how does cheaper similar spec'd pc laptop compare to basic macbook?

p1tse

i'm liking the mondeo vs 3 series as i can relate to that LOL
on a car choice scenario, i guess the macbook is something i would like to tick off just like my car choice LOL

think to be honest it will be a pc laptop then.
think i defineately want intel core duo. actually what's a higher spec to this? intel core duo 2 LOL

2gb ram, but if it has more bonus, but won't pay much more to have more than 4gb though.

HD, pretty much all comes with enough

i don't know anything else for the likes of grahic cards, internals. anything i should avoid?

BillScarab

I wouldn't worry too much about graphics for your uses. Pretty much anything will do. You only need to really worry about graphics if you're going to play games.

Personally i would go for 4Gb of RAM if possible as it won't cost much more and if you're running office apps it may come in useful.

Marty_J

What are the differences between a MacBook and a cheap PC laptop?

The MacBook is small, thin, and very light. The MacBook has an absolutely gorgeous LED-backlit display, a glass multi-touch trackpad, a very comfortable keyboard, and a 7 hour battery. The MacBook has a very rugged unibody polycarbonate shell, that is also non-slip. Its lid and its power connector both attach magnetically so there are no catches to break (and you can't trip over its power cable and take your laptop with you). The MacBook is made using fewer toxic materials, and it's Energy Star 5 rated, saving energy. The MacBook runs Mac OS X, and can run Windows and Linux too. The MacBook comes with Apple's brilliant iLife suite of applications, including iPhoto. You'll be up and running on a MacBook mere minutes after plugging it in for the first time (while you'd still be clearing off all the junk trail-ware that subsidised the cost of the cheap PC).

If you want a MacBook, you're going to be very disappointed with a cheap PC laptop in nearly every way.

Anyone who compares the two side by side and tells you the only difference is that the MacBook looks better, needs their head examined.

BillScarab

I agree with a lot of what you say Marty but the Macbook isn't that light and it's not that thin either.

But surely the key point is the OP can't actually afford a new Macbook?

p1tse

true i can't afford the macbook at the mo. would consider second hand to be honest, but still those are more expsensive than a laptop with warranty

as above, i've read about ilife which comes with iphoto and that seems pretty much plug and play which would be good

good call, i've actually broken some plastic bit where the adaptor plugs into the laptop and i've had family who have snapped theirs in the laptop etc.

i'm not really a techie follower, but i've always been comfortable picking up new systems/softwares, so not worried about learning tricks on a new OS, actually would find it interesting. frustrating at times, maybe.

if i could pick up a decent spec'd macbook white original for circa £300-400 i might consider, as long as it came with snow leopard, ilife 09. i've read it comes with boot camp so could run windows on it if i wished etc.

BillScarab

If you buy a windows machine it will come with photo Gallery which is pretty good nowadays to manage your photos, you can also download Picasa which is excellent.

iLife is good and I'm not claiming that the equivalent microsoft products are as good but they've certainly closed the gap.

A secondhand Macbook is an option though.

Marty_J

Well, if you can't afford it right now, save up. Then you'll be in a better position to make a decision, regardless of whether you end up going with a Mac or not.

There's also the Apple Refurb Store to consider. Their refurbished Macs are as good as new and come with a full one year warranty. If you don't see the model you're after, keep checking back as their stock changes frequently.

computershack

p1tse wrote: »

true i can't afford the macbook at the mo. would consider second hand to be honest, but still those are more expsensive than a laptop with warranty

Indeed. In fact, I recently had a batch of ex-govt Lenovo Thinkpads I sold. Built far better than the Macbook, lighter, longer battery. They were 3 month old x200s models with 2yrs and 9 months of Next Day Onsite warranty left and I sold them for £500 each. Their new price was just over £1500. Compare that to a 12-18 month old Macbook that'll still command over £600 second hand.

computershack

p1tse wrote: »

i'm liking the mondeo vs 3 series as i can relate to that LOL
on a car choice scenario, i guess the macbook is something i would like to tick off just like my car choice LOL

Absolutely. Hence my pointing out the reality in regards to the malware and bugs but also not completely counting them out if you can afford one and want one.

After all, you can't just go for functionality over all else all of the time. Sure you could go around all your life in a poverty spec Lada as it does the same basic job as a supercar but if you can afford the indulgence, why not? Hell, if I had the money, I'd be out buying an Aston Martin Vantage in no time.

Scrilla

computershack wrote: »

Indeed. In fact, I recently had a batch of ex-govt Lenovo Thinkpads I sold. Built far better than the Macbook, lighter, longer battery. They were 3 month old x200s models with 2yrs and 9 months of Next Day Onsite warranty left and I sold them for £500 each. Their new price was just over £1500. Compare that to a 12-18 month old Macbook that'll still command over £600 second hand.

Are you outlining the depreciative quality of the Laptop in question (possibly suggesting poorer quality) or are you demonstrating the build quality of the MacBook as proven by it's value retention?

I would certainly expect a ThinkPad with retail value of £1500 to be of better build quality than a MacBook though (and do actually think that too with regards to the ThinkPads in that price range), but the pricing is far in excess of the OP's budget and hardly a fair comparison between laptops.

To the OP: You seem to be weighing up your options carefully, so whatever you decide will be right for you