Want to switch, but I'm not sure if it's really affordble...

[davidjearly]

Well I did say anyone knowledgeable about VIDEO CARDS not computers.

So now you're being pedantic as well as condescending. My point still stands and is still valid. I (like many others, I am sure) have a good bit of knowledge about video cards, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I knew this.

Get over it. Next time, maybe watch the way you phrase something.

 

[Chone]

So now you're being pedantic as well as condescending. My point still stands and is still valid. I (like many others, I am sure) have a good bit of knowledge about video cards, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I knew this.

Get over it. Next time, maybe watch the way you phrase something.

Man I don't get why you call me pedantic and condescending... I said least bit about videocards not computers... whats so hard to understand about that? There is nothing wrong with being ignorant on the subject, seriously, but anyone who has a good bit of knowledge on videocards would know that, I don't know how else to put it and you will probably insult me in some other way but its like saying "I have a good bit on knowledge on processors... but I didn't know of the MHZ myth"

Maybe I'm not expressing myself correctly, but I'm just trying to make a point, its very annoying to see people who claim they know all about videocards sayings VRAM=Performance... I don't claim I know everything but I share what I know, if you ever experienced the mhz myth with processors, you would understand how annoying the VRAM myth can be.

 

[ToastMaster]

Thanks so much for all the feedback.

I looked at the replies here, and also talked to a few friends up in my dorm who own various types of laptops. HP laptops seem to be the most popular laptop here, but after speaking with the owners, I have discovered that many (too many) have had battery issues, drive issues, you name it with them.

So I buckled down, and decided that I really want to get a laptop that isn't going to give me crap later on. I want something that's going to last me for quite a few years. (and I'm not really worried about the supposed "Merom upgrade." I need a laptop now.) It looks like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a Mac.

 

[davidjearly]

Man I don't get why you call me pedantic and condescending... I said least bit about videocards not computers... whats so hard to understand about that? There is nothing wrong with being ignorant on the subject, seriously, but anyone who has a good bit of knowledge on videocards would know that, I don't know how else to put it and you will probably insult me in some other way but its like saying "I have a good bit on knowledge on processors... but I didn't know of the MHZ myth"

Maybe I'm not expressing myself correctly, but I'm just trying to make a point, its very annoying to see people who claim they know all about videocards sayings VRAM=Performance... I don't claim I know everything but I share what I know, if you ever experienced the mhz myth with processors, you would understand how annoying the VRAM myth can be.

Look, the point is no one was claiming to know everything about Video Cards. The op stated what he thought was fact and you came down on him. He didn't have the same unnecessary attitude you had.

I think you are the one who can't understand. In my last post I asked you not to be pedantic. Hardly an insult, esp. when its true. Perhaps you should look up the definition of the word. I could have called you an arrogant ****, but I didn't and I won't

My point is that having only the 'least bit of knowledge' about video cards/hardware/whatever is not a prerequisite for having the knowledge about which of those two cards is the better choice.

Hopefully what was clear to everyone else in my first post will be clear to you now. Otherwise, don't even respond to this.

David

 

[flalaw]

this is completely unrelated, but david, its pretty cool how you have 160gb of ram on your imac

 

[Chone]

Look, the point is no one was claiming to know everything about Video Cards. The op stated what he thought was fact and you came down on him. He didn't have the same unnecessary attitude you had.

I think you are the one who can't understand. In my last post I asked you not to be pedantic. Hardly an insult, esp. when its true. Perhaps you should look up the definition of the word. I could have called you an arrogant ****, but I didn't and I won't

My point is that having only the 'least bit of knowledge' about video cards/hardware/whatever is not a prerequisite for having the knowledge about which of those two cards is the better choice.

Hopefully what was clear to everyone else in my first post will be clear to you now. Otherwise, don't even respond to this.

David

Well first of all I didn't came down on him... of course having the least bit of knowledge is not a prerequisite to know which card is better, but it should be enough to know that video memory is not all that matters... thats ALL I was trying to say and I didn't mean to put down anyone. I'm also not saying the OP should have known that, I'm just saying literally what I wrote, everyone with the least bit of knowledge on videocards would know VRAM is not everything, what is so wrong about that? Did I say it in an offensive or arrogant way? If so I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I'm just trying to make a point here and convince people that VRAM is NOT everything and that is about the most basic knowledge about videocards one could have. THAT IS ALL.

 

[ChickenSwartz]

Thanks so much for all the feedback.

I looked at the replies here, and also talked to a few friends up in my dorm who own various types of laptops. HP laptops seem to be the most popular laptop here, but after speaking with the owners, I have discovered that many (too many) have had battery issues, drive issues, you name it with them.

So I buckled down, and decided that I really want to get a laptop that isn't going to give me crap later on. I want something that's going to last me for quite a few years. (and I'm not really worried about the supposed "Merom upgrade." I need a laptop now.) It looks like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a Mac.

There are good and bad things about waiting for the update
*Good: C2D, better grpaphics (MAYBE), larger HD (MAYBE), more RAM standard (MAYBE)
*Bad: new hardware quirks

If you buy the MB or MBP now, they are worked out, not too many problems. You will have a laptop that will last for years

 

[ChickenSwartz]

Well first of all I didn't came down on him... of course having the least bit of knowledge is not a prerequisite to know which card is better, but it should be enough to know that video memory is not all that matters... thats ALL I was trying to say and I didn't mean to put down anyone. I'm also not saying the OP should have known that, I'm just saying literally what I wrote, everyone with the least bit of knowledge on videocards would know VRAM is not everything, what is so wrong about that? Did I say it in an offensive or arrogant way? If so I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I'm just trying to make a point here and convince people that VRAM is NOT everything and that is about the most basic knowledge about videocards one could have. THAT IS ALL.

You guys need to take this somehwere else. Come on.

 

[Chone]

You guys need to take this somehwere else. Come on.

Sure thing lets just end it and pretend it never happened.

 

[MACDRIVE]

Now what I want to know is this: is it really worth my extra $538 to switch?

Yes, because you will NEVER have software problems with a Mac. You will never have to worry about viruses, malware, adware, or spyware. And don't say that you can beat it with anti-virus software, because it won't catch everything.

I'm writing this on a Revision C PowerBook made in 2002. Never had to worry about software problems; only the replacement of hardware AFTER four years of constant use. If the Hewlett Packard could run an OS other than Windows, I would have a completely different opinion.

 

[Chone]

Yes, because you will NEVER have software problems with a Mac. You will never have to worry about viruses, malware, adware, or spyware. And don't say that you can beat it with anti-virus software, because it won't catch everything.

I'm writing this on a Revision C PowerBook made in 2002. Never had to worry about software problems; only the replacement of hardware AFTER four years of constant use. If the Hewlett Packard could run an OS other than Windows, I would have a completely different opinion.

Well there IS linux...

But yeah your right, software is what makes Macs so great.

 

[slabbius]

Me thinks of new Mac commercial whilst this topic is in the air:

*enter scene, mac and pc guy singing to each other"
Mac: I can do anything you can do better, I can do anything better than you.
PC: No you can't
Mac: Yes I can...
PC: *sighs* you're right.

Bottom line is that you pay a premium for a light, stylish, powerful computer that can run any OS, play any game, and has enough ports for expandability. which is excellent for college experiments... Unless you are doing very high-end work on your machine you won't notice any gains from the C2D. I use my MBP to complement my MP and I am able to maintain the same workflow on both, only difference being is that MP is for business and MBP for school.

 

[Flynnstone]

One subtle point about the difference between a Windows machine and a Mac is people generally refer to the Windows machine (PC) as what it is. Hard drive size, processor speed etc. Whereas a Mac, they refer to what you can do with it.

 

[Sobering]

I've been a PC user for a long time now, never actually owned a Mac (unless you count 2 iPods). I've wanted to switch for awhile, but my 3.2 GHz Intel, 1GB ram PC desktop machine has served me well for awhile, and I just haven't had a really good reason to. Now I'm in my first year of college, and I'm wanting to sell my desktop and get myself a good laptop.

I thought that this presents a great opportunity to switch, since I'm going to get a desktop replacement laptop that I can take everywhere, with (hopefully) comparable power to my desktop. So I'm thinking of getting a MacBook Pro, which with my school's discount, runs $1799.99. Not a bad deal.

However, I decided to shop around and see if it was really worth it to switch. Turns out that I can get an HP dv6000t (yes, PC) with a 2.0 Intel Core 2 Duo, the same size screen, a 256MB Geforce Go 7400, 1GB of ram, and an 80GB HD for $1261.99. More power for $538 less.

Now what I want to know is this: is it really worth my extra $538 to switch? I've used an MBP before and I absolutely love it, but the price is just kind of wild considering i can get more for less with PCs.

(Please don't just reply with something asinine like "Well then just buy a PC then you idiot." That's not what I'm asking for. What I want is some advice on what to do.)

edit: Ah crap... just realized that I spelled "affordable" wrong. Oh well.

If you want something that will work for more than 24 hours without breaking down on you, go for the MBP.

 

[Flynnstone]

On this video ram thing, how much does OS X take advantage of?
1680*1050 = ~ 1.7 million pixels at 4 bytes per pixel, that about 8 Mega bytes.
I know in games, they use the extra ram for storing textures.
So far, if you don't play games, the difference between a 256 and 128 meg card is simply $$ spent.
I've heard OS X using the GPU for compositing. So under OS X is there really a difference between using a 128 vs a 256 video card?

 

[generik]

Computers are toys or tools you should buy the right 1 for you. Personally I'll go with OS X everytime because I need a great UNIX like OS but you may find Windows perfect for your needs.

Why do you need a UNIX like OS? You do realise you said UNIX like OS right? OSX is not certified by the open group...

 

[ToastMaster]

On the way...

I've done it.

I ordered my MacBook Pro just a few minutes ago, and it should be in the mail in a few days. Although I did have to do some backdoor stuff to avoid paying over $200 in sales tax... stinkin' commies.

Seriously though, I couldn't be happier right now.

 

[kalun]

I've done it.

I ordered my MacBook Pro just a few minutes ago, and it should be in the mail in a few days. Although I did have to do some backdoor stuff to avoid paying over $200 in sales tax... stinkin' commies.

Seriously though, I couldn't be happier right now.

gratz, hope you will enjoy your purchase.

 

[ChickenSwartz]

I've done it.

I ordered my MacBook Pro just a few minutes ago, and it should be in the mail in a few days. Although I did have to do some backdoor stuff to avoid paying over $200 in sales tax... stinkin' commies.

Seriously though, I couldn't be happier right now.

Good. I think you will be much happier with this than an HP, for sure!

 

[Chone]

Good. I think you will be much happier with this than an HP, for sure!

For sure indeed, and welcome to the MBP club.

 

[Veritas&Equitas]

If you buy the MB or MBP now, they are worked out, not too many problems.

I'm sorry, this has to either be a joke or laced 100% with sarcasm...you can't be serious? The problems with the MB and MBP are "worked out?" Lol.