Question for all you Mac experts
Well I'm heading off to college soon and with that said I'm going to need a laptop. Ever since getting the iPod, I've been intrigued by the ease of use/stability of this thing.
Now I've been a PC user all my life and was wondering whether or not it was a good move to get a PowerBook. For those of you who have used both platforms, how long did it take for you to learn/get accustomed to the Mac operating system? Which do you prefer using?
I don't do any graphic design, video editing, etc. I'm looking for a machine that's stable and will run without all the virus/adware Windows is littered with. From what I've heard Apple computers tend to be more stable and I was wondering if this was true.
I also noticed that I can get a much better spec PC laptop for the same price I'd pay for a PowerBook. I did further research and apparently Apple's explanation for this is that the Mac OS uses its processor/gigahertz a different way. Is this true? And if so what would a 1.67 ghz Powerbook equate to in PC specs?
I apologize for the long post. Thanks in advance
[1156 byte] By [
PodMod] at [2007-11-10 13:49:53]
# 1 Re: Question for all you Mac experts
I switched about a year ago and it took me about 2 days to get comfortable with the new OS. I would say however that if you're not going to be doing the heavy graphics and video editing save some money and get a tricked out iBook. The powerbook is the more professional machine. The iBook is a student or home based user machine and I think would suit your needs just fine.
# 2 Re: Question for all you Mac experts
there is no spyware/adware if you maintain your pc, scan every couple weeks, use an anti-virus, be smart about what you do.
iZach at 2007-11-15 18:02:38 >
# 3 Re: Question for all you Mac experts
Originally posted by PodMod
Now I've been a PC user all my life and was wondering whether or not it was a good move to get a PowerBook. For those of you who have used both platforms, how long did it take for you to learn/get accustomed to the Mac operating system? Which do you prefer using?
as with anything new, it will take time, but it also depends on how entrenched you are with windows...but saying that i'm always trying to run expose on my win2k machine at work, forgetting that it doesn't work on windows :)
without a doubt i prefer using my mac, but then that also has a lot to do with the fact that i 'work' on a windows box, so there's a bit of bias there!!
this will give you a bit of background behind the Mhz/Ghz myth...
http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=3997
but a 1.67Ghz powerbook will be close to a 3Ghz P4 (not sure about Pentium Ms), but if you're only going to use it for normal stuff, then you should go try a mac out at an apple store to see how it really feels like.
other than processor speed you need to take consideration the OS and tiger (OSX 10.4) is a very good OS, and does things that will only be seen on windows machines once longhorn makes it's appearance.
do as much research as possible and get your hands on machines and check out the OS for yourself before making any decisions - don't let any of us decide for you :D
good luck!
# 4 Re: Question for all you Mac experts
Blue_dawg- Yeah I guess an iBook is another option.
I'm just not sure a 1.33 ghz processor would be enough for me. My main concern is that it'll take a long time to load multiple apps.
I'll mainly be using my laptop for the basics (internet, word processing, listening to music, limewire)
I'd prefer to run all of these apps at the same time without any holdup.
Should I just load up on the RAM or just go for the PowerBook?
I guess one of the main reasons I'm looking towards the PowerBook is because of the screen size. This will be my one and only computer so having a bigger screen is a giant plus.
On a side not does anyone know when the current models of PowerBooks/iBooks came out?
I'd hate to buy one now and have Apple come out with a new line.
Thanks for those who replied. Your input is greaty appreciated
PodMod at 2007-11-15 18:04:41 >
# 5 Re: Question for all you Mac experts
A 1.67 Powerbook would be about a 1.9-2.0 pentium M, if they were around.
The iBook will very easily handle all of your requests, and for you, I will only recommend the PowerBook as you cannot possibly regret the decision, and if you purchased an iBook then caught the Mac Bug, you will be buying a Powerbook soon enough :)
www.buyersguide.macrumors.com
Hit up that URL for product release update info, powerbooks have only just been updated, a good choice.
swy32x at 2007-11-15 18:05:40 >
# 6 Re: Question for all you Mac experts
Originally posted by PodMod
Blue_dawg- Yeah I guess an iBook is another option.
I'm just not sure a 1.33 ghz processor would be enough for me. My main concern is that it'll take a long time to load multiple apps.
I'll mainly be using my laptop for the basics (internet, word processing, listening to music, limewire)
I'd prefer to run all of these apps at the same time without any holdup.
Should I just load up on the RAM or just go for the PowerBook?
I guess one of the main reasons I'm looking towards the PowerBook is because of the screen size. This will be my one and only computer so having a bigger screen is a giant plus.
On a side not does anyone know when the current models of PowerBooks/iBooks came out?
I'd hate to buy one now and have Apple come out with a new line.
Thanks for those who replied. Your input is greaty appreciated
I'm on a 1.07GHZ iBook G4 with 768MB RAM now and I have AdiumX (chat client), iChat, iTunes, MS Word and Firefox open and it runs fine. My iBk only lags when I go into stuff like iMovie.
If you load up the RAM (definitely above 1GB if you afford it), get a 14" iBook. It's only slightly more expensive than an iBook nowadays.
And I so agree with Snowy, I'm looking forward to my 2nd Mac, a new PB or iMac soon (:
