Laptop, coolness, Apple Macbook maybe- for a novice user

#1 · 02-12-2007 10:52pm #1

I don't want this to turn into a Windows/Dell versus Apple thread, I'd just like to know about day to day use and possible issues for a novice using the machine at home and in college.

I'm about to purchase a laptop for a family member, will be for word-processing, surfing, music but also of course the cool factor comes into play, she's a student.

I first looked at Dell, I have 2 dells myself and found them grand but I see they have a delivery problem, I'll call them tomorrow to find out first but I'm also thinkin about the Apples, something like the "Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 2 GHz".
But I have no experience with them, I do know their cool:rolleyes: and good for graphics but what about day to day use and is there an issue with compatibility with windows machines, I presume she will be transferring word processor files to college windows machines, could that be an issue for a novice user? I see Apple have some offer on windows on Apples!! anyone?

I'm aware theirs probably a 400-500euro difference in price for the basic models but I have a feeling people who own Macs love them.

su_dios · 02-12-2007 10:58pm

Macbook is perfect for college. Easily the lightest and most portable laptop around. Also very user friendly and the learning curve from moving from windows to mac isnt long at all. After about 2 days you'll have the hang of it and pick up the rest along the way. They are generally easier to use AND can do anything a PC can do also so there shouldn't be an issue there. They can now run windows natively BUT dont buy one if you think she'll only use windows on it as it defeats the purpose and see a lot of people doing this. Microsoft office is available for Mac and there will also be a much awaited update to 2008 in January. Go into any of the 02 experience stores and try them for yourself. If you do buy don't buy in store buy online at the apple education store(link on the side at the apple IRL store).

If you do go the route of PC don't buy a dell! Go for hp. Dell laptops are NOT portable in the slightest bit and everyone I know who carries them to college can't wait to see the back of them!

BostonB · 02-12-2007 11:06pm

su_dios wrote: »

Macbook is perfect for college. Easily the lightest and most portable laptop around. ...

Its a 13" laptop. I'd have thought a 12, 11 or 10" laptop would be smaller or more portable.

su_dios wrote: »

Dell laptops are NOT portable in the slightest bit...

Really how about this one?
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3101&review=Dell+Latitude+D420

Tom Dunne · 02-12-2007 11:14pm

su_dios wrote: »

If you do go the route of PC don't buy a dell! Go for hp. Dell laptops are NOT portable in the slightest bit and everyone I know who carries them to college can't wait to see the back of them!

That has to be some of the most uninformed nonsense I have read on this forum.

Have you seen many Dells?

su_dios · 02-12-2007 11:15pm

Thats a fairly portable Dell alright but looks dated as hell! Can you buy that in Ireland at the moment? Also look at the price of it! Dells also seem to give the most trouble from experience. I'm surrounded by people with dells which have died in under 2years. Yeah ok you're right a 10" would be more portable but also terrible to use with a screen that size. The widescreen on the macbook is really efficient. Most vendors sell 15's. Bigger screen isn't always needed.

su_dios · 02-12-2007 11:17pm

tom dunne wrote: »

That has to be some of the most uninformed nonsense I have read on this forum.

Have you seen many Dells?

I'm surrounded by 55laptops on a daily basis. About 2/3 of them are Dell. Each one of them complains about how heavy they are.

Uninformed you say?

AlmightyCushion · 02-12-2007 11:21pm

su_dios wrote: »

Thats a fairly portable Dell alright but looks dated as hell! Can you buy that in Ireland at the moment? Also look at the price of it! Dells also seem to give the most trouble from experience. I'm surrounded by people with dells which have died in under 2years. Yeah ok you're right a 10" would be more portable but also terrible to use with a screen that size. The widescreen on the macbook is really efficient. Most vendors sell 15's. Bigger screen isn't always needed.

You can get an xps m1330. It would be just as portable as a macbook. They look pretty nice as well.

I've got a 4 year old dell desktop and so does my brother, never had any hardware troubles with either of them yet.

Also most laptops today are widescreen nowadays.

learnerplates · 02-12-2007 11:21pm

Thanks for the advice, as I said in the original post I don't want this thread to be a dell vs apple thread and as I said Dell isn't really an option right now due to the availability issues.

Microsoft Office on Mac, has anyone used this? I bet it costs a packet, I'd prefer not to purchase software for the apple, the price of the machine is pushing it as it is.

su_dios · 02-12-2007 11:26pm

Majority of people on Macs use Microsoft office. Works great. Student options isn't too expensive. OpenOffice is free however and will do the job.

Granted the desktops are grand. We're on our 3rd at home and they haven't given trouble. My dad's dell laptop is another story though. Just personal experience with them. HPs are nicer machines and readily available from the likes of pc world and dixons.

dulpit · 02-12-2007 11:28pm

You could always go with Open Office, which is a free alternative...

The problem i would have with apples are their price, they are quite expensive for what you get... I saw a deal on a Sony recently, it was 799 or 899 (can't remember, I saw it in a window of a sony store as i was walking past) which is ok, I've used a Sony once, they are quite light and do have the cool factor...

BostonB · 02-12-2007 11:29pm

learnerplates wrote: »

I..
I'm about to purchase a laptop for a family member, will be for word-processing, surfing, music but also of course the cool factor comes into play, she's a student...something like the "Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 2 GHz".....But I have no experience with them, I do know their cool:rolleyes: and good for graphics but what about day to day use and is there an issue with compatibility with windows machines, I presume she will be transferring word processor files to college windows machines, could that be an issue for a novice user? ....

You'd need to find out does the college support Apple on their network and their applications. They probably do. Ditto the applications the student needs to run for college. If its simple word processing there shouldn't be much of an issue. A Laptop is only a computer for doing work. If you don't know the specifics of that work then its hard to advise you.

Macbook is a nice machine. OS X is nice. However don't think Macs are problem free, they have their own issues. You'll pay more for the same performance but it will be a sleeker machine with a better OS.

AlmightyCushion · 02-12-2007 11:31pm

learnerplates wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, as I said in the original post I don't want this thread to be a dell vs apple thread and as I said Dell isn't really an option right now due to the availability issues.

Microsoft Office on Mac, has anyone used this? I bet it costs a packet, I'd prefer not to purchase software for the apple, the price of the machine is pushing it as it is.

There are other laptop makers other than dell and apple. Try elara.ie for laptops. They have a huge range and allow you to search by different criteria including screen size so you should have no problems finding something portable.

quad_red · 02-12-2007 11:33pm

I'd recommend the mac.

I'd never used a mac until my gf bought a macbook pro earlier this year.

Using the Vista laptop and her macbook pro, I can safely say, I'd now chose the mac every time.

learnerplates · 02-12-2007 11:40pm

I've used OpenOffice on Linux before, I had no problems but I'm on computers all day and there are light Dells out there, I'm on one right now.

Yeah Sony look nice but their cheapest one is up there with an Apple, I think I'd go for the Apple option but the apple to windows compatibility must be a non issue.

I'll also take a trip into PCWorld before I purchase I think they sell HPs and Fujitsu, I'm not a big fan of either.

BostonB · 02-12-2007 11:44pm

su_dios wrote: »

Thats a fairly portable Dell alright but looks dated as hell! Can you buy that in Ireland at the moment? Also look at the price of it! Dells also seem to give the most trouble from experience. I'm surrounded by people with dells which have died in under 2years. Yeah ok you're right a 10" would be more portable but also terrible to use with a screen that size. The widescreen on the macbook is really efficient. Most vendors sell 15's. Bigger screen isn't always needed.

You made a sweeping generalisation about portability that was incorrect. I proved you wrong. End of story.

There isn't one size screen and resolution thats perfect for everyone. So theres another sweeping generalization.

Most vendors including Apple sell 15" and larger. So what?

Most people have Dells. So therefore most problems will be with Dells. If only one person had a Dell and didn't have a problem would that mean that all Dells don't give problems. No it would mean your survey was too small.

su_dios wrote: »

I'm surrounded by 55laptops on a daily basis. About 2/3 of them are Dell. Each one of them complains about how heavy they are.

So. That could mean they've all bought heavy laptops. Not that all Dells are heavy. I've proved that already. Or it could mean they are all weak, or just moany students.

BostonB · 02-12-2007 11:49pm

Most colleges have some sort of standard they expect documents to submitted. Occasionally you'll get a fuss pot lecturer who'll insist on it being done their way. But there no way of knowing this till it happens.

I can't see there be any problems with standard documents unless you start getting to fussy with formatting. In which case you'll just have sort it out if theres a problem. Its only a document, its not rocket science.

Mac or Dell you'll have to buy Office. Really theres no point for 90% of home uses and students to do this. In business its a different story.

BostonB · 02-12-2007 11:52pm

If I was a student I'd have the lightest smallest laptop that I could afford, but the main priority would be with a huge battery life 5hrs+. Thats for carrying around in college. Then I'd have a big screen and full sized keyboard to use with the laptop when back at the flat.

Do students really need to carry a laptop around all day?

learnerplates · 02-12-2007 11:53pm

Can someone tell me more about this Apple Educational program, I've had a quick look but can't see what exactly the benefits are?

O2 sell Macbooks do they?

Also any more information on Wireless network compatibility for a Macbook, I would have thought it's not an issue, the college provide a wireless network.

AlmightyCushion · 02-12-2007 11:54pm

learnerplates wrote: »

Can someone tell me more about this Apple Educational program, I've had a quick look but can't see what exactly the benefits are?

O2 sell Macbooks do they?

Also any more information on Wireless network compatibility for a Macbook, I would have thought it's not an issue, the college provide a wireless network.

Using the wireless won't be a problem.

Yep, o2 do sell macbooks.

I think the mac educational thing is a student discount for people buying macs.

su_dios · 03-12-2007 12:00am

Next time you have a chance weigh an equivalent Dell against a Mac. Also I am well aware most vendors sell 15"+ ... Apple have specifically targeted the macbook towards Students hence it only coming in 13".

You really do take this to heart don't you? Work for Dell by any chance?

And with reference to the survey thing.. I have used and talked to enough people who use them to make an opinion on them.

Now I think you should pay some respect to the OP and quit all these abusive posts. If you want to contribute why dont you link to a laptop which proves your point that can be bought here in Ireland.

That could mean they've all bought heavy laptops.

Standard Dell Inspirons and XPS machines. 15"

su_dios · 03-12-2007 12:04am

learnerplates wrote: »

Can someone tell me more about this Apple Educational program, I've had a quick look but can't see what exactly the benefits are?

Student discount. You don't need to follow it up just order from that part of the site and put in the college she is in. As far as I know..on the macbook its 100euro off. Not that great but still something.

There are no disadvantages of using a mac. Go try one for yourself maybe.

learnerplates · 03-12-2007 12:08am

100euro off sounds good, that's another phonecall.
I'll try out the macbook tomorrow in an O2 shop, maybe they'll know something about the student discount too.

AlmightyCushion · 03-12-2007 12:11am

su_dios wrote: »

Next time you have a chance weigh an equivalent Dell against a Mac. Also I am well aware most vendors sell 15"+ ... Apple have specifically targeted the macbook towards Students hence it only coming in 13".

No they have targeted the 13" at people who want a small and light laptop. Not every student wants a 13" laptop. Also it's not just students who want small and light laptops.

su_dios wrote: »

Now I think you should pay some respect to the OP and quit all these abusive posts. If you want to contribute why dont you link to a laptop which proves your point that can be bought here in Ireland.

A 13.3" dell xps.

Apple sell both 15" and 17" macbooks as well. Does this mean that all apples are big and heavy? Of course not, it just means that apple cater for people who want a 15" or 17" laptop.

Voodu Child · 03-12-2007 12:25am

learnerplates wrote: »

and as I said Dell isn't really an option right now due to the availability issues.

I don't believe there should be any availability issues with Dells outlet machines (refurbished). I ordered a 13.3" Dell XPS a few days ago, i'll let you know what the order time is like when it arrives.

800euro all-in bought me what should be a fairly lightweight, high-spec machine. If anything, you should pick one up cheaper, as mine had some battery-sapping features you probably won't want on a college machine (geforce card, 7200rpm drive, 2ghz).

Ciarán_Dublin · 03-12-2007 12:34am

I'd go with the macbook. Small, light and as was said they do pretty much everything a PC does. And if there was maybe one program that didnt work, you can always put windows on the macbook and dual boot.

Also, make sure you buy a mac online. I got mine in a 3g store and they sold me an old macbook which i never coped for months.

If you have time, tesco were selling Vista laptops for 699 and 899 i think. They looked very portable, and the cheaper one was the same spec as a macbook. But i dont know if they have had hardware issues etc etc

BostonB · 03-12-2007 12:45am

su_dios wrote: »

Next time you have a chance weigh an equivalent Dell against a Mac.

Weigh why? The specs are there to read on the web.
XPS M1330 (13") 4lbs vs 5lbs for the MacBook (13")
XPS M1530 (15") is 5.7lbs vs 5.4lbs for the MacBook Pro (15")

su_dios wrote: »

If you want to contribute why dont you link to a laptop which proves your point that can be bought here in Ireland.

Standard Dell Inspirons and XPS machines. 15"

Why? With the web anything can be bought in Ireland. I've already proved my point.
Anyone who spent a couple of minutes looking at laptops would know theres more portable than a Macbook.

Newsflash. 15" laptops are heavy for lugging around all day. Of course they aren't designed for that. The students bought the wrong size laptop.
Thats not Dell fault. Most likely they bought the cheapest bang for buck which is usually the 15" machine. Should have bought something smaller.
Smaller screen = lighter and potentially better battery life.

BostonB · 03-12-2007 12:52am

BTW theres an Apple refurb store on their Irish webstore. keep an eye on that, the list changes all the time. Can be better then the educational discount.

dulpit · 03-12-2007 8:08pm

Also, (even though I personally would NOT go with the Apple) I saw a poster around college (CIT) for something like a free iPod of some sort (nano or shuffle i presume) if you buy a laptop off them... So suss that out too...

learnerplates · 03-12-2007 8:26pm

Ehem,
So Dell have guaranteed me that the laptop will arrive by christmas if I order now.
Apple are putting a big push on with students for MacBooks there's about a 100euro discount.
Also note softare is discounted for students and can be purchased here at micromail http://www.studentsoftware.ie/microsoftchest.htm, just thought I throw that in.

BostonB · 03-12-2007 9:18pm

dulpit wrote: »

Also, (even though I personally would NOT go with the Apple) I saw a poster around college (CIT) for something like a free iPod of some sort (nano or shuffle i presume) if you buy a laptop off them... So suss that out too...

That offer may have expired. I don't know for sure.

BanzaiBk · 03-12-2007 11:26pm

OP, I'm not going to help spoil your thread :rolleyes:

I used a macbook throughout college, and use a macbook pro now.

Nice and light for lugging around.
Educational Discount for all 3rd level students, roughly 150 euro off.
Google Docs and Open Office are free programmes that are free and give you the benefits of MS Office without the price tag.
If you need to run Windows programmes, you can use Bootcamp for free (with OS Leopard) or buy 3rd party software. Both work flawlessly.
You'll have no difficulty connecting to wireless networks.
Your college might have an Apple rep. who would be able to demo a macbook for you and give you some advice, ask your computer centre.

Basically, if YOU want a macbook then get one. They are fabulous machines and I have no doubt you'll love the experience.

learnerplates · 04-12-2007 10:43am

comforting words indeed, the macbook would not be for me.
Another question before I purchase today, Apple/Windows file compatibility, can files be swapped between platforms? I'd imagine the end user would want to swap files with usb stick between friends, stuff like music, word files, photos etc, would there be a problem with this from Apple-Windows or visav?

Tom Dunne · 04-12-2007 11:07am

learnerplates wrote: »

comforting words indeed, the macbook would not be for me.
Another question before I purchase today, Apple/Windows file compatibility, can files be swapped between platforms? I'd imagine the end user would want to swap files with usb stick between friends, stuff like music, word files, photos etc, would there be a problem with this from Apple-Windows or visav?

For regular files, such as those you have listed above, no - there will be no problem moving them between Mac and Windows.

learnerplates · 04-12-2007 11:22am

Excellent. I think MacBook is the option, I'd like to see these Apples in action anyway, the last one I used was the first ones that ever came out back in 1990 or so, I presume the interface is much nicer now:p

If anyone has any last words please add before lunchtime today. Cheers.

TerrorFirmer · 04-12-2007 11:34am

The biggest problem with mac is that for the starting price of a grand, you still only get a pathetic single gig of ram and an 80gb hard drive. Macs are fine, I like them myself. But if you don't need it for any reason other then 'I like the look of it' then it's a poor option in my opinion, and poor value for money.

Also, regarding BanzaiBK's points, it's a bit null bringing up 'nice and light' and 'Can run free equivilent to MS Office', as any Windows laptop can use Open Office as well, and there are plenty of windows based laptops that are as light as, and lighter, then the Macbook. The 150 euro off is good, but you're still paying more then you would for the equivilent windows based machine. And dual boot is all well and good, but are you going to pay for a windows license?

And Apple charge even worse prices then Dell....140 euro for a 1gb ram upgrade. Interestingly, when I bought my Dell Vostro a few months back, it has almost exactly the same spec's as the Macbook pro (slightly slower processor 2gz vs 2.2Ghz, but better video card) - and it cost 1k less. Just to put that in perspective.

I'm not saying not to buy a Mac. I'm just saying don't buy it for silly reasons. Have a demo of it first, see how you like it, and then decided whether or not you want to shell out. A lot of things come with the mac os as standard that are very handy - but to the people that need them. For someone using the basic functions, going to college, a mac is nothing but a different look that you're paying well for. And the sad truth is that, no matter how much mac fans seem to strangely deny it, many people buy mac's solely on wanting to be cool and different (my sister was keen on buying a mac for 1.5k and suddenly seemed horrified at the fact it wasn't windows :rolleyes:). I know a few people with Mac's, one of my friends spend a fortune on his but he never stops using it, always do video editing on it, etc. Another spent the same money (for the expensive model, god knows why) - all he does is use the internet and maybe type a document once a week...

learnerplates · 04-12-2007 11:53am

I know what your saying, if it were for myself I'd go with a high spec Dell or maybe look into a higher spec Apple if I thought I'd get into graphics or something, that won't be on the cards for this apple.

As the title says it is coolness, and as you pointed out Apple has it, it looks like compatability with Windows files and writing Office documents is not an issue. RAM etc is not really an issue in this case either it's just word processing and home entertainment.

BostonB · 04-12-2007 12:34pm

If you like the design, thats reason enough.

BanzaiBk · 04-12-2007 1:19pm

HavoK wrote: »

Also, regarding BanzaiBK's points, it's a bit null bringing up 'nice and light' and 'Can run free equivilent to MS Office', as any Windows laptop can use Open Office as well, and there are plenty of windows based laptops that are as light as, and lighter, then the Macbook. The 150 euro off is good, but you're still paying more then you would for the equivilent windows based machine. And dual boot is all well and good, but are you going to pay for a windows license?

Regarding your post I was answering the OP's questions, not joining in on the pissing parade with every other post. Didn't the OP request that in his post? :rolleyes:

learnerplates · 04-12-2007 1:59pm

Indeed I did.
Thanks all for your input it's been informative.

At the end of the day Apple vs Windows is always going to be about personal preference, you can make any machine do what you want if you have the time.:cool:

Laptop, coolness, Apple Macbook maybe- for a novice user

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