I'm seriously considering buying a 17" mbp complete with 4 gigs of RAM, a 250 gig hd, and hi-res screen. But the price makes me a bit hesitant. I come from a background in Windows, so to make the switch i would like to know what make mac worth the money? Why do you love macs so much? What makes macs so great? It's your turn to work at an apple store. Sell me a mac.
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Sell me a mac
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A couple of times a week we get asked the same question. The people that will sell you a Mac are in the Apple Stores, on the Apple website and at assorted dealers.
Or, you could read a thread like this one:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/323213/
Thanks.
Or, you could read a thread like this one:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/323213/
Thanks.
I'm not going to sell you one but if you do buy one get it with 2GB of RAM and upgrade it yourself with 3rd party RAM much cheaper.
Apple has a section on their website dedicated to converting people.
http://www.apple.com/getamac/
Apple has a section on their website dedicated to converting people.
http://www.apple.com/getamac/
Why do we need to convince you?
In fact you should convince Apple why they should sell you a Macintosh, and from the way you make yourself out to be (the price makes you hesitant) I am sure Apple doesn't mind not having your business anyway.
What Apple needs are more people who buy Octo-core Mac Pros, sit in cafes with their MacBook Pros, and seriously buy iPhones like it is just chum change (which considering the price of a MP and MBP is really chum change).
In fact you should convince Apple why they should sell you a Macintosh, and from the way you make yourself out to be (the price makes you hesitant) I am sure Apple doesn't mind not having your business anyway.
What Apple needs are more people who buy Octo-core Mac Pros, sit in cafes with their MacBook Pros, and seriously buy iPhones like it is just chum change (which considering the price of a MP and MBP is really chum change).
Plenty of web sites out there that discuss the pros and cons of a Mac vs. PC. Go read those and decide for yourself if a Mac is right for you. It's your money. Do whatever you want with it. Why do you need assurance from complete strangers on the internet?
Boy, people sure are harsh. Honestly, if you price everything out I find the prices are actually comparable to an ACTUALLY similar PC rig (when doing price matching, people often forget key features like video cards and the like and then declare Macs more expensive)
You're paying for quality and you'll get quality. If you want to spend a little extra to get great support with retail stores and a solid machine, its worth it. If you pinch your pennies, maybe not.
You're paying for quality and you'll get quality. If you want to spend a little extra to get great support with retail stores and a solid machine, its worth it. If you pinch your pennies, maybe not.
I have to agree. You shouldn't be relying on complete strangers to tell you how to spend this kind of money. You know the specs, you know the price, you can easily find out the alternatives.
You either "need" a mac for the OS or programs, or you think a mac will be a huge improvement.
My suggestion is, if you don't need one, don't get one. I guess it depends on what you need it for. If all you're doing is work then it'll be great, but if you want a variety of applications and games to go along with it then I'd suggest sticking with windows.
I don't think you'll notice a huge improvement with the mac OS. It's like mac fans always say about defected macbook pro's: the majority of users wouldn't even notice the problem, I'd say the same goes for windows.
Mod note: Please answer the OP's questions, provide some useful information or links, rather than attacking him or her. Thanks.
They're entitled to be treated fairly with a purchasing decision and as a newcomer to MR, they should be helped and embraced, not mocked.
They're entitled to be treated fairly with a purchasing decision and as a newcomer to MR, they should be helped and embraced, not mocked.
Okay, may be it was a bit harsh. But every day someone makes a post wanting some convincing on buying a Mac. It would be fine if they were asking question on usage, or specific questions. But general questions like OP usually degrade into flame-fests on Macs vs. Dells. I kinda get tired of reading the third such post in a day.
but at the same time, there is a lot of information that is already out there. look at the number of threads that are simply rehashes the same info over and over again. using the search button should be encouraged, instead of bottlefeeding.
redundancy in the forums makes it harder for people to find information, since people have to sift thru more repetitive threads. this makes it harder for those who actually take the time to search.
if they took the time to sign up, they have the ability to search, just like everyone else.
Then either don't read them; the title of the thread was clear... or try to resist the temptation to flame. It can be a corrosive habit to get into, not that it was directed specifically at you.
Anyway, from this point on please let's keep this on topic, thanks.
Edit: And we all know the search function here is next to useless.
Then either don't read them; the title of the thread was clear... or try to resist the temptation to flame. It can be a corrosive habit to get into, not that it was directed specifically at you.
Anyway, from this point on please let's keep this on topic, thanks.
Edit: And we all know the search function here is next to useless.
I don't find it wise to defy the mods... they'll shut down threads and ban if they have to, this was going towards a shut down... but now to get back on track. To the OP, you would really only want to get the HD 17"er, nothing else BTO. You should check out this, you'd have to have a tech install it for you if you like your warrantee. And OWC also has cheaper RAM, which you can install yourself with a very small screwdriver and not void the warrantee. I also happen to be a switcher (since december) and have loved OS X a lot better than XP or the bitter taste of Vista I had once. You'll love it, it's just all around more intuitive (just remember to quit apps), and fun as well... you'll find yourself obsessing over it; I had no idea it would come over me like it did, but it was a shoker...
Despite being a little out-of-date now, I find X vs XP to be a fantastic reference. Not only did it help convince me to get back to using Macs, it also helped in the earlier stages of using Macs with its in depth guide to the equivalent functions between the machines.
That scores thing seems really weird. How does XP have better video editing than OS X? And OS X has a built in web server, unlike XP, yet they still both get the same score...
It's not perfect and the scores aren't great, but some of the screenshots and descriptions are fantastic.
So I already made a list of things in another thread, which I'll put for you here:
From the perspective of a recent switcher, I can tell you about "all the little things."
1. Good all around hardware quality. There are a few (note the few) laptops out there that are thin, light, have good battery life, and a quality chip. In fact, the macbook and macbook pros are the only computers that seem to have it all. A few Thinkpads will be slightly lighter, but have less power. Some Sonys will be thin, but have bad battery life, and so on. Mac hardware really seems to have a good balance between all the important factors for a notebook.
2. OS X is really awesome. Not only is it pretty, but it has a lot of functionality that is missing from Windows. Example: Expose. Alt+Tab is really pathetic when compared to Expose. The Dock is also a much better concept than a "Start" menu. And Dashboard, what can I say except that it's my favorite little toy
3. It's pretty. The hardware that is. Macs are by far the best looking computers in the world. Nothing even comes close. I want to use my computer now, rather than thinking of it as another appliance.
4. Trackpad is so much better. The macbooks/pros have a much larger trackpad than regular PC laptops. It makes using them much, much easier. Also, putting two fingers on the trackpad is much better for right-clicking and scrolling. On my old PC laptop, I would have to keep two fingers on the buttons: one for the left and one for the right. Scrolling was also a pain because it was off to the side, and I would sometimes accidentally swipe it. This doesn't happen on a Mac laptop.
5. Setup is super easy. It took all of five minutes to do everything. My old PC laptop took about 45 minutes to setup. My dad actually looked at me with a confused face when I told him that I was already surfing the web, only a few minutes after I had opened the box.
6. iLife is a great thing to have. Even though I haven't used all of the apps yet, just having them waiting for me is great. That's worth at least a hundred or two.
7. Everything plugs in without trouble. My old laptop (an HP) had problems with our printer (also an HP!!!). My mbp was ready the second I put in the USB cable. I had to do nothing. The same was true for my digital camera.
All of these things have proven to make my Mac experience just awesome. In fact, my dad even wants to use my computer from time to time, even though he fought tooth and nail to convince me not to get it. Even he's considering getting a Mac now! Anyways, just my perspective.
However, I still have more to add to that here.
Anyways, top that off with things like good design and you'll understand why owning one is so much better than a PC.
You also brought up cost in your post. I don't see how they're any more expensive now than equally equiped PCs. PC lovers will always try to bring up the "cost" argument, but once you do the actual price comparison, they always lose. Since you are a college student, you get even better pricing, and a free Nano (assuming you're in the US).
Lastly, I believe that you speak French, so I have to ask, what do you like? Your ID is "j'aime" but it has no object. Just thought I'd ask.
One thing I find that makes OS X so much faster, and that nobody ever seems to mention, is not having a "driver" running for almost every piece of hardware on your computer. For example, an Acer laptop I had before switching in January had a driver for the gfx card, the trackpad, the internal keyboard, the wireless keyboard & mouse, the useless software that came with the w/less kbrd & mse..... the list goes on & on & on. Then when you add internet security to the pile your system is just so bogged down.
My current Mac mini 1.5GHz C/Solo (I have ordered a SR MBP!! ), with only 512MB RAM, without a doubt, runs faster & smoother than my intel 1.6Ghz Acer with 1.5Gb RAM ever did.
My current Mac mini 1.5GHz C/Solo (I have ordered a SR MBP!!
), with only 512MB RAM, without a doubt, runs faster & smoother than my intel 1.6Ghz Acer with 1.5Gb RAM ever did.
Errr...yes there are. Not in the way you mention, but you still need drivers for the printer, mouse, scanner, tablet, ...pretty much a whole bunch of devices.
Yea, everything has drivers, just like in windows.
Also your mac mini running faster than your old PC means nothing - you can only compare clock speeds of the same type of CPU (your laptop has either a Dothan or P4-M CPU and your mini has a Yonah CPU); not to mention that RAM runs at different speeds too so you can't compare that either.
Also, the speed at which windows runs depends very much on the maintenance capability of the person running it.
Also your mac mini running faster than your old PC means nothing - you can only compare clock speeds of the same type of CPU (your laptop has either a Dothan or P4-M CPU and your mini has a Yonah CPU); not to mention that RAM runs at different speeds too so you can't compare that either.
Also, the speed at which windows runs depends very much on the maintenance capability of the person running it.
Sorry for bringing up the whole mac vs. pc thing. It was unintentional. I use a mac every day at work (power mac G4), but I have more experience on Windows and my personal computer is a pc. My computer is a few years old and has a hard drive the size of my pinky. I thought about just getting an external HD, but why expand the pond when you want to swim in the ocean?
I need (/want) to get into photo editing and design work. Though i'm not actually studying those subjects, they are skills that i'll probably need for a future career. Everyone always says mac is the way to go for photo/design/video/music.
Anyway, I may end up waiting until January to get a mbp so that i can save some more money, get Leopard pre-installed with all the kinks worked out, and take advantage of any rumored price cuts/updates.
I do speak French and i spent a year living in France. J'aime is a play on my name (Jaime) everytime a french person saw my name they would be like "uh....J'aime?" and it stuck.
I need (/want) to get into photo editing and design work. Though i'm not actually studying those subjects, they are skills that i'll probably need for a future career. Everyone always says mac is the way to go for photo/design/video/music.
Anyway, I may end up waiting until January to get a mbp so that i can save some more money, get Leopard pre-installed with all the kinks worked out, and take advantage of any rumored price cuts/updates.
I do speak French and i spent a year living in France. J'aime is a play on my name (Jaime) everytime a french person saw my name they would be like "uh....J'aime?" and it stuck.