slapshotsteve73 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2007 I got a MacBook this year (im on it now) and was blown away by its ease of use and great software. I find you can do almost everything you can do on a PC if not easier. Never made a better purchase! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D-MaN88 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2007 Not to steer too far off subject, but does anyone here own or use an Acer notebook. They seem to have some great deals/pricing and their product looks pretty good. Just looking for some feedback and opinions. Thanks in advance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2007 I had a good experience with one in the mid nineties, but being 10-12 years later that is pretty irrelevant. What are the specs of the models your looking at? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hockeyherb 1 Report post Posted June 3, 2007 Not to steer too far off subject, but does anyone here own or use an Acer notebook. They seem to have some great deals/pricing and their product looks pretty good. Just looking for some feedback and opinions. Thanks in advance.I know a guy who worked in their tech support here in Texas. He said their machines are pure shit and he bitches about them all the time. He was a very bitter man most of the time anyway though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D-MaN88 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2007 Vapor, I'm not really sure. I'm not really even sure what to look at. I of course want a notebook thats going to be quick, smooth, and efficient as most of the time I'll be writing papers, doing research, and listening to music all at the same time. Now once I'm in college, I also have no idea what else programs could also be running. With the music I store on my computer and documents and all that, I'm looking for a larger hard-drive as well. My price range is in the $1,100-$1,500 range (trying to catch even maybe a deal to knock a hundred or so off) but if you could suggest something that gets the basics done (internet, media/entertainment, work) while being modestly priced and durable I would be greatly appreciative as again I have no idea what to look for when it comes to computers, especially notebooks as this will be my first. Thanks again to all in advance that are helping out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NTKT10 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 Apple offers a 10% student discount on all of their products as well. Another option that many people do not know about is a student membership to the Apple Developer Connection (ADC). With ADC you pay $100 for a student membership (you need to verify you're a student) and then you receive developer software every month, a free copy of the new OS when it releases (provided you're a current member) and last but not least - a 20% discount on the purchase of one notebook or pc with peripherals. Basically you pay $100 to become a member and then as soon as you become a member you get the discount. You end up saving $400 on a $2000 computer...so essentially you are saving $300 (instead of the $200 with a student discount) on the computer and you get the new OS free later on(normally $100).ADCI love my powerbook so much more than my Dell laptop and the winblows based pc's I use at work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D-MaN88 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 I would buy a MacBook but for some reason I just can't get over the price of close to $1,999 for a notebook that has only 1gb ram, and a 120gb hard-drive when I can get that and or more for far less. Is the Apple computer really that more fantastic than a Windows based computer? Personally, when I was messing around with Vista the other night I thought it was pretty cool. Just looking at all of my options before actually dropping any coin on one. Thanks for all the help, keep it coming! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nni 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 there is no reason on earth to ever buy a mac. they are no longer better for graphics purposes, and are even using pc hardware now. unless you are already a mac person, or really want to become one, save yourself $$$ and get a better performing pc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 They are using intel processors, they still use their own logic boards. There are many reasons macs are supperior. But why go over them again? They are not for everybody, of course, but after spending 3 hours cleaning my mothers infested computer I think I am going to buy her a macbook for her birthday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nni 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 other than viruses there is not one reason a mac is superior. for years it was touted as the thing for graphics and video and it simply is not true. it uses intel and pc video cards, which means it also uses pc ram and motherboards. as a person who worked with both, i can say there is no technical reason to buy a mac unless you simply like mac os. as for viruses and spyware, that can pretty easily be avoided, but i agree it is a freakin pain to rid yourself once you get "infested." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NTKT10 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 there is no reason on earth to ever buy a mac. they are no longer better for graphics purposes, and are even using pc hardware now. unless you are already a mac person, or really want to become one, save yourself $$$ and get a better performing pc.Actually, your statement is a reason to buy a mac, not only can you use Mac exclusive programs, but you can also run Windows based programs without a hitch. You get the best of both worlds, you're tied to neither Mac OSX or Windows. If you're not going with a Mac at least build your own PC and run a Linux distribution on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nni 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 the thing is, there really arent many programs exclusive to a mac that would warrant that. back in the day programs like avid a pro tools were mac exclusive, now that simply isnt the case. essentially you are paying for the name and the interesting design, whereas you can get a dell or other pc that will outperform the mac for cheaper. i understand mac users love their macs though. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 I dont know many graphic designers who prefer using windows to Mac. It is also about how the OS handels and displays fonts, colors, etc why Macs are prefered by designers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBert 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 I would buy a MacBook but for some reason I just can't get over the price of close to $1,999 for a notebook that has only 1gb ram, and a 120gb hard-drive when I can get that and or more for far less. Is the Apple computer really that more fantastic than a Windows based computer? Personally, when I was messing around with Vista the other night I thought it was pretty cool. Just looking at all of my options before actually dropping any coin on one. Thanks for all the help, keep it coming!http://store.apple.com/A Macbook is $1099, about $900 less than that price. Probably down to $999 if you find a buddy to pay the "student" price for you. I hate Mac fanboys that constantly preach about Macs as much as anyone else, so only thing I'd suggest is that you spend a day borrowing someone's Apple computer and see what you think. I did that with my friend's and what won me over was the ease of use and compatibility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usahockey22 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 IMO, the extra price is worth it for the OS X operating system...more stable, secure, and user friendly than Windows. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasparaitis 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2007 Myself, I'm a PC user, linux. No windows. (unless I want to play a game or two). My wife uses the mac. Apple has some nice hardware. As well as some custom built PC's.IMO, if you're on a budget and can't afford a MAC, just build a nice decent PC and install OSX. It will run fine assuming you have the minimum requirements. If you don't like OSX, install Linux or go back to windows. It's really your choice. It' all depends on what you want to spend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nni 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2007 I dont know many graphic designers who prefer using windows to Mac. It is also about how the OS handels and displays fonts, colors, etc why Macs are prefered by designers.its not that is better, its that the industry has not let go of it as mac users are staunch supporters. its the industry standard whether it is the best or not. that is the nature of the industry. the old timers love it will not adapt, and they are the ones who teach the newcomers and so the cycle continues. there is no reason. i remember a couple of jobs ago at a tv studio, i had this same conversation with one of the mac users and his subscription for a mac magazine came in comparing the latest mac to the latest dell and the magazine crowned the pc the better machine. it was just funny. it really is preference, there is no technical reason to it whatsoever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2007 That is just not true. There are a handfull of designers on this board, talk to them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nni 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2007 what is not true? i said it is preference, any designer will outright tell you a mac is better, but they cannot give an actual reason. i work in two industries one of them is production. photoshop runs as well on a mac as it does on a pc. if you prefer a mac over a pc, thats fine, but it is just that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trox_355 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2007 New MacBook Pro's out today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted June 5, 2007 That is just not true. There are a handfull of designers on this board, talk to them.I know people who use each platform and they all profess that their platform is better than the other. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thockey17 1 Report post Posted June 5, 2007 what is not true? i said it is preference, any designer will outright tell you a mac is better, but they cannot give an actual reason. i work in two industries one of them is production. photoshop runs as well on a mac as it does on a pc. if you prefer a mac over a pc, thats fine, but it is just that.Adobe Creative Suite 3 runs much smoother on my Mac Pro than it does on my old Dell, which was a damn good machine. As a whole, everything runs better on the Mac.It all comes down to what you need the machine for, and what you can afford. I used to hate on Apple before i made the switch, and now i could not be happier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D-MaN88 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2007 Well after looking on the Apple Store, it looks like I can get the new MacBook Pro (2gb, 120gb hard-drive, and 128mb graphic card (don't really play games or anything to that extreme anyways)) plus up to $199 on an iPod deal they have running now for under $2,000. This is ofcourse with the student discount so I think I am going to go this route. Thanks for all the help and opinions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usahockey22 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2007 Yea thats a pretty good deal they have right now...you should be quite happy with that system, good choice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vapor 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2007 http://www.computerworld.com/action/articl...;intsrc=kc_feat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
