Thinking of Buying a Macbook

Discussion in 'hardware' started by phasechange, Jun 13, 2009.

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  1. phasechange

    phasechange Registered Member

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    Hi,

    I was wondering if anyone who has a mac could help me. As Wilders is a sober kind of place I thought there may be some sensible responses to my plea...

    I'm thinking of buying a Macbook to complement my desktop, Netbook, and work laptop (once I get a new job). However I have been looking at Thinksecret, Macrumors, and around the web and the level of debate on these sites is depressing.

    Are there any Mac sites which aren't populated by mindless morons saying?:

    -Windows machines just get viruses.
    -"Vista suxxors."
    - OS X is best because it has no security holes
    - Apple "just works", "never does u-turns", etc.

    Where do the Mac users who are not tribal go to discuss software, hardware, modifications, upgrades, etc? Is there also a mature Mac news site?

    Thank you all.

    Cheers,
    Phasechange
     
  2. SweX

    SweX Registered Member

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    Hi!

    I also thinking about to buy my self a Mac and i've been finding a lot of nice Mac related websites!

    IF you want to discuss with other Mac users. Apple's own support forum is great, find your categorie and read and post.
    http://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa <

    And for Mac news there isen't ANY better Mac news site than....
    http://mac.alltop.com/ <

    And if you want to read about tips and tricks, discuss about anything Mac related or find a lot of good answers on your questions then http://www.macosxhints.com/ is the site you looking for!

    If you want to read about Mac security related news/stuff this blog is a great resource for that!
    http://blog.intego.com/ <
    And Intego is the producer of the best Antivirus solution available today for the Mac.

    Want more?
    Just ask!

    Cheers, SweX
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2009
  3. BlueZannetti

    BlueZannetti Registered Member

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    Unfortunately, the level of debate doesn't change a whole lot, it's just a switch on the topical content - actually, Mac vs PC/Win7 vs OSX is just another version of the classic A vs. B rant that never seems to go anywhere....., ever. Probably because it tends to be based on emotion, not fact.

    In terms of hardware mods on a Macbook, there aren't a whole lot. RAM and HDD upgrades are straightforward and you don't need a whole lot of forum support. If you do want to get into hardware, also take a peek at http://www.insanelymac.com/, note it can be a bit of an acquired taste.

    The sites SweX mentions are a very decent selection. I also visit http://www.macupdate.com/ on an infrequent basis. Promotions offered there can be decent (example - I went for the Spring bundle just offered there simply for the copy of Parallels V4)

    Blue
     
  4. Dregg Heda

    Dregg Heda Registered Member

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    Im thinking of getting myself a mac as well and Ive got some questions. Ive read that the glossy screen of the mbp can be an issue, how much of a problem is this? Can a mac screen be viewed outdoors for reading and typing? I ask as in the past Ive had issues with other brands.

    How secure is a mac? Does it have any advantages other than security through obscurity? How can i better secure my mac?

    Also is it worth getting a mac if I prefer using windows? Not for any particular reason other than its the only OS some of my favorite software inclding certain games use. Are there any disadvantages to using windows with a mac (via bootcamp) as opposed to OSX or windows on a wintel system? Also what are the chances that any malware I pick p from one partition may end up infecting the other? Ive never used a multiboot system before. If im surfing via windows will a product like Shadow Defender shadow the mac partition and protect it as well?

    Thanks in advance and feel free to give me any tips or advice you wish!
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2009
  5. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    good luck finding a unbisased mac site.
    OSX is a good OS but no OS is free from problems. of course it should be almost free of problems since apple doesnt have to support much hardware.
    If you can try to find somewhere to play with a mac before purchase.

    I have wanted to get a macbook to learn about OSX but £900 does seem expensive. i know if i went to dell and looked at the same type of spec model it wouldnt be much cheaper but i do wish apple would release a cheaper macbook at around say £500.

    I have found the same problem with all unix based os's some applications i use i cannot find a decent replacement for. this goes for linux,solaris,freebsd,osx etc.
    make sure the programs you wish to use work with OSX or there is a decent alternitive program your willing to use.
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2009
  6. SweX

    SweX Registered Member

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    @lodore.

    Well you can always run Windows, Linux or what ever OS you want on a Mac by using Apples built in Bootcamp, or you can install Windows or any OS by running VMware or paralles for example.

    By doing this you can playing what ever Windows game you want
    on your Mac.
    So you really don't need a PC for playing Windows games these days ;)
     
  7. BlueZannetti

    BlueZannetti Registered Member

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    Decided to test directly before commenting...., using a Macbook in the sun as I write this now, no issue to me, but that' s a personal call and dependent on what you're trying to do.
    Inherent security is excellent. Feel the need to tighten above default? See Mac OS X Security Configuration Guides
    If your application base resides excusively in Windows, stay there (ditto for other OS's). That said, gaming has really migrated to console based environments as they have become Internet/LAN enabled. It's hard to beat dedicated GPU hardware without getting crazy on the price front. Think about it, match an Xbox/Wii/PS2/PS3 with generic PC hardware without breaking the bank is hard. For a gamer, a dedicated console plus average PC is probably a better solution overall. I realize some scenarios are best served by other schemes.

    Blue
     
  8. BlueZannetti

    BlueZannetti Registered Member

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    That's true of any product focused site. A part of their function is, candidly speaking, product support which often blurs with advocacy. That's simple reality. It's true of Mac, Windows, Linux, you name it.
    Things get a bit more subtle when total costs over a product lifetime is factored into things. Dell tends to have more comprehensive post-purchase coverage available, while my experience on the software front is that it's less costly on the Mac side.

    Overall, my world is Win centric, but I do have a Macbook. I always recommend that users focus on their application base - that should control everything else. You use the applications to accomplish things, not the OS.

    Exactly. Focus on the application side of things. That should dominate the decision.

    Blue
     
  9. iceni60

    iceni60 ( ^o^)

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  10. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    I relise you can run windows on a mac using bootcamp or using something like virtualbox but then you have to pay for a windows license on top of the cost of the mac.
     
  11. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    Hey Blue,
    I completely agree about the applications side of things.
    About the only program I use from MS is windows live messenger.
    but the programs i use are only supported on windows at this time.
    @phasechange what is your reason for wanting a macbook? is it OSX?
    if so you may want to try some linux live cd's
    once setup linux is very trouble free and the updating is all in one place.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2009
  12. demonon

    demonon Guest

    Good luck on your search.
    I know quiet some people who switched from a PC to a Mac and are very happy with it.
    Others who dared to try a Mac or OSX say it's absolutely rubbish.
    IMO, every OS has it problems. So think wisely before buying a Macbook.
    Why do you want a Mac in the first place?
     
  13. The Hammer

    The Hammer Registered Member

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    Thanks for the links SweX.:cool:
     
  14. The Hammer

    The Hammer Registered Member

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    Steve Jobs is passing the collection plate around right now. If you want to go to church.;)
     
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