MacBooks...cheaper to own?

Gratis

gino_76ph wrote: »

I just sold my laptop yesterday and now everything is in hyper drive. I need to decide this week which to get: a mid-spec 13" MacBook Air (or Pro) or a mid-spec Windows Ultrabook for an equivalent amount of money?

One last hurdle would be the question of USB connection and compatibility. I want to know if I will not experience any problems connecting my Android 2.3 phone to my MacBook.

bbfc wrote: »

Go with the Pro, if only for the DVD drive. The only benefit of going for the Air is its higher screen resolution.

My HTC Desire Z 'phone, running Android 2.3, is always connected by USB2 to whichever Mac I'm using at the time and there are no problems or issues.

The differences between the 13" Macbook Air and the 13" Macbook Pro are far greater than the matters of the DVD drive and the screen resolution.

The Pro is a much more powerful device. The i7 13" Macbook Pro is quite a beast!

http://www.apple.com/uk/macbookair/specs.html

http://www.apple.com/uk/macbookpro/specs-13inch.html

Do be aware, though, that new Macbooks Pro may be imminent.

mrochester

My reasons for a buying a MBP over a Windows laptop a few years ago were:

Brilliant trackpad (still haven't found any that matches)
Good keyboard
Good battery life
Great build quality/materials

By far the biggest reason for me was the trackpad as this is the primary means of control of a laptop so IMO the trackpad has to be excellent, and sadly, so many Windows laptops are lacking in this area.

You should be aware that when running Windows on a Mac, the trackpad is nowhere near as good as it is in OSX.

gino_76ph

I have decided to stick with the entry-level 13" Macbook Air simply because of the higher screen resolution and my "not" needing an optical drive.

I went to PC World in Tottenham Court Road (in London) today and got one. with the retail price of £1099 (and the £199 Apple Care for 3 years) i only paid £79+ today. why? because i availed and was eligible for their Infinity Cover/Insurance hybrid plan. i needed only to pay that amount every month for the next 24 months and on the 24th month i will be eligible for a 25% discount off a new-model Macbook (Air or Pro).

If you work it out (compared to the £1099 product price and the £199 Apple Care) i paid slightly higher but the good thing is the 25% discount and it covers almost everything like fall, water spill, theft and loss unlike Apple Care.

Can someone tell me this a good deal and if Yes then please feel free to spread the word....:-)

Figment

79 x 24 = £1896.00 v £1298.00 for MBA + 3 yr Apple Care (or £1099 from John Lewis with 2 year warranty), so you're paying £598 extra against Apple price / £797 extra against JL price to get 25% off something you may not want or need in 2 years time.

You home contents insurance would also probably cover the theft/loss

You do the maths.

gino_76ph

I did the maths and Yes i am paying more from what Apple is providing for. but i feel i am getting what i am paying for Like what i mentioned earlier.

Two years for me seem to be a sensible timeframe to get a new Macbook. PC World's deal seemed better than Apple's existing one.

I still feel i did got a really good deal. go and ask them. the people there (would you believe) where really patient & helpful in making me decide the best way to get my Macbook. wasn't expecting to buy one but it gave me the confidence to buy one.

Yes, i did pay a lot more. but i also got more.

Figment

I don't need to go and ask them. I bought the exact same MBA as you from John Lewis at the end of March for £1099 with a 3 year guarantee and I expect it to last at least 3 years

gonzo127

gino, i am glad you are happy with the deal but i do not think you will find many people will agree (on a money saving website) that it was a good deal, as figment has said you have spent a LOT more than you needed too, just to get 25% on a new laptop in a few years time, whicvh is shocking considering one of the selling points of a mac is that you shouldnt have to upgrade every couple of years.

even more interesting is considering your initial query about macs are if they are cheaper in the long run......

oh and figment your sig, i always use PICNIC - Problem In Chair, Not In Computer

knightstyle

Applecare comes with free help for 3 years, plus you can get it for less than half price on Ebay.

Gratis

Oooooooh dear...

(He writes; on a five year old 15" Macbook Pro that's bloody fast, looks like new, has been all over the world, has been totally reliable, will be able to run Mac OS X Mountain Lion and which I hope I'll still be using in three or four years' time. :cool: )

C_Mababejive

gino_76ph wrote: »

I have decided to stick with the entry-level 13" Macbook Air simply because of the higher screen resolution and my "not" needing an optical drive.

I went to PC World in Tottenham Court Road (in London) today and got one. with the retail price of £1099 (and the £199 Apple Care for 3 years) i only paid £79+ today. why? because i availed and was eligible for their Infinity Cover/Insurance hybrid plan. i needed only to pay that amount every month for the next 24 months and on the 24th month i will be eligible for a 25% discount off a new-model Macbook (Air or Pro).

If you work it out (compared to the £1099 product price and the £199 Apple Care) i paid slightly higher but the good thing is the 25% discount and it covers almost everything like fall, water spill, theft and loss unlike Apple Care.

Can someone tell me this a good deal and if Yes then please feel free to spread the word....:-)

They wanted over a grand for a lappy and it doesnt even have an optical drive....?? hahahaha;)