Impressions from a hardcore PC user who 'switched'

[jpeyton]

Different notebooks for different people. Apple doesn't have a real subnotebook option yet, so I'd much rather have a Dell X1/D420 or a Sony 11-incher; all those are 3 lbs or less.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
When I switched from mac to pc, I was amazed at how much faster pc's were (gui responsiveness), how much more hardware customizing was possible and how much more software was available. I shudder every time I hear about people like you going backwards

can't REALLY customize a laptop, now can you. and even if you could, until recently with asus's build to order line, the offerings were paltry, and expensive at best. asus stuff is nice. but then again asus made the macbook. no surprise there.

as for os candy "responsiveness" those settings could all be changed just like you can change it in win xp. google and 3rd party programs ftw. overhead usage? are you trying to compare osx overhead to winxp overhead?

i love my macbook. but i can't be without my pc either. both have it's pros and cons, and i love having both.

imo apple makes poor desktop units (cuz really, how can you upgrade parts, which is what a desktop is all about), but their laptops are first class in make quality. osx isn't bad, and it's not like you should be playing games half assed on a lappy anyway.

 

[Nik]

So the things that are most important to you are:

1) looks
2) weight
3) keyboard size
4) how bright the screen is
5) webcam
6) noise
7) heat from the bottom
8) browsing the internet
9) instant messaging
10) importing music into iTunes

Wow.

Yes, I'm glad you're using a Mac. Leave real computers to the grown-ups, k? K.

 

[koloastreet]

in a addition to, i think macs make the perfect companion for computer science students.
real software peoples should know the shell very well and unix os. after all, i think most of all computer science courses use the unix os as foundation to the programming classes.

so if you write software, or in security/cryptography, an admin, etc... a type of *nix is decent work environment. i know if i had more experince with the shell programming, id have a much better job.

Originally posted by: GuideBot
So the things that are most important to you are:

1) looks
2) weight
3) keyboard size
4) how bright the screen is
5) webcam
6) noise
7) heat from the bottom
8) browsing the internet
9) instant messaging
10) importing music into iTunes

Wow.

Yes, I'm glad you're using a Mac. Leave real computers to the grown-ups, k? K.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Fraggable

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Glad you like and that Apple survived.

A product owned by the Company may be a good fit for many people but I prefer the open PC.

Unfortunately Microsoft/Intel/AMD & the U.S. Govt are getting very close to their version of the Apple for the PC world where they will own the PC, you don't.

What? That makes no sense...

Linktified for the

Trusted Computing

A number of prominent security experts have spoken out against Trusted Computing as they believe it will provide computer manufacturers and software authors with increased control to impose restrictions on what users are able to do with their computers.

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: GuideBot
So the things that are most important to you are:

1) looks
2) weight
3) keyboard size
4) how bright the screen is
5) webcam
6) noise
7) heat from the bottom
8) browsing the internet
9) instant messaging
10) importing music into iTunes

Wow.

Yes, I'm glad you're using a Mac. Leave real computers to the grown-ups, k? K.

are you 14?

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: GuideBot
So the things that are most important to you are:

1) looks
2) weight
3) keyboard size
4) how bright the screen is
5) webcam
6) noise
7) heat from the bottom
8) browsing the internet
9) instant messaging
10) importing music into iTunes

Wow.

Yes, I'm glad you're using a Mac. Leave real computers to the grown-ups, k? K.

Why don't you tell us what the important things in a laptop are for you, Mr. Grown-up?

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Glad you like and that Apple survived.

A product owned by the Company may be a good fit for many people but I prefer the open PC.

Unfortunately Microsoft/Intel/AMD & the U.S. Govt are getting very close to their version of the Apple for the PC world where they will own the PC, you don't.

Next time you do a mound of blow, be sure and overdose. Thanks.

 

[blackdogdeek]

just in case no one said this:

option key (curvy symbol) + T = new tab in safari (you might have to enable them in prefs)

adium is a good IM app

 

[HamSupLo]

i wonder if the OP is going to get a trendy hair cut, dress banana republic style, shop at wholefoods, drink 5 dollar lattes, trade in his car for a volvo, wear designer glasses....

that's how a typical mac user looks in LA. *barf* damn yuppie metrosexuals

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: GuideBot
So the things that are most important to you are:

1) looks
2) weight
3) keyboard size
4) how bright the screen is
5) webcam
6) noise
7) heat from the bottom
8) browsing the internet
9) instant messaging
10) importing music into iTunes

Wow.

Yes, I'm glad you're using a Mac. Leave real computers to the grown-ups, k? K.

Leave it to the grown ups? I guess that means you better get away from the PC then.

I am a network administrator as well as help desk and responsible for all break/fix/training and purchasing equipment for 150+ PCs, 75 employees and 350+ students. I have 9 years of experience working on computers and have done house calls for the last 5. I've done everything from install and manage Win Server 2000 Pro to 2003, Win 95 to Vista Beta, fix systems from 386's to dual CPU Xeon servers with 10 hard drives.

I know what I'm talking about, I realize PCs have advantages. I didn't say I was throwing away my PCs, I said I liked the Macbook. Maybe the title was misleading, I didn't 'switch', I just bought a macbook

What do you do? probably a programmer or soemthing?

i wonder if the OP is going to get a trendy hair cut, dress banana republic style, shop at wholefoods, drink 5 dollar lattes, trade in his car for a volvo, wear designer glasses....

um... yeah. I drive a V6 mustang, shop at Target, go to Great Clips and tell them to cut it off however they feel is best.

 

[Kaido]

Fraggable, ignore the haters and enjoy your nice new machine Be sure to check out my MacBook Resource Site:

http://macbook.wiredby.com

Also, for uninstalling apps, check out AppZapper:

http://appzapper.com/

Makes uninstalling even easier. PM for any questions

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Fraggable

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Glad you like and that Apple survived.

A product owned by the Company may be a good fit for many people but I prefer the open PC.

Unfortunately Microsoft/Intel/AMD & the U.S. Govt are getting very close to their version of the Apple for the PC world where they will own the PC, you don't.

What? That makes no sense...

Linktified for the

Trusted Computing

A number of prominent security experts have spoken out against Trusted Computing as they believe it will provide computer manufacturers and software authors with increased control to impose restrictions on what users are able to do with their computers.

Now everyone, don't forget to put on your tinfoil hat before reading this post. Wouldn't want them to know what you're thinking, now would we? :roll:

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: Fraggable

What do you do? probably a programmer or soemthing?

What's that supposed to mean? I use a MacBookPro and I'm a software developer/project lead. OSX is an awesome environment for programming (if you're used to Linux) as well as interacting with Windows users on the business side. The only thing I wish my MBP had was more RAM. 2GB just isn't enough it seems for what I do

 

[aswedc]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
When I switched from mac to pc, I was amazed at how much faster pc's were (gui responsiveness), how much more hardware customizing was possible and how much more software was available. I shudder every time I hear about people like you going backwards

You've always been on the wrong side of things. You loved Macs back in the Classic days. Windows 3.1 and IE 5 rendered web pages faster and crashed less than OS 9 and IE 5 Mac (and lets not even talk about Netscape 4).

GUI responsiveness? We don't use Pentium IIs anymore. The only reason your GUI would be slow is if you don't have enough RAM. And yes, OS X needs more RAM than XP. That's cause the GUI is more advanced. Vista will need the same amount.

Hardware customization is for PC gamers. The rest of us don't care.

Software? Boot Camp and Parallels.

 

[Dean]

I have two laptops, an 14" Ibook g4 and an IBM T41

The IBM never gets turned on anymore. The Ibook boots way faster and the battery lasts twice as long. It just feels so less bloated than then IBM.

For a laptop, I will stay Mac. I just like them.

For a PC, I will stay Windows.

 

[uhohs]

attention to detail like using 100x more thermal paste than you're suppose to.

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: Fraggable

What do you do? probably a programmer or soemthing?

What's that supposed to mean? I use a MacBookPro and I'm a software developer/project lead. OSX is an awesome environment for programming (if you're used to Linux) as well as interacting with Windows users on the business side. The only thing I wish my MBP had was more RAM. 2GB just isn't enough it seems for what I do

That comment wasn't for you, it was for GuideBot, who seems to think that since I admired the looks of the macbook that meant I knew nothing about PCs.

Originally posted by: uhohs
attention to detail like using 100x more thermal paste than you're suppose to.

Yeah... I have heard about that but I've also read a few articles saying you may or may not see a temp difference. I'm trying to find a fan control program before breaking this thing open. I'm going to want to do some research to see if I'm voiding my warranty by doing that too.

 

[swtethan]

i would never buy an upgrade from apple, just buy it from newegg

 

[Brutuskend]

ONly problem I see with MAC's is, you can't build your own.

Therefore, I will never own a MAC.
<---cheap bastard

 

[shadow9d9]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I know some people couldn't care less about my impressions, I just thought some might find it helpful or informative. So here I go.

I've used PCs since I was 10, starting with a 386. In the last 11 years I've spent an inordinate amount of time troubleshooting, building, repairing, destroying, and otherwise wasting time on PCs. I started an associates' degree in PC Support and Administration with an emphasis on networking and administration 2 years ago and am nearing the completion of the degree. I've used apples for a total of maybe 10 hours in 11 years, until yesterday. I went to order my dad an ipod for his bday and saw they were giving away a 2gb nano with a laptop purchase. I know I'll be expected to know a minimal amount of how to work with macs and at least how the networking side of them works, plus I was curious to see how easy the OS really is, I figured if I didn't like it I could always sell it or install Windows. So I ordered a basic macbook for $1050.

When I opened the box I was immediately struck by the incredible attention to detail and design, as most people are. Especially the power adapter. My HP 17" beast of a laptop's power adapter is almost the size of a brick and uglier than one, where the power adapter for the macbook is elegant and comes with 2 options for plugging it into the wall. The way they designed it makes it almost as convenient as having 2 power adapters, one for traveling and one for desk use. The macbook itself is heavier than I expected for its size, I'd guess about 6-7 pounds. Nice keyboard, the keys are spaced a bit farther apart than a normal keyboard but I don't fatfinger things as much when I'm using it. The screen is the perfect brightness and has a very good reponse time it seems. the webcam is of really good quality. It's totally silent 95% of the time, I don't think the fan runs much at all. The only thing I'm not really happy with is that the bottom gets pretty warm sometimes. I installed the update that's supposed to increase fan speed and help with temps but I havent noticed a difference yet.

The OS is too cool to explain. I cant get over how simple it is to install and uninstall programs just by moving/removing them from the Applications folder. Safari is nice but I haven't figured out if it's got tabbed browsing yet, ichat is cool but I wish it had support for Yahoo, the Dashboard is really nice and I love the white pages widget, that's going to save me a ton of time. As I type this it's importing music from my desktop to itunes, something I have never been able to get my other laptop PC to do.

In summary, I dont think I'll ever buy another PC. If I do, it will be strictly for gaming since macs really arent designed for it.

So there's my .02. I really just typed this so I didn't get bored waiting for itunes.

If you don't play games, macs might be for you.. if you want to play games, it doesn't matter how neat a Mac is...

 

[her209]

Nice looking hardware but that's about it.