Mac Book vs Dell laptop?

Question

ok so I'm having a very difficult time deciding between a dell laptop or a macbook. I'm in college right now and need something that will be portable and able to use on and around campus. My major is journalism if that helps. And I basically would like to know what I should get. I would also like to know how many users have had problems with a mac if at all possible. I love to write, use the internet and listen to music also. My dads a computer anaylist and insists that I should get a dell because it would be more compatible in the future ie when I get a job. Anywho please someone help me out ASAP!
A special thanks to all that come across this a read this and possibly answer this you do me a great justice here!!!!

Answer 1

Many newspapers run on Quark, which is Mac based. Since the latest Macs can run Windows, I would get a MacBook. However, get a black one. The white ones are defective. See below.

www.stainedbook.info

Answer 2

Truth is... they're both pretty terrible. Don't listen to all the urban myths about how much better Apple products are. They are all proprietary. It's true that they have wonderful bodies, but that's it. Dell is also pretty bad. I've had dells before, and have had many hardware issues. My recommendation to you is to buy an IBM Thinkpad. If you're willing to spend the money on Apple, IBM would be a far better investment. They are reliable, sturdy, have amazing hardware, and will get the job done no matter what. Especially if this is for business or school. (IBM literally stands for International Business Machine) If your focus is towards school/gaming. The Asus G73jw (17 inch screen) or G53jw (15 inch screen). There are websites where you can customize them with backlit keyboards colors of your choice. You can even customize the hardware. The best part is, you will spend as much money on one of these as you would a MacBook... and the Asus will run circles around any Apple products in terms of performance. I've worked with computers for years, and all of my encounters with Apple computers have been very disappointing. Lastly... Both Windows and OS X have some stability issues. Although rare for both operating systems, I HIGHLY suggest studying computers. Go on forums, take classes, and you will never worry about having to be overcharged by tech support or Geek Squad for simple computer fixes. It will all seems complicated at first, but it pays off majorly in the end.

Answer 3

Your dad is probably right.
A laptop would be a lot more versatile than a mac. Also you can pick them up cheaper than a mac with a higher spec.
Try and get as high a spec laptop that you can for your budget, (if you do get one) so that way it wont be out of date for a good 2 or 3 years.

Try to look at something with the following spec which would be good for the next 2 or 3 years & be able to handle most programs now & in the future.

Processor speed - 2 or 3 Ghz (nothing less than 2 Ghz)
Memory - 1 Gig minimum
Hard disk - Nothing less than 150 Gig
Graphics Card - 256Mb
CD Rom / CD Rewriter 52 speed.
DVD Rom drive.
Modem (usually built in)
17'' Screen

Also, check to see if it is upgradeable in terms of memory, graphics card, & hard disk.

Hope this helps ya out !

Answer 4

I am a journalism senior. I have owned both, and hands down, Mac is better. First off, I have worked in three different newsrooms, including a college paper and a state paper with more than 500,000 readers. Every paper uses Mac, so if you are familiar with the system, you will get bonus points in interviews. I have used my Mac Book on interviews consistently. In fact, just having one helped me get a job at the first paper I worked at.

Every serious journalist I know uses a Mac system. I promise. Tour any local newsroom to find out. -- Your dad is wrong. I dell will not be more compatible in your future.

Macs have higher graphic qualities, as well as more secure programs. Its battery lasts about six hours, as compared to the Dell's two. Also, Macs can support all windows programs, but few Windows-based computers can support mac programs, so it is the more versatile system.

Answer 5

Macbook is the BEST. Of any laptop. A mac computer will be just as compatible in the future for a job. Plus, with apple's BootCamp built in, you can still use windows if you have to. It has the best hardware (superdrive to read and write cd's and dvd's, BUILT IN wireless internet AND bluetooth for your phone). Once you use this apple product, you will never turn back. Macs have WAY less problems than windows computers (I have both and have used both for a long time). If your dad is really a computer analyst, buy the macbook and make him use it for a half hour, he will LOVE it. You can use both mac and windows software, it's the BEST for media, much more stylish, and has everything built in to it.

Read this:
www.apple.com/getamac

Answer 6

If you get a Mac, you'll probably encounter 2 to 3 times a month where you wish you had Windows because of compatibility with the university network, someone else's notes for a class you missed, installing cool music software that your bf is using, etc.

On the other hand, those times you AREN'T having compatibility problems, you'll probably be pretty happy.

Bottom line... go for the Dell. Less of a pain.

Answer 7

Dear Fellow member,

Dells are PC or IBM compatible, MACS are more for graphic designers and art stuff. The more overall compatible platform where most of the world is at is IBM compatibles since your journalism documents can save and load on both MACS and IBM compatibles considering Microsoft Office is used. So get a Dell.

Kind Regards,
Ben

Answer 8

I don't have any experience with notebooks or laptops but my PC is always gonna be Microsoft/Dell/PackardBell or Alienware rather than anthing Apple/MAC. I don't like fruit or Chevys/GM either. Then there's the extra credit for doing what Dad says. ;) If I could afford or needed a portable computer, I'd most likely be leaning toward the Alienware brand. Alienware seems 'edgiest'.

Answer 9

I write for a newspaper and they have macs. Macs don't get viruses very easily (most are targeted at the larger group, the PCs), but more places utilize PCs. Macs are better for drawing programs but there's more software available for PCs.

What do your journalism profs say?

How many more years before you graduate? - and if you've got 2-4 years left, what does your college use?

What's your budget?

Lots of things to think about.

Answer 10

I have always hated Mac computers until I bought a MacBook Pro. Mac has free software that will allow you to run WindowsXP. If you do that, you have the best of both worlds. You have the ease of a Mac, and you have the functionality of a Windows box.