xantixgravityx

i'm going for a 15 inch macbook this month.

Saluki Alex

I have a 2GHz MacBook Pro and love it, I'm a switcher by the way.

I'll start out by saying that getting a mac depends on your major, as many have pointed out, almost all colleges are mac-friendly, but just ask someone in the department you're going into to see if there is any software that you'll need to use.

Now I'll go on to say that very few people need the power of a MacBook Pro, although you mentioned that you'll be using photoshop and such, in which case, the power might be applicable for you. Otherwise I'd wait for the new iBooks to come out (the current belief is that they'll come out in June). Don't get a PowerPC laptop, while they'll still perform perfectly well, the Intel ones will be better able to last through your college years.

Now the problem with the new intel macs is that some software isn't fully compatible yet, photoshop being one of them. Mind you, it still runs, but it doesn't run at full speed since it's not a universal application. Apps that aren't universal run under rosetta (translation software that runs in the background).

I guess I should explain why I switched. Initially I was looking at Dell laptops, but I saw a Powerbook and really liked the styling. It was after that that I discovered the beauty of OS X. As most other mac users will tell you, everything just works. Now, I never experienced any problems with Windows, but to keep everything running smoothing on a Windows pc, you have to basically baby it, running a multitude of apps (anti-virus, anti-spyware/adware, etc.). And yes, there are no current viruses that affect macs, that's not to say that there won't be, just that there aren't yet (there are a few trojans out there but that's it). I'm not going to try to tell you why there aren't viruses for a mac, it could be because of the lower user base, or because the UNIX core on which OS X is based is much more secure, I don't know.

After switching though, the problems with windows are far more clear, I'm constantly working on the pc's at my house to stay on my wireless network, my mac on the other hand has no problems. And when setting up an ethernet connection on a mac, you just plug in the cord an within few moments you're online, no fiddling with settings or anything. And something I've realized is how annoying all those wizards are on windows, instead of the OS taking care of everything automatically like a mac, a windows user has to make all the decisions. Maybe some people like that, not me.

Everyone is different though, in the end, making the choice of getting a mac is one you have to make. I'd say switch, especially since you already show an interest to, you won't regret it.

If you have any questions you can PM me or head on over to http://forums.macrumors.com and ask one of the members there, it's a great forum of mac users, and they'll surely be able to go more indepth about everything mac-related than I can since I'm fairly new to it myself.

dcfca

A lot of talk has went on about the whole getting to use Windows thing.

Finally, it's here:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

More and more people are buying and loving Macs. To make this choice simply irresistible, Apple will include technology in the next major release of Mac OS X, Leopard, that lets you install and run the Windows XP operating system on your Mac. Called Boot Camp (for now), you can download a public beta today.


So if you've got a MacBook Pro right now, may as well give it a try

NosNs3

i can find a 3K laptop resistible.......

Deathsadvocate

Its been possible for a month or 2. This is really nothing new. I wont buy one of these still though, its overpriced and i dont like to spend $400+ more for a shiny case and an operating system that has no real use to me.

dcfca

Nothing new? They first posted it April 1st. This is the first real official release by apple. It's been possible with hacks that people were doing, now it's not needed.

Also, the base model with student discount is 1800. Not too shabby. It also works on the iMacs.

8 1/2

I love all the crap that Apple says about Windows:

Quotes from their site:

dcfca

How's that crap?

First of all, the BIOS system is OLD.
And then as for the attack issue, it's true. Running on windows opens you up to viruses, things that Apple users aren't used to.

Irbis

2 dcfca
The point is that both of these quotes are taken from apple.com and they are opposite of each other
In Microsoft/Intel/Asus and other companies that create PC there are 100s of people with degrees from MIT/CalTech and so on. I am sure they are smarter than you or me. If you don't like Windows/PC - stay with your Mac but don't advertise it here
Go to google.com, type good anti-virus and do research, you'll find out that there are tons of programs that help you to protect your PC. I never had virus for the last 3 years (NOD32 rules).

dcfca

You've never had computer viruses because you're an advanced user, you fix computers.

I had a PC all throughout high school and I never had a virus either, I built my own gaming PC, etc. Never had a problem. Even used IE for most of my time. Never even had to bother installing a virus scan because I knew what I was doing so well.

But the fact remains, most people don't. The girls in your classes at school probably don't know much about computers. They're the majority of users and they're the types of people who get viruses. Why do you think virus scans exist in the first place? Because people can get viruses.

Without windows, using a Mac -- you side step this all together. You side step viruses, you side step spyware, you get yourself in the clear. For an advanced user, hey that might be a non-issue. But for the majority it is. For the majority it would be nice to have an operating system where you don't have to install extra software in order to protect yourself.

All I'm saying is, the MacBook Pro is a good alternative. Also, I entitled this thread MacBook Users/Future Potential users. You don't fall into either of those groups, so why are you bothering to post here?

so save me

How is Intel better/different than PowerPC and by how much?

Saluki Alex

PowerPCs are much slower than the new Intel chips, the exception is the PowerMac G5 (the G5 was never used in a laptop). Now, I do believe that PowerPC computers will be supported for quite some time, but if you're going to have this machine for the next 4 years or so, you're going to want the speed of an Intel chip. Not only that, but today, Apple announced that the new intel macs can dual-boot in XP, for more information check out http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/.

Just let me say this, those who already have PowerPC chips will fine, but if you're planning on buying a new mac, choose an intel mac, the speed will be worth it in the long run.

8 1/2

Heh, I was actually considering buying one for my job (film editing work), only because of FCP though.

I just think its funny that Apple posts this website on how to run Windows on their hardware and then takes every opportunity they have to bash it and say how "old technology" it is.

8 1/2

There are viruses for Macs, and with more people switching over, you can only expect the number to increase.

OSX isn't as secure as you think. Hackers just don't want to waste their time developing something that isn't going to hit very many people.

Slorg

Security is irrelevant.