Hi everyone. I'm about to get a new laptop this month and for the first time in 11 years, I am actively considering something other than a ThinkPad. I thought about getting HP's new EliteBook 8740w, in large part due to its (still unconfirmed) 10-bit IPS DreamColor display, but when HP announced its availability in March, they literally couldn't deliver. Same story in May, and when they finally took orders for it in late June, the shipping ETA is now July/early August. What a joke.
For this and other reasons, I am seriously considering a MacBook Pro, specifically the 17" WUXGA model. Personally, I have always liked Windows but I've long been intrigued by Mac OS X. Apple has seen a resurgence of the Mac in recent years, and while it continues to be wildly popular amongst the growing number of loyal Mac enthusiasts, statistical information shows that a full 50% are actually new to the Mac, and therefore new to OS X as well. I've done a little bit of research but I always run into these so-called "fanboys" (what about the girls?) of both Mac and Windows alike, whose apparent and unhelpful hatred of the "opposing platform" gets in the way of any meaningful insight.
With that out of the way, according to several articles I've read, the Mac OS is often times a significant reason for some people to switch to the Mac and stay with the Mac. At the same time, a dislike of Windows operating systems is sometimes a reason for a quite a few people to switch to the Mac as well. Are there any people who switched to the Mac and were disappointed and came back to Windows? I thought you could run Windows on any Intel-based Mac anyway, so why do some people switch back? Then there are those who suggest that OS X is sometimes quite a bit faster and significantly more robust than Windows. Really? Please elaborate. Yet others claim that Microsoft still keeps copying OS X for its own Windows OS, and that OS X is truly better?
I'd really love to hear as to why some people consider Mac OS X superior when compared to Windows 7.
Finally, what about Apple's hardware configurations these days? Compared to five years ago, have they have come down in price a little as far as bang-for-your-buck is concerned? Do you think you're getting your money's worth?
When the 17" model was refreshed last year, Apple said that it had improved that specific model's display with supposedly much improved viewing angles, better black levels as well as a higher color gamut. Has anyone noticed an improvement of the display in the 17" model from two refreshes ago? How reliable are the MBP's and its components? Do they break down a lot? I know I can't remove the battery but that's not a problem for me at all. Will I be able to add my own RAM and swap out the hard drive? I'd like to be able to install my already purchased Intel Solid State drive, for example.
I could really use some help with deciding as to what notebook would best suit me, so I'd love to hear some real stories and some solid information, particularly because if I go with a MacBook Pro, I'll be getting into a different and unfamiliar operating system.
I thank you in advance for your advice.
For this and other reasons, I am seriously considering a MacBook Pro, specifically the 17" WUXGA model. Personally, I have always liked Windows but I've long been intrigued by Mac OS X. Apple has seen a resurgence of the Mac in recent years, and while it continues to be wildly popular amongst the growing number of loyal Mac enthusiasts, statistical information shows that a full 50% are actually new to the Mac, and therefore new to OS X as well. I've done a little bit of research but I always run into these so-called "fanboys" (what about the girls?) of both Mac and Windows alike, whose apparent and unhelpful hatred of the "opposing platform" gets in the way of any meaningful insight.
With that out of the way, according to several articles I've read, the Mac OS is often times a significant reason for some people to switch to the Mac and stay with the Mac. At the same time, a dislike of Windows operating systems is sometimes a reason for a quite a few people to switch to the Mac as well. Are there any people who switched to the Mac and were disappointed and came back to Windows? I thought you could run Windows on any Intel-based Mac anyway, so why do some people switch back? Then there are those who suggest that OS X is sometimes quite a bit faster and significantly more robust than Windows. Really? Please elaborate. Yet others claim that Microsoft still keeps copying OS X for its own Windows OS, and that OS X is truly better?
I'd really love to hear as to why some people consider Mac OS X superior when compared to Windows 7.
Finally, what about Apple's hardware configurations these days? Compared to five years ago, have they have come down in price a little as far as bang-for-your-buck is concerned? Do you think you're getting your money's worth?
When the 17" model was refreshed last year, Apple said that it had improved that specific model's display with supposedly much improved viewing angles, better black levels as well as a higher color gamut. Has anyone noticed an improvement of the display in the 17" model from two refreshes ago? How reliable are the MBP's and its components? Do they break down a lot? I know I can't remove the battery but that's not a problem for me at all. Will I be able to add my own RAM and swap out the hard drive? I'd like to be able to install my already purchased Intel Solid State drive, for example.
I could really use some help with deciding as to what notebook would best suit me, so I'd love to hear some real stories and some solid information, particularly because if I go with a MacBook Pro, I'll be getting into a different and unfamiliar operating system.
I thank you in advance for your advice.
