Apple or PC?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>
[quote]
That's fine for some people, but I don't want to keep taking my computer to an Apple store. I fix my computers myself, and have been doing it with great success for many years.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That's fine, but for the average to intermediate user, that's meaningless.</p>

<p>Besides, very very few people repair laptops on their own.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Outside of "key programs," there are many, many Windows applications unavailable for OS X. I use many of these, including Albatross18, guitar software, Picasa 2, and Steam.

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</p>

<p>For guitar software, GarageBand is an excellent and included piece of software. Picasa 2 isn't available, but Picasa Web Albums is. Oh, and Steam? That's not a loss. That's a gain. Steam is awful. But HL2 is nice.</p>

<p>But what about non-gamers? Or people like me who play only a few games (think WoW).</p>

<p>Besides, who said I don't keep a Wintel box on hand for gaming? ;)</p>

<p>
[quote]
y the way, a number of folks have managed to run OS X on ThinkPads and other PCs, so it goes both ways: perhaps you can get the better PC hardware but run your OS of choice.

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<p>Yeah, I know...but it's not exactly legal. But hey, when has that stopped poor college students? :p</p>

<p>As for the rest of your points, I think many are valid. But I actually find Mac OS less cumbersome with more windows, especially when Expose is configured properly. Besides, Quicksilver/Spotlight are indispensable. Maybe Vista will bring me back to the Wintel camp, but I love the keystroke friendliness of the Mac more than XP.</p>

<p>Oh, and which Thinkpad are you using? T or X? I adore Thinkpads, by the way, and think they are the gold standard in Windows notebooks.</p>

22

<p>Anyone who is thinking about running bootcamp, keep in mind that the right-click functionality commonly used in windows is possible on a macbook, but the problem is that you have to put two fingers down to right click. I've tried it, and it just gets annoying. Most people just use an external mouse.</p>

<p>As for the price, you can definitely get much more power for the same amount of money as a PC, but you have to wait for a good deal. </p>

<p>As far as the free software goes, you better hope you have access to newsgroups, otherwise you have to resort to torrents, which are risky. Especially at a university.</p>

<p>I think college students are better off getting PCs. Buy from a good manufacturer, and make sure you trick it out properly. Macs are great computers, but if you are more of a computer pro, PC is better.</p>

<p>In the end it is really all about the money though. In my opinion, the added functionality and security of a Mac is not worth the premium. If you are loaded, go ahead and buy a tricked out Mac and then use parallels or bootcamp or something, but keep in mind that if you are just going to use windows all the time it's better just to get a PC in the first place.</p>

<p>The best suggestion anyone can give you is to go to an Apple store and try out some of their computers.</p>

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<p>As soon as I saw the thread title, I knew this would turn into Mac vs. PC debate.</p>

<p>Once again, may I reiterate the point that you can't go wrong with either one, and that it's simply a matter of personal preference. Just buy what you feel most comfortable with.</p>

24

<p>wait students get discounts? can anyone confirm/detail it? do you have to show them your student ID card or something? or is it only purchases from the (insert college name) store?
because if that's the case then i might wait a little while before purchasing my own computer for college</p>

25

<p>Hansen: As soon as you get your Cornell student identification number, you can order a computer online with student discounts. Here's the Apple Store at Cornell:</p>

<p><a href="http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/EducationIndividualCustom?qprm=177560&type=higherEd%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/EducationIndividualCustom?qprm=177560&type=higherEd&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Since I know you are not an Apple lover, here's a page that might be helpful to you</p>

<p><a href="http://www.store.cornell.edu/tc/tcordering.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.store.cornell.edu/tc/tcordering.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>oh wow thats so cool!!
when do we get student identification numbers anyway? since i wanna buy a comp soon</p>

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<p>You don't even need an ID number if you order online. They never try to verify it either. You can also get great deals on slightly older refurbished macs that are basically brand new. My dad has gotten all of his macs there and they have always been flawless.</p>

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<p>I'm buying a MacBook for the upcoming semester. I have a PC desktop that I built myself in my dorm room, so I can have the best of both worlds.</p>

<p>btw, the student discount is worthless, on a MacBook at least. 50 bucks. :\ I'm gonna end up getting a refurbished from apple.com once they refresh their stock.</p>

29

<p>That's dissapointing, it's gone down. If you buy the step up macbooks, it's $100 off. It's $200 on all the MacBook Pros and $100 on the iMacs, which I would say are the best deal and are great for anything you want to do. $900 for a very capable desktop.</p>

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<p>tun you're a current student with a desktop for a pc in your dorm?
do you find it hard to not having a laptop to carry around?
also, does your monitor fit on your desk? ( i know silly question, lol )</p>

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<p>I also have a desktop. I got it because I do some digital artwork, play some games, and enjoy having a 20" monitor to look at. I also like the having a large keyboard and nice wireless mouse (Logitech diNovo set). If you have an LCD monitor, it shouldn't take up more than 10" from the wall.</p>

<p>A laptop really isn't necessary, but it is nice if you want to take it to the library, or home on breaks.</p>

32

<p>
[quote]
tun you're a current student with a desktop for a pc in your dorm?
do you find it hard to not having a laptop to carry around?
also, does your monitor fit on your desk? ( i know silly question, lol )

[/quote]

Yes, I have a desktop with a 20 inch LCD monitor. The monitor fits just fine on my desk, but I have to put my PC on top of my dresser. Here's a pic of my messy room to get an idea of how mine is set up.
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/tundotcom/n429756_31358146_9082.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/tundotcom/n429756_31358146_9082.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I didn't have a laptop the first semester and I did find occasions where it was inconvenient for me to not have a laptop. I've always been a desktop guy, so I didn't think I would need one, but it makes life so much easier to be able to go sit in the lounge with friends and do homework, or just go to the library and do work in a quiet setting.</p>

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<p>so is that true we will have discount buying a laptop on those site???</p>

34

<p>oh :(
im a desktop occasional gamer myself, thats why i asked
so now maybe i'll get a notebook instead then....</p>

<p>my problem is that the ONLY comp with the specific specs that i like for the price i like is a stupid alienware, and i hate how childish they make their laptop look like (the stupid alienhead with the glowing eyes)</p>

<p>dell also a good spec'd computer except its only 12 inches</p>

<p>for a laptop, i think 17 is too big and 12 is too small, so i was looking at 15 inchers.</p>

<p>only alienware's area 51 series laptop had a 15 inch with good config</p>

<p>duno if you guys have any other recommandations?</p>

35

<p>Wait wait wait...</p>

<p>Hansen, you always complain about Apples being overpriced, but you're getting an Alienware?</p>

<p>Sigh...</p>

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<p>well if you actually read my post, i am not 'getting' an alienware.
plus, alienware only has a few over priced models, like every other company.
and their pricing came down significantly because dell bought alienware.</p>

<p>furthermore, i did not 'always' complain about apples being overpriced. just this once</p>

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<p>oh yeah, and you try and find another 15.4 inch laptop with the same specs for less.</p>

<p>for $2,264.00
-Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7200 2.0GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB
-15.4" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD
-XP Media Center Edition 2005 - Free Upgrade to Windows Vista HomePremium
-Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset<br>
-2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz
-100GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache<br>
-8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software<br>
-256MB NVidia GeForce Go 7600</p>

38

<p>You can get pretty close with a Lenovo, but you sacrifice some gaming power for build quality.</p>

<p>But actually, now that I look at the Internet, you don't lose much performance if you install modified Catalyst drivers, running the vid card as an x1600.</p>

<p>So not only do you get a Thinkpad, you get a Thinkpad that will perform almost as well as a system designed for games. Interesting...</p>

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<p>er how do i get a thinkpad?
they dont have customize on their website and their black design is still invoking the hate in me as it did with the same design 10 years ago, and for that reason, nevermind, i dont want a thinkpad.
(now im not saying the gay childish alienware design is much better or anything)</p>

<p>and just fyi, my cousin has 2 thinkpads that she loves, so i've had experiences with both of em (they're exactly the same, no joke, same model and everything, duno why she has two)</p>

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<p>and you were criticising alienware being over priced. coming 'pretty close' doesnt cut it.</p>