Apple Macs Are they worth it?

GoldenGirl25

Thanks again Marty One last Question. You have options of:

Memory:
2GB
4GB

Hardrive:
120GB
160GB
250BG
320GB

So the Memory is the process time of opening files and applications and the hard drive is storage right?

In terms of storing files I cant see myself having that much as I wont be using it for uni work. I watched the gadget show and it showed online applications which means you can store files online like an external hardrive and you dont need to keep them on your own hardrive. Plus the fact you can get external hardrives. I dont see that as much of a proplem of me not having enough storage.


However in terms of Memory and Hard Drive what would you recommend? I will be using it mainly for internet a few documents and DVDs.

Quick question about software applications: What will I need to get is there a starter pack kit. I know you can get a version of Microsoft 2008 to use, so I think that will be ok for what I will need to do interms of producing documents.

Thanks so much. Im 99.9% sure im going to order it tomorrow

Kavanne

I got a Powerbook G4 off eBay for £250

1GHz, 768MB RAM and 60GB HDD. Runs like a dream even though it's, what, 4 years old? Well chuffed.

Marty_J

I think it's worth paying the extra £20 (or less with your discount) to upgrade to the 160 GB hard drive, but for the price of upgrading to 250 GB, you can get a 1 TB external drive, so that might not be worth it so much.

As for RAM, it's a good idea having as much as you can, but don't buy it from Apple. Their RAM is really over-priced, and you can buy the same RAM from Crucial for a fraction of the price. 2 GB is enough to be going on with for the time being.

I use OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office, as its free and does everything I need. Your new Mac will come with the iLife suite of applications, which are easy to use and very powerful. I use Adium for instant messaging, as it's compatible with MSN, Yahoo, AOL, Google Talk, etc, and I use Skype with my webcam.

If you need any specific software, just post here and I'm sure we'll be able to suggest something for you.

Marty_J

Kavanne wrote: »

I got a Powerbook G4 off eBay for £250

1GHz, 768MB RAM and 60GB HDD. Runs like a dream even though it's, what, 4 years old? Well chuffed.

Good buy! :T

GoldenGirl25

Ok thanks Marty
2GB and hardrive of 160 =£553 so its just £15 more
Then the hardrive of 250=£598 so much bigger jump in terms of money.

So in total:Mac book (2BG and 160GB) + 3yr Applecare is £599

Ps the remote things look cool! Do you have one or know not to bother with them?

Kavanne

Marty_J wrote: »

Good buy! :T

It was advertised with 512MB RAM but I emailed the seller and said I would BIN if he added the extra RAM, he said yes. Well chuffed. It's my baby. To add to our household collection of a 20" aluminium iMac, MacMini, my bf's Macbook and copious iPods lol

I was trying to hold out for an ultraportable from Apple but it just looks like it's never going to happen and I know the Powerbook will hold it's value well so if Apple do ever pull their finger out I can just sell on the Powerbook. Having a 12"screen is so useful for train journeys/carrying about.

tom0407

Hehe these kind of threads are funny. I have a mac and a PC. I'm a web developer and traditionally a PC user, but I wanted to get a mac to look cool in meetings and when I go out and about in trendy cafes Macs are cool for that, they feel nice, look nice and I enjoy using mine very much.

I also think the battery life is very good, which is important in a laptop.

It all comes down to what you want your computer for. Personally I am much more efficient working on my PC on a day to day basis, as they are better setup for web development techies like me. But if you primarily want a sexy machine to use the Internet, watch DVDs and write reports and letters. Then I'd get a mac - it'll cost you a little extra, but I think it's worth it.

You also have to think about software of course, although if you start using Google docs, then you don't need to worry about that.

Marty_J

GoldenGirl25 wrote: »

Ok thanks Marty
2GB and hardrive of 160 =£553 so its just £15 more
Then the hardrive of 250=£598 so much bigger jump in terms of money.

So in total:Mac book (2BG and 160GB) + 3yr Applecare is £599

Ps the remote things look cool! Do you have one or know not to bother with them?

I use my remote sometimes for controlling iTunes, changing the volume, Front Row, and I have a Miglia TVMini which gives me freeview on my iMac, so I use the remote for navigating the programme guide and changing channels. I'm not sure how much use the remote would get on a laptop though.

Kavanne wrote: »

It was advertised with 512MB RAM but I emailed the seller and said I would BIN if he added the extra RAM, he said yes. Well chuffed. It's my baby. To add to our household collection of a 20" aluminium iMac, MacMini, my bf's Macbook and copious iPods lol

Your house sounds like mine; if it doesn't have a shiny Apple on it, we're not interested...lol

I was trying to hold out for an ultraportable from Apple but it just looks like it's never going to happen and I know the Powerbook will hold it's value well so if Apple do ever pull their finger out I can just sell on the Powerbook. Having a 12"screen is so useful for train journeys/carrying about.

Steve Jobs is rumoured to be working on something while he has been out of the office for health reasons the past few months. There are also rumours that Apple have been ordering 10 inch screens. A netbook or tablet-like multi-touch device isn't out of the question at some point in the future.

tom0407 wrote: »

It all comes down to what you want your computer for. Personally I am much more efficient working on my PC on a day to day basis, as they are better setup for web development techies like me.

That's interesting, in what way do you think Windows is better setup for web development? I know quite a few web developers who wouldn't be without their Macs. OS X also comes with quite a lot of web development tools.

As you say though, everyone has a different way of working.

Leopard

If I was going to purchase a MacBook tomorrow, I would, unhesitatingly buy this one.

I would upgrade its RAM to 4 GB from Crucial, extend its warranty with an Applecare in a sealed box from a British seller on eBay and I would buy it one of these (which frequently are sold there for $9.99).

Marty_J

Leopard wrote: »

If I was going to purchase a MacBook tomorrow, I would, unhesitatingly buy this one.

With a glossy display?