Possible IBM Convert

[jessep28]

Hi everyone:

I have been using Wintel machines all my life and decided to take a look at Apple for my next notebook purchase. Since I mull decisions before a purchase, I have a few questions:

Computing Background/Usage
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1) I am a Senior (final year) business student (accounting) and may use the machine for work stuff. However, more than likely I will use Word and Excel which is availible for Mac.

2) This would more than likely be used for a desktop suppliment vs. a replacement. Full sized computers just "do it" for me in terms of work productivity. I don't have the desk real estate for an iMac or MacPro yet.

3) I don't do much video/photo editing.

Quesitons
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1) Considering I will be going into a Wintel heavy industry, should I still consider a Macbook purchase?

I understand Windows can be run on the MacOS, but it's inconvenient

2) Will the MacBook with 1GB Ram be fine considering I probably won't use graphics intensive apps?

3) Would it be safe to buy after next week if the new Core 2 Duos aren't released?

4) Should I wait for Leopard to come out early next year and eat the cost?


If you have any clarification questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[pianoman]

here's my opinion on the whole thing:

first, i don't understand why you say using windows on a mac is inconvenient. i don't think it's inconvenient; i think if you're going to use both operating systems it is a nice feature. if you're going to only use the windows, i think it is useless (just buy a cheaper Windows-only machine). if you're going to only use OSX, don't bother installing windows.

next, Macs are perfectly capable of holding their own in a windows world, especially with Microsoft Office. i don't think you'll have any problems with productivity.

i would get the MBP just because i like it better than the MB. from a business standpoint, i think the MBP looks more professional than the MB. that's just my opinion. obviously they run the same OS and they can do the same basic tasks equally well (basic = internet, e-mail, music, iChat, etc.). however, if you don't do much photo editing, i can see why you'd go for the cheaper MB.

i think 1GB of RAM is fine. i personally like to max out the RAM so i don't have to worry about running RAM-intensive apps (OSX is also very RAM-hungry). if cost is an issue here, you can get some pretty cheap RAM from places like crucial.com, newegg.com, etc. many people have posted threads on RAM.

as far as waiting for an upgrade, i would wait until wednesday the 13th to see if the merom notebooks come out. if they don't and you need the computer, go ahead and buy one. other people will tell you to wait or to buy at a certain time. my feeling is if you need it, buy it. with the tasks you're doing, you probably won't even notice the difference between the current processors and the newer ones.

in terms of the OS, you can wait for Leopard, but you'll be waiting until next spring. so, on the same token as the hardware, if you need the computer, buy it. otherwise, wait as long as you can afford to.

 

[®îçhå®?]

Look in the MacGuides section, there will be one. Why is it inconvenient?? You dont need to boot MAC OS X to run Windoze, you can do that from startup, especialy if you have an external drive. It will be fine for your needs.

 

[jessep28]

So, it's pretty simple to boot up Windows (if needed) on the Mac OS?

 

[manosaurus]

So, it's pretty simple to boot up Windows (if needed) on the Mac OS?

Yes. No different than booting Windows on a windows machine.

 

[jessep28]

So I've been looking at the MB vs. MBP.

How much more utility does my $1000 give me with the MBP?

Will the better system translate into a longer replacement period?

How long do Mac Notebooks last for an average user?

Thank you!

 

[clevin]

Quesitons
-------------
1) Considering I will be going into a Wintel heavy industry, should I still consider a Macbook purchase?
I understand Windows can be run on the MacOS, but it's inconvenient

yes

2) Will the MacBook with 1GB Ram be fine considering I probably won't use graphics intensive apps?

yes

3) Would it be safe to buy after next week if the new Core 2 Duos aren't released?

consider your possible usage of the book, Core Duo or Core2Duo doesn't really affect you that much at all.

4) Should I wait for Leopard to come out early next year and eat the cost?
If you have any clarification questions, please feel free to ask.

Apple release "0.1" increment of OS X every 1-2 years, there is no reason to wait.

 

[clevin]

So I've been looking at the MB vs. MBP.

How much more utility does my $1000 give me with the MBP?

only obvious advantage is the Graphic card, which is essential if play demanding 3D games, which is around 80% of nowadays' 3D games

 

[drake]

You really want a thinkpad.

 

[FFTT]

For what you are doing, I think a MacBook would be more than enough computer.

Not only will you be able to run any Windows application, but you'll have the freedom to choose between Keynote or MS Powerpoint for presentations.

Another nifty benefit, is your ability to video conference from anywhere using the built in iSight camera.

Networking with Windows based servers is also not a problem, but be forewarned
that many IT administrators may not realize how capable your machine is.

Depending on your employer's security policies, you may or may not have a problem using a machine that permits you to have more than least privileged
administrative capabilties.

In other words, they may not be all that thrilled that your machine can get around their intrusive security measures.

What they may not undertsand is that your Windows partition can be a truly
dedicated system that is ONLY used on their secure network.

So while your Macbook may be more than capable to cover any needs you may have in a Windows environment, your employer's security policies may be the determining factor.

 

[macaddicted]

Hi everyone:
1) I am a Senior (final year) business student (accounting) and may use the machine for work stuff. However, more than likely I will use Word and Excel which is availible for Mac.

I have put QuickBooks Accountant and QB Point of Sale on my Windows partition. I have also used the PC version of OpenOffice

...snip

Quesitons
-------------
1) Considering I will be going into a Wintel heavy industry, should I still consider a Macbook purchase?

I understand Windows can be run on the MacOS, but it's inconvenient

It is only inconvenient in that you have to reboot if you are going to use Boot Camp. Parallels is out now, and several other PC emulators are on the horizon.

2) Will the MacBook with 1GB Ram be fine considering I probably won't use graphics intensive apps?

Probably.

3) Would it be safe to buy after next week if the new Core 2 Duos aren't released?

If you need it now buy it now, otherwise wait.

4) Should I wait for Leopard to come out early next year and eat the cost?


If you have any clarification questions, please feel free to ask.

If you can wait until Leopard then I can be reasonably sure that the Core 2s will be out by then.