Thinking of taking the big plunge... to Mac.

[aeboi]

^Really, I tend to think that there are quite a few specs above just the typical processor, graphic card, and HDD specs. It's called design. It's called stability. Then there's battery life, backlighting, and the OS...

I wouldn't say that they're less stable. They've got the thinklight which works as well but isn't as luxurious as a backlit keyboard. Otherwise, yes to the rest.

 

[mikepro]

Actually, one thing I forgot to mention, which I feel IS a magical eye-opener is the multi-touch trackpad. That thing works so beautifully well, it is a joy to use. Once you get used to all of the gestures for scrolling, right clicking swiping forward/back, switching apps, you ask yourself WHY HASN'T ANYBODY THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE?!?!?! It is such a superior user experience, it's not even funny. It has practically wrecked me for using any other old style trackpad..

A lot of your responses actually helped quite a bit - thanks for all the input. Unfortunately for me, I know that whatever I end up getting (Mac or PC) is going to technically be overkill for what the laptop's purpose is, which is basic web surfing, word processing, and light/moderate gaming... but I love quick computers, so that's inevitable.

I think I was searching (just like every other post like this) for some magical, eye-opening revelation that convinces me one way or the other, but that's not gonna happen. ALTHOUGH... Mikepro's post came pretty close. That quick, very vague description of the Mac experience is what keeps me intrigued, because I hear it quite a bit. Gah! Well hell... worst case scenario, I think it's "meh" and sell it off! MBP's keep their resale value pretty well, right? I think I'm gonna end up just taking a deep breath and dropping the dough (luckily I'll at least get the friends and family 15% discount from my bud) on a 15"... although something honestly does tell me I'll love it. 😀

 

[mrdobo]

Actually, one thing I forgot to mention, which I feel IS a magical eye-opener is the multi-touch trackpad. That thing works so beautifully well, it is a joy to use. Once you get used to all of the gestures for scrolling, right clicking swiping forward/back, switching apps, you ask yourself WHY HASN'T ANYBODY THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE?!?!?! It is such a superior user experience, it's not even funny. It has practically wrecked me for using any other old style trackpad..

Ugh, I know... whenever I use my friends and I'm just browsing the internet, the trackpad gestures alone nearly sell me on it. Honestly, if a windows based machine had those AND WORKED AS WELL... this decision might be a little easier lol.

 

[Turian.Spectre]

I have been a PC user since grade 5 and now I'm 25 (about 14 years) and I found this forum recently while searching for the reason why a lot of people were so infatuated with apple products despite there being reasons not to much like the OP is trying to do.

I decided to just work through the immature comments (not in this forum) that talked about how crappy one or the other is and just read up on it. Also, what kept me interested was the fact that I was enjoying the hell out of my iPhone while all this was going and wanted to see how apple laptops has come along so far.

I was drawn back by the price point but I learned about education pricing. I've just started school again as a 1st year programming student and I also talked about it with my prof.

I read the forums and I read apple.com site about benefits that apple offers in terms of quality and I'm thoroughly convinced to try this out. I'll probably be buying the 13" one despite being a gamer since I already have a gaming desktop at home and I actually wanna push myself away from gaming and focus on full time work (I also work as an associate producer for a gaming company) and school work.

Do you guys think that it's a bad idea to plunge into the World of Apple[craft] through a 13" macbook pro and I should save up for the 15" i5 one or just go ahead with the purchase next week?

PS. Good to finally talk to yall. I've been reading up on this forum and everyone is so eagerly helpful. =D

15" definitely. you should save up, plus it will give some time for any problems to arise with the new cores if there are any. My Sister has a 13", i have a 15". the difference is not that much but after using 15 for so long it feels huge. def worth the wait and saving up.

 

[tjb1]

Heres a tip though, dont expect the 8-9 hours of battery unless its just sitting there idle. I dont know how they calculate those values but doing ANYTHING and my average battery is 4-6 hours, at one time just sitting with itunes and headphones it did say 9 hours...

 

[mrdobo]

They both use IPS screens, red nipple == better, it's a laptop for doing stuff not sitting at starbucks showing off your laptop, and don't just make random claims.


Now, in how useable something is, it goes like this

Ubuntu > Windows >= OSX.

Ubuntu is easy because everthing is preinstalled and the software manager allows you to find free, high quality software quickly.

Windows is better than OSX because of how many people use it and how it fits in with everything.

OSX has no pros against these 2 but looking like a hipster.

Whoa... this is a trip! I've only really ever hung around forums with PC users being the majority of the crowd, and the occasional Mac troll would come in and say some BS. They were annoying (as all trolls are). But this... I've never seen it through the eyes of the other side... I think my first sighting of a PC troller is actually worse than any Mac equivalent I've encountered yet ><

"It's a laptop for doing stuff" and "Windows is better than OSX because of how many people use it and how it fits in with everything." are my two favorite parts.

 

[mrdobo]

Heres a tip though, dont expect the 8-9 hours of battery unless its just sitting there idle. I dont know how they calculate those values but doing ANYTHING and my average battery is 4-6 hours, at one time just sitting with itunes and headphones it did say 9 hours...

Yeah, I pretty much assume any time someone posts a claim of battery life, they're taken in the best possible scenario's. Like doing nothing lol 😉

Well hell... now my dilemma is do I wait for the refresh or no?! I won't even get the funds to buy this thing until the 3rd week in October... by that time the refresh cycle, if going by the average, would kick in soon after. I'll probably wait, but the last refresh too for-freaking-ever, didn't it? Though... I'd be pissed if a refresh came around Q4 and didn't update the video card... that's all I really care about at this point.

Is it pretty standard for Apple to refresh the graphics card every go around?

 

[tigress666]

Actually, one thing I forgot to mention, which I feel IS a magical eye-opener is the multi-touch trackpad. That thing works so beautifully well, it is a joy to use. Once you get used to all of the gestures for scrolling, right clicking swiping forward/back, switching apps, you ask yourself WHY HASN'T ANYBODY THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE?!?!?! It is such a superior user experience, it's not even funny. It has practically wrecked me for using any other old style trackpad..

I have to really really agree here.

I liked it as soon as I saw it. Was jealous of it (I had a 2007 Macbook before this MBP I have now) but never could find a reason to upgrade (they barely gave me a reason this time but after wanting a new laptop for years with the light up keyboard and the multi touch trackpad, I finally caved and got one) spec wise (and I'm on a budget, I can't really afford to buy a laptop just to find I wasted the money so couldn't just buy it to see if it was worth it).

I have to say... I hate using old macbooks now with the older style trackpads. The trackpad is as awesome as I thought it would be (you have so much room to move the mouse around adn gestures are awesome). I had just gotten a magic mouse for christmas that I was taking with me everywhere cause it was so much nicer than my macbook's trackpad. I no longer feel the need anymore (I only use it when my MBP is hooked up like a desktop).

As well as the 10 hour battery (I love that too). And the RAM (it has more than my old one could even max out at). Those are the big three reasons I don't feel I wasted my money. I know, small sounding really for 1200 dollars, but they really make a big difference in use.

These are all specs that people tend to overlook when just comparing specs and saying you could get a PC for less (particularly when we're talkign laptops where you don't really get to piece together what you want but have to take the case/keyboard/trackpad they give you).

Sure, honestly, my macbook wans't that much slower than my MBP (though it had a lot of lag, having 4x as much RAM really makes a difference). But the small things, the case (even more small and compact and lighter than my macbook and my macbook wasn't that thick in the first place), the trackpad, the light up keyboard, 10 hour battery, all add up to a much nicer experience.

Don't discount the design features, they really can matter when it comes to actually using hte product.

 

[Sounds Good]

I won't sit here and tell you "it'll grow on you". The Mac is not a fungus. Either you like it or you don't.

Interesting that you say this...

I've been using Windows since forever. But I like my iPhone's intuitiveness so much that I plan on getting an iPad. So this past weekend while looking at the iPad at an Apple store I checked out a Macbook Pro, and guess what? I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and simply couldn't get into it (as hard as I tried). I actually wondered if maybe it would grow on me, but I had my doubts. So this comment is helpful -- thanks.

 

[nexx892]

Worst thing I ever did is buy overpriced hardware.

You must view all it!

Also, I never use my mouse except while playing vidya.
Use uzbl and awesome wm.

 

[Blu101]

Interesting that you say this...

I've been using Windows since forever. But I like my iPhone's intuitiveness so much that I plan on getting an iPad. So this past weekend while looking at the iPad at an Apple store I checked out a Macbook Pro, and guess what? I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and simply couldn't get into it (as hard as I tried). I actually wondered if maybe it would grow on me, but I had my doubts. So this comment is helpful -- thanks.

I disagree with that comment. First time I used my gf's macbook, I hated it. I couldn't do the simplest things that came second hand to me (pc user for 21 years). Yup, the macbook almost went out the window that night...but my gf showed me a few things and the more I learned on my own, the better (and faster) I got. Now, I can't stand windows and all the aggravation you get using it. It grew on me for sure. You need to go through the learning curve first, trust me. Only then will you know whether you like it or not. Also, I use a friend's iPad a lot, which is very similar to your iPhone, so I know what you mean - you have to get used to the difference between a laptop (MBP) and a touch screen device (iPhone or iPad). Once you learn the MBP, it's just as intuitive as the other devices, the only difference is it doesn't have a touch screen, which makes me wonder - when will laptops go touch screen (much easier to navigate around)? But anyways, give it a shot, you might like it.

 

[Zak.V]

Worst thing I ever did is buy overpriced hardware.

You must view all it!

Also, I never use my mouse except while playing vidya.
Use uzbl and awesome wm.

Holy giant picture Batman!!


i had Ubuntu on my pc before my mbp. Hardy Heron was a pain.

I dont see how anyone could think a linux was easier/better than windows or mac.

I had a hp with amd 64 bit and getting small stuff like wifi drivers/dvd drivers etc... was a pain. Pretty much the computer was non-suported and i had to get work arounds for basic things like video drivers and such. It was a huge pain and in the end i had a computer that could anything but nothing at 100%

I like my mac for the simple reason that it works and takes no maintenance. Onyx every few months and its as fast as the day i got it. Also with bootcamp and parallels 6 i never have any compatibility issues.

I work on petroleum equipment (gas pumps) between school and my mac has no problem connecting to a pump to get codes or connecting to the site monitors for programming/updates...

At school im taking mech. eng. Cad/Cam software is also taken care of by my little mbp. (although it needs an upgrade to be enjoyable.. mac pro in future!)

 

[Bernard SG]

I have 3 Macs, one of them is one of those 2002 eMacs, very bulky (22+kg). A few weeks ago, that eMac happened to fall on the ground from a piece of furniture, a height of 120 cm, screen face down 😱!
Nothing. Not a scratch. The thing still works like a charm. I can't believe it myself.
That's the kind of adventure that makes you stick to the brand.

 

[InfoSecmgr]

Interesting that you say this...

I've been using Windows since forever. But I like my iPhone's intuitiveness so much that I plan on getting an iPad. So this past weekend while looking at the iPad at an Apple store I checked out a Macbook Pro, and guess what? I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and simply couldn't get into it (as hard as I tried). I actually wondered if maybe it would grow on me, but I had my doubts. So this comment is helpful -- thanks.

NP, I'm just trying to be honest. I use Windows for a few things, but no matter how much I use it, I just "can't get into it". So, my original post is just how I see it.

 

[InfoSecmgr]

I have 3 Macs, one of them is one of those 2002 eMacs, very bulky (22+kg). A few weeks ago, that eMac happened to fall on the ground from a piece of furniture, a height of 120 cm, screen face down 😱!
Nothing. Not a scratch. The thing still works like a charm. I can't believe it myself.
That's the kind of adventure that makes you stick to the brand.

Mine saved me from a pack of wild dingoes.