I'm a poor college student trying to find the best deal.. I do some graphic design work, along with my journalism writing. Would I be better off with a Mac, or could I get a Dell or HP and be fine?
2007-12-30 06:44:06 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Actually, they're NOT!
When you figure the TCO (total cost of ownership) over the average life of a computer, they actually cost LESS to own.
This shouldn't even be an argument anymore. PC people love their PCs, and that's fine. Mac people love our Macs, and that's fine too.
Do your homework. Read up on repair records, durability, susceptibility to viruses, included software, manufacturer support, whatever!
Macs come out on top in every one of those categories.
And the really funny thing is this: IF you can find a Dell or HP, or whatever brand PC that has everything you get standard on any Mac, you're going to pay as much or more up front ... and then still have to put up with all the hassles and expense of keeping a PC running.
Pat attention to facts, not rumors and archaic prejudices.
Then make your own - informed - decision.
2007-12-30 07:24:56 · answer #1 · answered by Jim M 6 · 2⤊ 8⤋
Its just like the iPod, you really pay for the name. Yeah people may argue that the Mac is better than a PC but they both have their drawbacks. Macs have a different OS, and a couple of other different features the PC doesn't have. The Mac is market towards the young trendy person who sits in a coffee shop, and does their design work and stuff. Yes the Mac would be good for you but you said it yourself you can do with a Dell or HP. You also said you were a poor college student meaning it would be hard for you to buy a Mac. I would get an HP they are awesome WAY better that Dells.
2007-12-30 15:01:12 · answer #2 · answered by Barack The Boat!™ 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Short answer- MAC's are propietary. they don't sell as many, so thier cost is higher to build. the hardware is made only by Apple. Windows based pc parts are made by lots of different companies driving the cost down (competition).
You can accomplish your grphics design on a Dell or HP, if you know what to buy.
Try to get a notebook with atleast 2gig of ram. You will need a video card with 256/512mb of onboared memory. Go with a Core 2 Duo CPU.
Vista or XP does not matter, but XP preferred. I would do thew Ebay thing, then as my funds got better, sell that 1, and buy what i really wanted.
2007-12-30 14:54:09 · answer #3 · answered by Neil B 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋
To answer your first question, the reason why MAC's are more expensive is because Apple has a monopoly over Macintosh computers (only producer producing those types of laptops). Other laptops, actually have competitors to deal with and have to lower their prices to compete.
If you are a poor college student (like me) I recommend you look into the Compaq Presario F500 series (Dell makes the best laptops, but generally charge more than other companies). They are budget laptops made for us! However, the battery life is horrid (2-3 hrs), the graphic card blows, and it comes with Vista. All in all, if you plan on doing light graphic work (adobe photoshop) that doesn't require a powerful graphics card, I think this laptop series will be suitable. You can find one for 400-550 dollars depending on where you purchase it from. Mine cost 480.
You honestly, don't need a very expensive/powerful computer for most graphic designing and writing software. My Presario does a more than satisfactory job, however the battery really irritates me. If you were to choose between Dell and HP, I would go with Dell. They have better customer service than HP and their components (laptop parts) are typically better than HP's. Apple Notebooks are nice, but personally, a grand is too much for me to blow on a white laptop featuring an apple.
2007-12-30 14:57:37 · answer #4 · answered by SOOH 2 · 0⤊ 7⤋
Because your getting different stuff on them. A mac book has apple as its opperating system, apple has lots of cool features and is good for vid, music, and pic editing. Dell and hp notbooks have windows as there opperating system, good for basic home, and work use, also better for gaming. Its really hard to compare which is better because it depends on what your useing it for, they work with different systems, and sofware and that why prices are different.
Since your doing graphics design a macbook would work much better, theyer way more addvanced and easyer to use in graphics design.
2007-12-30 14:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by Master 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋
macs cost more then pc's becasue it is more of a value. the macbook has an intel core 2 duo chip, 1gb of memory, 80gb hard drive, frontrow, and leopard operating system. Its the best laptop for the money. Macs are also more secure then pc's. they do not need anti-virus programs, b/c they dont get them, or spyware, or adware. Apple does not make cheap computers like pc manufacturers do. In my opinion, even though macs have there own troubles, they are the best computer for comsumers. The pirce may be higher then other pc manufacturers, the the price is justified. dont listen to all the windows fanboys.
2007-12-30 14:57:17 · answer #6 · answered by Jake 7 · 2⤊ 8⤋
People say macs are better for that, but i think PC's are better. I have Lightwave 3d running great on a $400 compaq laptop.
When you buy a mac, you are pretty much buying an apple logo with some Unix installed(Mac OSX is all unix based).
2007-12-30 14:49:39 · answer #7 · answered by eevilcheese 4 · 2⤊ 8⤋
mac are so better and so worth the money cos' every thing just works with them no drivers or disk or errors!
p.s. mac rule and are so much better than pc's
2007-12-30 14:56:05 · answer #8 · answered by Im not sure 3 · 0⤊ 9⤋