Doogie311

What do you think?

weski

For what purpose? and where?

Doogie311

UVa, just for general college work (papers, presentations, movies, etc)

lomeg329

their is a really good deal that apple is offering to college students who buy apple computers. If you buy one of thier new computers you get an ipod nano free...

HoldenMCaulfield

ya what are some good dell laptops?

weski

Consider that the majority will have PCs vs. Apple. Also consider that Apples don't get viruses. Then consider costs and IT support. Then decide.

runningncircles1

Haha, Apples DO get viri contrary to popular belief. Especially with new x86 machines from Intel. The reason they didn't get many viri before is because they had a TOTALLY different architecture from PCs and couldn't even read files with the viri. However, with this new architecture, computer repair shops have had increased virus problems with Macs, especially since alot of people install kernal emulators on them which causes a higher number of viri on these new systems.

Now, Apples are more stable than their Windows counterparts in fact due to things like an OS designed for a specific computer & architecture; on Windows, you buy hardware here and there, slap it together, and sell it, and no two PCs are identical. However, they still run the same Windows OS, and what commands may run smoothly on one computer may not on another, therefore making it crash. Also, OS X is based on Linux, THE MOST stable OS out there. But, OS X version of Linux is much better suited for the average user.

Now, one problem with Macs is that they tend to cost much more than PCs. This is due to the fact that ALL Macs have uniform hardware, and the OS runs much smoother, whereas PCs are random. Since there is no competition for Apple making this architecture, they charge more (the costs of only one company making it are higher as well). But, with the volume of competition in the PC market, the PC will always be cheaper with same hardware circumstances as the Mac.

If you're a gamer (which I don't think you are), get the PC because games ALWAYS come out on PC first (sometimes only). I'd recommend a PC with Linux, however you're probably not an advanced user, so that's out.

If you're only using it for schoolwork, get the Mac because it's more stable, though it does get viri on this archetecture, it's still far less than Windows (since Windows controls 97% of the marketshare, of course more viri will be written for that OS), and it's user friendly.

APPLE COMPUTER FOR YOU!

runningncircles1

Also, don't worry so much about compatability issues on these new x86 models. Office runs on them. Also, as long as you get the computers that say "Intel" on them, you will be fine. You can expect alot of companies to start putting more products on the Mac platform because of the easier conversion of Windows-to-x86 Mac OS instead of Windows-to-PowerPC Mac OS. The former is MUCH easier and cheaper to do. Also, you can get emulators (I believe you can use Windows-in-Linux emulators since Mac OS is based off Linux) and run Windows programs on your Mac WITHOUT having to install Windows.