Next year I am going to college so I will be needing a new laptop. I will be Majoring in Molecular biology (pre-med) and environmental studies, so I will need that computer mostly for word, power point and excel as well as recreational use such as music and the internet. I am really leaning towards a mac book pro because I like the software among some of the perks of having a mac. But my dad keeps telling me I can get better software, ram, bigger hard drive, etc for the same price if I get a pc, so i'm not sure if its worth getting the mac. Any suggestions?
Mac Vs. Pc
- Thread starter Sboth1
- Start date
There are lots of reasons people prefer Macs, but on a basic level, PC's and Macs are the same thing... only different. They both have a screen, a keyboard, a bunch of circuitry including a CPU, video, storage and interfaces.
The differences are:
1. PC's cost less.
2. The OS's are different, and each requires software designed for the specific OS.
It gets down to two issues, money and commonality of applications among your friends and peers. For example, in high level professional film, video and music production, Macs have a large number of installed user bases. If what you'll be doing ever day is primarily Mac-centric, and you want to share files and basic user knowledge with the people with whom you'll be associating, get a Mac.
To put it another way, they're both tools. If someone wants to hire you to do a job that requires a phillips screwdriver, you can't insist on using a hammer.
That advantage is slowly disappearing because PC's have pretty much caught up with the performance and elegance of Macs, but some differences still remain.
As your dad says, the biggest advantage of PC's is that of volume. PC's are still well over 90% of the market which makes the hardware and software much less expensive and more widely available and servicable, and PC's can be built with much better CPU's and more RAM for far less money than you'd pay for any similarly equipped Mac. And that's before you get to the extra expense Apple imposes simply because they have a monopoly licensing position. That same balance is one reason there are more virus attacks on PC's because the bad guys want as many targets as possible.
If you really like the Mac OS better, one solution could be to buy a Mac and install Windows to run under it. Another would be to buy a PC known to be compatible for use as a "Hackintosh," that is, a PC where all the hardware is compatible with the Mac OS and hardware that accepts the required hack. Use the forum search engine to search for Hackintosh, and search the web for the same.
The differences are:
1. PC's cost less.
2. The OS's are different, and each requires software designed for the specific OS.
It gets down to two issues, money and commonality of applications among your friends and peers. For example, in high level professional film, video and music production, Macs have a large number of installed user bases. If what you'll be doing ever day is primarily Mac-centric, and you want to share files and basic user knowledge with the people with whom you'll be associating, get a Mac.
To put it another way, they're both tools. If someone wants to hire you to do a job that requires a phillips screwdriver, you can't insist on using a hammer.
That advantage is slowly disappearing because PC's have pretty much caught up with the performance and elegance of Macs, but some differences still remain.
As your dad says, the biggest advantage of PC's is that of volume. PC's are still well over 90% of the market which makes the hardware and software much less expensive and more widely available and servicable, and PC's can be built with much better CPU's and more RAM for far less money than you'd pay for any similarly equipped Mac. And that's before you get to the extra expense Apple imposes simply because they have a monopoly licensing position. That same balance is one reason there are more virus attacks on PC's because the bad guys want as many targets as possible.
If you really like the Mac OS better, one solution could be to buy a Mac and install Windows to run under it. Another would be to buy a PC known to be compatible for use as a "Hackintosh," that is, a PC where all the hardware is compatible with the Mac OS and hardware that accepts the required hack. Use the forum search engine to search for Hackintosh, and search the web for the same.
Are you paying for it yourself?
-If yes, then get whatever you want any system you get from anyone (that isn't a netbook) will accomplish those tasks handily
-If no, then if you really want the Mac, offer to pay the difference if you really want it.
What size laptop are you looking for?
How important is battery life to you?
Are you going to be gaming at all?
Do you have an existing desktop?
Will you be taking this to class much?
If you aren't doing anything intensive (3D design work, CAD, heavy PhotoShop, etc) then as I said before, the specs on any modern system, Macs included will be more than sufficient, so long as you get at least 4GB RAM. Macs are expensive for the specs that you get, but those of us that own them prefer them and are willing to pay the difference, and we each have our own reasons. Mine is that there is nothing on the market quite like the MacBook Air 11" IMO, especially not with OS X. I think that Acer has a Timeline that comes close, better CPU, but worse CPU, and it is thicker, heavier, and no standard SSD, but it is $400 cheaper... and no OS X.
Specs are everything, simply getting a system based on whichever one has the most shiny bells and whistles for the lowest price is no way to do things in my opinion.
-If yes, then get whatever you want any system you get from anyone (that isn't a netbook) will accomplish those tasks handily
-If no, then if you really want the Mac, offer to pay the difference if you really want it.
What size laptop are you looking for?
How important is battery life to you?
Are you going to be gaming at all?
Do you have an existing desktop?
Will you be taking this to class much?
If you aren't doing anything intensive (3D design work, CAD, heavy PhotoShop, etc) then as I said before, the specs on any modern system, Macs included will be more than sufficient, so long as you get at least 4GB RAM. Macs are expensive for the specs that you get, but those of us that own them prefer them and are willing to pay the difference, and we each have our own reasons. Mine is that there is nothing on the market quite like the MacBook Air 11" IMO, especially not with OS X. I think that Acer has a Timeline that comes close, better CPU, but worse CPU, and it is thicker, heavier, and no standard SSD, but it is $400 cheaper... and no OS X.
Specs are everything, simply getting a system based on whichever one has the most shiny bells and whistles for the lowest price is no way to do things in my opinion.
- Jul 19, 2001
- 38,572
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While I agree with your entire post, I would just like to add that while both options you presented above are absolutely viable, its typically much easier to get windows running on a Mac laptop, as opposed to a Mac OS running on a Windows based laptop (you run into issues with Wifi cards, built in video, etc). Its by all means possible and the systems can run great, but not for the faint of heart.
At least with the Mac laptop, bootcamp is ready and waiting for you to install Windows if necessary.
My recommendation would be that if both OS's are wanted, go with the Mac laptop, especially if its your first foray into OSX.
KeypoX
Diamond Member
- Aug 31, 2003
- 3,655
- 0
- 71
If its free get the mac book duh, make sure he buys a copy of windows for it, just in case you need to some windows program.
But for $2000+ you can get some crazy hardware in the pc arena.
Or you could get a laptop for < 1000, then build a nice hack for 1000 with 24 inch monitor.
But for $2000+ you can get some crazy hardware in the pc arena.
Or you could get a laptop for < 1000, then build a nice hack for 1000 with 24 inch monitor.
TuxDave
Lifer
- Oct 8, 2002
- 10,571
- 3
- 71
I'd probably vote against a Hackintosh if it's your only computer unless you enjoy dealing with little bugs here and there or being mindful of what versions of OSX not to upgrade to etc.... it's a pain.
I recommend contacting your department to see if there's any recommendation from them to run course related software on your laptop (vs having to go to the computer lab). It could be that all the "free" software you can get from your school is all PC, who knows.
I recommend contacting your department to see if there's any recommendation from them to run course related software on your laptop (vs having to go to the computer lab). It could be that all the "free" software you can get from your school is all PC, who knows.
Kadarin
Lifer
- Nov 23, 2001
- 44,296
- 16
- 81
Better software? You can get Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for the Mac. If desired, you can even run Windows on the Mac either in a virtual machine or natively.
My advice: Determine what your needs and wants are, then spec out both Mac and PC systems, and then make an informed decision. In some cases it'll be a race to the bottom to get the cheapest possible machine, in which case it'll be some cheap PC laptop. If I recall correctly, nicely specced out laptops tend to compare more evenly in price, but you'll have to do some research to make a good determination.
gorcorps
aka Brandon
- Jul 18, 2004
- 30,739
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That is incredibly dependent on school. Mine was nearly flipped the other direction because of a number of reasons. We had a team project with one Mac user and every time he edited our paper in the Mac version of Word the formatting was ruined. Whatever anybody says about Office, it's simply not the same on Mac as it is on Windows and problems may arise. *NOTE: I said MAY arise, not WILL so everybody keep cool. There were also multiple programs used in some majors that were windows only and has issues with the virtual machine.
Look OP, you posted in the Apple thread so you can expect to get a lot of recs for a Mac but I wouldn't bother. The only programs that Macs are known for is stuff you won't be using much in your field. Chances are you may even run into programs that are Windows only (some friends at my school used several Windows only programs in their bio-chem engineering classes). If you absolutely have to have a mac, then at the very least make sure you figure out how to install a proper copy of windows too for dual boot. Don't rely on a virtual Windows mode. I don't think it's worth the price premium as most of the asthetics of the Mac have been copied as programs to use in windows. ObjectDock for the toolbar at the bottom, Switcher for the Mac equivilent of alt+tab, and themes that can look just like Macs if you just want the FEEL of a Mac without the costs or limited program support.
sourceninja
Diamond Member
- Mar 8, 2005
- 8,805
- 65
- 91
I'm the only mac user in most of my classes. It's really funny to see the awe of my macbook pro.
"Your so lucky, you can afford a mac!"
Honestly, get whatever you can afford that feels right. It's not about getting the most 'power' for the money. It's about having a budget and getting something you will use and enjoy.
My mac is not the most powerful notebook that I could have bought, but the trackpad, unix, textmate, and other features made it worth it. If I was only worried about raw computing power I would have built a desktop and bought a netbook for when I had to travel.
"Your so lucky, you can afford a mac!"
Honestly, get whatever you can afford that feels right. It's not about getting the most 'power' for the money. It's about having a budget and getting something you will use and enjoy.
My mac is not the most powerful notebook that I could have bought, but the trackpad, unix, textmate, and other features made it worth it. If I was only worried about raw computing power I would have built a desktop and bought a netbook for when I had to travel.
Fingolfin269
Lifer
- Feb 28, 2003
- 17,948
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A lot of the stuff that gets overlooked on the MacBooks are the intangibles. Forget the CPU/GPU/RAM, the OS, etc. For me it's all about the stuff like the casing, the touchpad, the magsafe, etc. The only reason the PC market has not won back those of us who couldn't care less about owning a Mac for image purposes is because they just don't offer the intangibles. That's because the PC market tends to be more about horsepower than luxury.
My perfect notebook would be something along the lines of the 13 or 14" HP Envy internal specs combined with the MBP intangibles. Pure win there and I wouldn't even care what the brand was (as long as quality remained consistent).
My perfect notebook would be something along the lines of the 13 or 14" HP Envy internal specs combined with the MBP intangibles. Pure win there and I wouldn't even care what the brand was (as long as quality remained consistent).
Aikouka
Lifer
- Nov 27, 2001
- 30,383
- 912
- 126
Last I checked the discount, it was only $50.... I really don't see how that drives people to buying Apple.
EDIT:
I actually get a higher discount through my employer
.
dave_the_nerd
Lifer
- Feb 25, 2011
- 16,984
- 1,616
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I saw somebody in another thread knocking the Macs because they're heavy. The contention being that the machines aluminum enclosure adds a pound of weight or so with no real technical advantage.
1) Maybe so. (The bigger batteries add weight too.)
2) I can use my laptop as a weapon. D:
I am typing this on a Macbook, so my bias is self-evident. But ultimately, you have to ask yourself, "SBoth1? How much do I like viruses? A lot? No? Okay."
We're all informed, tech-literate people here. Yes; theoretically, OS X isn't any more secure than Windows.
In the real world, the malware that exists is rare, requires the user to install it on purpose, and can't royally screw your computer for all time just because you went to a particular web page and clicked on the picture of a naked person.
Until a malware author tears themselves away from their CP and spam botnets, gets up off their butt, and writes something scary, I'm sticking with my overpriced, underpowered, too-pretty-to-be-allowed laptop.
1) Maybe so. (The bigger batteries add weight too.)
2) I can use my laptop as a weapon. D:
I am typing this on a Macbook, so my bias is self-evident. But ultimately, you have to ask yourself, "SBoth1? How much do I like viruses? A lot? No? Okay."
We're all informed, tech-literate people here. Yes; theoretically, OS X isn't any more secure than Windows.
In the real world, the malware that exists is rare, requires the user to install it on purpose, and can't royally screw your computer for all time just because you went to a particular web page and clicked on the picture of a naked person.
Until a malware author tears themselves away from their CP and spam botnets, gets up off their butt, and writes something scary, I'm sticking with my overpriced, underpowered, too-pretty-to-be-allowed laptop.
sourceninja
Diamond Member
- Mar 8, 2005
- 8,805
- 65
- 91
Honestly, I bought my macbook pro because of it's physical design (trackpad, feel, keyboard, non-glossy screen, etc) and because it was *nix. the *nix part being the most important decision.
There are just no real good *nix notebooks out there.
There are just no real good *nix notebooks out there.
silverpig
Lifer
- Jul 29, 2001
- 27,703
- 12
- 81
Same here. If I could get an all-aluminum notebook with the same build quality as the macbook pro, get it cheaper, and put linux on it, I'd probably be pretty happy save for the lack of MS Office.
dave_the_nerd
Lifer
- Feb 25, 2011
- 16,984
- 1,616
- 126
OpenOffice has been "good enough" since 3.0, imho.
But I don't do a LOT LOT LOT of work in Office.
Well... if you're only using PowerPoint, Word, and Excel for schoolwork, then Apple's iWork suite is less expensive. I'd recommend OpenOffice, too, since it has good built-in features and it's... free.
Then the rest of the other stuffs are up to preference, but I honestly would choose a Macbook over Windows laptop any day because the trackpad on a Macbook is unequaled. Quite literally so.
And Mac doesn't exactly lack in power now that they are among the only laptops on the market to feature Sandy Bridge CPUs (they are less than your total number of fingers last I counted), and Sandy Bridge screams performance. Get a model with 4GB of RAM and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Then the rest of the other stuffs are up to preference, but I honestly would choose a Macbook over Windows laptop any day because the trackpad on a Macbook is unequaled. Quite literally so.
And Mac doesn't exactly lack in power now that they are among the only laptops on the market to feature Sandy Bridge CPUs (they are less than your total number of fingers last I counted), and Sandy Bridge screams performance. Get a model with 4GB of RAM and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
my school offers office 2011 for 68 bucks via digital download. it's kinda really affordable when compared to iwork. most schools should have similar offerings.
iWork is available on the App Store for $19.99 per app, or about $60 total, so it's not that bad. Buy.com also has it for $49.99 a pack right now (with free shipping), which is quite a deal considering you get the physical disc as well.
It has good minimal interface and good Mac compatibility with hardware features. OpenOffice isn't quite so (zooming is erratic with the MBP touchpad and Magic Trackpad), but OpenOffice is, again, free. Emphasizing free there...
Edit: never mind. I just saw iWork jumped back up to $59.99. Looks about on the same line as the App Store.
It has good minimal interface and good Mac compatibility with hardware features. OpenOffice isn't quite so (zooming is erratic with the MBP touchpad and Magic Trackpad), but OpenOffice is, again, free. Emphasizing free there...
Edit: never mind. I just saw iWork jumped back up to $59.99. Looks about on the same line as the App Store.
Last edited:
- Jul 19, 2001
- 38,572
- 2
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Depending on the school/workplace, it can be even cheaper than that. I paid $10 through my work for Office 2011 for Mac.
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