I'm deciding between a macbook and probably a dell or sony laptop. Any preference?

Answer 1

The first thing you have to decide is if you want to work with Windows or MacOS. If you're used to working with one or the other, that should be your first consideration. If you plan to use your laptop for work that will be shared with other computers, you should consider what the other computers are using.

If you already have a bunch of software that you want to use on the laptop, make sure it will be compatible. If you already have a computer running Windows XP, be aware that some of the software won't work with Windows Vista and none of it will work with MacOS - and Mac software won't work with Windows computers.

Beyond that, all three are quality brands so look for features that meet your needs. Which has more memory or had the biggest hard drive. Which comes with the best support or warranty service. How does the price compare and is that a factor in your purchase?

If this is your only computer and yo won't be using other computers, Macs are supposed to perform better. But there is a learning curve if you don't already know MacOS and you are more likely to encounter Windows computers in most work environments.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Yes. mac is overpriced, you will have to spend an extra 400 bucks getting a copy of non-upgrade windows to place on it to add the functionality you will probably need.

Granted, if you are getting this for video editing and such, get the mac. Thats what there designed for. But if you are playing games and IMing, sending emails, and just recreational things, then get ANYTHING but the mac.

You will be able to do more and it will cost you less. alot less.

And as sony/dell are better than mac if you arent doing video editing, I would say neither. Sony has horrible tech support, and they make really...really bad computers, that are overpriced at that. Dell....ok tech support, bad price still. and their components are no better than that found in a gateway or such.

Get a toshiba. there cheaper than dell, and dell actually uses toshiba hard drives...irony....they use the same parts and sell it to you for hundreds more.

But my reccomendation is toshiba or gateway. both have excellent tech support, and both are quite durrable. Did I mention that there a heck of alot more affordable too?

I should also add that I managed a computerlab of macs once. Half way through the year 20% of them had a fatal error of some sort, 2 where unrecoverable. And there was an article on softpedia about the fact that macs do get viruses (I have had to deal with cleaning some off them, so I stand as proof that they do)

As for the bundled software many windows machines come with...its called add remove programs. and when you save nearly a thousand dollars in some instances, Id say a half hour of clicks in add remove programs isnt that bad of a trade off.

Answer 3

incredibly, i think of you may desire to choose for the Dell. Now i own numerous apple products, I own an iPhone and have owned numerous iPod's. yet, I own numerous Dell products, which i think to be between the excellent laptop manufacturers available. first of all as you have reported, you will save over $a million,000. i'm no longer hating on apple, i individually incredibly like apple. yet in actual actuality, homestead windows gets you farther. distinctly if the OS (working gadget) is homestead windows 7, or homestead windows 8. There incredibly isn't something "particular" a pair of Mac e book. (Que the Haters) yet there's no longer something that a Mac e book can try this a pc won't be able to. Your going into college so an consumer-friendly Dell pc might desire to do properly, and... its loose! i've got in no way incredibly understood the fascination of Mac's, this is in basic terms being raised with the two, i've got had a stable know-how of the specs, and such. Plus, there's a reason your uncle purely works with pc's ;)

Answer 4

Mac all the way- friendly operating system, less vulnerable to viruses and spyware, more media applications, and the latest in hardware design. It has the world's most advanced operating system. Even Mac OS X Tiger is more advanced than Vista, and Apple is introducing a new OS, Leopard, in a couple of months. But, Macs have only 90 day phone support and you need to pay for extra. You can though see a genius for free at an Apple store to look at your computer. Macs include little productivity software and the laptops are heavy for their size.

Answer 5

I had a bad experience with a Mac and ended up giving it away. If you're prepared to get a good antivirus /firewall / spyware package and keep it up to date, then I would suggest a PC notebook. An after sales service of some sort is almost essential, so go for a brand which supports it's products. Make sure it has enough memory to run Windows Vista even if it doesn't have it on it.

Answer 6

I'm using a Macbook and love it.. I would never go back to a PC.

Do you know the MAC/PC commercials? Its sooo true...

I visited a very popular mall in Tampa Florida and visited 2 computer stores. No customers in either store, then I visited the APPLE store, it was so busy with so much going on.. I've had the computer for almost a year now and just love it...

more money, but so worth it...

Answer 7

If you want to use the laptop for games or general internet usage, go with a Windows based PC. If you plan on video editing, graphics design, or creating music, go ahead and get a Mac.

Ignore the Linux OS guy. If you are worried about Virus/Spyware, get AVG AntiVirus and SpyBot-Search and Destroy to protect your computer. These are powerful tools that are free as well. You can find them at download.com .

Answer 8

I have especially liked dell, because you can customize all of your features. The benefit of the MacBook, is that there is no bundled OEM software. Meaning, there's no "six month free trial of AOL" or "18 Months of Norton AntiVirus". I would personally prefer the dell.

Answer 9

depends on what you want to use the computer for,i like sony,never used a mac so can not say if i would like it or not,nothing wrong with a dell either,do a little research and buy what will make you happy

Answer 10

macs are more expensive, but they have fewer problems, but you can get a dell or sony to do what you want a lot easier, because you can take them apart and mess with their hardware... but thats only if you were going to be using your computer for odd things.