Should i buy a Dell or Apple laptop?

Question

I am going to use a laptop for Music, burning cd's, internet, and watching movies

Answer 1

If you are only doing those things, and by "music" you mean only "listening to music", then a PC will do just fine. They're cheaper. Don't get a Dell though, they're terrible. I'd consider a Sony (or just about anything other than a Dell) if you're getting a PC.

The reasons to get a Mac:

> You can run Windows on a Mac
If you're worried about compatibility, you don't need to. For starters, most of the big applications don't have problems with cross platform. But if you really want to run some obscure "PC only" application, the new Intel Macs can run Windows!

> If you're doing graphic design
This partly because most graphic designers use Macs, and therefore you'll be on the more common platform, which improves compatibility/troubleshooting (because other designers can help/work with you). The primary software packages (Adobe et al) seem to be similar on both platforms, though in the past I've found it to personally to work better on a Mac (i prefer the Mac shortcut key system for one thing). These differences may be disappearing.

> If you're making music
Again, the main software packages are common to both platforms, but most people I know who are into serious music production use Macs. However, music production seems to be less "Mac centric" than graphic design. There are more audio apps available on PC in terms of quantity, however in terms of quality everything you need is available on Mac. Tons of software is available on both platforms, and all the important apps are cross platform and perform similarly on either platform, in my experience.

> If you wanna do cool stuff "right out of the box"
There's a bunch of great software that comes standard on a Mac, namely the iLife software suite. You can make music, videos, etc., all without buying any additional software. This could save you a ton of money. For example, Macs come with "Garage Band", a music production program that comes with plenty of samples and is easy to work with; built on the same core technology as Logic (one of the most popular music apps, that Apple aquired a couple of years ago).

> If you value looks
The fact is, your computer sits around in your home/apartment, just like any other piece of furniture. If you buy furniture because you like the way it looks, then you might also consider buying a computer for it's aesthetic. While PCs are available in many different styles, they usually range from "Techy" and "Black" to "Alien" and "Tacky". If you like the way Macs look, then that's a perfectly valid reason to prefer them.

> Good Industrial Design
On top of the aesthetic, modern Macs feature other superbly designed features. Like the magnetic plugs on the laptops for example. That's cool. The new Mac Pros (Just released! Check it out: http://www.apple.com/macpro/ ) have enclosures with easy accessibility, and have eliminated lots of wires and stuff, so working on your machine will be easier. They are also highly configurable.

> OSX
The Mac operating system is built on Unix. This is widely regarded as the most stable operating system available on commercial machines. This means your system doesn't freeze up, like I've seen it do so many times on PCs. While applications on your machine can crash, it is exceedingly rare for the operating system itself to crash. The only time I reboot on a Mac is "on purpose"--about once a month. In addition, you are probably aware that "Macs don't get computer viruses". Actually, it's not that there aren't any (or couldn't be more), it's just that hardly anybody actually writes viruses that are Mac compatible, because most of the hacker kids don't know the programming or prefer to screw with Windows because they hate Microsoft.

So, if you don't care about design, and if you really are only surfing the net, then a PC is a good choice. If you think that you might start wanting to do more, then consider a Mac.

Answer 2

Have you people bothered to notice that the Apple laptops are the most critically acclaimed in the nation?
Or, did you miss that?

Go with the Apple.
Simple interface, sleek design, etc.
They are great computers and they have that 'apeel' (get it, because it's an Apple? Ah, never mind).

You'd probably get an iPod thrown in with your laptop purchase as well.
They have that offer open to students.
The iTunes + iPod combo is great.
If you rip a CD into iTunes it keeps the quality of the song intact.
Then you can just load your music into your iPod and you're ready to go.

The Apple can do all of what you would like as well, my good sir.

If you want more info on this check out my sources.

PS- Anything BUT Dell.

Answer 3

Hi Sheldon,
The Wall Street Journal reviewed the new Apple laptops and said they are the best laptops even if you're only going to use it with Windows XP. So, if you choose to use the Apple's operating system OR Windows.. you can do both with Apple. With Dell, you can ONLY use Windows (and that's when it's actually working and not giving you problems like every Dell I've ever worked with.) If you must choose a Windows-only box, I agree with another poster who said "Go with Sony."

Answer 4

I have used both the Dell and Apple and in my opinion............

Apples are VERY good for entertainment, music, and internet....
be aware they usually are somewhat more expensive.... another good point about Apples is that you can have the stability of Mac OS X PLUS the flexibility of Windows XP...

Dells are okay but they are not the best.... a Sony computer is a better product if you are going to purchase a non-Apple computer....

If you can afford to spend around $2,000 (there are cheaper models of MacBooks) then you should really really consider getting an Apple Macbook Pro... It is one of the best laptops out there... check 'em out... http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/0.RSLID?mco=925997E8&nclm=MacBookPro

either way good luck....

Answer 5

Dell

Answer 6

I got a dell laptop. I can do all of that stuff on it. I have never used apple but if you do get a dell one than it will do what you want!

Answer 7

Why DELL?? Dells suck, almost as much as Apples do.
Form that statement, you should have figured out that the DELL is better than the Apple. I suggest buying a SOny or soemthing.

Answer 8

a dell because you can choose more features for you laptop. apple barely has any

Answer 9

pliss buy you a dell or e machinesnot apple

Answer 10

DELL