Alright so I definitely want a new computer. I just landed a job straight out of college and I am still using my Dell Inspiron 6000 that I purchased in the summer of 2005. I mainly only use my computer to play World of Warcraft and browse the web (however I actually seem to be using my iPhone more to do that). But I want something that is going to last me a while. I am definitely leaning towards a laptop for mobility reasons, and thinking about puchasing a top of the line MacBook pro. I'm just not sure if it's worth it though. I know I say I want a laptop but for like $3000+ one could build a ridiculous desktop computer. Is the perfomance, reliability and security actually what I'd be paying for? Or are the big prices just for the name? What do you guys suggest? I also was debating an iMac as well because of it's compactness. This is such a tough decission!
Convince me to buy a Mac..
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Why do you need to spend $3000...what exactly makes you want "top of the line?" is it just for the title or are you going to be using it for serious power? Based on what you use your computer for, you don't need a top-of-the-line laptop and should be more than happy spending a little over $1000 on a 13" MBP.
waterskier2007
macrumors 68000
one thing that you have to consider about the price is that you will be paying a lot now, but the resale value of a mac stays higher much longer than a pc and studies have shown them to have much higher longevity that comparable pcs. as for what computer you want, go with a laptop. i love having a laptop because if i want to sit on the couch and play/chat/listen to music, i can. if i want to lay down before i go to sleep and chat/facebook, i can. the portability of a laptop is the best and i may never buy a desktop
rwilliams
macrumors 68040
Well, I doubt anyone will be able to convince you, but we can give you pros and cons.
First of all, I don't think the MacBook Pro is worth nearly $3000, but that doesn't mean that you won't get a great machine that you'll really enjoy and get great value for if you choose to resell it in the future. You also mentioned mobility, which would steer me away from the 17-inch MBP and more towards the 15" or 13". To me, 17-inch machines are desktop replacements, not machines that were meant to be carried around a lot.
Also, keep in mind the cost of any software that you'll have to buy in making the switch from Windows to OS X. Good luck in making your decision.
First of all, I don't think the MacBook Pro is worth nearly $3000, but that doesn't mean that you won't get a great machine that you'll really enjoy and get great value for if you choose to resell it in the future. You also mentioned mobility, which would steer me away from the 17-inch MBP and more towards the 15" or 13". To me, 17-inch machines are desktop replacements, not machines that were meant to be carried around a lot.
Also, keep in mind the cost of any software that you'll have to buy in making the switch from Windows to OS X. Good luck in making your decision.
harcosparky
macrumors 68020
For $3000 you could get an iMac and a Macbook Pro. ( albeit not top of the line models )
I have both a 24" iMac and a 15" Macbook Pro.
I am not a gamer, I use them for my work.
About 5 years ago I jumped off the Windows bandwagon over to Apple and OSX. After a year of use I was sold, I moved my family over to Mac as well.
Kids can be hell on computers, and when they had Windows boxes I was resolving a problem almost daily. It was to the point I didn't even ask what happened or how. It was easier to use System Restore and move on.
Well they have been on Macs for four years now, and during that time I have had no reason to restore or reinstall anything on their machines.
Don't know what to tell you. Are Macs more expensive then say a Dell or Gateway, if you are talking cash out of pocket yes. Are they worth the difference? In my case, most definitely.
I have both a 24" iMac and a 15" Macbook Pro.
I am not a gamer, I use them for my work.
About 5 years ago I jumped off the Windows bandwagon over to Apple and OSX. After a year of use I was sold, I moved my family over to Mac as well.
Kids can be hell on computers, and when they had Windows boxes I was resolving a problem almost daily. It was to the point I didn't even ask what happened or how. It was easier to use System Restore and move on.
Well they have been on Macs for four years now, and during that time I have had no reason to restore or reinstall anything on their machines.
Don't know what to tell you. Are Macs more expensive then say a Dell or Gateway, if you are talking cash out of pocket yes. Are they worth the difference? In my case, most definitely.
Thanks for the quick replies. I am definitey going laptop as I usually lay in bed at night with my gf playing WoW as she reads or something. I agree that the 17 inch isn't very mobile however I have been playing WoW for 4+ years on low settings with eveything turned off on a low resolution 15 inch screen. I am looking for a much better experience out of the only computer game I play. What specs would you guys suggest?
UltraNEO*
macrumors 601
Hmm.. Just finished college huh? Guess they didn't do a very good job cause your spelling sucks!!
Why not buy another PC? They're cheaper and judging from what you tell us, you don't really need a Mac. I think you just want it cause you think it'll gives you posing rights. If i were you, i'd get a dictionary first.
Tallest Skil
macrumors P6
I'd suggest reading along with her or showing more interest in her life instead of a virtual one.
Get any 17" MacBook Pro made in the last two years. You'll be able to run it on full settings.
Muncher
macrumors 65816
Well, according to this thread, you'll get decent frame-rates at mid-level settings. These are for the 9400M and 9600M. The mid/upper end iMac has an option for a 4850, which I'm sure would run WoW quite well, for a price
.I was sort of in the same position as you two years ago, when I sold my 8 month old Dell laptop for my current iMac. I have not regretted this decision once. The iMacs are great machines, and I'm sure I'll have mine for a while longer.
mikes70mustang
macrumors 68000
Get an alienware, you dont need a mac for playing fantasy games and surfing the web. Main reason being, youll drop a load on a mbp, then cry on here about how it wont run your game things on high settings.
What are you guys English teachers? I'm still getting used to typing on my iPhone and I'm still unsure of what I want to get. I love the iPhone and I'm sure I'd love a mac too. Based on the responses I may just get a different laptop that'll definitely be able to run it on max settings.
mikes70mustang
macrumors 68000
Macs are nice, you would probably really like it. But mac laptops are not gaming computers, simple as that. You have to get a mac desktop for such things.
UltraNEO*
macrumors 601
Well.. Mac ain't completely useless with games cause I play games on my Mac and it rocks!!! Then again it ain't a three grand laptop, either! It's closer to a ten grand supped up workstation with it's Octo-Core with 20Gb O'RAM, lalalala with tripple 30" displays. The only thing on there that needs upgrading is that annoying video card which only works on Windows!! Think I'll buy an GTX-295 and reflash it for Mac/PC
I just wish it's an octo-core Nehalem. Maybe if I ask santa nicely, I'll get one for crimbo.
Then again it ain't a three grand laptop, either! It's closer to a ten grand supped up workstation with it's Octo-Core with 20Gb O'RAM, lalalala with tripple 30" displays. The only thing on there that needs upgrading is that annoying video card which only works on Windows!! Think I'll buy an GTX-295 and reflash it for Mac/PC I just wish it's an octo-core Nehalem. Maybe if I ask santa nicely, I'll get one for crimbo.
Why do people bother with all these "convince me"-threads?
If you want a Mac and feel that you need it for some reason or other, buy it, if not buy a PC, what do I care? It's not like we'll all be jumping in our seats of happiness because you purchased a Mac... There are plenty of reasons to purchase a Mac on Apple's website (that's apple.com if you're not familiar with it), and there are 500 other threads with the same questions as yours.
Sorry, I couldn't hold myself...
If you want a Mac and feel that you need it for some reason or other, buy it, if not buy a PC, what do I care? It's not like we'll all be jumping in our seats of happiness because you purchased a Mac... There are plenty of reasons to purchase a Mac on Apple's website (that's apple.com if you're not familiar with it), and there are 500 other threads with the same questions as yours.
Sorry, I couldn't hold myself...
kindtampa
macrumors newbie
I'm a 15+ year windows developer. I had a 2.4ghz 2GB RAM tower, and a 1.8ghz 2 GB RAM Sony laptop.
I bought an 20" iMac to do some iPhone development.
6 months later... I bought a 13" MBP. My windows PC is turned off, and sitting in the corner. My sony laptop is occasionally turned on to pull files off of it.
I'm completely converted, and not looking back. If I need to .NET development I use VMWare & Windows 7.
I bought an 20" iMac to do some iPhone development.
6 months later... I bought a 13" MBP. My windows PC is turned off, and sitting in the corner. My sony laptop is occasionally turned on to pull files off of it.
I'm completely converted, and not looking back. If I need to .NET development I use VMWare & Windows 7.
bli625
macrumors 6502a
If you want people to "convince" you.. then do you actually need a new computer? When I know I need something, I usually just go out and buy it. No convincing involved. But that's just me.
I don't think you need a top of the line MacBook Pro for what you're going to do. Maybe get one with the 9600 for better WoW performance. ..or get the Dell.
I don't think you need a top of the line MacBook Pro for what you're going to do. Maybe get one with the 9600 for better WoW performance. ..or get the Dell.
nitewolfgtr
macrumors regular
It's all about preference. Also, are you willing to pay for quality.... I hear people all the time saying Mac is expensive compared to Windows and I agree but you're paying for quality, looks, and status. If you don't like it, go with PC. I got a Mac because I was sick and tired of PC with all the crap you needed just to do what I needed to do. Antivirus, Spyware, Firewall, Photo editing software, and what not. With Mac, it comes with practically all the softwares you ever need for a typical user. Although you still need to purchase Office or iWork...
BittenApple
macrumors 65816
The 15 inch MacBook Pro plays WoW fine. You'll love its display and the glass finishing that will make the colours pop out. Either way WoW is getting behind in the graphics department, so your MBP will take it fine. Maybe once Starcraft II is released you can push your machine.
I say go buy a Mac, you won't regret it.
I say go buy a Mac, you won't regret it.
dudeitsjay
macrumors regular
Show the studies. I lost 800 on my MBA rev B in 4 months since I bought it in March.
Perk about PCs is they can be upgraded cheaply and easily.
aleksandra.
macrumors 6502a
Same here... but then MacBook Air is a special case as it was overpriced to begin with. Look at the prices of PowerBooks (or classic MBPs) compared to PC laptops of similar age.
bli625
macrumors 6502a
Are you being sarcastic? What's wrong with playing games on a Mac?...