Today was a very sad day...

[JzzTrump22]

I was so excited because my dad was taking me to the mac store to buy my first mac, a powerbook for graduation. So when i get to the store, i told the guy i wanted the 15" 1.5 with upgraded vram, upgraded hd, and to downgrade to the combo drive. The the worst sentence i ever heard came out of his mouth... "we can't cusomize like that in the store, if you want that you have to order online." So i go home and am getting ready to order online and then my dad starts to question me weather i really need this particular laptop and what i'm using it for that i need so much power. I told him garage band and photoshop and stuff like that which is true, but it's also for gaming. He hates video games and i love them. I can't live without them. He gets so pissed everytime he see's me in front of my xbox. So he can't know that. I know future games are going to require specs that i mentioned above. And this thing is going to last me a good 6 years or so. I'm going to be a music major in college, so this is an ideal computer for me. I tried explaining to him that it's a very good investment, it's well worth it. You get a lot for your money. Plus i can get the free printer right now with my student discount. Then he says "i put a p4 together for under 500, why can't you do that instead?" I really felt like killing myself at that point. Any body have some advice.... or comfort?

 

[SwitchingSoon]

I told my dad I need a G5 to last me a good six years or so by explaining I use processor intensive programs like maya, photoshop, etc. I also told him about garageband and he was sold (he wants me to develop my music skills). I also told him that I will play less games because most are made PC only.

Explain to you dad that it's dire that you get the best now so that it can last a longer time and that perhaps you NEEd mac-only applications.

 

[cr2sh]

Grow up.

Not once did my parents purchase their eldest son a $3k computer. Quite frankly, you two sound like a couple of brats, brooding over your father's lack of ineptitude. Deal with it. From your description of your aspirations for this laptop, it certainly doesn’t sound like you need a 15”….

To play games? Are you serious? You already have an xbox... not to mention very little understanding of the macintosh as a gaming platform.

The very fact that you're lying to your Dad makes you sound so childish and repugnant.

If your Dad builds you a p4, be happy. If you want a powerbook (or a g5) get a job. Quit expecting to be handed something just because you want it.

 

[jsw]

Agreed. Dude, you almost had a 15" PB that would have been great for your legitimate needs. You screwed up by getting too greedy. Take the PC. Buy your own PB.

 

[Amani]

I told my dad I need a G5 to last me a good six years or so by explaining I use processor intensive programs like maya, photoshop, etc. I also told him about garageband and he was sold (he wants me to develop my music skills). I also told him that I will play less games because most are made PC only.

My 6 yr. old daughter has been so anxious to ger her hands on garage band, but neither one of us has music skills. I got a book to learn the basics of the program and introduce her to the program as soon as I can figure it out. It really makes me finally want to learn an instrument. I took a little piano in college, but now I have more of an incentive to do so.

 

[JzzTrump22]

It's a gift, he is buying it for me as a graduation present, money is not an issue. And i'm not lying to him in any way, and i can't bring the xbox to college. First of all, cr2sh, it's $2209.00 and it will last me a long long time, secondly mabey you should learn how to read. I mentioned all the things i was using it for. I'm a music major, macs are much better suited for music and media then pc's. He knows that, and thats why he's buying it for me. I'm not using it mainly for games, if i wanted to do that i could buy my own cheap pos pc from dell. I'm not going to say anything nasty. I'm not here to start a fight. My father didn't offer me a pc, he knows i've been wanting a mac for a long time, he was just curious as to why i needed such a powerfull machine. The main reason is recording. Me and my friends are trying to start a mini jazz band and we are going to need something with some power. Not a piece of junnk that will crap out on us.

 

[jsw]

Easy there, calling someone a retard when you started a thread looking for pity because your $2K+ gift might fall through.

And no PB in existence is going to be ideal for, as you say, "FUTURE" games. They're adequate now. They'll be usable in the future. They don't have replaceable graphics cards, so they'll never be great.

 

[jknight8907]

Games will eventually reach the level to where they will need specs like that

Actually, its the other way around. WindBlows is what you need to go with if you want to play serious games. They've just got more power in that department.

Understand that your dad will also have to pay for your college, and dorm, and books, etc, unless you've got a massive scholarship. Maybe you should go easy on his pocketbook and be happy with a really good computer (stock 15") instead of a unbelievable one (your specs). Besides, stock will be more that good enough for your uses.

 

[SwitchingSoon]

Not once did my parents purchase their eldest son a $3k computer. Quite frankly, you two sound like a couple of brats, brooding over your father's lack of ineptitude. Deal with it. From your description of your aspirations for this laptop, it certainly doesn’t sound like you need a 15”….

To play games? Are you serious? You already have an xbox... not to mention very little understanding of the macintosh as a gaming platform.

The very fact that you're lying to your Dad makes you sound so childish and repugnant.

If your Dad builds you a p4, be happy. If you want a powerbook (or a g5) get a job. Quit expecting to be handed something just because you want it.

Get over it. What I didn't mention is that I saved up for over half of it through summer jobs. And yes, I do use processor intensive programs like maya and the speed is a must. I'm actually planning to go to a graphic designs field (one or the other), so the extra power will be appreciated.

Besides, the g5 will be the one and only computer where I get my parents' financial support, ever. I'm currently using the family pentium celeron.

Stop being so anal. It sounds like you're more jealous that he's a student who might be getting a 15" powerbook (and boohoo, you didn't) than anything else.

Also, you clearly missed the fact that his computer will come in handy for the years down the road, especially considering future revisions of garageband, photoshop, maya, etc. will be more processing-intensive than current versions. What is a fast computer today will barely make the cut in 6 years.

Amani- you're right... garageband will be a great tool to get your daughter excited about music for years to come. My piano teacher recently retired so I was reluctant to find a new one, so I'm looking forward to start practicing regularly again and experimenting with my own music writing. I also want to record songs I've played with a MIDI keyboard and keeping a library of songs I've played over the years

 

[JzzTrump22]

I know windows is a better gaming platform then mac. But thats not my number one reason. It's nice to play games and stuff, but i have more important things i'm using it for. Recording and mixing is my biggest thing.
Thank you SWITCHINGSOON for the backup.

 

[furrina]

Kids these days...

It seems that a serious number of people on this board are college students or high school students about to enter college. When I discoverd that it kind of dumbfounded me. A lot of those students are on their third powerbook rev or iBook and/or talking about how they are about to get a G5 "for university." Whether they're getting them from parents or their own savings seems to be about even. I know it's been a long time since I have been in college, and that a computer is a necessary tool for education, (probably the most important one, not counting a brain). A lot of these students seem not to be design or video students either. For a 19 year old this seems like an awfully expensive habit.

For the record I hardly came from a deprived home, and my job treats me well, but it's kind of funny that I'm stressing out over dropping the cash and justifying the need (or just plain want) for this stuff, replacing my poor old 4-year-old Pismo (and I actually edit video, though not as a day job) when there are all of these hi school/college students on their third powerbook getting g5s. I think it actually helps me justify it more I use this on my parents because they think I'm cra$y.

I have no grudge against 'em, nor do I think there's anything wrong with it, I just think it's interesting to hear someone trying to decide whether to get the 2 or the 2.5 G5 to replace their powerbook and find out they're 17.

p.s. Just ask your dad for the cash so you can choose what you want. Tell him it will help teach you how to spend money more wisely. Also write up a list of the features it has that are advantageous and how you will use them, back it up with urls from music sites, etc. It will help to see it in writing (looks more factual) and sometimes they like to see that you put some effort into this decision rather than just a case of the gimmees.

 

[angelneo]

cool down JzzTrump22, I guess some of those who replied might already have kids of their own so they might be coming from a parental point of view. Truth be told, a PB really cost quite some money especially if you are paying out of your own. Let this slide for some time, be a good son and perhaps ask later when he's in a good mood.

 

[FuzzyBallz]

Damn, I can get a complete PC system for the price of Apple Care. I should be your dad's writer.

 

[musicpyrite]

I have no grudge against 'em, nor do I think there's anything wrong with it, I just think it's interesting to hear someone trying to decide whether to get the 2 or the 2.5 G5 to replace their powerbook and find out they're 17.

Age has nothing to do with how a powerful computer you need. According to you, only people 50 and over deserve to get a G5, and people under 21 deserve to get an eMac.

 

[JzzTrump22]

I'm cool , i'm not getting worked up or anything, i'm just trying to defend myself as to why i'm getting it. Some people seem a little jealous like cr2sh. My dads cool with why i want to get this particular pb. He knows i'm mostly doing recording and stuff. He supports me 100%.

 

[CubaTBird]

I busted my but for my ibook..

Hey guys, all I got to say is that I busted my butt second semester of my junior year in high school so I could get this ibook. So I WORKED for it. Soon though, I will also get the ipod as well..

 

[SwitchingSoon]

Hey guys, all I got to say is that I busted my butt second semester of my junior year in high school so I could get this ibook. So I WORKED for it. Soon though, I will also get the ipod as well..

Want a cookie?

Seriously, that's cool.... "cookie-worthy" cool...

 

[furrina]

Hey guys, all I got to say is that I busted my butt second semester of my junior year in high school so I could get this ibook. So I WORKED for it. Soon though, I will also get the ipod as well..

<political nonsense> hmm...For those who embrace Big Shiny American Capitalism with a big hug, that seems to be a noble enough claim. It's what the American Dream is all about. Just to throw it out there, from an alternative (or Socialist, if you prefer) perspective, it's a perfect (shudder) example of, well, the same. You literally have children (and 50 year-olds) "busting my butt" (visualize this if you will) for...an iPod! Just a leetle provocation. </political nonsense>


FTR I love my iPod...

 

[Koodauw]

Just explain to them why the upgrades are important to you, and they should understand. You have to realize when its not your money, you are not the one making the final call. I would say a 2,000 laptop is a bit much for a college student, but I know plenty who have them.

 

[JzzTrump22]

I'm trying to think ahead. I know by putting upgrades on the machine, it will increase it's resale value. I'm not saying that i want to sell it, but mabey sometime down the road i might want/need to sell it. I'll get more money for it with the upgrades. Plus i'll have a better chance of selling it because people won't be looking at the 1.33, they'll want the 1.5's with upgrades. I'll admit the extra vram is't necessary but it just makes the value of the machine better overall. It does increase performance, thats where the games come in. Plus it's only $45 for that upgrade. Secondly the machine will perform much better with a faster hd, everyone knows that, i shouldn't have to explain that one. Then i'm downgrading the dvd burner. So if you think about it, i'm saving $90 plus another $300 with student discount. Plus a free printer.

 

[topicolo]

I'm trying to think ahead. I know by putting upgrades on the machine, it will increase it's resale value. I'm not saying that i want to sell it, but mabey sometime down the road i might want/need to sell it. I'll get more money for it with the upgrades. Plus i'll have a better chance of selling it because people won't be looking at the 1.33, they'll want the 1.5's with upgrades. I'll admit the extra vram is't necessary but it just makes the value of the machine better overall. It does increase performance, thats where the games come in. Plus it's only $45 for that upgrade. Secondly the machine will perform much better with a faster hd, everyone knows that, i shouldn't have to explain that one. Then i'm downgrading the dvd burner. So if you think about it, i'm saving $90 plus another $300 with student discount. Plus a free printer.

If you wanted to convince your dad not to get you the P4, why didn't you just tell him that you'll be tempted to play many more games on the PC? From your description of your dad's hatred for video games, this seems like the ticket.

 

[Calvinatir]

lol...i was the one who wanted the 17"..so i was the one who had to pay for it...I have a very low interest loan going for this beast (1.99% works out to $3 interest a month as long as i dont default!). I had been a long term customer with Citibank and they offered it to me...so i took it. EVerytime i make a payment on it i thank the Chart House (restaurant that i work for...valet baby! gotta support the 17")!

 

[SillyKary]

You were trying to buy a PowerBOOK and your dad wants to "put together" a P4. So, your dad can make laptops?

Also, if he hates games so much, point out that you want a Mac because you're serious about work. If you wanted games you'd get a Wintel. Tell him how bad a gaming machine and how serious a workhorse the PB is.

 

[Squire]

Age has nothing to do with how a powerful computer you need. According to you, only people 50 and over deserve to get a G5, and people under 21 deserve to get an eMac.

Age has nothing to do with how powerful a computer you want. Notice that I bolded "need" above. People often need a computer for work...to get money...to support their family. And, because work can only begin at a certain legal age (What is it? Sixteen?), significantly fewer young people need a really powerful computer.

So, age is often related to how powerful a computer someone needs.

Back to the topic...

Yeah, as mentioned above, tell him you'll be less tempted to play games and more tempted to be productive. Oh, the joy of the Mac OS. Also, which P4 notebook is he talking about? Mac notebooks are competitively priced, in my opinion.

Squire

 

[virividox]

well your dad is paying for it so he has the final call simple as that