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Author Topic: Mac vs. PC laptop category?  (Read 2225 times)

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Offline Bugflipper

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Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« on: June 23, 2011, 11:46:03 AM »
3 years ago I got a pretty good spec laptop through a black friday deal for $350. 1.9 ghz, 3 gb memory and 250 hard drive. It is way more than I need now. The only use I have is movies, surfing net and music. The hinge on the top broke. So even though it would probably last me another 5 years with the speed, since I don't need much, it is pretty useless now for daily use. I plan to turn it into my main network computer to deal with the  wireless router. Right now a very tired old desktop is running that. The desktop was a hp, nothing but trouble, had to restore to factory countless times, replace parts and find out how to fix software issues over the phone. The laptop is a compaq which I think is the same brand. Not to many issues. I think I had to restore twice. No internals have broken down. But the top coming apart has turned me against compaq/hp since it has not been abused.

So I can get a macbook pro 2.16 ghz 4 gb ram 250 gb hard drive for $450 used (2008 model)
Also looking at a toshiba 2 ghz, 4gb ram, 500 gb hard drive for $430 new at bestbuy.

Under normal circumstances I wouldn't consider paying more for a used item. But it is claimed that macs last a long time, run cooler, don't break as much and get fewer viruses. I don't want to spend $300-400 every two years to have a computer. So are the macs worth the extra money or is it just hype?
Thanks
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Molon labe

Offline Ron 1

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2011, 12:17:09 AM »
 most viruses are mainly aimed at the pc. the mac  can get a virus but it is less of a issue
it took me a lil time to learn the mac but it was well worth it to me not to have to worry about the sites i visit. here is a vote for mac.
     rw
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Offline BUGEYE

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2011, 03:04:53 AM »
I have a toshiba net-book because I learned windows.  however, my daughter who works for Apple compares mine to a piece of chalk and slate.  mac has a big following of computer geeks that you don't see with PCs.
get the mac.
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Offline quasne.inc

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2011, 03:34:18 AM »
Its not so much that pcs get more viruses as much as windows gets more viruses.  If you run a different operating system like ubuntu, which is a linux based system, you get about as many viruses as a mac but it cost less, ubuntu is free, and it runs very similar to windows, so you dont have to learn a whole new way of using your computer like a mac. 
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Offline Singleshotsam

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2011, 02:35:00 AM »
My vote is to just buy a new PC for the price of the used macbook pro.  You can get a decently spec'd PC from Wal-Mart for 400.00.  Sorry but 2008 is WAY to dated to be spending 400.00 on.

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Offline dks7895

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2011, 02:55:05 AM »
Yes and no.... Macs are not trouble/virus free.  That is a myth.  They have their place in the market, but overkill for what your needs are.  Kinda like buying a CZ 452 to plink soda cans @ 25 yards.  Save the money and stick with a Windows based laptop.
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Offline Old Syko

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2011, 04:46:10 AM »
Dell 3050 for $329 from HHGreg.  Just picked one up for travel use and it is the best deal I've had in a long time.  Intended to get a Mac but I can buy 3 of these for the same money and it serves my purposes just fine.  Just basic math.
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Offline yellowtail3

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2011, 05:24:43 AM »
I think a windows laptop will give more bang for the buck.

Broken hinge... was this by any chance an Acer?
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Offline Bugflipper

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2011, 07:49:59 AM »
No sir, was a compaq presario. I looked closer and not actually the hinge. The metal frame of the screen is what broke. The hinge was still good. I can prop the screen on the hinge. Honestly thinking of getting some of that epoxy stuff you see at the auto parts store that they have on display with a penny or washer stuck in it. Like JB weld but in silly putty form.

I got a mac. It was a pain in the butt to learn the OS, how to drag apps, it would not install like windows does. It had a row of dead pixels the length of the screen so I sent back. Just decided to go with a PC again instead of taking another chance on used and eating shipping. Got a lenovo ideapad with i5 2.65? goes up to 3.19 ghz in turbo. 500 gb hd and 4 gb ram. Ordered a 1TB external from ebay for 20 bucks as well as 8gb ram for 50. I am hoping this one will get me through several years. They are about 630 and had a half price sale for one day. It is a model that is certified by the military for rough use. Hoping it will be dependable for everyday use.
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Offline yellowtail3

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2011, 08:27:08 AM »
Quote from: Bugflipper on August 01, 2011, 07:49:59 AM
No sir, was an hp pavilion.

I guessed Acer... I'd bought one in 2007, new, actually paid for the warranty (which I never do) and then when the very stiff hinge broke, they wouldn't fix it. I've a friend who got same model for his daughter, exact same thing. Junk, and Acer won't stand behind them.

I'm cheap; I've an old X41 Thinkpad, and an Inspiron 600. They'll do. I'm slow to upgrade...
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Offline guzzijohn

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2011, 04:50:36 AM »
Quote
I got a mac. It was a pain in the butt to learn the OS, how to drag apps,


I use a Mac at work. We needed a new computer at home and I wanted a Mac laptop. My wife was hesitant because she had no experience with a Mac. Make a long story short we bought the Mac. After my wife used it just a couple of times she fell in love with it. She said it was so much more intuitive and easier to use in general than a PC. If you do have a problem you will find Apple support to be much better than most other brands.
GuzziJohn
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Offline Singleshotsam

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Re: Mac vs. PC laptop category?
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2011, 01:59:58 AM »
Quote from: dks7895 on August 01, 2011, 02:55:05 AM
Yes and no.... Macs are not trouble/virus free.  That is a myth.  They have their place in the market, but overkill for what your needs are.  Kinda like buying a CZ 452 to plink soda cans @ 25 yards.  Save the money and stick with a Windows based laptop.

Hahaha!  I have a CZ452 that I plink soda cans with :D  But I bought about 10 years ago when they were really cheap.  I'm pretty amazed how much that gun of mine has gone up in value.  Long story short, I guess I should be a Mac guy ?  :D
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