Apple or Dell?

Question

I'm getting a laptop when I leave for college next year and I was wondering which brand I should go for. I've used windows on Dell computers all my life, but those cool Mac Vs. Pc commercials caught my attention. =)

I'm sick of windows always screwing my computer up and thought macs look cooler. I don't play any games (besides occasionally Sims2), but instead spend most of my time doing school papers and presentations, and uploading and editing pictures, and going on AIM and the internet.

With this backround information, which would you recommend for me? AND if you suggest Apple, is a Macbook Pro worth it for me? AND, can someone explain how getting the internet works for laptops?

Sorry for this very, very long question. I appreciate it alot though! =)

Oh and I'd like to add that my very influential older brother is strongly swaying me away from Macs because "they suck, and they're only good for art majors." But are they still fun to use? because that's what is most important to me...entertaining, yet good for school work.

Answer 1

Well I would Say get a macbook, it's powerful, sturdy, has good service and repair, is compatible with everything(if you get Windows and Linux), it also comes with a free Nano if you by it with the student discount.

You can also get Office for it, but you should instead download NeoOffice for free, same basic idea but at no cost. If you want something that is more commercial there is also Apple's iWork suite.

What you should do is find an Apple store near you, then you can test at every Mac that Apple sells and see if OS X is right for you. A Mac Genius can also tell you anything you need to know.

Also if you want you can get Sims 2 for the mac at aspyr.com or the Apple Store.

Answer 2

No such thing as a long question really...you have questions and want answers right. ^_^ anyways...

I too am looking to buy a new laptop and i am a long time Windows/pc user. how ever if you do buy a pc it will come with Windows Vista ( it has issues...if you thought xp did vista has twice as much plus you have to make sure you have a big enough hard drive because vista takes up 15 gb's)

So because of the recent release of it's new operating system I'm switching over to a Macbook maybe with 160gb hard drive and 1 gb. anyways point is if you do have windows applications and don't want to buy another program of the same type...you can buy parallels which allows u to run Windows on MAC with out rebooting. (which i think bootcamp is about).

MAC - less viruses and spyware / malware

Macbook comes with a discount for students + a free ipod.

Another thing instead of having to run adaware...spybot and an antivirus every week. which can get in the way of doing any work btw.

Internet for laptops....usually the school you are going to will provide you with access to the internet..if you are staying in residence. then all you'd have to do is plug the network cable into port on the computer. if not it would work like any desktop computer. the set up is similar in the software aspect a little different for the hard ware but not much different. you would need a provider if you are not in res.

Also if you want to see the software available for mac then you can go to a Apple Store near you...or I've included a link.


I don't know if this helps but i hope it does. i know which I'm getting and that will be the Macbook. ^_^

Answer 3

It sounds like you want an Apple. The only thing I'd consider here is what you plan on majoring in. If you plan on major in engineering, you probably want to get a pc, just because so many of the applications used in engineering are designed for pc's and don't even have support for macs, especially mechanical, civil, and computer science.

But if you don't plan on majoring in engineering, go ahead and get a mac! They're spectacular for anything media related, including pictures and editing. Microsoft Office can be bought for them, so you don't have to worry about problems during presentations with different applications. Aim and the internet work just the same.

With regards to Macbook Pro, you will want to get this instead of a desktop... in most cases. Over 3/4 of college students have laptops, and to be honest I don't know any. It helps to be able to bring it to the library to get away from an annoying roommate. :)

Your school will most likely have numerous resources for connecting to the internet when you get there, but it works pretty much the same as a desktop, except almost all laptops come with wireless cards (and many schools are going wireless). Again, your school will have information on how to get onto this network, so don't worry about that now. If you want to connect at home before you leave, it still works pretty much the same. If you already have a network set up, in most cases you can just plug it in and automatically connect.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Your bro is kind of right.....the major thing to consider is that all Windows applications(like your Sims game) will only work on Windows and not on the Mac....and all your other applications wont work with Mac....they have mac versions but you have to buy all that.....so yes stay away from Macs...especially if you have never used one
........but yes the Mac has some cool applications for music and art people

Answer 5

get a mac. they do not get viruses, or other things pc's are plagued with. macs can also run windows. if u do not play games i suggest a macbook, u can get a macbook pro if u want to but u rly dont need it. to get wifi get a wireless router and ur laptop will find it and connect to it.

if im forgetting sumthing or u have any questions msg me

http://answers.yahoo.com/my/message_do?kid=2b028b0ac64d793ed98986f54a22cd1faa

Answer 6

You should get an Apple for college instead of a Dell.

Answer 7

personally i would prefer apple.
but if you are used to windows go with a dell.
But apple computer do not get viruses. i love them!

Answer 8

Hi NiKki,

I think that you would be just as happy with a MacBook rather than a more expensive MacBook Pro. For your needs the MacBook would be perfect for you. Mac OS X's security is perfect for you to work and play on the Internet safely, and with its easy-of-use, you'll be doing everything with your Macintosh.

OK here's my list of things I like about the Macintosh over Windows. I'm sorry that it is so long, but that's how it goes.

* No computer viruses.
You hear from the Windows people that it's because there are fewer Macs out there, but I think it's because of the Mac OS and it's Unix kernel. That doesn't explain why Vista got viruses before it was officially released. The Macintosh comes out of the box as a closed system. If you want it to be networked and remotely operated, you can make that happen, but you have to change it's settings first. Windows machines come out of the box as a wide open vulnerable system. That's so the IT guy can set up the hardware, attach it to the company's network, and install the software remotely from the comfort of his own desk. ActiveX and InternetExplorer leaves the Windows OS wide open to hacks and viruses. The Macintosh OS simply isn't set up that way.

If you want to install any kind of software onto your Mac, you first need to type in your administrative password. There is no auto-install for a virus to attach itself to your Mac without your Okay. That is the simple answer why there hasn't been any viruses for the Macintosh in the past 6 years. Another is that first year programmers learn how to create simple Windows script viruses their first year of class. Mac programmers simply love their computers and have no desire to create such an abomination. We love our Mac programmers and happily pay what ever they ask for their good, hard work.

* Games.
I enjoy the games that I play on my Mac, but It's true that there simply aren't as many games out there for the Mac as Windows. Hopefully, with the Mac now using an Intel processor, we will start to see more games being developed for the Mac. But, honestly, don't most people get their gaming fix by playing with video game consoles (such as NES, PS, Wii, or XBox), rather than playing games on their computers?

* Software.
There's a lot more software for the Macintosh now, than before Mac OS X arrived. Much of the Mac's new software is simply Unix ports. There is also a large open source and public domain/shareware development community that has been supporting the Mac OS.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/

You can run Unix X-windows on your Macintosh now too. Apple has been designated as the largest distributor of Unix in the world. If you have one of the new Intel-based Macs you can now run Windows programs natively using a program called Boot Camp and/or Parallel. There is also a Java Virtual Machine for the Mac too.

There's still a ton of programs made specifically for the Mac. Most of these are programmed in machine language, so they're lightening fast. Apple watches over their developers closely, to make sure everything runs like it's supposed to; that it runs the Macintosh way. There's also a lot of Windows ports too. I use Microsoft Office on my Mac at work all the time. Although the Macintosh versions of Windows software are way behind in features than their Windows brethren, the Macintosh programs seem to run better, faster and are not as susceptible to problems as the Windows ports. Go figure!

Where the Macintosh really shines is in the creative software area. I'm a printer, so I know that the Macintosh pioneered desktop publishing. I think that most structured drawing, paint/graphics, and music programs got their start here too. Video and film editing and production is now very big on the Mac. Many people complain about how expensive some of these programs are, but frankly, professional programs are always more expensive than the cheaper consumer-level programs that are out there. Stuff like iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, etc. come free with your Macintosh, while other programs are quite affordable.

http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx

* Less problems
The Macintosh simply works. There really isn't very many problems using a Mac compared to a Windows PC. Check out the computer questions here on Yahoo! Answers. There are a lot of Windows, "Why can't I get this to work?" questions here. Even though there are a lot of Mac users here, there doesn't seem to be very many Mac questions. The Mac simply works. Naturally, there are a few problems with any kind of computer hardware, but these are few and far between on a Mac.

* Hardware Power -vrs- Expense

Right, the Macintosh is a little more proprietary and you really need to buy hardware that tells you that it's Macintosh compatible. You can't just buy some cheap hardware, piece it together, and make a Mac, like you can with some PCs. But, then, you don't have Plug-and-Pray either. Again, the Mac simply works.

We also hear from Windows users that Windows PCs are cheaper than Macs. True, you can buy hardware with the barest of graphics cards, hard drives, and other components, or you can buy the best and end up spending the same amount as a Mac. It's your choice, but that's why you see Macs holding up and being used a lot longer than these Window PCs.

Oh, and since we're talking about hardware, yes, you can get yourself a USB multiple-buttoned mouse, plug it into your Mac, and use it just fine, thank you. Don't worry about it.

* Mac OS X
It's a very simple, basic, easy-to-use OS. It's highly graphic, so your kids or your grandmother could learn to use it, and it's also got a terminal, so the geekiest guy can enjoy using it to it's fullest extent. Windows users will recognize many of the same features that they use on their OS, but there are a few things that are strictly Macintosh.

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/
http://switchtoamac.com/guides/

I have loved it because it's always responsive. You throw in a CD and the icon for it pops up on the desktop along with a dialog box asking if you want a specific program to use with it. There's no need to search for drives. If it's a music CD, iTunes launches to play it. If you plug in your digital camera iPhoto launches to import the pictures. If you're looking for a file buried deep inside your Mac's file structure, you can use Spotlight and it might find the file before you're done typing the first three letters of the name.

Again, I'm sorry that this is so long, but I get tired of the misinformation that the Windows guys are spreading about the Macintosh, and I wanted to be sure to respond to all of their rants with the facts. Go into your local Macintosh dealer and play with the Macintosh yourself, and see what you think. Best of luck with your final decision. Take care.

--Rick

Answer 9

apple

Answer 10

both are good brands, but i would pick apple