Another Apple computer question for u current students

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Hi all, </p>

<p>I luckily got into SCEA and will plan to see you guys there in the fall. Having some free time to kill now, I have been looking at a laptop. I know Stanford is really Apple-friendly, but I'd like to ask you guys if there have been any incidents where you wished you had a PC, whether it be software issues, networking, cross-platform compatibility, anything at all. Also, having never owned a Mac before, I've read about all those pros but what are some negatives to owning a Mac? Besides the slightly higher prices for software and Apple hardware...anything else? Thanks.</p>

2

<p>mac is #1!!!!</p>

3

<p>macs are insanely expensive...its ridiculous.</p>

<p>The new mac core duo laptop is over $400 more than the comparable sony laptop with the core duo processor.</p>

<p>thats insane</p>

4

<p>Not much is compatible with them. And, don't try that Virtual PC crap... it runs slow as hell!</p>

<p>Why not get a PC and put Linux on it? If you do, it's more stable than Windows or Mac OS, and you don't need VirtualPC to run Win16, Win32, and, soon to come, Win64/WinFS applications. You can get this software which acts as the Windows Kernal and never leave the Linux environment. :D</p>

5

<p>i have a mac, and i generally don't have issues with compatibility.</p>

6

<p>Hotpiece, you must not use as much software as I do, LOL. Most software has a "serparate" version for Mac, and some software doesn't have any version for Mac at all.</p>

<p>Anywho, what is the OP majoring in? If it's graphics, I'd go with the mac. They have some pretty sweet applications for Mac in that catagory. If you're a computer guru who runs an S-load of apps, I'd recommend a Linux-based PC with a virtual Windows Kernal. If you're not a guru but you run a lot of apps, Windows (though, don't be surprised if you get the "blue screen of death".). Also, if you get Windows, wait it out 'til summer because they're releasing "Windows Vista" which will soon replace XP.</p>

7

<p>oh yeah, running circles, i generally use my computer for typing things, checking email, AIM, and CC...</p>

8

<p>Yeah, for basic everyday use like word processing, email, IMing, and surfing the web, the Mac most definately! (I hate the Windows monopoly which Microsoft has placed on this world! LOL). It's more stable than Windows, fairly easy to use (though, that one button mouse that comes with it drove me crazy the first time I used one, LOL) AND AND AND! As a big plus, most spyware, viruses, etc. out there were made for Win32, not Mac. So, the Mac is Vulnerable to only 1-3% of the malware that a Windows-based PC is :D</p>

9

<p>^plus, if you are a gamer and don't do anything more advanced than gaming or the above, 70-85% of games generally are released onto Mac.</p>

10

<p><a href="though,%20that%20one%20button%20mouse%20that%20comes%20with%20it%20drove%20me%20crazy%20the%20first%20time%20I%20used%20one,%20LOL">quote</a>

[/quote]
i know. it took me some time to get used to. but now i can hardly handle the different left and right clicks on my mom's windows.</p>

11

<p>LOL. Yep, that happens. Though, you could buy a two button mouse for your Mac ;).</p>

12

<p>haha, thanks for the info.</p>

<p>I'm planning to major in HumBio and minor in Econ. So other than the daily web surfing, word processing, IMing, I'll probably have a few slideshow presentations here and there for classes and some movies. I don't play video games either. </p>

<p>And about the Windows Vista...it's coming out with EEFI, which is what the Macs use. So from what I've been reading, I should be able to dualboot Mac OSX and Vista. Is that true? And also, the current yonahs are 32-bit, but Vista is 64-bit. Buying an ICBM now would probably leave it obsolete by the end of the year...I'm thinking about waiting for merom to come out on MBP. Any thoughts?</p>

13

<p>I'd do the Mac, then, if that's all you're going to do. OR, you can be like my dumb ass and bring one Win-PC, one Mac, and two Linux servers, LOL. Yeah, I'm a bit nutty. I'll be bringing a router, though.</p>