Macbook vs. Tablet PC

[Advo]

Hi,

I'm a student pondering if I should go ahead and switch to a Macbook, with no previous experience or instead choose to invest in a Tablet PC. I have virtually no experience with either, so I would really appreciate some (objective) advice.

I also have some questions - I have heard both that there is no need for virus protection on a Mac, and that they are much more stabil than a pc?
If an application says in system requirement:

To use COED11 you will need:

· A PC with minimum 166MHz Pentium-class processor

· Windowsâ 98, Me, NT 4.0, XP, or 2000
· 64 MB of RAM
· 180 MB free hard disk space
· SVGA monitor, set to display high colour (64K or 16-bit colour)

· CD-ROM drive
· Windowsâ-compatible 16-bit sound card.

Does this mean that there is no possibility for it to be compatible with a Macbook?

Help is highly appreciated, thanks!

Advo

 

[miniConvert]

There is a possibility, yes, the most likely possibility being if you buy a copy of Windows XP SP2 and install it on the MacBook using Bootcamp. This allows you to have both OS X and Windows on your MacBook, and you choose which you wish to use when you boot up. It's a bit like having two separate computers in one.

If you just need to run Windows applications then I'd recommend buying the tablet PC.

If your need for Windows-only applications is few and far between, or if you can find Mac OS X compatible programs that do the same job as the Windows ones you need, then the MacBook would be great. The security reputation of OS X against both viruses and intrusions is not misplaced.

Good luck!

 

[sushi]

Another option to run PC software, is to use Parallels. It works well and should allow you to use your PC only software.

Tablet PCs are good for vertical market applications but are not generally for mainstream folks. They cost more for what you get. Plus, of the ones that I have been able to use they are a bit flimsy.

IMHO, I would not be comparing a Tablet PC with a MacBook. Rather I would be comparing a Laptop PC with a MacBook. There are many laptops out there which may fit your needs.

Personally, I prefer the MacBook for a variety of reasons:
- Mac OS X / Ease of use / No virus, spyware, etc.
- iLife software (which is included)
- Compatible with Microsoft Office. Mac version has Word, Excel and PowerPoint and can be purchased cheaply with your MacBook purchase.
- Form factor. The MacBook is easy to slip inside a knapsack/carrying case. Many Laptop PCs tend to have little things that stick out.
- Flexibility. One computer that can do Unix, Mac OS, and Windows.
- Built in iSight camera and speakers.

 

[cwtnospam]

Get the Mac and run Windows on it when you have to, but remember, it's the Mac OS that's immune to Windows viruses, not the hardware. That means that when you do run Windows on it, you need to take all the normal precautions to keep Windows from getting infected.

 

[chaski]

Please understand in advance that I love Macs--meaning that this information is quite subjective--but most advise always is, people just forget to mention that tidbit.

Anyway, the Mac makes much more sense than a Tablet PC. It is a full-fledged computer, rather than a watered-down devise that probably isn't really very good at anything. I have had multiple Macs running for years, with no virus protection and have never had a single problem. I work in a high school computer shop that sees many varieties of OS's and have never come in contact with a serious Mac virus. But in that same time, we have seen literally tens of thousands of viruses attack and disable MS PC's over and over again.

The Mac is a better computer, a better OS. The initial cost should be similar, especially if you get the student discount; but the long-term cost and reliability is in a different league.

As far as running Window's programs on your Mac, there are several ways that you can do this, from "dual-boot" scenarios to much simpler methods. As k the guy at the "Genius Bar" in the Apple Store. He/she should have the best answer.

Hope this was of help. Enjoy College!

 

[weg]

Anyway, the Mac makes much more sense than a Tablet PC. It is a full-fledged computer, rather than a watered-down devise that probably isn't really very good at anything.

Have you ever used a Tablet PC? Most tablet PCs (like the IBM X41) are full-fledged computers. Furthermore, if you're running Windows on your Mac (and the OP indicated that he'll have to do so), you're as vulnerable to viruses as on any other computer (and I don't even want to start the discussion that the architecture of Mac OS X doesn't exclude the possibility viruses per se).
Fact is, that if you want the features of a tablet PC, there's currently nothing comparable in the Apple world.

 

[Advo]

Thank you everyone! I haven't tried a tablet pc before, and I guess I probably won't now. I had pretty much decided to go with a Macbook, but I just wanted to check out alternative options. But you guys have pretty much eased my mind.

 

[miniConvert]

Thank you everyone! I haven't tried a tablet pc before, and I guess I probably won't now. I had pretty much decided to go with a Macbook, but I just wanted to check out alternative options. But you guys have pretty much eased my mind.

Bear in mind that this is a Mac forum... you're not going to find many unbiased opinions here compared to the number that will automatically favour Mac.

But, yes, Mac does Windows now, so it's a good piece of hardware to have looking forward.

 

[miles01110]

Fact is, that if you want the features of a tablet PC, there's currently nothing comparable in the Apple world.

Conversely, if you want the features of OS X, there is nothing currently comparable in the Windows world....

 

[YS2003]

You can get both
Tablet PC is for a niché market as not many people have experience using it. In my case, my Fujitsu is full featured "convertible" notebook computer with up to 6 hours of battery life with additional battery. Tablet PC would be a whole new experience compared to the regular notebook PC. It's unfortunate Apple has not got into the Tablet market.

 

[chaski]

viruses

If you're running Windows on your Mac (and the OP indicated that he'll have to do so), you're as vulnerable to viruses as on any other computer (and I don't even want to start the discussion that the architecture of Mac OS X doesn't exclude the possibility viruses per se).

I agree completely...As soon as you introduce Windows to any architecture, it becomes extremely insecure. Additionally, there is nothing inherent in the MAC OS that prevents someone from creating a virus in the future and a prudent person should try to run some anti-virus on the Mac, However, the chances of a virus being as inherently destructive on the Mac as on Windows are very low.

I really don't view the Mac as all-good and Windows as all-bad, it just seems to be matter of degrees to me, where the Mac is demonstrably and objectively superior in many cases.

As far as the Tablet PC being a full-fledged computer; although they are very good for some applications, I don't think I'd like to sit down and create a near-professional quality video on one, but the cheapest Mac would do fine.

 

[Advo]

Well, I'm not actually interested in creating a video, and probably won't be.
My main interest in the Tablet PC's is their ability to make handwritten notes, which would be a plus in a classroom, if you were doing graphs, diagrams etc. If it was just words, obvious any computer would do. I don't suppose there exist any software of that kind for a Mac?

 

[YS2003]

Well, I'm not actually interested in creating a video, and probably won't be.
My main interest in the Tablet PC's is their ability to make handwritten notes, which would be a plus in a classroom, if you were doing graphs, diagrams etc. If it was just words, obvious any computer would do. I don't suppose there exist any software of that kind for a Mac?

I use my Tablet for note-taking as well with Windows Journal (you can get the Journal Reader free from MS website so that anyone can ready what you wrote on Windows Journal). You can also draw sketches with Alias SketchbookPro. If you want to keep all your notes in one place, the Tablet would be great help.

Some people say you can do hand-writing on the Wacom tablet with Mac; but, there is very big difference in the interface because you write on the screen with digitizer pen with Tablet PC. I use them both daily.

Also, you cannot take your Mac and Wacom tablet to take notes in school practically speaking. For meetings, notebook computers are not recommended as that would interfere interpersonal communication during the meeting (in the meeting setting, Tablet PC is very good as it looks like a note pad).