New Computer Advice Please

[ming]

Mac = Paper weight/Doorstop/Apple that has not ripened yet!

PC = Personal Computer

Nuff said!

These types of comments doesn't help this thread. At the very least, justify (with reason and not name bashing) why you think this.

People who used Mac's say they're very user friendly, but since I've been a PC user all my life, Mac's are not intuitive to me. I'm sure if I was forced to use a Mac, I'd learn it eventually of course. So my opinion on user experience is biased. But from what I understand, Mac's are much more efficient if you plan to edit/make video or audio stuff. But like its been already said, there are more applications, especially work related for PC.
Editing websites and chatting online can be done in both so its your pick.

 

[ming]

Vista gives you the OPTION if you want to MIRROR the main screen or extend your desktop. XP didnt have that option.

Actually it does

Just check or uncheck that box that says "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor"
I use it all the time to connect to my 720p HDTV and watch movies

 

[pmui]

the laptop really depends on what application your planning to do with it. If its internet stuff and surfing, word processing, you don't need a super fast computer, you need a decent IP conection. Now if you plan to play graphic inteseve games, then you need to shell out more $$, and don't get a mac, because there is not too many games made for the mac.

 

[NYreefNoob]

laptop

as someone said. it really depend's on what you want to use it for. my personal comp is custom built, and i built it to my need's. { online games } the centino chip is to slow. i myself preffer the amd chipset. definately go with something with atleast a gig of memory. have you ever had a laptop ? personally think they suck cause of the use of the keyboard size. gave my mom mine. cant say about a mac, never used one. but i do believe they are built more towards the graphic design use. i dont like dell myself cause you really can't update hardware like you can with a custom built. one my board or chipset get's out of date, i dont need to buy a new comp, just update the board or chip.

 

[jackson6745]

Where did you guys buy your Mac's from?

 

[thirty5]

Actually it does

Just check or uncheck that box that says "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor"
I use it all the time to connect to my 720p HDTV and watch movies

Well yes it does allow that. what it does not allow is to mirror your main display. Maybe i didnt explain well enough. My main desktop i have 4 monitors on it. But you cannot miror with XP. Vista does all to mirror.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Where did you guys buy your Mac's from?

:banghead:
The lure of the cult is taking another from us!

arthVade Once you turn to the dark side you can never return.

 

[thirty5]

I am not bad mouthing MACs. They definatly have a place and purpose. But they are usually used in Graphic Design and Video editing. Which you can also do on PC's. But if you plan to play any games there are not as many out there on MAC. MAC are more expensive and just not what most people use. They are making a come back since they started to use INTEL chips. But PC's still have the larger part of the consumer market. If you are just gonna go on the web, use for some word processsing and such, then you dont need a powerful system. Just make sure that you get at least 1 gig of ram, that is necessary. I love my Toshiba Laptop. With full size keyboard and screen.

 

[jackson6745]

:banghead:
The lure of the cult is taking another from us!

arthVade Once you turn to the dark side you can never return.

Not saying I am going to get one I have to play with the 13.3" model to see if my fat fingers can actually type on such a small system anyway. The 15" and 17" are pricey!

 

[ming]

Well yes it does allow that. what it does not allow is to mirror your main display. Maybe i didnt explain well enough. My main desktop i have 4 monitors on it. But you cannot miror with XP. Vista does all to mirror.

I've always used Geforce cards and they allow you to do that too
Its called Clone here

 

[NYreefNoob]

comp

off subject, but i use the bfg nvidia 6600gt video card that allow's me to mirror monitor's as well. plus the performance of updating video cards is dramatic in all manors

 

[bad coffee]

Don't compute with fruit!

Buy a pc.

Mine is an Acer. They build really great machines for not a lot of money.

and why did I spend over $2k for it?
It's a tax writeoff. To me it's a work tool I use to do my business.

and it kicks ass at games. . .

If you have time, and you really want to check out a mac, go to tekserve on 23'rd street. Btetter than those snooty mac stores.

I did the research and bought my pc from www.newegg.com

B

 

[thirty5]

I've always used Geforce cards and they allow you to do that too
Its called Clone here

Right but that is your Graphics Software that allows that. XP does not nativley do it.

 

[thirty5]

off subject, but i use the bfg nvidia 6600gt video card that allow's me to mirror monitor's as well. plus the performance of updating video cards is dramatic in all manors

I agree. But you really dont have many choices in video cards on a laptop. In my alienware laptop i can upgrade my vid card with ease. but not on reg laptops

 

[jhale]

Where did you guys buy your Mac's from?

I got mine from apple online. but i went to the store in soho and checked them out first. the sales people there are cool, they'll spend time with you and answer whatever questions you have with no pressure to buy. plus there is always nice eye candy (chicas) in the soho store. must be the evil planning of the dark side :lol2:

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

They wear sandals with black calf high socks in that store!

 

[Hitsnorth]

Unless you have something specific you want to run with the Mac why in the world would you do that? Dual boot to windows OS? Does that sound easy? You want to setup your "Mac" To emulate a PC? Just go get a PC. The Mac looks nice and it definitely is the right thing for some people but you’re paying more money for less horse power. I guess you could say your part of the cult of Mac if you do it but is that something you really care about?

I just bought an Asus Tablet Notebook and its great. I have had lots of Dell's in the past and those were fine as well. Some people swear by Lenova(used to be IBM) although I dont like the keyboards myself.

Whats more important than the brand name is what you’re getting on the inside. I wanted a core 2 duo 2.0 Ghz notebook with 4 Gig of ram. On the inside most computers are the exact same thing. Instead of spending money on a Name figure out what matters to you. Sounds like you just want to do basic web surfing and almost anything will work for you and you dont need to spend an arm and a leg. Get a low end Dell and it will last you. If your going to run Vista get a better graphics card and more ram for the PC.

Im a programmer so I need the horsepower but if the main application your running is internet explorer(or better yet firefox) then it really doesnt matter what machine you get it will be fine just get a cheap Dell and spend the money you saved on something else.

 

[thirty5]

I have to agree. Most components are the same unless you are building your own system and you pick you parts. If you want a laptop for basic computing then any entry level will work. I would not recommend the cheapest one. Get the best that you can afford that way it will last just a little bit longer than the cheap one.

 

[jackson6745]

That's sound advice guys! Thanks a bunch! I am going to go with a Dell. I get pretty decent discounts and I've had a Dell home system for the past few years

 

[thirty5]

Glad to hear you made a decision. Good Luck with your new laptop