There will be situations where he can't use OS X for his work. And as soon as his Dad sees windows running on the Mac it'll be a lot of explaining to do.
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How to persuade my Dad to let me buy a MacBook Pro with my own money?
- Thread starter MJNBGA
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There will be situations where he can't use OS X for his work. And as soon as his Dad sees windows running on the Mac it'll be a lot of explaining to do.
Get a job and earn it.
Your dad is teaching you to earn your luxuries. Yes, an Apple computer is a luxury, not a necessity.
Your dad is teaching you to earn your luxuries. Yes, an Apple computer is a luxury, not a necessity.
Yeah I agree that's why I recommend an emotional appeal/approach to this. It's justifying a luxury so it's a lot harder than doing a rundown of pros and cons. That's why it needs an emotional angle of some kind to ever have a hope of possibly working.
Try to tie it to a sense of it inducing organization in your life through it's neatness if anything. Maybe even bring up social status in school an make it seem like you can never gave anything nice and Timmy down the street does. Find a dramatic angle for this to have a hope of working. MAke it bigger than the situation.
I may have missed it, but have you yet to define 'crappy refurbished' laptop? Your arguments on managing a windows machine are a little melodramatic. Win 7 is a fine OS and a fully updated XP install with antivirus software is secure enough to require little maintenance. Don't like Windows? Tux will welcome you with open arms. 
My opinion? Your dad has it right. Save your money for grander adventures. You could probably get a year or so out of the PC, and by then, there will be bigger and better macs to buy.
My opinion? Your dad has it right. Save your money for grander adventures. You could probably get a year or so out of the PC, and by then, there will be bigger and better macs to buy.
In every modern civilized country an underage person is eligible to buy anything he or she wants, if its their own money and does not violate any laws otherwise. So you can just go out and buy that thing, and your dad, mom or grandpa will just have to shut up about that. A private property is a holy right and even underage kids or kids living with their parents have that right. If your money is on a bank account which is co-owned by your parents (meaning you need their signature to withdraw the money), then you are out of luck. You can of course sue your dad in the later case (and you have all the means to win the process).
However, my advice would be to not create any tension in the relationship with you and your parents, its often not worth it. Simply wait few years till you are out of their house, try to achieve financial independence as soon as possible.
However, my advice would be to not create any tension in the relationship with you and your parents, its often not worth it. Simply wait few years till you are out of their house, try to achieve financial independence as soon as possible.
My dad once let me buy a loaded up PC, printer and all that jazz. It was a "special" deal through IBM at my college when I was a sophomore or so.
I couldn't afford all of it, but I had some of the money and they had free financing. I think I still had to pay on the damn loan for 6-8 months after it was obsolete and sold.
Good times..
I couldn't afford all of it, but I had some of the money and they had free financing. I think I still had to pay on the damn loan for 6-8 months after it was obsolete and sold.
Good times..
Take the free laptop and save the money for future things like round the world ticket, snow boarding trips, decent car, women or whatever tickles your fancy.
From a schooling point of view, it probably doesn't really matter what kind of lappy you use but if you take the Windoze lappy, at least it can save you alot of paranoia and anxiety on the long run.
From a schooling point of view, it probably doesn't really matter what kind of lappy you use but if you take the Windoze lappy, at least it can save you alot of paranoia and anxiety on the long run.
Bring him to an Apple store, and show some Macs to him, or find a friendly Apple staff and say to him/her, "My dad here can't decide whether to go Mac".
Apple products normally sell themselves, but the Apple store experience brings a whole new level to it.
Do not push for buying a Mac for yourselves. Instead, prompt that maybe your Dad would want a Mac for himself in the future.
If you dad goes for a Mac, you already won 1/2 the battle. And it's won for the future when he passes one down to you.
Apple products normally sell themselves, but the Apple store experience brings a whole new level to it.
Do not push for buying a Mac for yourselves. Instead, prompt that maybe your Dad would want a Mac for himself in the future.
If you dad goes for a Mac, you already won 1/2 the battle. And it's won for the future when he passes one down to you.
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Perhaps your dad has an ulterior motive - he wants to surprise you with a MacBook Pro. Being patient will only serve you in the end, whether that's his plan or not.
Perhaps your dad has an ulterior motive - he wants to surprise you with a MacBook Pro. Being patient will only serve you in the end, whether that's his plan or not.
Step 1: Get YOUR money
Step 2: Buy A MacBook Pro
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit
Also, themac23, I choose number 2.
Step 2: Buy A MacBook Pro
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit
Also, themac23, I choose number 2.
Install Ubuntu on the Windows machine. Ubuntu is far more stable than Windows, and more reliable too.
If that doesn't work then I see an accident happening to the PC - those things do break if they fall onto a hard surface especially if you can rig it so it is sitting on the edge of a desk partially hanging off then rub something tasty in the edge so a cat or dog jumps up to lick it while he is in the room and you are not and it takes a fall
...Then I am sure as hell that you have never seen the Thinkpad. Comparing durability is difficult, especially when there are multiple PCs. You just need to know the right ones.
--
Now, I am going to be a bit redundant and ask what are your needs for a Mac? If it is the basic, surfing and homework, then save the money because you will be surprised what you might need that money for. If your dad is offering you a free laptop, then by all means take it! You can get a better laptop when you are in college, when you actually need it.
I got my laptop practically at the near end of my high school. I lived through high school without a laptop.
Just my opinion, but I see it this way:
It's not like he's forcing you to purchase a Windows laptop instead of a MacBook. If that were the case, I could see you saying, "It's my money, if I want to spend an extra $500 or so then it's my decision". I might disagree with that, but I could understand it.
However, as you describe it he's providing you with an option that costs you 0$ vs. one that costs you ~$1500. Having the newest/shiniest stuff is great and all - and believe me, I love my Macs - but I'll take a 0$ option every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
When you have ample discretionary income, or have the dire need for a Mac based on college/work requirements - then the situation changes.
At this stage, take the freebie and save your cash!
It's not like he's forcing you to purchase a Windows laptop instead of a MacBook. If that were the case, I could see you saying, "It's my money, if I want to spend an extra $500 or so then it's my decision". I might disagree with that, but I could understand it.
However, as you describe it he's providing you with an option that costs you 0$ vs. one that costs you ~$1500. Having the newest/shiniest stuff is great and all - and believe me, I love my Macs - but I'll take a 0$ option every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
When you have ample discretionary income, or have the dire need for a Mac based on college/work requirements - then the situation changes.
At this stage, take the freebie and save your cash!
hahaha
When I was 17, I had the money saved up to buy a brand new Powerbook G3.
Parents did not want me to buy it, didn't think I needed a new computer anyway, and besides, "PC had won" in their mind. This was before OS X, before Apple had made its real comeback, before macs had Intel processors, and I believe before even the first iPod came out. There weren't even Apple Stores in those days.
Anyway, while it was technically my money, I had only worked for one summer. It was mostly money I had received as gifts over the years and interest on CD's.
I kept complaining and complaining eventually they gave in and said fine just buy it. So I did
I think you should just keep persisting and buy what you want. I don't regret it at all. Yeah, their house, their rules, whatever- but you can work within that and get what you want.
Still using a mac today
When I was 17, I had the money saved up to buy a brand new Powerbook G3.
Parents did not want me to buy it, didn't think I needed a new computer anyway, and besides, "PC had won" in their mind. This was before OS X, before Apple had made its real comeback, before macs had Intel processors, and I believe before even the first iPod came out. There weren't even Apple Stores in those days.
Anyway, while it was technically my money, I had only worked for one summer. It was mostly money I had received as gifts over the years and interest on CD's.
I kept complaining and complaining eventually they gave in and said fine just buy it. So I did
I think you should just keep persisting and buy what you want. I don't regret it at all. Yeah, their house, their rules, whatever- but you can work within that and get what you want.
Still using a mac today
To be honest, you cannot really afford a macbook pro unless you can also afford all the costs of meals, rent, and tuition. You may have your own money but that money should go toward things like, yes I know it sucks, education. Every dollar saved is a dollar you can put toward improving your future. I didn't get a macbook pro until my fourth year of university and to be honest, I lived with a PC and it was a solid laptop throughout my 3 years.
I will not go into your family's financial condition because it should be obvious to you whether or not your family as a whole can afford a macbook pro. Knowing the position your family is in financially is the first thing a mature person should do when considering large purchases that may impact other decision areas. The whole "it's my money I can do what I want" mentality is actually very irresponsible and naive. I know and everyone should know because who hasn't gone through that phase? Think about the future and everything and everyone around you.
If you want to "earn" it do well in school, find a job, and talk more about how you're going to make money rather than spend it. At least if your academic status is decent he will have some relief in that you will find a job easier than others. Scholarships can be used to reduce tuition and hence more money can be put toward your shiny new macbook pro.
If you have "just" enough saved for a macbook pro, then obviously do not get it. Asking your parents for money everytime you want to go out, buy a present for your girlfriend, eat dinner, do literally anything will give you a horribly guilty conscience; at least it did for me. So you need a cash cushion even if you disregard everything I said in the last few paragraphs. Spending money you actually earn (not through accumulating birthday money, etc.) is actually one of the more rewarding experiences in life.
Rough it out for a couple years. Some of the smartest people I know had the cheapest Dell Inspirons; all very successful people. I'm sure they can now easily afford a macbook pro. That's where you wanna be at.
I will not go into your family's financial condition because it should be obvious to you whether or not your family as a whole can afford a macbook pro. Knowing the position your family is in financially is the first thing a mature person should do when considering large purchases that may impact other decision areas. The whole "it's my money I can do what I want" mentality is actually very irresponsible and naive. I know and everyone should know because who hasn't gone through that phase? Think about the future and everything and everyone around you.
If you want to "earn" it do well in school, find a job, and talk more about how you're going to make money rather than spend it. At least if your academic status is decent he will have some relief in that you will find a job easier than others. Scholarships can be used to reduce tuition and hence more money can be put toward your shiny new macbook pro.
If you have "just" enough saved for a macbook pro, then obviously do not get it. Asking your parents for money everytime you want to go out, buy a present for your girlfriend, eat dinner, do literally anything will give you a horribly guilty conscience; at least it did for me. So you need a cash cushion even if you disregard everything I said in the last few paragraphs. Spending money you actually earn (not through accumulating birthday money, etc.) is actually one of the more rewarding experiences in life
. Rough it out for a couple years. Some of the smartest people I know had the cheapest Dell Inspirons; all very successful people. I'm sure they can now easily afford a macbook pro. That's where you wanna be at.
hey, i want to know about this too. i'm curently in junior high school, in july im going to high school. after the national test is done i want a mbp, but instead of allowing me to have one, my dad just want me to build a new pc then.. he said that i won't need a laptop, and he is an apple hater (while im an apple lover )
)... None of these kids are gonna get MacBooks are they??
I dunno about you guys but I have been psychologically/verbally controlling my parents since i was 15. But that's just me, I had a lot more dynamic logic Starting to develop at that age compared to most people because i played a lot of video games with puzzle solving elements.
I dunno about you guys but I have been psychologically/verbally controlling my parents since i was 15. But that's just me, I had a lot more dynamic logic Starting to develop at that age compared to most people because i played a lot of video games with puzzle solving elements.
THIS! If my son tried to talk me into "letting" "him" buy an MBP, I would beat his a$$, you do not need a ~$1500 laptop for SCHOOL. College maybe, but by then he can get a job and buy one himself
lol
62 year old grandfather here. Never used Windows. Bought my first Mac in 2005 after using OS/2 Warp (IBM OS) previously. Used DOS before that.
My son wanted me to pick out a computer for my 8 year old grandson. What to do? I knew up front there was no way I was going to get the kid a PC.
Why?
I knew that I would have to maintain the PC whenever anything stopped it from working properly. I didn't want to be on the hook to constantly be fighting viruses, malware, worms, whatever. I may be a grandfather, but I still have a life. Why complicate it by introducing all those Windows issues.
I bought the child an eMac on eBay. Came with OSX Tiger. I was so impressed with OSX, even the eMac, I dumped OS/2 and bought an iMac a couple of months later.
The 4 years my grandson used that eMac, not once did I have to do anything to keep it running.
Now, I must say that it might have been possible, had the child gotten a PC instead, that there wouldn't have been any problems, but I highly doubt it.
Issue #2, the money.
If the money given to you was given with no strings attached, then it's your money.
Now suppose instead of being given all your money over time from several people, someone had gifted you a MacBook. Would your father had said NO to the giver? Give him money instead so I can tell him what he can't spend it on.
What would your father say if all the givers had given you Apple gift cards instead of money. NO, you can't buy an Apple with your Apple gift cards?
Some day you will spend that money, and probably on something that won't last any longer than a MacBook will. So saving it just to be saving it is a rather silly and moot point.
Therefore, your father is controlling when you spend your money, which is also rather silly since fiat currencies worldwide are losing purchasing power year after year. The longer you keep the money, the less it will buy.
My son wanted me to pick out a computer for my 8 year old grandson. What to do? I knew up front there was no way I was going to get the kid a PC.
Why?
I knew that I would have to maintain the PC whenever anything stopped it from working properly. I didn't want to be on the hook to constantly be fighting viruses, malware, worms, whatever. I may be a grandfather, but I still have a life. Why complicate it by introducing all those Windows issues.
I bought the child an eMac on eBay. Came with OSX Tiger. I was so impressed with OSX, even the eMac, I dumped OS/2 and bought an iMac a couple of months later.
The 4 years my grandson used that eMac, not once did I have to do anything to keep it running.
Now, I must say that it might have been possible, had the child gotten a PC instead, that there wouldn't have been any problems, but I highly doubt it.
Issue #2, the money.
If the money given to you was given with no strings attached, then it's your money.
Now suppose instead of being given all your money over time from several people, someone had gifted you a MacBook. Would your father had said NO to the giver? Give him money instead so I can tell him what he can't spend it on.
What would your father say if all the givers had given you Apple gift cards instead of money. NO, you can't buy an Apple with your Apple gift cards?
Some day you will spend that money, and probably on something that won't last any longer than a MacBook will. So saving it just to be saving it is a rather silly and moot point.
Therefore, your father is controlling when you spend your money, which is also rather silly since fiat currencies worldwide are losing purchasing power year after year. The longer you keep the money, the less it will buy.
You really think so? Will I be doomed with Windows misery for the rest of my life?
Which widows? How old laptop?
You need nothing less the core duo Windows 7 and nothing older then 2 years old,
Honestly a 500 laptop brand new will beat a 3 year old laptop most times by a factor of 10.
I would compare a 499 to 600 new laptop with win7 to any Mac. I think you would be surprised at how close they are now and you would save 350 to 450 USD.
I would not want deal with a laptop older then 3 years not worth it.