Mac Notebooks

[Alan]

I've been thinking about getting a Mac Notebook, probably Powerbook. How are Mac Notebooks and how do they compare to Dell's notebooks?

[DarthPrime]

From what I have seen they are pretty good. I really like OS X. The Mac will probably be more expensive than the Dell. All of the Dell recovery stuff is built into a hidden partition on the hard drive, and they don't send you a recovery cd unless you ask for it/pay for it. Not sure how the recovery options are on the Macs. Both use Intel processors now.

It really comes down to what Operating System do you want. OS X, or Windows XP? I've been thinking about getting a Mac as well. Been using Microsoft Operating Systems since I got my first computer, and so far I've been unimpressed with Windows Vista (Microsofts next version of Windows which might be out this year), but I have been impressed with OS X so far. I used to not like Macs much, but that has changed a lot over the past few years. One of the reasons I'm still not completely sold on them is the price compared to other systems, and you still can't build your own Mac like you can a PC.

[deathie mouse]

The new MacIntels are supposed to run Windows Vista when it comes out if you want to. So you'll be able to run all mayor OSes from one box then and not need to make a choice.

Mmm i don't know what "recovery" stuff there is, cus in 8+ years of using a Mac i've never had to "recover" anything

What is it for? :-p

[Roger Rabbit]

Are you using a Mac now? If not, you're going to have to relearn a few things since the operating system is a bit different. Outside of price, you do realize that compatability-wise, a lot more software is made for Windows systems than Mac systems, so a lot of this comes down to what you plan to do with this notebook. If its just for school/college (which I suspect since you posted a topic about it not too long ago) then take your pick since either can handle basic school tasks pretty well.

I don't know what Vista will be like, but I plan to stick with XP until they stop giving updates to it since its one of the more stable OS' that Microsoft has made.

[Roger Rabbit]

http://www.xvsxp.com/

I'm not sure how accurate and free of biases this page is, but it might help you since it breaks down all the major components you would use a computer for.

[deathie mouse]

Actually you can run the VirtualPC program to use Windows software on a Mac, in case you ran onto the need to use any of that copious Windows software that you can't but you can.

Oh and Netty explained to me what a "Recovery" is all about :>
Nope. never had to do that.

[so it goes]

I've been using an iBook G4 as my everything computer for almost 2 years now. It has served me very well with everything from online, writing, graphics work and music recording. I can't imagine having a reason to go back to pc's after using Mac. They just seem so much better.
Also they seem to be rising in popularity. Amongst my friends 9 have switched over in the last 2 years. Although a lot of them are using them primarily for graphics work and movie/music work, as well as personal computers, so maybe that has something to do with it. 4 of the 9 are on notebooks and all love them. Especially the newer models. I wish I could afford to upgrade because Mac's are getting amazing (amazinger?).
You may also want to look into what the predominant computer is in the field you are looking to get into. That could help in your choice as well.

[DisneyGirl]

I've been a Mac user since I was five. I've owned so many (due to a buying compulsion I have at the Apple Store).

Apple has taken a great stand in the home computer market in the past eight or so years. It began with the introduction of the iMac back in 1998 in a yummy assortment of fruit themed goodness. However jazzy they made the outside, the sad truth remained: Macs were slow, they were expensive, and they were the minority. The "i" in iMac was supposed to stand for "Internet". The iMac was supposed to usher in the new era of home computing and bring the internet into every home in America. That happened anyway, and instead the iMac and it's iBook cousin ended up making a few cameos on TVs and movies.

However, with the introduction of Intel into iMacs, Apple is taking a great leap in closing the gap of processor speed. As a die hard Mac Addict, I know that Apple will never take the majority, but their innovative design in Hardware and Software proves that their tough competition. Already Apple has released a slew of software exclusive to their computers (with the exception of iTunes, but I'm going to include it anyway). Programs made for Apple, by Apple.

Spotlight
Dahboard
Safari RSS
iChat
Automator
iSync
iCal
iTunes
AppleScript
Mail
Voiceover

iLife:
iPhoto
iWeb
iMovie HD
iDVD
Garage Band

iWork:
Keynote
Pages

Appeture
Logic Pro
Shake
Appleworks

and of course, Widgets and .Mac which contains publishing to iWeb, Photocasting, Mail, Groups, iDisk, Backup and Sync.