Thread: Is a MacBook good for me ?

Originally Posted by Perota

Sorry to disappoint all the Mac lovers but there is a bit more than 20,000 Bahts difference for as far as I can see no major performance difference beside the battery lifetime.

Beside it's not yet done so if Mac's fans have something to say for their favorite machine, they're most welcome !

As many others have pointed out, the difference between a Macintosh and a Win/PC system is not in the hardware -- while the Mac hardware is much better designed, and uses generally higher quality components, the main difference is simply that the Mac OS X operating system provides a much better user experience *and* it comes with far greater support for doing a lot of additional tasks.

Granted, you are probably not even interested in doing more with your equipment that checking of email, or surfing the web - in which case, you won't see much of a difference really, and saving 20,000 Baht, at first glance, might seem like a significant saving at first.

I'm actually more interested not only in what model iPhone you had which disappointed you so, but additional what it is exactly that was so disappointing. While you have used the word 'shit' to describe most of it, that's mostly a non qualifying statement without any particular detail. What did you expect, or did the iPhone not provide?

Last of all, buying a Mac will piss Butterfly off - that must be worth 20,000 Baht.

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Macs are for retards. I have one.


Thread closed.

That's Butterfly.

Oh, wait, this isn't the 'write a post in the style of a TD member" ??

I've decided the only way I'm going to fork out for a macbook is if I can get some raggie to bump their credit and get one on the drip then sell it to me for 500.

Sure one of my old mates has gangs of people that do this at christmas time to get cheap goods for people

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Argue however much you want, the pictures don't lie.

but you are a liar,

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

These are taken of the Pismo sitting on my desk right next to me.

these were retrofit refurb MacBook, that weren't available at the time, again caught in your lies, you little cheating bastard

Originally Posted by Perota

Sorry to disappoint all the Mac lovers but there is a bit more than 20,000 Bahts difference for as far as I can see no major performance difference beside the battery lifetime.

Beside it's not yet done so if Mac's fans have something to say for their favorite machine, they're most welcome !

Then buy any laptop brand coming with Windows 7, or any other. And you'll get virii, malwares, trojans and some other value added "uncommented features" for free.

Only you can decide.

Originally Posted by Wallalai

Originally Posted by Perota

Sorry to disappoint all the Mac lovers but there is a bit more than 20,000 Bahts difference for as far as I can see no major performance difference beside the battery lifetime.

Beside it's not yet done so if Mac's fans have something to say for their favorite machine, they're most welcome !

Then buy any laptop brand coming with Windows 7, or any other. And you'll get virii, malwares, trojans and some other value added "uncommented features" for free.

Only you can decide.

I'm with Wallalai on this one -- if you haven't had virus problems, malware, infections, and various other Windows niceties before, or if they don't bother you, then certainly staying with what you have had so far makes sense. Since your financial data is stored in MS Money (I guess you didn't know any better), and despite there being better financial programs that will seamlessly convert that data for you, it might just be easier to stay with what you know -- older people generally do not like change, and from several of your comments, it appears that you are starting to fit in that category.

Bear in mind, though - you are switching your laptop after 2 years (and in the case of Windows/PC that's about normal), while a Mac laptop will last you a decent 3-4 years, if not longer. Therefore, take into consideration what a new laptop will cost you, versus what appears to be a slightly higher up-front cost for the MacBook or MacBook Pro.

While you may have been looking at the MacBook Pro (15" display), I feel that the MacBook (13.3" screen) might be a better solution for you.

Either way, as Wallalai implied, and millions of Thai Bar Girls say "up to you!" ;-)

Originally Posted by Wallalai

Then buy any laptop brand coming with Windows 7, or any other. And you'll get virii, malwares, trojans and some other value added "uncommented features" for free.

non-sense, you obviously have never bought a PC laptop, you brainwashed little mactard. They don't come with virus, this is hilarious. Is that what you read on those mac blogs and other mac-in-touch news website ? jesus, what a silly propaganda.

You mac geeks are hopeless

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Bear in mind, though - you are switching your laptop after 2 years

which is actually unreasonable unless he bought a POS or treated his laptop as his bitch. Most brands, include SONY, can last last easily 5 years and more. Not surprised that the macs have a live shorter than 4 years, at the speed of OSX monstrous size, it will soon require a mainframe to run.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Wow, so you are saying that I picked apart a MacBook, somehow managed to fit it into the Pismo case, had it boot up in Leopard, only so I could take a picture to 'impress' you?

you are not impressing me either way. Regardless, it's not usable with your powerbook, apparently you have to disable a number of "features" to have anything like the Finder remotely functioning. Is that what you call compatibility ? we don't even know from that pic if it is what you claim. Could be a bi-processor, and I still don't think Apple was offering G4 500Mhz in 1998 or even 1999

on the other hand, I have WinXP and it can install without flaw on a 800Mhz PC (available at the time) with only 256Mb of RAM. Better yet, I can install Win2000 on a small 400Mhz Celeron with only 128MB and it works great.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Regardless, it's not usable with your powerbook, apparently you have to disable a number of "features" to have anything like the Finder remotely functioning. Is that what you call compatibility ? we don't even know from that pic if it is what you claim. Could be a bi-processor, and I still don't think Apple was offering G4 500Mhz in 1998 or even 1999

A bi-processor?!?!? When by your own statement they made no G4 processor version, yet somehow you now claim Apple at one point made a bi-processor laptop with a G4 processor and a G3 processor at the same time? Why woul they bother, or rather, where do you come with such inane speculations?

Your claim that it's not usable is just as ludicrous, seeing as how it works perfectly fine with all software, including iLife and iWork, and keeps up very well with surfing the web wirelessly, and running multiple applications. I am considering upgrading the hard drive from the current 30GB to a more comfortable 128 or above - after all, those drives are only $60 these days for a 320GB drive.

So, how much could you upgrade the RAM and hard drive sizes in your powerhouse 800MHz PC (which you are bragging can run XP, and 8 year old operating system. That would be like me bragging the Pismo can run mac OS 8 really well)

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Since your financial data is stored in MS Money (I guess you didn't know any better), and despite there being better financial programs that will seamlessly convert that data for you, it might just be easier to stay with what you know -- older people generally do not like change, and from several of your comments, it appears that you are starting to fit in that category.

Bear in mind, though - you are switching your laptop after 2 years (and in the case of Windows/PC that's about normal), while a Mac laptop will last you a decent 3-4 years, if not longer. Therefore, take into consideration what a new laptop will cost you, versus what appears to be a slightly higher up-front cost for the MacBook or MacBook Pro.

If you know anything better than MS Money ... Honestly accounting is boring, I've never really given much thought about those software, but if you can suggest anything better, I'm ready to give it a try. Anyway, Mac or Sony, I'll need to install new software.

Regarding buying a new laptop every two years ... For my birthday I got a set of new tires for the car. For Xmas, I wanted something more exiting. The other option is a tractor. I'd love to have a tractor but this year hasn't been so good and I can't reasonably afford it. So I guess I'll stick with the new laptop.

Originally Posted by Wallalai

And you'll get virii, malwares, trojans and some other value added "uncommented features" for free.

Damn, I didn't get any of them with mine. Where do I complain?

Originally Posted by Perota

If you know anything better than MS Money ...

Quicken for Mac ? not sure if any of those software are really any good, they always seem to be too limited, might as well use Excel

If you run Linux, you could run MS Money natively with WINE and other Win emulators,

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

A bi-processor?!?!? When by your own statement they made no G4 processor version, yet somehow you now claim Apple at one point made a bi-processor laptop with a G4 processor and a G3 processor at the same time? Why woul they bother, or rather, where do you come with such inane speculations?

my point is we don't know what your computer has inside really or when it was built. With your record of small lies, I take your screenshots with certain skepticism.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Wallalai

And you'll get virii, malwares, trojans and some other value added "uncommented features" for free.

Damn, I didn't get any of them with mine. Where do I complain?

Most Windows users, due to lack of sophistication, are not aware that their systems are infected or compromised, so don't feel too bad.

Originally Posted by Perota

If you know anything better than MS Money ... Honestly accounting is boring, I've never really given much thought about those software, but if you can suggest anything better, I'm ready to give it a try. Anyway, Mac or Sony, I'll need to install new software.

There's a lot of really good financial software available on the Mac platform, just not by the 'big guys'. It really depends what you are looking to do with it - personal finances, or business finances?

There's always Quicken and Quickbooks, but personally, those guys are a waste of time. I used to use MYOB (Mind Your Own Business), before switching to 'Billings' - Billings is seriously simpler, and is able to show me receivables and other status literally at the push of a button -- MYON required going through various reports and other hoops to jump through - since switching to Billings my time tracking and invoices has gotten seriously streamlined. In terms of personal finance, it really depends on what you want to do with it, and what you need to track. For most applications, there's some great tools on the iPhone available (which, unfortunately you seem to hate, without being able to explain why) which makes a lot of sense, as one would theoretically always carry one's iPhone along, so you can enter and track all transactions. For my part, it's great tracking expenses while on vacation, and being able to see exactly how much I'm spending on soapies, versus BGs, versus regular daily expenses. ;-)

Originally Posted by Perota

Regarding buying a new laptop every two years ... For my birthday I got a set of new tires for the car. For Xmas, I wanted something more exiting. The other option is a tractor. I'd love to have a tractor but this year hasn't been so good and I can't reasonably afford it. So I guess I'll stick with the new laptop.

Tractor sounds like fun - what do you do in Thailand that you get to use a tractor?

Originally Posted by Perota

First, to start with a bit of background I used to be an Apple salesman around 20 years ago, when Mac was REALLY something different. Now to fork out an extra 20,000 Baht for a metal casing, an extended battery life and to look "cool" ? Because that's what it is about, none of the arguments I used to sell a Mac 20 years ago are still valid now. I don't know how much cost a pair of CONVERSE shoes but probably less than 20,000 B.

If that's all you see as the basic difference between a Mac and a PC, ignoring completely quality of Operating System, software and quality of construction, then there is not much I can add -- as you are mostly suffering from a lack of perspective, and there is little I can do to remedy that, expect to point out that it's not about the hardware, in the end, than about the software you will be using.

Originally Posted by Perota

Regarding virus, I like your analogy with bar girls, you're right, bad habits and no protection ... it's actually "up to you" !

Indeed it is.

Originally Posted by Perota

FRegarding my software, Money does the job and so far I couldn't find better than TheBat so why changing ? The only software I regret not to use anymore and that was a class above anything else was RagTime. I think it still exists, I should have a look sometime ...

I wouldn't bother with Ragtime, there are better options out there these days.

Originally Posted by Perota

Last but not least, IPhone. I'm sure you know the joke "If Microsoft built cars" If Microsoft Built Cars So, eventually Microsoft built a phone and they called it the iPhone !

Last but not least, you still have failed to explain why you dislike the iPhone as much as you do. Why is that?

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Last but not least, you still have failed to explain why you dislike the iPhone as much as you do.

maybe it's a whole, make sense actually. Not everyone like the gay feeling that the iPhone offers. I am thinking of buying one actually

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Originally Posted by Perota

The only software I regret not to use anymore and that was a class above anything else was RagTime. I think it still exists, I should have a look sometime ...

I wouldn't bother with Ragtime, there are better options out there these days.

Which ones ? I'm really interested because everyday I've to produce business documents that include text, table and pictures and I don't know any software that do that better than Ragtime, I mean for a basic office worker like me. If there is one domain where I didn't see any progress for the past 20 years, it is this one.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

If that's all you see as the basic difference between a Mac and a PC, ignoring completely quality of Operating System, software and quality of construction, then there is not much I can add -- as you are mostly suffering from a lack of perspective, and there is little I can do to remedy that, expect to point out that it's not about the hardware, in the end, than about the software you will be using.

Which software ? 20 years ago there was a huge list of application only available on Mac, but nowadays ?

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

...you still have failed to explain why you dislike the iPhone as much as you do. Why is that?

One of the main selling point for the Mac used to be its intuitive interface. There is nothing intuitive in an IPhone or in Itune for that matter. The only application you don't need a 300 pages manual to operate is the calendar. A basic Nokia is more reliable as a mobile phone, for email Blackberry is much better, the camera is lousy. It's impossible to modify an international phone number without going through the all process of updating the contact. The phone freeze on a regular basis, either black screen or the interface doesn't reply. In short, Microsoft at its worst !

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Could be a bi-processor,

What a bi-processor may look like:

Tedious and boring anyone?

Originally Posted by Butterfly

my point is we don't know what your computer has inside really or when it was built. With your record of small lies, I take your screenshots with certain skepticism.

Riiiight.... I note your backpedaling out of this debate with a huge smile on my face.... basically, once again, you really don't know what you are talking about, and in your usual defensive manner, just simply accuse the other person of being a liar - particularly when there is no prior history to back your statement up. Hilarity ensues...

Originally Posted by Perota

One of the main selling point for the Mac used to be its intuitive interface. There is nothing intuitive in an IPhone or in Itune for that matter. The only application you don't need a 300 pages manual to operate is the calendar. A basic Nokia is more reliable as a mobile phone, for email Blackberry is much better, the camera is lousy. It's impossible to modify an international phone number without going through the all process of updating the contact. The phone freeze on a regular basis, either black screen or the interface doesn't reply. In short, Microsoft at its worst !

You know, I'm really torn between figuring out if you are just posting an elaborate wind-up, if you are actually serious about all you just wrote, or if you are just too old (meaning, you have been out of touch for too long) to have kept up.

I'm a bit confused what you consider non-intuitive about either the iPhone or iTunes, for that matter -- though one thing I encounter a lot is that people that have been using Windows a lot or confused by a user interface that is not as 'intuitive' as Windows trained them to be. Seriously, one of the major hurdles for someone switching to overcome, is to 'unlearn' a lot of the cruft Windows taught them is 'normal'. In almost every single case, former Windows users are amazed to discover that a simple process is actually... simple!

iTunes - you drag the music that you want to manage onto the iTunes icon; or you pop in a CD and a message pops up 'would you like to import the cd into your iTunes library'; you want to listen to a song, you double click it, or press the 'play. button; you search for a song, you type the title into the 'search' field; Not really sure where this is unintuitive.

iPhone - you only have one physical button on the damn thing, the home button which either activates the screen, or always returns you to your main screen; slider on your screen intuits you to 'slide to unlock', showing you what to do with your finger; green icon labeled 'phone', press it, see a keypad, dial a number, press big button that says 'CALL' to make the call; touch an icon to launch an application; plug it into iTunes regularly, it informs you when software updates are available and it automatically syncs all of your data; for crying out loud, YouTube has videos of 1-2 year old babies successfully using an iPhone, how confusing can it possibly be for you.

Again, I've asked you several times what model iPhone you have, and you have neglected to respond, though your last reply contained a sizeable hint as to your problem:

The phone freeze on a regular basis, either black screen or the interface doesn't reply

I strongly suspect that you have a hacked iPhone, probably an MBK special, and as such the comparison to a Windows phone would be quite apt -- I've had to fix quite a few iPhones that had been 'enhanced' via an MBK special (hacked, loaded with too many, and incompatible apps, to the point of being as unusable as you described.

Blaming Apple for what is essentially user error is quite disingenuous, but let's assume you didn't know any better and assumed that what you received is a genuine Apple product (though with those problems, you should have known it's not). It's very unlikely that if you used a properly updated, and configured iPhone you would have any of these issues.

Again, the key to valid information, is for you to provide valid information to start -- no one can assist or help you in a vacuum, or by having to make guesses, because you aren't giving them all the information they need. I've asked you specific questions in order to be able to help you (or try to, at least), but if you ignore these questions, there's nothing I can do. It's that simple.