Thread: What computer should I buy?

My laptop has died, the second in about 8 years so I've had a good run although nasty viruses meant expert care on several occasions.

I'm thinking of giving up on Windows and laptops entirely and was wondering what folk thought about a Mac mini and their display? I love the cool look of the thing and harbour thoughts that it won't die for quite a while because of a perceived quality. Is this merited? Is it worth it?

You'd be better off going for a macbook air as these come with a solid state drive which generate less heat than the hard disk drive that comes with the mac mini. That plus SSDs are a lot faster and safer too.

If its just Windows you're fed up with, you might also like to consider a laptop installed with one of the linux distributions. Like the apple software, linux is also based on Unix and highly unlikely to fall victim to a virus attack.

Nigel I realise it's a long time ago now, but did you find the transition difficult?
Serious question BTW.

Dead east Chas no probs if you want a serious answer .

Yeah ok there will be the usual suspects quoting the usual garbage tomorrow about Macs and thickos who use them when they wake up , , yes I admit they are not cheap , BUT they work !

To be honest mate, I'm not worried about the mactard accusers at all. Just getting used to a new operating system. Old fart and all that.
No one likes change but .........

Originally Posted by thegent

I've had a good run although nasty viruses meant expert care on several occasions.

If you needed expert care to deal with a virus then a Mac will prolly be worth the extra cost for you. Unless there's some specific software you need that requires windows?

Originally Posted by thegent

What computer should I buy?

Do you keep the computer mainly in one place or do you specifically need a mobile device you move around daily (i.e laptop)?

Originally Posted by chassamui

To be honest mate, I'm not worried about the mactard accusers at all. Just getting used to a new operating system. Old fart and all that.
No one likes change but .........

After vowing to never buy a windows laptop again, I tried a Mac I borrowed from a friend. It didn't take long to get used to it at all, but there were indeed some programs I wanted that did not work on it (although I think that was an age thing). I then tried an ubuntu one which was thoroughly irritating, so in the ends went with Windows again.

However, I am fairly convinced the next will be a Mac - I liked what I saw, basically.

With a big shiny half eaten apple logo on the back of your laptop, you will have those Gulliver's freelancers eating out of your hand(if you can smuggle your sausage in)

That Mac Mini is good value in Thailand's Apple Store. The Thai store is normally dearer than the Malaysian equivalent, but that works out a little cheaper at £340. It's £500 back in the UK


Mac mini - Buy Mac mini Desktop Computers - Apple Store (Thailand)
Mac mini - Buy Mac mini Online - Apple Store (UK)
Mac mini - Buy Mac mini Desktop Computers - Apple Store (Malaysia)

what do you do on your computer ? just web browsing?

the mac mini is a desktop - do you want a desktop or a laptop ?

for a laptop get a mac 13.3 with SSD

Many thanks for those replies. It's quite heartening to hear comments that vindicate one's own thoughts.

I don't need portability. The only times I took my lap top out for an airing, other than travelling back to Blighty, was to the computer doctor because of operating problems.

The thing is, the Mac mini needs a display and Apple's own offering is not only expensive but damned big. 27" is simply too big for my needs. Which other display would complement the mini, or is that irrelevant?

The Mac book Air/Pro is probably best for my needs but the screen is too small and, as I have said, portability is irrelevant.

By default, I am inclining to the IMac 21". I can tailor processing/drive to my limited needs and the thing is a beautiful piece of kit. The downside is, what happens if something goes wrong? As I understand it, the only way in is to separate the screen from its housing by breaking the glue bonding. Strikes me as a challenge for any service team.

Ideally, the Mac mini and a 21" screen would be the winner but Apple seem to think all users are interested in graphic design ( or internet naughtiness....) and want their monster screen.

Thunderbolt ports, FireWire and dual core threading etc were all just words to me before I began this process but it seems by configuring sensibly at the time of purchase I can get what I need to last me.

The prime needs are speed, reliability and ease of use. The Apple OS is sensible but Windows can also be used if needs be.

So, IMac it is then or the Mac mini and some other display?

PS. Dillinger, charcuterie plays no role in this. My allure for the opposite sex reposes in my hansumness, and not in me portables.

Connectivity is not an issue for me. When I venture out it is into the real world and have no need, or wish, to seek recourse to the cyber sphere. My phone is a phone and has no other facility. Email access and the need to research, surf or browse are activities confined to home.

I suppose one might wish to take an iPad to read the papers when one is at a loose end or taking solitary refreshment but that's pretty much it for me, so a lap top as a convenience when out and about is quite redundant.

Incidentally, I don't play games.

I'm dithering over the iMac or the Mac mini. If I plump for the latter can anyone recommend a quality monitor.

I think you've been given bad advice about getting a MAC, it's a high end machine and probably overkill, but even if price and overperformance is no issue some things might annoy you like anything you connect it to has to also be Apple and they extort you on price.

Originally Posted by thegent

When I venture out it is into the real world and have no need, or wish, to seek recourse to the cyber sphere.

If you leave it on the desk at home you can get the PC equivalent of a 50k mac for 15k

^ You sure can complete with all the conflicting programs and viruses ,, good job they are cheap it will help you buy another new one in a couple of years time .

Never quite sure why people look so much to price as opposed to quality when it comes to buying a decent computer .

This Macbook pro cost me £800 // bht 40k just over 5 years ago so at the moment thats worked out at about £160 per year and considering the amount of use I get out of it personally I think its incredibly good value for a piece of kit that still works so well .

BTW if you go the 13" Macbook pro route a very nice monitor to match it is one of the Dell Ultrasharps around £300 for 24" or LG have some beauties at that size around the £120 mark .

^ Nigel you are saying everyone should get Macs coz they dont have viruses?

Conflicting programs?

People who own Macs should not try justify their poor choices by giving bad advice to others.

^ I,m just speaking from my own experience sharing the love I get from my Mac

After years and years of shitty Windows based problematic PC,s I owned previously

Up to the OP whether he takes the advice , I am sure he is a big boy and can make up his own mind

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

Never quite sure why people look so much to price as opposed to quality when it comes to buying a decent computer .

anyone who does not give a fcukabout control over their 'tinternet device should buy a mac

I want to know what is going on , and I have a lot of skill in that regard - though you can do that with a mac , but it does not suit my needs

if you ask the question as to what computer you should buy - for now an apple device is the answer

Originally Posted by baldrick

if you ask the question as to what computer you should buy - for now an apple device is the answer

why do you say this, because of the nasty viruses?

Even if price was no object I probably wouldnt go with Mac. It's too restraining, especially if you have android phone. I'm no expert by a high volume user, never been big into security but I can't say I ever had a machine ruined by viruses. When they slow down I just reinstall windows which is much easier than with a Mac.

What the Macbook has gong for it is the HD because it doesn't heat up. Even with a heat pad my Sony Vaois get real hot and lately its been making a noise like a jet engine warming up.

I'm convinced ya'll just telling the gent to get a mac just to fuk with the poor dude. What he really needs is a 15K bt acer all-in-one

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

You sure can complete with all the conflicting programs and viruses ,, good job they are cheap it will help you buy another new one in a couple of years time .

Originally Posted by baldrick

if you ask the question as to what computer you should buy - for now an apple device is the answer

If you don't have the most basic computer skills then Mac is much much easier - but you pay for that.