Curse

Xenomortis · Jan 14, 2010, 10:32 PM // 22:32

What can a Mac do that a Windows PC/Laptop cannot do? I haven't seen anything from Macs that would make me think buying one was ever worthwhile, considering the drawbacks you get - particularly as a gamer.

Renewing Harmony · Jan 14, 2010, 10:55 PM // 22:55

But like I have stated before, the gaming is on the side... This laptop is mostly for College, and with a 7 hr battery, it would be good to have that thing for my all-day classes.

Xenomortis · Jan 14, 2010, 11:01 PM // 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renewing Harmony

But like I have stated before, the gaming is on the side... This laptop is mostly for College, and with a 7 hr battery, it would be good to have that thing for my all-day classes.

Well ok, but why are you drawn to the Mac bit? What can it do that Windows cannot?
If it's just convenient frontends and default applications, then I would urge you to reconsider. But if there's a practical reason or you have your heart set on a particular machine, then go for it.

Renewing Harmony · Jan 14, 2010, 11:06 PM // 23:06

Overall, I like macs... Don't ask me why. Ever since I have bought my first iPod I have loved them.

And don't forget, I WILL get Win7 on it as well, so I will have all of the features of a Mac and also Windows.

End · Jan 14, 2010, 11:08 PM // 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renewing Harmony

But like I have stated before, the gaming is on the side... This laptop is mostly for College, and with a 7 hr battery, it would be good to have that thing for my all-day classes.

At Macs prices you could get a laptop and an extra battery for less.

Also...any school that has classes designed for computer engineers and doesn't have a place to plug in a laptop seriously need to think about redesigning their classrooms. Although I will admit it can be a bit of a hassle if your moving around much...in class it's not much of a bother.

Renewing Harmony · Jan 14, 2010, 11:16 PM // 23:16

But you also have to consider the fact that most of the classes are not just computer based... Such as English and Mathematics. For english, I will need to be writing papers constantly as well at taking notes, and with some 50-odd people in each class, there probably aren't enough plug ins... Granted not everyone will have a laptop, but still, it's still nice to have.

End · Jan 14, 2010, 11:24 PM // 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renewing Harmony

But you also have to consider the fact that most of the classes are not just computer based... Such as English and Mathematics. For english, I will need to be writing papers constantly as well at taking notes, and with some 50-odd people in each class, there probably aren't enough plug ins... Granted not everyone will have a laptop, but still, it's still nice to have.

hence why they have batteries

you have mentioned 1 class where a computer would be helpful. The longest single class I have ever had in college was 4 straight hours (god that sucked) most batterys if you set them on the lowest setting and are using...microsoft word...will run for 4 hours...but lets hope you don't have a 4 hour English class (I would not wish that fate on my worst enemies) I admit any liberal arts school will require gen eds many of those a laptop will be useful in. However you should easily be able to get through the day pluging in your laptop when its not inconvenient and being reasonable with your usage (yes that means not watching the latest episode of leverage while your in class). (okay leverage might not be what you watch while your in class... what do you people watch anyway?)

Renewing Harmony · Jan 14, 2010, 11:27 PM // 23:27

Yeah, but I mean, especially with how much I am on the computer without anything, then also having to do most of my work on it, I think it would be good to get the 7 hr battery. Also, I can plug it in, but what if there's no time between classes?

I was just giving one example of a class. Most likely, if I do get this laptop, then I will use it for every class.

End · Jan 14, 2010, 11:38 PM // 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renewing Harmony

Yeah, but I mean, especially with how much I am on the computer without anything, then also having to do most of my work on it, I think it would be good to get the 7 hr battery. Also, I can plug it in, but what if there's no time between classes?

I was just giving one example of a class. Most likely, if I do get this laptop, then I will use it for every class.

I know and kept that in mind as I posted that was just because you also mentioned math...I hated trying to take notes in math on my laptop... unless you had a touchscreen or something similar...just seemed harder to do on a computer and more natural by hand.

Back to the battery. the plugging it in issue has nothing to do with time between classes (as a matter of fact that would be the time I would least want to plug it in.) But rather the availability of outlets in classes. I admit a 7hour battery would be nice...but is it worth an extra 300$ to avoid the mild hassle of finding a way to plug in your laptop in class? Yes you might not be able to in EVERY class but I doubt that you won't be able to in ANY class. But really its your decision in this matter. I might disagree and say 7 hours is unnecessary however if you view it as necessary and don't see extra batteries as a possible solution then by all means choose based on that.

Renewing Harmony · Jan 15, 2010, 12:04 AM // 00:04

But see, I will also be using the battery for papers AFTER class and also homework. I will be using it most of my day and then also on my free time, maybe play GW. Overall, the battery would help. Also I travel a lot, I go up to Alaska for the summers and winters, but the flight is about 10 hours. I could use the Mac's battery use for that time as well. Granted I can't use the internet on the plane, but I can watch movies, or even use the Mac while sitting in the terminal (even though there is a plug in here). Idk, I guess I'm just rambling now, but to me, I think it would be good to have, especially when you think you will be using it a lot.

isamu kurosawa · Jan 15, 2010, 01:27 AM // 01:27

I use a 2009 imac with the 9400m. It runs gw perfectly at 1680x1050 res using crossover games.

No Need for virtual machine software or running bootcamp.

If you feel you'd prefer the mac then it is worth the money. For those who are willing to try something different OS X is much more comfortable to work with in a variety of fields.

Owning a mac is a lot more than nice looking hardware. OS X is the main reason people buy a mac, not the nonsense you see people who don't even own a mac coming out with. Running an OS that is designed to work with the hardware configuration you are using has many advantages, especially efficiency.

The lack of software myth is complete nonsense. There is a wide range of software available for OS X, both paid and free-ware. Interface designs are always consistent, unlike with windows (your CD burning software looks and uses the same navigation system as the rest of your software, unlike say nero for windows).

Also crossover allows you to run guild wars "full screen" but with the menu bar still showing, allowing you to see the clock, access your dock and even use expose and spaces.

It's also easier to set up multiple clients at once than on windows.

My advice is play with a friends mac or in an apple store and if you like the OS then go for it, you won't be dissapointed. It will handle games fine and perform other tasks better than windows. Just make sure you make use of the student discount offers for a great saving.

Renewing Harmony · Jan 15, 2010, 01:57 AM // 01:57

Awesome, thanks for the info.

Overall, I know what Macs are capable of... My buddy and also teacher have one and I love to mess around with it.

RotteN · Jan 17, 2010, 04:06 AM // 04:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenomortis

Well ok, but why are you drawn to the Mac bit? What can it do that Windows cannot?

Purely from a laptop point of view, the new macbooks are a bliss compaired to most windows notebooks. The large trackpad with multitouch makes working with just the macbook (so without using a mouse or any other input device) a LOT easier as compaired to a windows notebook. I have both, so I know the difference.

Also, OSX is just that little smoother to work with, but I guess that's more of a personal opinion.

Lord Sojar · Jan 17, 2010, 05:39 PM // 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by RotteN

Purely from a laptop point of view, the new macbooks are a bliss compaired to most windows notebooks. The large trackpad with multitouch makes working with just the macbook (so without using a mouse or any other input device) a LOT easier as compaired to a windows notebook. I have both, so I know the difference.

Also, OSX is just that little smoother to work with, but I guess that's more of a personal opinion.

You also forget to mention that the new Macbook Pros have full LED screens, they have the highest pixel density on the market (13 and 15" versions), they have amazing battery life (however, you can't remove the battery anymore as a sacrifice for this huge increase), and their chassis is extremely lightweight and small (dimensionally speaking) A 17" Macbook Pro gets 7+ hrs of battery life and it is only 1" thick... that's almost unimaginable.

Quaker · Jan 24, 2010, 04:04 PM // 16:04

Note however, that LED screens are not inherently "better" than previous models that used flourescents - they are simply thinner. (The new Mac LED screens may look better than the older ones, but that's more a function of overall quality improvements than the change in lighting source.)