruses without Anit-Virus software?

There are other methods

 

[mcadam]

At mys chool, of architecture, lots of people got dells. Some of them has been really happy about their machines, which have been working without any trouble for years. And others have been drowning in problems. I guess it can go both ways.

What is certain though, is that they weigh a ton compared to the similar Macs. I'm sure that's one of the reasons they are cheap - they just make a big box of plastic and throw everything in there... and I guarantee you that that plastic box is more likely to break than your iBook or Pb.

A

 

[chaosbunny]

I'm in the same position. A fully loaded Dell Inspiron 6000D is looking pretty good compared to the 15" PB.

hm, maybe the specs are looking good. but standing around next to each other the pb just looks soooo much more elegant.

 

[matthew24]

Windows 'Quality'

For those people who think XP is a good (enough) OS:

Microsoft Windows Officially Broken

 

[javiercr]

if you want to buy a cheap computer buy a cheap computer...

 

[lasuther]

Just to clarify things a bit, I do have a Mac already. My iBook is great. I just need a powerful computer to run specific programs. The iBook doesn’t play World of Warcraft very well. Auction House is laggy, and when I get 15 players going in Battle Grounds, it gets real choppy.

After using a laptop, I can’t go back to desktops. I do most of my computing on the couch, bed, and upstairs in my game room. Hauling an iMac to all those places isn’t a good option, but a nice 17” laptop is perfect. It has a big screen but is also portable enough to carry through out the house and on trips.

A 17” PowerBook is just what I need. My problem with it is the price. I understand for the most part Apple can’t do any better with the hardware. The graphics card and processor isn’t going to get any better. So if Apple is going to make midrange computers, why are they charging top dollar? I think the iBooks are very competitive and a great deal. That’s why I own one. They do need standard 5400 RPM drives though. A $400 dell laptop has 5400 RPM hard drives standard. In the last two years the iBook hasn’t seen a big enough improvement for me to spend another $1000.

There all small things Apple can do to the PowerBooks. Apple should have 7200 RPM hard drives standard on all PowerBooks. Also, the top PowerBooks should have 1 Gig of Ram standard. 512MB just isn’t enough for a professional Apple machine. Even with that, the hardware just can’t compare to other manufactures.

If Apple can’t deliver a top of the line laptop, I think they need to stop charging top dollar. Today I can buy a 17” Dell for $1056 with a 7200RPM hard drive, over 3 times the Front Side Bus, 4 times the Cache, and a 256MB GeForce Go 6800 graphics card. And I would still buy the inferior 17” PowerBook at a price point of $2000. That is how much I love OSX. I would spend an extra $1000 for a computer that is clearly weaker just for the operating system. But Apple wants me to spend almost $2000 more. For what??? I can get OSX in an iBook, and I did. All I’m looking for is a powerful computer to run specific programs. While a $3000 PowerBook will do the job, a $1050 Dell will do the job better. That is just too much of a price difference for me to ignore.

I expect to pay a premium for Apples, and I will gladly do so. I just think the entire PowerBook line is way off base in pricing. Apple needs to bump up the hardware they can control like hard drives and RAM, and low the price a bit. Just my opinion.

lasuther

 

[lasuther]

if you want to buy a cheap computer buy a cheap computer...

I'm not looking for a cheap computer, I'm looking for a powerful one.

 

[Verto]

I would check out Toshiba laptops, instead of Dells: great quality, great reputation. If you want to stick to OS X, get an iBook or just hold off for the day the PowerBook's receive an upgrade to make them worthy of the price tag.

And again, Toshiba over Dell! Great laptops, generally ranked 2nd only to IBM.

 

[wongulous]

Well, just because your company gives you $900+ in discounts on Dells doesn't make Dells a better value. Plus, you're buying the top of the line PowerBook--of course it's at a premium. Dell is not a "premium" brand. Besides, you could knock $400 off the price by getting the RAM on the side and installing it (easily) yourself. Then, there's the value of having a design marvel, the PowerBook G4, with the world's most elegantly designed operating system, versus a cheapy plastic ugly Dell with ****** WinXP.

You could buy a refurb PB 12" right now for $1299 or an iBook for as low as $699-1099. iMac G5s are as low as $999 refurb, with a 20" for $1349. Or you could buy a ****** laptop and give it to the missus and keep your iBook and keep saving until you can afford a nice 12-15-17" PB.

Anyway, I hope it's working out well for you.

 

[zap2]

juts get the Apple OSX its that simple if i had XP laptop i would seller off for a Mac

 

[Peter Griffin]

Dude, you should get the Dell...

But seriously, that's a killer deal even if you have to run it on XP. In my humble opinion, XP isn't all that dreadful if you exercise a bit of common sense and browse w/ FF over IE, run spyware programs, etc. Ofcourse you'll be missing out on OSX, but you save 2k. The equivalent of that in the Mac world is the stock iBook.

 

[Peter Griffin]

For those people who think XP is a good (enough) OS:

Microsoft Windows Officially Broken

WINFS sounds a lot like Spotlight

 

[Deepdale]

So if Apple is going to make midrange computers, why are they charging top dollar ... If Apple can’t deliver a top of the line laptop, I think they need to stop charging top dollar. ... But Apple wants me to spend almost $2000 more. For what??? I can get OSX in an iBook, and I did. lasuther

Very good points in your post. Apple charges what they do for their so-called professional lines because their small but ultraloyal base of followers allows them to.

Are they in desperate need of a reality check? Yes.
Will it happen anytime soon? Doubtful.
Will loyalists snap up anything with Apple on it? Sure.

 

[MrSugar]

I never understood why people compared Apple's laptops to anything, the fact is, there is no comparison to be made.

People talk about how great of a deal some HP or Dell is and how they are going to save so much money. The sad thing is, in a few months they will be carrying around a huge plastic notebook computer. It will be thick, clunky, and frustrating to use. It won't be as portable, it won't run OS X, and it won't feel good to use.

When I sit down and use my powerbook I enjoy the experience, it feels good. The OS runs perfect, the computer acts perfect, and I stay happy.

I have used well over a hundred PC laptops, and the only ones that come close to Apple's are the IBM Thinkpads. Oh but wait, those are more expensive than Apple's laptops... so much for that idea.

No laptop on the market can match the size, portability, sleekness, and comfort of a powerbook.

Some laptops may be powerful, some may be low cost, and some may look good, but no single one has it all.

The only choice for a perfect all around laptop computer is Apple. If you think different, spend the money on a Dell and suffer. I have never known anyone who bought an Apple laptop to ever regret their decision. There is just no other way to put it.

 

[DJMad]

if you were playing WOW on an old iBook then why do you think you need a 17" PB to play it now?

He just made it to lvl 60 and is now running MC, BWL, and ZG. I had no problems with WoW till I started running the larger instances. With my 1ghz tibook with 1gig ram, I am happy to get 5fps in any 40 person raid.

But then again I play a pally, so a drop in frame rate can really screw up my shield hearth.

 

[ohcrap]

I have never known anyone who bought an Apple laptop to ever regret their decision. There is just no other way to put it.

That's really the bottom line, and the point that anyone who thinks us "loyalists" need a reality check should take into consideration.