What about the computers below the Toshiba that cost more than it, how do you explain that?
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Apple Sweeps Consumer Reports' Laptop Recommendations
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Quality backlit keyboard, big glass multitouch trackpad, magsafe (saved my MBP at least twice), form factor, aluminum unibody and OS X come to mind. What extras like that does a PC have? I would hardly call having something like having 2 extra USB ports a luxury feature.
Yeah, both of those options would be reasonable. There's no way you're putting a 9800M-series card in, but a 9700M would put you up into that area without all the heat issues. Also, a quad-core option with lower-end graphics would be great for users with CPU-intensive apps that don't need the power drain of high-end graphics.
With so much free anti-virus software and user discretion options available (be smart where you browse on the internet!), I really don't see how viruses can be a major PC con. I put free Avira software in Boot Camp, and it was pretty hassle-free. EDIT: In my limited experience, those who get viruses on PC's don't know much about computers.
don't forget iLife suite, Magsafe, DDR3 RAM, no AV to slow your computer down and saves you money as well!
That's already worth more money than the $700 that the Dell would save you. Not to mention Dell uses the lesser quality LED display panels with the smaller view angle.
Wow. 4000 posts and no Macbook?
Took me 2 years to save up for my Macbook. Now I've had it for two years. I like it otherwise, but the GMA 950 graphics on a then $1300 computer make me mad.
Yea, all done on my toshiba lol.
Im also a forum kind of guy, i like discussions and debates, which is why Im on here so much.
Because it:
1. slows down your computer
2. all the free AV software prevents against older attacks rather than current ones. That's why you see companies like AVG offering free and paid. They are more pro-active with the paid customers. The free ones are more like a placebos because more than likely microsoft patched those holes in a security update.
Right, same here. I love forums. I've made hundreds of posts here discussing iPod touches, and yet I'm not buying one until September.
Well, to the date I have had:
1 Powerbook 150
1 Powermac 9600 200
1 beige G3 233
1 Powermac G4 500
1 Powerbook 5300c
3 Powerbook G3 500
4 12" Powerbooks
1 Quad G5 2.5: this one came DOA
1 Mac Pro dual quad core 2.5
1 17" Mac Book Pro
1 Mac Mini
All those computers from 1994 until today. Never had a mayor problem but...
Usually the 12" powerbooks broke down just after a year. And the most comom problem have been the super drive, they always broke down. The rest just die after 3 or 4 years of use. Usually there is a part that can't be found any more.
1 Powerbook 150
1 Powermac 9600 200
1 beige G3 233
1 Powermac G4 500
1 Powerbook 5300c
3 Powerbook G3 500
4 12" Powerbooks
1 Quad G5 2.5: this one came DOA
1 Mac Pro dual quad core 2.5
1 17" Mac Book Pro
1 Mac Mini
All those computers from 1994 until today. Never had a mayor problem but...
Usually the 12" powerbooks broke down just after a year. And the most comom problem have been the super drive, they always broke down. The rest just die after 3 or 4 years of use. Usually there is a part that can't be found any more.
Good work on your laptops Apple. Refurbished they're a great entry into the world of Macs.
Your desktops are a joke though.
Your desktops are a joke though.
Biased
There's no doubt that Mac users love their computers more than PC users. PC users buy a computer to use. Mac users buy a computer first to love and then to use. As a Mac user I know this first hand. Therefore we tend to forgive their "issues" a little more than PC users.
There's no doubt that Mac users love their computers more than PC users. PC users buy a computer to use. Mac users buy a computer first to love and then to use. As a Mac user I know this first hand. Therefore we tend to forgive their "issues" a little more than PC users.
There's the computer then there's the store. Apple does retail like no one else. Don't mention any sony store, or dell stand in the mall. Apple goes beyond the usual duties of a retail store with their customer service. Anytime I go in there, its packed, there are classes going on, people are being attended to throughout the store, everyone is talking, and there's 4 or 5 people in back service machines. I walk into a Sony Style and its silent, no one is there and I walk straight back to the TVs. That's a big cost factor whether you agree or not I don't really care. I like fixing things on my own, but sometimes I don't care enough to bother and when I have problems with my computer I just walk into that store and out with a solution.
Then you can go into how well the OS works with the hardware. Think beyond the processor and graphics cards, the trackpad is far beyond anyone elses. And its simple and effective unlike all the little buttons you see on some other manufactures keyboards. They pay attention to all the details right down to the feel of the power button.
I had Dell come in and recently pitch their designs and show us lots of stuff not on the market yet. It all looked fantastic. Why, because they turned focus to their Industrial designers to create better looking machines. The hardware all preforms the same, but what is selling computers is the looks. You obviously don't believe that, but even in the I bought a PC commercial they all same something about liking the way whatever computer they buy looks.
I would actually argue that of all Apple's products, Macbooks are more "worth it" than most. Attack the MBP's and you'll have an easier time, IMO. A MBP is basically a larger Macbook for $1000 extra. There's just not as much to distinguish it from the Macbook line as there could be, like quad core or high-end graphics.
Blu-ray: True and I even want it, though I wouldn't be surprised to see it in the next refresh either.
HDMI: Not a feature, I have DVI which can adapt to HDMI. Who's to say someone else won't have to adapt HDMI to DVI?
Graphics card: Not a feature, just more specs on a spec sheet.
Fingerprint scanner: Gimmick. (See I can do that too.)
My magsafe is still going fine after a a year and a half. Must be the people who don't know how to properly remove electrical plugs that are breaking them. And in any case, a new charger is way less expensive than a whole new laptop. And really, the form factor is the same? For some reason I doubt that. And multitouch being a gimmick is all opinion. I find 2 finger scrolling anywhere on the track pad much more comfortable than scrolling on the edge of the pad.
Yeah, quite obviously because they get amazingly hot and require amazingly larger (or louder) cooling systems. Furthermore, they kill your battery life once you start using them.
Same goes for quad-cores.
MBPs are neither 3D graphics workstations nor hardcore gamer machines. If you need one, you're looking at the wrong product. Buy one of these HP Elitebooks or Dell Precisions or XPSes. Starting at around 2k USD.
Heh, totally agree on this. Just helped my Dad buy a $850 refurb white Macbook for my mom. But I just cannot help anyone justify buying an Apple desktop. A mid-range user-upgradeable desktop without a built-in monitor is just begging to exist.
Some of the comments in this thread seem uninformed--the "well, MY experiences say xxxx sucks!" without considering broader data. And the Consumer Reports issue praised the Macs for things like the best battery life in category, and the lightest weight in category, little details like that: they mean nothing to someone who's using their laptop tethered to an AC cord on a desk, and they mean everything to someone who's using their laptop as a mobile computing device.
Having said all that, I too wish apple offered more options. Any security option, like the fingerprint scanner, is a great idea, and if Apple had offered those we'd be shouting the company's praise to the mountaintops. For my personal use, memory card readers would be a great asset, meaning one less accessory to have to haul around. Hell, I still want fast firewire, and a PCMCIA slot on my MB. I'd like the option to get glossy or non-gloss screens across the product line. ETC. I love my apple products, but i do see features on PCs I wish I could get on my MB or MBP. Nothing's perfect, and nothing's "best" for everyone. Fanboys--myself included--could make ourselves look smarter if we ceded that small point. Pretending otherwise has made some people on this thread look, well, sorta foolish.
I have no problems. I wouldn't say I do crazy intensive stuff. But I do build 3D models and renderings quite frequently. My MBP has handled all of Autodesks major 3D modeling software and other rendering programs with no real problems other than this thing gets hot.
It's not as fast as a MacPro, but I can carry it around.
But aren't macs supposed to be the premier choice for professional work, with photos, graphics, and video? You underestimate the usefulness and flexibility of a portable workstation.
I think an Apple laptop is a great choice if you can find the right price. The battery life is excellent on them and is rarely replicated well by other manufacturers if at all.
The WhiteBook 9400M G refurbished at US$849 is a god send and a killer deal even compared to laptops at its price point. Now if it was only that much retail.
The all-in-one is a cute concept but I've found it tough to have your display permanently afixed to your hardware. I would have loved to get iMacs for my department but my superiors are terrified at sending the entire machine back for repairs.
The Mac mini is easy to swap but very lacking for its price. There's no onsite repairs either.
Both are off
Both Apple and M$ have it wrong. M$ is talking out their a** because Windows generally stinks, and all the PCs run Windows. The other problem M$ has is many of the "affordable" laptops they praise in their commercials are low end crap. You simply can't build a 14-16" laptop for $600-800 and not have it be a piece of junk.
Now Apple on the other hand is stupid and foolish not to have 2 laptop lines - a consumer line and a pro line so they'd have 2 models of each screen size providing an 'affordable' line for consumers and a 'beefy' line for business/professionals/power-users. Apple could produce a decent 15" laptop in the $1600 range instead of the minimum entry point being $2500. Some people simply don't need the highest horsepower (CPU/GPU) or all the bells and whistles - they just need a 15" screen. If Apple would have been smart about this, there would have been nothing remotely legitimate for M$ to complain about providing no bite to the commercials.
Both companies have some issues, M$ blowing smoke, and Apple being stubborn dorks. So come on guys, get real and knock off the nonsense. Hopefully most consumers can see past the crap from both camps.
Both Apple and M$ have it wrong. M$ is talking out their a** because Windows generally stinks, and all the PCs run Windows. The other problem M$ has is many of the "affordable" laptops they praise in their commercials are low end crap. You simply can't build a 14-16" laptop for $600-800 and not have it be a piece of junk.
Now Apple on the other hand is stupid and foolish not to have 2 laptop lines - a consumer line and a pro line so they'd have 2 models of each screen size providing an 'affordable' line for consumers and a 'beefy' line for business/professionals/power-users. Apple could produce a decent 15" laptop in the $1600 range instead of the minimum entry point being $2500. Some people simply don't need the highest horsepower (CPU/GPU) or all the bells and whistles - they just need a 15" screen. If Apple would have been smart about this, there would have been nothing remotely legitimate for M$ to complain about providing no bite to the commercials.
Both companies have some issues, M$ blowing smoke, and Apple being stubborn dorks. So come on guys, get real and knock off the nonsense. Hopefully most consumers can see past the crap from both camps.