Hello, Mac Fans:
I am currently in the market for an Intel Core Duo notebook and is debating whether I should make a switch to Mac. I consider myself as a technical person and have quite a bit of hardware know-hows. Used desktop PCs for many years and will continue to do so for games, etc.
In terms of Macs, I personally have not used them for a good 10 years, since OS 7, but that was back when I was in school. So, I really don't know how much has changed since. I always wanted a laptop, but never managed to fit it into my budget as a student. Now that I am working, that all changed for the better.
Anyways, I am currently interested in the Intel iBook successor. I am looking for something with excellent battery life. I like something that would run a long time on standby (I am the type of person who goes to do something else then come back for 5 minutes). I am looking for the smaller size (12-13" LCD). I will use it mainly for wireless internet, some simple Office apps (probably just going to download OpenOffice), maybe picture editing (GIMP), watching DVDs.
Probably the most intensive tasks I will perform is encoding MP3s (do they have freeware encoders like LAME or free tools for Mac?). What about video encoding (free tools such as VirtualDub?). I don't do much encoding but would like that functionality when I come across the need for it.
As you can probably guessed, I don't buy software very much and rely a lot of freewares, how are freeware for Macs? Do they run well right now using Rosetta?
My main reasons for thinking about Macs is probably I am simply getting tired of Windows, just want a change. Plus, I am not that crazy about getting a WinXP PC when Vista is around the corner. On the other hand, current deals for Dell Inspiron E1505 is insanely cheap. I am very familiar with Dell warranties and am not always a big fan of it. How is AppleCare in comparison?
How good is Apple when it comes to new product shipping? Do they always take so long to ship like the MacBook Pro? My timeline is probably something in time by June. Also, should I ordered a Mac with minimum RAM, any recommendations on where to buy cheap RAM? In addition, what other file transfer techniques between PC & Mac besides USB drive & DVD-RW? Is Networking truly "plug & play" ready?
I know that's a lot of questions I am asking on 1 post, and I surely do my best reading other people's scenarios, but as everyone is different, I thought I should ask before hand rather than being disappointed. Thank you in advance for your advice.
Cheers,
SVG
I am currently in the market for an Intel Core Duo notebook and is debating whether I should make a switch to Mac. I consider myself as a technical person and have quite a bit of hardware know-hows. Used desktop PCs for many years and will continue to do so for games, etc.
In terms of Macs, I personally have not used them for a good 10 years, since OS 7, but that was back when I was in school. So, I really don't know how much has changed since. I always wanted a laptop, but never managed to fit it into my budget as a student. Now that I am working, that all changed for the better.
Anyways, I am currently interested in the Intel iBook successor. I am looking for something with excellent battery life. I like something that would run a long time on standby (I am the type of person who goes to do something else then come back for 5 minutes). I am looking for the smaller size (12-13" LCD). I will use it mainly for wireless internet, some simple Office apps (probably just going to download OpenOffice), maybe picture editing (GIMP), watching DVDs.
Probably the most intensive tasks I will perform is encoding MP3s (do they have freeware encoders like LAME or free tools for Mac?). What about video encoding (free tools such as VirtualDub?). I don't do much encoding but would like that functionality when I come across the need for it.
As you can probably guessed, I don't buy software very much and rely a lot of freewares, how are freeware for Macs? Do they run well right now using Rosetta?
My main reasons for thinking about Macs is probably I am simply getting tired of Windows, just want a change. Plus, I am not that crazy about getting a WinXP PC when Vista is around the corner. On the other hand, current deals for Dell Inspiron E1505 is insanely cheap. I am very familiar with Dell warranties and am not always a big fan of it. How is AppleCare in comparison?
How good is Apple when it comes to new product shipping? Do they always take so long to ship like the MacBook Pro? My timeline is probably something in time by June. Also, should I ordered a Mac with minimum RAM, any recommendations on where to buy cheap RAM? In addition, what other file transfer techniques between PC & Mac besides USB drive & DVD-RW? Is Networking truly "plug & play" ready?
I know that's a lot of questions I am asking on 1 post, and I surely do my best reading other people's scenarios, but as everyone is different, I thought I should ask before hand rather than being disappointed. Thank you in advance for your advice.
Cheers,
SVG
