Evilbore Mac Users: What Should I Buy?

[bork]

So I'm interested in getting a new computer.  PC problems (or rather, Shitty Symantec Norton problems, which will no longer happen) aside, it's about that time for something new, and I want a Mac.

I'm leaning towards either the Macbook or the iMac 20 inch.  Some people seem to be complaining about the 20 inch's glossy screen, saying it has some color issues.  Is this true, or is it just people who don't like the glossy screen look? 

The Macbook looks nice and I like having laptops.  Plus I know I'm going to be moving around come summer and that would be a lot easier to haul around with me.  But how would one be as a main computer?  Any issues to be aware of?  I pretty much just want to use one for web browsing, watching movies/TV shows, and maybe some light gaming through boot camp (mainly emulators).  Would the Macbook be fine for this?  It doesn't seem like I need all the power the Pros have.

Not sure when I'm going to buy something; might be soon, or it might not be until the summer.  My PC is running smoothly again and if it stays that way, I can hold for a while.  Plus all the rumor sites are saying that new Macbook Pros are coming out, and maybe if I wait until summer new Macbooks will be released as well.

Just looking for input from people who have used them.   

[drew]

How about a macbook pro?  IMO the macbook is way too small, almost to the point of looking like a toy.  The 15'' MBP is the perfect medium between the two for everything you mentioned.

[TVC15]

I'd go with the MacBook.  They have basically the same specs as an iMac.  Without the GPU of course.

pssh, 13" > 15"

[abrader]

will this notebook be your primary computer? Or simply a mobile device apple gateway drug?

[TVC15]

If he's saying iMac and Macbook, I don't think he's looking to pay the extra 900 dollars for an MBP.

[bork]

I'd go with the MacBook.  They have basically the same specs as an iMac.  Without the GPU of course.

pssh, 13" > 15"

Yeah, sorry Drewsy...I like the smaller 13" size and since this would be a computer I'd be taking around with me, the smaller and lighter, the better.  Plus it's not like I can't hook it up to a monitor and plug in a keyboard and mouse.

will this notebook be your primary computer? Or simply a mobile device apple gateway drug?

Primary.  We've had Apple computers in my family since 1986.  The Alienware I have now is the first PC I've ever owned; it was bought for gaming, and I found that I never ended up playing many PC games and always played console stuff.  I just like the emulators on Windows, and with Boot Camp, that's no longer an issue, so I'm going back to Mac.

I'd want this laptop to be my primary computer for at least three years or so; since I really do nothing more than web browsing and watching videos, it seems like that would be fine, right?  I really would like to have a laptop, but if the iMac is a better value, maybe I should go for that instead.  Just seems like right now a laptop is what I'm going to need.

Do you guys think if I can wait until summer it might be better?  I don't know what the cycles of new Mac product releases are, but it looks like the current Macbooks got upgraded in November 2007.  Doesn't seem like they'd get upgraded again before November 2008, or could they?

I have felt the sting of buying a Mac right before new models dropped-- I got a G3 two weeks before the G4s were unveiled.  ;_;

[Smooth Groove]

Just buy a cheap, small Dell labtop for non-gaming purpopses and spend the rest of your budget on a souped up SLI gaming system.   

[bork]

If he's saying iMac and Macbook, I don't think he's looking to pay the extra 900 dollars for an MBP.

Well, I'm getting some (or perhaps most or even all if I'm a lucky bastard) financial help from my parents, so a MBP could be feasable.  The thing is, I don't know if I need that extra power.  Like I said, I went all out and got an Alienware laptop a few years ago, and wound up never using it for much more than basic web browsing.  And I like the 13" size of the Macbook.  My father has an older 12" iBook G3; I loved the size of it and it was great bringing that to class sometimes back in college.

MacBook Pro is awesome if you have a bit of extra cash.

I've had mine for a couple of weeks now and it's been bliss.
It's dead easy to find software (Apple has a very comprehensive and easy-to-use site), it's a dream to install stuff, and the whole experience is just smooth. Do the regular MacBooks come with iSight now too?

I do believe they have iSights now, yes.  The current Pros are supposed to be lacking some of the features of the new Macbooks, like the keyboard design and the magnetic closing. 

I'm definitely going to go and look at all these Macs, hopefully today. 

[bork]

Just buy a cheap, small Dell labtop for non-gaming purpopses and spend the rest of your budget on a souped up SLI gaming system.   

I have little interest in PC gaming, and I want to go back to Mac OS.  I'm done with Windows.

[Smooth Groove]

Just buy a cheap, small Dell labtop for non-gaming purpopses and spend the rest of your budget on a souped up SLI gaming system.   

I have little interest in PC gaming, and I want to go back to Mac OS.  I'm done with Windows.

Now I know why you like the Wii so much.   

[CurseoftheGods]

I recently got a MBP from my university (it was a part of my tuition). I recently only used Windows machines, but after five months with OSX I can't see myself going back to using Windows. It's a fantastic platform and operating system. I've had nothing but good experiences with the hardware and software of my MBP.

I love my MacBook Pro. It's way more sleek and packs a bit more power than the vanilla MacBooks. You really need to see both of them live in a store and judge for yourself.

Definitely go with a laptop. It's too easy and convenient moving it around. I carry the thing in my backpack all day during campus, and my back doesn't feel a thing. I also get a good 2-3 hours on a full battery charge. It's good stuff.

As for glossy or matte screens, I went with matte. My past laptop (Dell XPS 1710) had a glossy screen, but I found the reflections annoying as fuck. I would go with matte unless you do a lot of photo editing (the glossy screens produce richer, more saturated colours).    

Well, I hope I've helped. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[drew]

Yeah, sorry Drewsy...I like the smaller 13" size and since this would be a computer I'd be taking around with me, the smaller and lighter, the better.  Plus it's not like I can't hook it up to a monitor and plug in a keyboard and mouse.

Well there you go.  Just get a macbook with a nice widescreen monitor w/ mouse & keyboard.  Problem solved!

[bork]

Well there you go.  Just get a macbook with a nice widescreen monitor w/ mouse & keyboard.  Problem solved!

That would definitely be the way I go if I get the Macbook.  Plus then I could use the monitor for the 360 or the PS3 (if it's HDCP) and my wife could watch TV whenever she wants to.  (I want to do this now...hell, I want to go buy an old SDTV for the Wii and PS2, but I always get "no" or "why do you need it?"  :'()

Now I know why you like the Wii so much.   

 

I recently got a MBP from my university (it was a part of my tuition). I recently only used Windows machines, but after five months with OSX I can't see myself going back to using Windows. It's a fantastic platform and operating system. I've had nothing but good experiences with the hardware and software of my MBP.

I love my MacBook Pro. It's way more sleek and packs a bit more power than the vanilla MacBooks. You really need to see both of them live in a store and judge for yourself.

Oh, absolutely.  I'm not rushing into this purchase and want to really think it through.  When I got my Alienware, I was actually surprised at how easy Windows XP was to use.  But it was all the problems that accompanied it that were annoying.  For the most part my PC was very stable, but I always found Mac OS easier to use. 

As for glossy or matte screens, I went with matte. My past laptop (Dell XPS 1710) had a glossy screen, but I found the reflections annoying as fuck. I would go with matte unless you do a lot of photo editing (the glossy screens produce richer, more saturated colours).     

Can you get Macbooks with matte screens?  I thought that was only the Pro.

On the flipside, if I did get an iMac, I could still use my behemoth of an Alienware as my "laptop" and I do have an iPod Touch, which rocks for on-the-go net access.  It's just too bad that hotspots are few and far between.  Although having to haul this heavy-ass laptop in a custom backpack has never been convenient.

[drew]

That would definitely be the way I go if I get the Macbook.  Plus then I could use the monitor for the 360 or the PS3 (if it's HDCP) and my wife could watch TV whenever she wants to.  (I want to do this now...hell, I want to go buy an old SDTV for the Wii and PS2, but I always get "no" or "why do you need it?"  :'()

Ah, the benefits of being single and young.

[bork]

That would definitely be the way I go if I get the Macbook.  Plus then I could use the monitor for the 360 or the PS3 (if it's HDCP) and my wife could watch TV whenever she wants to.  (I want to do this now...hell, I want to go buy an old SDTV for the Wii and PS2, but I always get "no" or "why do you need it?"  :'()

Ah, the benefits of being single and young.

  Really she's just lazy.  If I happen to be gaming and she wants to watch something, she can easily just watch TV through my capture card on her laptop.  But she's always like "I don't wanna unscrew the TV cable!" and then watches TV on her cell phone instead.

Same. I've had Windows since '93 (WFW3.11 lol), and the difference was astounding. Granted a lot of the cool things in OSX, like Dashboard, are in Vista now, which I never bought, but there are so many small things that make a huge difference. Still sounds Lyte's already fixed on the brand - he just needs the model.

Oh, there was no doubt I was going to go with Apple.  Mac OS was the norm for me.  I gave Windows a chance, and it was honestly better than I thought it would be, but yeah...it's back to Mac.

If you want ultra portability, I would go with the 13" MacBook. Sounds like you don't need the power, and I must admit, I was torn when I saw the new keyboards. The magnet closing sounds like it causes problems if you're not careful (crackbook nonsense), but general build quality is typical Apple standard apart from that. And white hardware is always sex.

The question is whether or not the new Pros coming out are going to have the new keyboards and magnet closings too.  But I like the tiny little laptops and if I can save 100,000 yen, why not? 

I guess I'm just "worried" the computer is going to get all slow and outdated too quickly, but I always tend to worry about that and it never happens.   

[Vizzys]

 buying a mac

[Van Cruncheon]

macs in the average price range are outdated the moment you buy 'em

[bork]

I'm torn as to what to do now.  The iMacs are out, I think...I didn't like the glossy screens at all.  Way too much glare and reclection, although it may have just been the bright lights in the store doing that.  The Macbooks look better to me and the keyboards are better too.  But the Pros are obviously better machines.  Might as well keep on waiting and see what the new Pros are like.  I posted a similar thread at Macrumors and was told the regular Macbook would suit me fine...maybe fitting 4gb of memory in there it would be more than enough.

Do you Mac users have the glossy screens on your laptops?  Do they bother you at all?

[Rman]

You're in the JET program, right?  You may qualify for the educator's discount which is pretty nice.  Macs are expensive enough.  In the US you get 10 percent off, no tax, and free shipping.  That adds up to a lot of savings.

[huckleberry]

I have a 20" iMac (for now, at least) and I have no problems whatsover with the screen being too glossy.  In fact, it really is the best display I have ever owned (until I buy a new monitor for my upcoming pc project this week).

[bork]

You're in the JET program, right?  You may qualify for the educator's discount which is pretty nice.  Macs are expensive enough.  In the US you get 10 percent off, no tax, and free shipping.  That adds up to a lot of savings.

Yes, but there doesn't seem to be an educator's discount in Japan.

[Rman]

That sucks.

[bork]

That sucks.

Prices are higher here, too...around $300-$400 higher for everything, it seems.

[Smooth Groove]

Now I know why you like the Wii so much.   

 

no like PC gaming = poor tastes
poor tastes = likes WII

[Smooth Groove]

maybe fitting 4gb of memory in there it would be more than enough.

Even 2gb is enough... what are you planning to do on it? 

Lyte needs to double up his ram now that he's modding both forums. 

[bork]

   Okay, so two is enough.  I thought RAM was supposed to be real cheap (if you don't buy it from Apple), so why not?   

[bork]

Yeah, I might do so myself if I find a fukuzawa down the back of the sofa

?

[demi]

Did someone say a Windows PC yet? Because thats funny. Cause Macs are gay.

[bork]

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