Is a MacBook good for me ?

[Perota]

I have a Sony laptop for the past two years, the small model with the 11" display and I love it. Unfortunately the small display is not so good for my aging eyes and I need something a bit bigger. According to the Apple sales guy the MacBook is exactly what I need but I don't really trust computer salesmen

I carry my notebook everyday, so I need something really light and strongly built. I spend a lot of time in airports and aircrafts so I need a long battery life, minimum 5-6 hours (real working time).
I need a computer that starts quickly, I don't want to wait for ages everytime I turn it on / off. I use the usual software Excel/Word, PS, Illustrator and Acrobat. I use MS Money, I have 3 years of personnal accounting, I would prefer not to have to enter everything again. I use MSN to keep in touch with the office (I tried to convince them to use Skype but they say MSN is more useful).
Most important, I would like to keep my email software TheBat. I have 11 active accounts and I can't find a programm that can handle so many accounts better than TheBat
On the hardware side, I need a CD drive and a modem, I still use a 56K connection from time to time.
Last question, all my files are in PC format. The sales guy told me there is a 100% compatibility since now Mac use an Intel processor (?), what do you guys think ?

And I almost forgot, can I connect to the office network the same way as with my Sony ?

So is a MacBook good for me or should I stick with Windows ?

[melvbot]

I have a Sony laptop for the past two years, the small model with the 11" display and I love it. Unfortunately the small display is not so good for my aging eyes and I need something a bit bigger. According to the Apple sales guy the MacBook is exactly what I need but I don't really trust computer salesmen

I carry my notebook everyday, so I need something really light and strongly built. I spend a lot of time in airports and aircrafts so I need a long battery life, minimum 5-6 hours (real working time).
I need a computer that starts quickly, I don't want to wait for ages everytime I turn it on / off. I use the usual software Excel/Word, PS, Illustrator and Acrobat. I use MS Money, I have 3 years of personnal accounting, I would prefer not to have to enter everything again. I use MSN to keep in touch with the office (I tried to convince them to use Skype but they say MSN is more useful).
Most important, I would like to keep my email software TheBat. I have 11 active accounts and I can't find a programm that can handle so many accounts better than TheBat
On the hardware side, I need a CD drive and a modem, I still use a 56K connection from time to time.
Last question, all my files are in PC format. The sales guy told me there is a 100% compatibility since now Mac use an Intel processor (?), what do you guys think ?

And I almost forgot, can I connect to the office network the same way as with my Sony ?

So is a MacBook good for me or should I stick with Windows ?

Sounds like an easy case of Windows to me. If your office is on a PC network stick with it, Im a Mac user BTW.

[kingwilly]

mac is good.

[The Fresh Prince]

^^Thats what I was going to say. If your used to what you know and it works, why change it?

[Perota]

^^Thats what I was going to say. If your used to what you know and it works, why change it?

Display is too small (11"). I have a big display in the office that I connect to the laptop and it was enough but I use a lot the computer outside of the office and I start to have problem with my eyesight so I need a bigger display.

I went to a computer store this morning and I found that the MacBook seems to be what I'm looking for and the price is competitive so since I need a new laptop why not an Apple?

[Gerbil]

Yep. MacBook is good. Use 'BootCamp' and you can boot either MacOS X or Windows XP/Vista/7.

[Butterfly]

Avoid the Mac at all cost,

they are quite fragile, specs not at par with most PCs and it's overpriced

you can get a very good laptop for less than 20,000 THB, I doubt a mac could beat that in terms of price and performance

the learning curve would be so high for switching, than you will probably want to throw it out of the window.

[Butterfly]

and they look gay

[Butterfly]

Sounds like an easy case of Windows to me. If your office is on a PC network stick with it, Im a Mac user BTW.

the voice of reason, very rare for a mac user

if it's simply a display size problem, it has nothing to do with macs and PCs. Plenty of laptops with big screens. Sounds like you didn't go shop around and went to the first gay computer shop you came across.

Try TESCO next time, that's where all the real players go

[Gipsy]

^ Says someone who owns a Mac....


Here, Lord of the Butterflies, for you:

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[Gipsy]

Unfortunately the small display is not so good for my aging eyes and I need something a bit bigger

If.... your Sony laptop is still working well, how about a pair of reading glasses? Saves you a lot of decisions to make For sure cheaper than any laptop.

[Perota]

Unfortunately the small display is not so good for my aging eyes and I need something a bit bigger

If.... your Sony laptop is still working well, how about a pair of reading glasses? Saves you a lot of decisions to make For sure cheaper than any laptop.

You miss the point Gipsy. Who want reading glasses for Christmas ?

Beside, as I have sound, medical reason to buy a new laptop, my company will most probably pay for it

So Mac or not Mac ?


PS : I also need a small tractor for our land in Korat, but I'm afraid it's going to be more difficult to pass it as professional expenses. Any advise ?

[Marmite the Dog]

Stick with a PC based laptop. Despite Butterfly being biased (as well as a complete fag) he's right in that you can get a higher spec product for a considerable saving over a Mac. Macs are not as badly built as the fag made them out to be, but there are a load of superbly built PC laptops available as well.

I seem to remember you saying that you are based in Hong Kong? If you can't get a good deal there, you'll never get a good deal any where.

Google "choosing a laptop" - there's loads of sites out there to help you get really confused.

[The Fresh Prince]

and they look gay

So how come you don't like them then?

my company will most probably pay for it

Ok I change my vote then if the company's paying for it give it a shot. I've got the latest Macbook and bloody love it!!

[StrontiumDog]

Yeah, MacBook Pro here. Very fast boot time, maybe 3-4 seconds.

I'd recommend Crossover Pro for using Windoz apps with OS X. No need to reboot, just run the apps from within Crossover.

I would agree that switching from Microshit to Apple has a learning curve and its not for everyone.

If you're happy with Windoz, don't change.

But...

Macs are incredibly easy to use if you know your way around. Btw, MacBook Pros have a metal casing and it's tough. I've travelled all over the world with mine and it still looks great.

Networking/internet setup is really easy and quick...plug in and play.

[Wallalai]

Yeah, MacBook Pro here. Very fast boot time, maybe 3-4 seconds.
I'd recommend Crossover Pro for using Windoz apps with OS X. No need to reboot, just run the apps from within Crossover.

MacBook Pro 2,26 GHz 13" 4GB RAM (and iMac 2,8Ghz 24" 4GB RAM) here. I'll say boot time is more than 35 sec to the login screen.

And for Windows I'll chose Parallels Desktop 5 or WMware Studio instead of Crossover. Or just double boot through BootCamp.

Anyway, I'll never go back on a PC, even with a GNU/linux distro. Everything is just more simple and headaches free on a Mac.

And Unix inside, just open a terminal and all the Linux commands you know just works.

[The Fresh Prince]

^Mines bigger than yours!

[StrontiumDog]

Yeah, MacBook Pro here. Very fast boot time, maybe 3-4 seconds.
I'd recommend Crossover Pro for using Windoz apps with OS X. No need to reboot, just run the apps from within Crossover.

MacBook Pro 2,26 GHz 13" 4GB RAM (and iMac 2,8Ghz 24" 4GB RAM) here. I'll say boot time is more than 35 sec to the login screen.

And for Windows I'll chose Parallels Desktop 5 or WMware Studio instead of Crossover. Or just double boot through BootCamp.

Anyway, I'll never go back on a PC, even with a GNU/linux distro. Everything is just more simple and headaches free on a Mac.

And Unix inside, just open a terminal and all the Linux commands you know just works.

Ouch! 35 seconds...mine is almost instantaneous. 2.4ghz here...but i don't think that makes much difference. Buying a new iMac next...4 core 2.8...going to cost a bit though.

[StrontiumDog]

^Mines bigger than yours!

I doubt it

[Stinky]

It's not what you got it's the input you put into it

[Wallalai]

Ouch! 35 seconds...mine is almost instantaneous. 2.4ghz here...but i don't think that makes much difference. Buying a new iMac next...4 core 2.8...going to cost a bit though.

iMac don't need to be rebooted everyday, just let it work and it's fine.

[Wallalai]

^Mines bigger than yours!

No, I have only medium specs Apple Computers.

Absolutely not an i7 27" iMac or 17" MacBook Pro. Sorry, your comment is just irrelevant.

[Mr Earl]

The MacBook is a piece of crap.

I own one so I know. Hard drive failed after only 6 months. Keyboard cover is flimsy, cracks, I'm on the third cover. The entire unit exudes flimsiness. I twists, flexes and creaks. Keyboard has a crap feel compared to my old G4 Powerbook.
I like the OS X 10.5.8.
Would I buy another one? Fock no!

I'd be looking at a Lenovo or a Samsung. And dual boot Linux or OSX if you have to have windows for certain apps

[PAG]

Yeah, MacBook Pro here. Very fast boot time, maybe 3-4 seconds.
I'd recommend Crossover Pro for using Windoz apps with OS X. No need to reboot, just run the apps from within Crossover.

MacBook Pro 2,26 GHz 13" 4GB RAM (and iMac 2,8Ghz 24" 4GB RAM) here. I'll say boot time is more than 35 sec to the login screen.

And for Windows I'll chose Parallels Desktop 5 or WMware Studio instead of Crossover. Or just double boot through BootCamp.

Anyway, I'll never go back on a PC, even with a GNU/linux distro. Everything is just more simple and headaches free on a Mac.

And Unix inside, just open a terminal and all the Linux commands you know just works.

Ouch! 35 seconds...mine is almost instantaneous. 2.4ghz here...but i don't think that makes much difference. Buying a new iMac next...4 core 2.8...going to cost a bit though.

Certainly with the latest Snow Leopard OS, start up is very quick, a couple of seconds only. Can't believe the comment about poor build quality of Mac's, as they're really built to last. I use a 17'' Macbook Pro most of the time, and have the latest 24'' iMac for mainly photo work. Also have the Macbook Air for travelling, which is great for day use, good battery life, however you need to carry quite a bit of peripherals with you as only 1 USB port, and not even an ethernet port as the unit's so thin.

[Butterfly]

The MacBook is a piece of crap.

why do you hate Steve Jobs ? please report to your nearest Apple center,