Mac?

Crann na Beatha

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drunkmonkey

There not, apple just don't do 399 pc's or laptops, any dell precision laptop will set you back about the same as a mac book pro, possibly even more.
the main reason though is the build quality & design are far superior to any other pc manufacturers. Aluminium chassi versus plastic etc.

if your worried about price have a look at the apple outlet store, some good bargins there from time to time..

Crann na Beatha

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aidan_walsh

What do you want you use it for?

Crann na Beatha

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Sad Professor

Hey Iolar,

if you are unfamiliar with Macs I would recommend going into a shop and using one. Macs do a far better job of selling themselves than we can.

Macs aren't really suitable for serious gaming though.

Also, this thread is likely to be over-run by Mac bashers any second now who will tell you there's no difference and to buy a 400 euro Dell instead.

Crann na Beatha

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cotwold

Iolar wrote: »

Different things,Browsing,Gaming,Work related stuff

Bought myself the new entry level imac and i cant believe the difference so far, i know its said time and again but macs just work. You dont have to worry about all the 3rd party software/toolbars/security software cr*p that comes on pcs. You literally just plug it in and you're ready to go.

If you're planning to do any gaming you'll be disappointed with the selection of games available for the mac though. (its one drawback in my view) But you can play them on windows on you mac using bootcamp afaik.

banquo

The truth is that you get what you pay for. Steve Jobs quote: "we don't know how to make a $500 laptop that's not s piece of junk".

First is their exceptional lifespan - 5 years of constant use and this MacBook ($1,000) still runs like new. It's still incredibly fast. Also, incredible battery life with 7-8 hours on the MacBook pro ($1,149) and a good 4 hours on the regular MacBook (after 5 years, from personal experience). You're paying for top-quality parts.

Unlike Dell, etc, Apple also develop their own operating system - infinitly superior most incarnations of windows in terms of usability, viruses (virtually non-existant for macs) and speed.

There are a lot of ways that apple can rip you off, however. Their ram when configuring a laptop/desktop is horribly overpriced. Their iPod earphones cost about a euro to make but they charge e30. Because they know fashionistas will pay for then. But their non-customized hardware - I.e not much extra ram, etc - is very very fairly priced.

whiterebel

banquo wrote: »

The truth is that you get what you pay for. Steve Jobs quote: "we don't know how to make a $500 laptop that's not s piece of junk".

First is their exceptional lifespan - 5 years of constant use and this MacBook ($1,000) still runs like new. It's still incredibly fast. Also, incredible battery life with 7-8 hours on the MacBook pro ($1,149) and a good 4 hours on the regular MacBook (after 5 years, from personal experience). You're paying for top-quality parts.

Unlike Dell, etc, Apple also develop their own operating system - infinitly superior most incarnations of windows in terms of usability, viruses (virtually non-existant for macs) and speed.

There are a lot of ways that apple can rip you off, however. Their ram when configuring a laptop/desktop is horribly overpriced. Their iPod earphones cost about a euro to make but they charge e30. Because they know fashionistas will pay for then. But their non-customized hardware - I.e not much extra ram, etc - is very very fairly priced.

RAM prices have come a lot closer of late though. There was €300+ of a difference

banquo

That's true. I think they've realized that they can't sell 8gb of ram for $4,000!

padraig_f

It's a mistake to just compare specs. Processor time is cheap, your time is expensive. So it can be a false economy to buy a machine that's technically faster but you're less efficient and less productive using. I was reading a Stephen Fry review of smart phones, where he compared them to the iPhone, and he put it well:

Design matters
"By design here, I mean GUI and OS as much as outer case design. Let’s go back to houses. The sixties taught us, surely, that architectural design, commercial and domestic, is not an extra. The office you work in every day, the house you live in every day, they are more than the sum of their functions. We know that sick building syndrome is real, and we know what an insult to the human spirit were some of the monstrosities constructed in past decades. An office with strip lighting, drab carpets, vile partitions and dull furniture and fittings is unacceptable these days, as much perhaps because of the poor productivity it engenders as the assault on dignity it represents. Well, computers and SmartPhones are no less environments: to say “well my WinMob device does all that your iPhone can do” is like saying my Barratt home has got the same number of bedrooms as your Georgian watermill, it’s got a kitchen too, and a bathroom.” … I accept that price is an issue here; if budget is a consideration then you’ll have to forgive me, I’m writing from the privileged position of being able to indulge my taste for these objects. But who can deny that design really matters? Or that good design need not be more expensive? We spend our lives inside the virtual environment of digital platforms - why should a faceless, graceless, styleless nerd or a greedy hog of a corporate twat deny us simplicity, beauty, grace, fun, sexiness, delight, imagination and creative energy in our digital lives? And why should Apple be the only company that sees that? Why don’t the other bastards GET IT??"

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

banquo wrote: »

The truth is that you get what you pay for. Steve Jobs quote: "we don't know how to make a $500 laptop that's not s piece of junk".

First is their exceptional lifespan - 5 years of constant use and this MacBook ($1,000) still runs like new. It's still incredibly fast. Also, incredible battery life with 7-8 hours on the MacBook pro ($1,149) and a good 4 hours on the regular MacBook (after 5 years, from personal experience). You're paying for top-quality parts.

Unlike Dell, etc, Apple also develop their own operating system - infinitly superior most incarnations of windows in terms of usability, viruses (virtually non-existant for macs) and speed.

There are a lot of ways that apple can rip you off, however. Their ram when configuring a laptop/desktop is horribly overpriced. Their iPod earphones cost about a euro to make but they charge e30. Because they know fashionistas will pay for then. But their non-customized hardware - I.e not much extra ram, etc - is very very fairly priced.

Hi,

I've got a MacBook but use firefox with it as it runs much faster than safari. Would this make me more vulnerable to viruses than if i were using safari?

J-blk

ya-ba-da-ba-doo wrote: »

I've got a MacBook but use firefox with it as it runs much faster than safari. Would this make me more vulnerable to viruses than if i were using safari?

No it wouldn't. Viruses target the OS, not the specific browser - so FF over Safari won't really compromise your security.

The only thing I can think of where FF could be more vulnerable is if you install a malicious extension (but that would only mess with your browser at the end of the day, not the entire system). But as you would have to go through and install that yourself, as long as you install well known, trusted extensions, there is nothing to really worry about.

Crann na Beatha

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whiterebel

Iolar wrote: »

Are Blu-Rays standard on the IMac?or do you need to buy an add on?

Not even an option at the moment. Stevie doesn't seem to like them.......

banquo

"a bag of hurt" was how he described the licensing problems with it iir.

Great Steven Fry quote!

TitoPuente

banquo wrote: »

There are a lot of ways that apple can rip you off, however. Their ram when configuring a laptop/desktop is horribly overpriced.

If you need a cheap RAM upgrade then have a look at Crucial. I got my MacBook just under 2 years ago - the standard 2GB version - and I got an additional 2GB card from Crucial for about $100 including shipping. Cheap as chips!

banquo

I've used crucial a few times. Top notch.

cotwold

Yeah i've heard great things about them as well.

banquo

Ordered from them 3 times and each time has been prompt delivery, product exactly as specified and working perfectly. Great prices too, no cheap junk!

doccy

You pay a premium for a quality product. You could build a better spec pc for less money than an imac.
That said they are a quality product, they last, they tend to be reliable and they don't slow down. i'm typing this post on a three year old Macbook that's as fast and reliable as the day I bought it.

Matt Bauer

I foresee Apple offering Blu-ray as an option on the iMac during 2010, since they've been on the Blu-ray board of directors nearly since day one. For the moment, they have decided most customers would not want to pay extra for it, and it would involve adding more DRM to the operating system. Having a 27" iMac in my office, and owning a lot of Blu-ray movies for my PlayStation 3 at home, I can certainly understand anyone who is frustrated with this. Perhaps I should not be watching movies at work anyway, bit it would be nice to see a Blu-ray playing on that stunning 27" beyond HD screen.

As far as Crucial, I can heartily recommend them. We have used them for years: the quality has always been top notch, they guarantee compatibility and delivery is incredibly fast. Not to mention their prices are competitive.

Nemanja91

I got an iMac back in September and trust me you will never go back, They take a while to get used to but after the first few days you will be flying.

mcgu

Hi There,
just wondering can anyone advise me on which mac to get - I want to do some freelance design, college work, and I need CS4. I am leaning towards a macbook pro with a 17" screen but it costs a BOMB especially when you include software. My question is - do I need a mac book pro to do this type of work, or would a lesser spec machine suffice??

Thanks!

doccy

I'd would go towards a pro for better graphics perfomance, for what its worth. Software comes and goes but this Hardware is built to last.

Type 17

mcgu wrote: »

Hi There,
just wondering can anyone advise me on which mac to get - I want to do some freelance design, college work, and I need CS4. I am leaning towards a macbook pro with a 17" screen but it costs a BOMB especially when you include software. My question is - do I need a mac book pro to do this type of work, or would a lesser spec machine suffice??

Thanks!

It depends on whether or not you need portability, what your budget is, and whether you plan to keep it 'forever' or change it every three years or so.

Let us know what your criteria are and we can tell you the pros and cons of each choice.

banquo

I'm a CS4 (PS and InDesign mostly) user myself. MBP is defo the way to go. Get at least a 15" screen!

mcgu

The same as myself - I'm on the look out for a reliable second hand one if at all possible from someone who is upgrading! (With CS4 Indesign, Photoshop Illustrator, Fireworks and Dreamweaver) Ive just lost my job and cant afford a new one, and as you said upwards of a 15" screen!

And leads would be wonderful!
Thanks

banquo

adverts.ie would be your best bet

mcgu

Type 17 - only seeing your post now, I'll be doing some freelance print work, nothing too hectic! I'm also starting a web design course and would like to be able to take it to college with me, but, I can always use the machines there. I would like to be able to start producing simple well designed sites for some friends and family down the line too.

I just like the idea of being able to take my work with me - one particular client I have is a pharmaceutical company, who have no concept of the amount of work that is needed to do certain things! So for client purposes and offering that extra service I think the MBP is the way to go - but price permitting!

Also hoping to do a Masters in Marketing in September, and would like have it for college work too.

Thats it in a nutshell.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
C.

Crann na Beatha

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Type 17

mcgu wrote: »

Type 17 - only seeing your post now...

Thats it in a nutshell.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
C.

...and I'm only getting a notification email in the last few minutes (WTF???)

If you need to show your work to clients (which is fairly much essential these days), then obviously you'll need a laptop.

If budget is an issue, get the 15" MBP - the extra 2" won't make a huge difference and, if it really gets on your nerves, you can, in the future, invest in an external monitor, and so have a big(ger than 17") screen at home while keeping the portability of a laptop.
Also, don't underestimate the size and weight of a 17" if you are walking or using public transport a lot.

To get started, I'd pass on the idea of a Mac Pro for now, get the laptop that you can afford (with Applecare and maximum RAM from crucial.com/eu/), keep it for 2.5 years and then sell it (with its 6-months Applecare warranty remaining) and buy either a Mac Pro (if you've found the laptop to be too weedy, but I doubt you will) or another laptop.

...or you could do something else entirely.

Dont be at yourself

Comparing a Dell to an Apple on price and specs is also a bit of a red herring. It ignores the fact that a Mac will run OS X. It ignores the hundreds of little design features - the magsafe adaptor, the backlit keyboard, placement of the isight and so on. Each of these features alone aren't worth that much, but the sheer abundance of well-thought out design choices like that makes a Mac a joy to use.

mcgu

Type 17, - thanks for your sound advice!

huggs2

I bought a mac pro when they came out in 2006.Regarding price Steve Jobs mentioned at the launch that a dell with the same spec would be up to $1000 dearer and i checked it out and he was right.Also i have windows on a separate drive which runs faster than on a Windows machine Count me in on Crucial as well.

deevey

Also I have windows on a separate drive which runs faster than on a Windows machine

Hell using VMware on a Mac I have a domain running faster than most domains should (Server + 3 clients) :P I had 3 CTO's scratching their heads at the speed when I was demo'ing software across multiple XP configurations in fullscreen in spaces at the same time.

I'd Highly recommend running VMware if your needing constant access to windows programs, being able to keep a backup "safe" windows image is just invaluable ... and 99.9% of the time you'd never know it was running virtually.

100% the hardware / software combo of mac is worth the "apple tax"

Buy a HP / Dell / Acer and expect to replace it after 2 years when it decides its out of warranty and too expensive to replace the motherboard / screen etc ...

Buy an apple and expect to sell it in 5 years (Probably for 50% what you bought it for haha)

drunkmonkey

I'm seriously tempted by the new Dell XPS, pound for pound it seems to kick the macbook pro's ass, called apple today to see would they match the price off the XPS 16 and they couldn't even come near.

Ok osx works wonderfully but i'm now finding it very hard to justify the premium, in this case 1500 euro more for an apple with a lot less spec.

I challenge anyone to come up with some good reasons besides OSX not to buy the dell xps , it really looks like a challenger to the mac book pro.

whiterebel

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I'm seriously tempted by the new Dell XPS, pound for pound it seems to kick the macbook pro's ass, called apple today to see would they match the price off the XPS 16 and they couldn't even come near.

Ok osx works wonderfully but i'm now finding it very hard to justify the premium, in this case 1500 euro more for an apple with a lot less spec.

I challenge anyone to come up with some good reasons besides OSX not to buy the dell xps , it really looks like a challenger to the mac book pro.

See, thats reason enough for me,
Will it last 4/5 years, and will you get money for it then if you want to sell on?

I have passed on a 5 year old G4 12" PB to my son, sold another one after 3/4 years, sold a Wallstreet 14" 233MHz after 5 years and water damage, still worked like a charm. My wife puts her Toshibas out to graze after 2/3 years........

Dont be at yourself

drunkmonkey wrote:

Ok osx works wonderfully but i'm now finding it very hard to justify the premium, in this case 1500 euro more for an apple with a lot less spec.

Out of curiosity, could you post the specs and prices of the two specific laptops you were looking at?

drunkmonkey

whiterebel wrote: »

See, thats reason enough for me,
quote]

And me I think, was so so tempted by the xps but just playing around with someones windows 7 machine a few hours ago the blue screen of death appeared, i'm going to go back to the original plan of mpb, pity I couldn't cary my imac around:(

@op it was an xps 16, top sepc, 6GB ram, 500GB HD, 1080p Screen, Blueray rw, retails at 3200, was getting a great deal off dell..