<p>^^I’m not a Apple hater. I have an Iphone4 and love their monitors (Ridiculous resolution for it’s size). I also love their Macbooks and computers.</p>
<p>Not necessarily aimed at you, lawlking. Its just interesting to see what everybody’s two cents is, and how that quickly turns into a bashathon on the other contenders’ computer of choice. :)</p>
<p>@lawlking
That’s because you need to catch up with the times… just use one of the multitude of available platforms to stream your movies directly to your TV and get better bandwidth speeds. :P</p>
<p>Seriously though… what was the last thing that you actually needed to install on your PC that you just had to have a cd rom drive for? </p>
<p>And I guess that’s the downfall of letting third party developers do all the work and not having your own products and operating systems seamlessly integrate hardware and software together. Apple philosophy > Microsoft philosophy, which is drastically paying off now with how much ground Apple’s been gaining in market share of the computer industry since 2001. Anyway, I’m sure it won’t be long before Windows will have to integrate another apple ripoff in the form of their “app store” into their software so you won’t need cd roms on a PC.</p>
<p>My two cents is this: If all you are going to do is surf the web, use word document, watch movies, and the usual everyday activities; then I highly do not recommend Macbook. It is an overkill and a waste of money. </p>
<p>Macbook’s are overpowered (They use high-performance CPU, GPU, and etc) for those activities. A entry-level laptop with a very good anti-virus program is suffice for everyday normal users. Macbook’s were built for Art Industry; in other words, for Graphic designers, Photoshop users, Video editing, Media entertainment, and etc.</p>
<p>::EDIT::@DiplatedMind. Apple uses 3rd party for CPU(Intel), motherboard, GPU(ATI/AMD), and hard drives. In other words, everything that makes the Apple computer work is created by a 3rd party (Other than the Operating system and the computer body). The only thing they make is the design and the operating system.</p>
<p>^^^ Third party software developers. Apple has always developed their own software which is why their operating systems have always run much smoother than Windows. Everyone uses 3rd party hardware manufacturers. </p>
<p>I think you make a very significant point, if this were 4-5 years ago. But within the last couple years, Apple has drastically cut down the price of their products and are financially competitive with many of their competitors and the quality of their software and hardware is just flat out better (which you seem to agree with, you’re just debating whether better quality is necessary for most people). A recently refurbished Macbook could easily be in this person’s price range, it’s just whether or not they’re receptive to it or just stuck on the dated stereotype that Macs are way over overpriced.</p>
<p>Macs and Windows Operating systems are both great. I like OS X because its much lighter and simpler to use which appeals to the average consumer market. Windows, on the other hand, is a lot more versatile and powerful. From what I’ve observed, Macs tend to be more reliable mainly because Apple oversees and determines what what is good for you–which some people don’t really like. Windows, is a lot more open therefore there is a little bit more freedom which can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it.</p>
<p>Refurbished Mac’s are still that–expensive. A refurbished core-2 duo (Which is out-dated CPU now) with 2 GB memory ram Macbook air goes for $800. (Here’s the link: [Refurbished</a> Mac Computers - Refurbished Notebooks & Desktop Computers - Apple Store (U.S.)](<a href=“http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac]Refurbished”>Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple)). You can get the exact same specs for a lot less. And there are programs that let you use OS X on a non-Apple product. </p>
<p>I do believe Apple products are indeed high quality and a great product, but not for those who are financially strapped; and especially, for those that use it below its capability.</p>
<p>^^ And for $50 more you can buy a less than one year old Apple-refurbished Macbook Air with a dual core Intel i5 processor. [Refurbished</a> MacBook Air 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 - Apple Store (U.S.)](<a href=“http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC968LL/A]Refurbished”>http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC968LL/A) And you and I both know the Apple website is probably going to be the most expensive place to find a refurbished Mac, they do come cheaper and with certified warranties. You just have to be resourceful and look around.</p>
<p>@JonnyL91
If you truly wanted customizability you’d be running Linux lol.</p>
<p>I use a MBP for my day to day stuff that requires heavy processing power. I also have a Dell PC for gaming that I bought for ~$750 with a monitor. Intel i7, 8 gigs ram standard, and I upgraded the gfx card separately/added more ram (sooo cheap on amazon, omg). It came with a decent-ish one, though.</p>
<p>I love my MBP, but it was expensive ($2k), and the gfx card is crap compared to a desktop gfx card (obv). I use it for everything, it’s light enough to lug to class (I walk 2 miles to school, and it’s a 15 incher), and I have all of my textbooks on it.</p>
<p>I haven’t had an issue with software compatibility, but I have Windows installed (dual boot via bootcamp) just in case I need to use it.</p>
<p>Software I use regularly: ChemAxon to draw chemical structures, LaTeX for writing up formal labs, Mathematica, Office - all run natively on OS X. Also, you can’t beat TextMate for old fashioned coding. XCode is a POS. If you need to use Visual Studio… dual boot Windows. They offer it for free for students (VS is free, Windows is $49 for students AFAIK).</p>
<p>If you can afford it, go Mac. Else, go Dell. Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>They use an entry level core-i5 for that air book. Which is not bad, but obviously superior than the Core 2 Duo. However, a Toshiba with AMD A-6 1.5 GHZ (6-cores), 4 GB Memory, and a dedicated ATI graphics can fetch $540–brand new. More powerful laptop for a lot less.</p>
<p>But I guess it depends on the person. If you want a Mac, then go for it. It’s your money. </p>
<p>@Asphyxiac. Did you know you can use a DESKTOP dedicated video card for your laptop?! It’s a pretty cool device.</p>
<p>@lawlking</p>
<p>Wait, what? How? Explain yo’self.</p>
<p>Here’s the link: [How</a> to make an external laptop graphics adaptor | News | TechRadar](<a href=“http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/graphics-cards/how-to-make-an-external-laptop-graphics-adaptor-915616]How”>The best Beats headphones sales and deals | TechRadar)
^^This link is to give you an idea how it works and if you want to make your own adapter</p>
<p>But here is the actual product itself if you just want to buy it: [Village</a> Instruments : ViDock](<a href=“villageinstruments.com”>Loading...)</p>
<p>I believe you need a “express slot”</p>
<p>MacBook Air. I’ve had one since a couple months after I got to UCSD and haven’t regretted it since. I got the 13" one for $1,300.</p>
<p>I’m also looking for a new laptop. What I suggest looking into are ultrabooks. Currently there are about 5 or 10 on the market made by Dell, ASUS, Acer, Toshiba and some other companies i forgot about. Basically they are laptops designed for business and are therefore light (2.5-4lbs) and have relatively long battery life (most last for 7-8 hours on full charge), most also come with a SSD hard drive rather than a traditional HDD and therefore less likely to be corrupted after some jostling (Downside is SSD drives can store much less data). Also ultrabooks are very sexy- I think all of them have metal casing. Basically think mac air but the pc version. Unlike the mac air however, there are more ports to plug stuff: most have an hdmi out to plug into a monitor, a USB 3.0 which is supposedly 10x faster than traditional 2.0. This is a relatively new segment in the laptop market so they can be a bit pricey (most for around $800-1200, depending on processor type and hard drive size). But if you can wait a few months expect the price to drop for these as the new gen is set to come out as soon as May. Also intel is supposed to release the new ivybridge processor in April so wait for that to see if you want it. Besides, after ivybridge is released expect all prices will drop for the current generation of sandy bridge (i3 i5 i7 etc) processors. Seriously consider ultrabooks because they have great functionality in a light and pretty package</p>
<p>Buying a Mac to use Windows isn’t too smart considering the hardware on an mbp can be beaten easily with other laptops. </p>
<p>Sent from my SPH-D710 using CC</p>
<p>@lawlking</p>
<p>Ah, I see. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to use it with my (9th) generation MBP due to hard limitations on PCIe memory allocation.</p>
<p>It’s okay, though - I don’t use this machine for gaming anyway.</p>
<p>I hate to do this . . . Oh wait–no I don’t!</p>
<p>So, one page back dilapidated tried to illustrate how Macs are affordable, by listing a refurbished MacBook Air for $850.</p>
<p>Said MacBook Air has 11.6" display; 2GB memory; pitiable integrated graphics; two USB 2.0 ports; and dual-core CPU @ 1.6 GHz.</p>
<p>Now, observe: [Newegg.com</a> - TOSHIBA Portege R835-P88 Notebook Intel Core i5 2450M(2.50GHz) 13.3" 6GB Memory DDR3 1333 640GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics](<a href=“Are you a human?”>Are you a human?)</p>
<p>This Toshiba is $100 less, is brand-new, and includes: 13.3" display; 6 GB memory; pitiable integrated graphics; two USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port; and dual-core CPU @ 2.50 GHz . . . the list goes on.</p>
<p>Summary: You get way more bang for your buck by avoiding the MacBook product line. I wouldn’t waste my money on anything computer-related from Apple.</p>
<p>N.B. Said Toshiba was whisked up at whim from Newegg’s laptop/notebook page.</p>
<p>^ That’s my laptop!!</p>
<p>Hahaha
yay me for making a good decision.</p>
<p>Wow, so much input from everybody…really appreciate it guys and gals. </p>
<p>@bricies Yeah I should have mentioned what I’m using it for. While I don’t play any games anymore, I do want something with decent specs because I often watch HD videos and I want the capability to do things like editing videos if I ever feel like getting back into it. I’m also a huge multi-tasker so it’s not uncommon for me to have multiple websites and programs open at the same time. But above all, as I mentioned before, I want something reliable.</p>
<p>Apple computers have always been at a disadvantage when it has come to comparing the specs on spec sheets. Macs excel in the software and operating systems, they are far more efficient in allocating resources and not being bloated like the windows operating systems. Therefore, you don’t need amazing specs for basic tasks. If your venturing into more demanding territories I would recommend a desktop anyways.</p>