Which for high school,Mac or WIndows?

Question

I am planning to buy a new MacBook or a Sony or HP. I would need my laptop on, chat, documents, presentations, home movies, and internet. Tell me which one is the best for all 5 of the things listed above.

Answer 1

silly answers so far.

PC is potentially more useful because there are FAR more programs available for the PC than there are for the Mac (if Apple ever opens up and lets MacOS be installed on ANY intel hardware that may change.

The graphics thing is a fantasy. That used to be the case - back about 10 years ago with Windows 3.1 vs. Mac OS 6 and 7. Nowadays, I think the graphics argument is WAY overplayed. PCs have far better graphics cards and play (more easily) a greater number of video formats than Macs do.

Also, PCs are cheaper.

Just don't buy a Sony. Frankly I don't like HP Either. Lenovo, Dell, Gateway... I'd go with them. HP/Compaq don't like to support their equipment when the next OS comes out - you can use what comes with it, just don't THINK of upgrading to Vista because they probably won't support it. And Sony is AWFUL for support - 90 day warranty - fools buy laptops with 90 day warranties. Sure, they'll extend it if you register it - but many people forget to do this. Any laptop you buy, make sure it has a 3 year warranty - it's insurance, but if the screen goes (as can happen) or the mainboard has problems - you CANNOT just replace it with something from CompUSA - you'll need to send it back to the manufacturer and get it repaired from them - and no warranty, then you can expect a HEFTY fee for the repair.

Answer 2

Really and truly it's a matter of preference and what you are already familiar with. In the business world the IBM Compatible PC's are preferred over Mac's because most technical people are just more familiar with them. But Mac's are catching up fast and are no longer the mystery they once were, because there are many more programs being written for Mac's. The configuration for Mac's as far as installing printers on networks ( which is what I do for a living) is totally different than installing printers on a Windows Based Network but once you figure it out it isn't too bad. So you might want to get a Mac if you can afford to and get ahead of the pack with your learning curve. But I disagree with some of the comments others are making about HP computers they are not all bad, but if you buy an HP Laptop be sure to buy one that has a Pentium 4 or the AMD processor stay away from the Celeron Processor because it will not perform as well as the P-4 or AMD.

Answer 3

The macbook would do excellent with all of those. The HP wouldn't be so bad either. Sony hardware though is crap, so I'd advise against it. Not to mention it's just as overpriced if not worse than a Mac.

The thing about mac is that you'd be hard pressed to find people willing to help you if you don't know what you're doing. For example, my school offers support on PCs on the wireless net, but even though macs are supported, I'd be SOL. But the mac has a very easy learning curve. I'm a recent switcher and I couldn't be happier.

I think in either case mac/pc, you will likely have to plop down $150 for the Office student/teacher edition for word and powerpoint. But working with multimedia and movies, you can't beat the macbook.

Answer 4

MAC is easy to use and has all the features you are looking for, and it has a certain "sexy" factor. Don't get an HP, many people have troubles with them - some of my friends and relatives. Even the ones that are new. So dont' get an HP - you can get an HP printer. They seem to get the hang of it.

The problem with MAC is that there are not as many software for it as for PCs, besides the fact that they are way too expensive. I would get a Toshiba. I had mine for 5 years and its still going. It never broke down on me.

My sister had a Sony, but it broke once on her and the Hard Drive had to be replaced. But the problem was that she would have a crap ton of programs running at the same time while leaving it on the carpet floor - it probably overheated.

My Toshiba once got really hot, but instead it just turned off - I could turn it back on with no problems.

I hear Dells are pretty good as well. I've never had one, but its something to consider.

BUT whatever you do, DON'T get and HP, I will never get one myself - just b/c many people I know had problems with them. They are cheap, and I belive you get what you pay for.

Good Luck

Answer 5

I would have to say windows, only because I have had more experience with windows than Macs, I have worked with Macs a lot over the past 4 years, and I don't really like the way they run or the way that they operate, too slow mostly. So I would suggest a windows computer.

Answer 6

Windows:
there are so many more programs for windows than mac.
BTW: for manufacturer:
if u want to impress ur friends with a small laptop or a cool looking laptop, plus great performance, go with Sony.
for better price with comprable performance, HP/Compaq
HP is the same as Compaq
Sony and HP have outstanding live chat support
mac does not
haha

Answer 7

Documents and presentations are definitely the Microsoft "thing", but Mac is REALLY good for home movies. As for chat and the Internet, well, both are pretty good, but you hear a lot more about Windows viruses, spyware and adware than you do about Mac viruses, spyware and adware, so I might go for the Mac. Plus, Macs are just cooler, right? The PC is like the Young Republicans and Ann Coulter (totally not cool), and the Mac is like Death Cab For Cutie and that new Al Gore movie (totally cool, right?). By the way, is it just me, or does Ann Coulter look like she stole her face from a man?

Answer 8

Sincerely I suggest you a Windows flavor machine, Mac are good but not as PC. Why? because you will find more softwares, you can install several Operate Systems, like Windows XP/2003, Linux (Fedora is the best) and its free.

Mac and Windows are ok for what you suggested, but if you want to go more professional, you must pick Windows, there's no choice, because you will find more softwares.

good luck

Answer 9

I personallu think mac is the way to go. Mainly because pc's are good for gaming and macs are better for things like movies and photos because of higher graphics but thats my prefrence.

Answer 10

Without a doubt, the Mac.