Mac or PC in college?? Any opinions please...

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>
[quote]
-little to no viruses because mac's alert you before downloading
anything

[/quote]

NOD32+Agnitum Outpost Pro and your life is ok

[quote]
Mac is most useful for graphics or art majors because of its advanced multimedia functions

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</p>

<p>That's all right, but don't forget, standard laptops from Apple have only 512GB Ram and 1.5-2GHz only. With these stats you will not be able to do stuff fast. For example what I'll order from Sony:
FE Series (with WinXP on it already)
15.4'' XBRITE HiColor (Sony by far has one of the best displays)
2GB RAM (I'll buy one not from Sony, theirs is too expensive)
NVIDIA® GeForce Go 7400
Intel Core Duo Processor T2500 (2 GHz)
100 GB Hard Disk Drive
DVD+R Double Layer /DVD+-RW Drive
Plus their backpack and larger battery, total of $2,200.</p>

<p>What will I get for $2,200 from Apple?
Intel Core Duo Processor 1.87Ghz
512MB of RAM
80GB hard drive
Backpack and WinXP Home</p>

<p>Their proccesors are almost same (2Hz only by 9% faster than 1.87Ghz), Hard drive is same, but 2GB vs 512MB...</p>

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<p>if i may weigh - D's Toshiba crapped out her 2nd year in college - multiple component parts broke down but more of a problem were the constant viruses she got through her school's server. It was a HUGE problem. So she opted for a 12" PowerBook G4 and has not looked back. She's not had one virus (although the hard drive had to be replaced already) and loves it. The smaller screen size is not a liability and it's easier to take to class as dcfca commented.
As soon as all my house PCs breakdown, we're going Apple. And son who is prolly starting 'SC in fall (or UCLA), will definitely switch to mac.
Hope this helps.</p>

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<p>yea, the day the home PC ate my 14 page Hamlet paper 3 times in a row was the day I swore I'd get a mac to go to college with. (It's kind of a problem when "save" and "print" commands get corrupted and trash the whole machine.)</p>

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<p>95% of all PC users not because of problems in WinXP or their laptops, but because of people that don't know how to use computers right!!! In 8 years of working with PC I had only 1 virus in my entire life. People are just so, let say not smart, they don't know how to use computers right. As soon as about 30-40% of people will have Mac, there will be plenty of viruses for it too.</p>

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<p>its not that we didnt know how to use it, my dad works with making PCs work for a living. It wasn't a virus, it was some sort of auto-immune disease.</p>

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<p>is 12" really that small? i just measured my laptop right now and its currently 12"
.. i have a dell inspiron currently and it takes practically a half hour just to startup so i never turn it off anymore and it's ridiculously slow at opening apps.. PDFs are death as are word documents from the internet.. yay for firefox's "view as html".. but I still want to try out a new Mac.. I'm thinking just going with the iBook.. unless there's a good reason to go up. well can't be any slower than what i have now.</p>

<p>i like multitasking a lot also so i guess that kind of kills the computers i use.. multiple tabs.. aim tabs.. internet tabs..music...</p>

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<p>12 inch screen is not bad. I dunno why people think that. Like I said, it works really well. In some of the classes here I dont have a lot of deskspace and a small laptop helps with that.</p>

<p>Never had issues printing with my Mac Office stuff either, if you set the font to 12 pt font it will be 12 pt font.</p>

<p>I'm able to go onto the wireless network, etc. Not many compatibility issues have risen up yet.</p>

<p>As for dual booting windows, technically it's not there yet. A MacBook will be capable to do this but Windows Vista will have to be released. Also the Office for students at my school was only 10 dollars (the mac version)</p>

<p>Mac's can use Firefox, view pdf's with their own program (you can DL adobe if you want, it just runs a little slower) </p>

<p>For multi-tasking, haha the same thing happens to me. If you invest in a good amount of ram it doesn't end up being an issue. (I surf with like 30 tabs open, iTunes going, 20 aim tabs, etc. I only have 512 ram in my iBook so yeah, it does slow down.)</p>

<p>Oh and the never having viruses thing is great. Irbis was saying some stuff about how if you're smart it's a non-issue. He's right. But the thing is, now I dont even really have to worry. I got sent an AIM virus earlier this year but hey -- my Mac doesn't open .EXE files, so nothing happened. It's nice to not have to worry. </p>

<p>I like the points the people made above about not wanting to worry about the OS having to reformat. Look Irbis, Windows is a crappy operating system. When something goes wrong, you have to reformat. When you reformat you'll end up losing the programs you installed. With Mac, we don't use a registry so I can re-install the operating system but still have my files. It's just a major advantage for me since i'm going to be doing a lot of school working, taking notes in class, etc. </p>

<p>I dont want to have to worry about losing that info, I don't want to worry about installing stupid anti-virus software, they're so bloated. Same with firewall software.</p>

<p>Oh and guess what Irbis, Vista's going to suck too. It's not a brand new freshly coded OS, so it's going to carry with it a lot of the same windows flaws.</p>

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<p>Reformat is an issue for Windows. It's by far the only way how to clean/repair computers sometimes because users just create a mess with their PCs. I format my disc once-twice a year, but it takes me at most 4 hours to reinstall all of my stuff + install new updates. And btw, usually as soon as I get new computer, I recut hard drive into 3-4 virtual disks, 1st is for Windows files/drivers/programs only (12GB), 2nd-4th are for my files (drivers, pictures, notes, essays, music, movies, games, copy of important documents, my projects, and so on). So if I see something is wrong, I do "format c:" and still all my files are saved cuz they are on different virtual drive.</p>

<p>I know Vista will suck, but after about 5-6 months after release it'll be fine OS. As I said, it's not about how Microsoft is bad, it's about users that don't exactly know how to use system right. I have Agnitum Outpost as firewall (great thing), NOD32 (by far the best Anti-virus), RegCleaner and CCleaner. And I never let like 100s of programs to start-up with Windows, so for me PC is just great, I don't have any issues.</p>

<p>P.S.: few months ago I tried to improve my father's PC as best as I could. Initially starting time was 1:33, I dropped it to 30 seconds by cleaning registry/defrag/deleted useless files and so on. So as I said, if you're smart - you will not have any problems with any PC or OS (PC, Mac, OS/2, *nix, Win).</p>

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<p>It's not that Macs or Firefox (btw I use IE most of time and again, works fine for me) are almost perfect, it's that not many people use them so there is no point of writing viruses cuz then hackers have to learn the structure of OS. I bet as soon as they will become very popular, they'll be just like Windows.</p>

<p>I am sure in college I'll repair and fix a lot of laptops/notebooks, lol, just good at it :)</p>

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<p>For those wondering about dual booting Windows XP on a Mac:</p>

<p>It is possible but there are still issues with hardware compatibility and it isn't something that someone with limited computer knowledge could figure out. You should wait for Vista if you want this option.</p>

<p>It is also possible to boot OSX on a PC but, you will have issues with this as well, on top of the fact that it is illegal. You can search around for components that will work with OSx86 (as some call it) and build yourself a new rig, but this still doesn't guarantee it will work flawlessly.</p>

<p>To oranda:</p>

<p>While Final Cut Pro is undeniably the best software only solution for film editing (and most cost effective as well, considering Avid rigs cost a friggin fortune), Adobe Premiere Pro is a solid solution for anyone in the consumer marker who wants to edit movies. Adobe rewrote Premiere and came out with Premiere Pro, which is their answer to Apple's FCP. It is similar in many ways, and will get nearly any job done (in your case).</p>

<p>Final Cut Pro is what many professionals use, along with the Avid, and I doubt you will take advantage of all that it has to offer. In short, I recommend Premiere Pro, it is a good program.</p>

<p>To Irbis:</p>

<p>It is common knowledge that Sony makes somewhat overpriced laptops. They are by no means poor products, although some have heat issues. Apples aren't much more expensive in comparison, considering they give significant educational discounts.</p>

<p>Regarding IE v. Firefox, it is also well known that there are serious security issues with Internet Explorer. I don't recommend using it at all, besides for Windows Updates.</p>

<p>Oh, and I agree with you about people having virus problems. If your computer has issues, it is probably something you did (or something you didn't do), rather than your computer.</p>

<p>And one last thing, Alienware makes extremely overpriced computers. If you want a computer for gaming, build it yourself for a fraction of the price, or have a friend build it.</p>

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<p>i'm going for a 15 inch macbook this month.</p>

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

<p>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. </p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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). </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>If you have any questions you can PM me or head on over to <a href="http://forums.macrumors.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://forums.macrumors.com&lt;/a> 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.</p>

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

<p>Finally, it's here: </p>

<p><a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>So if you've got a MacBook Pro right now, may as well give it a try :)</p>

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<p>i can find a 3K laptop resistible.......</p>

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<p>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.</p>

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<p>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.</p>

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

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<p>I love all the crap that Apple says about Windows:</p>

<p>Quotes from their site:

[quote]
Macs use an ultra-modern industry standard technology called EFI to handle booting. Sadly, Windows XP, and even the upcoming Vista, are stuck in the 1980s with old-fashioned BIOS. But with Boot Camp, the Mac can operate smoothly in both centuries.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
Windows running on a Mac is like Windows running on a PC. That means it’ll be subject to the same attacks that plague the Windows world. So be sure to keep it updated with the latest Microsoft Windows security fixes.

[/quote]
</p>

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<p>How's that crap? </p>

<p>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.</p>

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<p>2 dcfca
The point is that both of these quotes are taken from apple.com and they are opposite of each other

[quote]
First of all, the BIOS system is OLD.

[/quote]

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

[quote]
windows opens you up to viruses

[/quote]

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).</p>

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<p>
[quote]

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).

[/quote]
</p>

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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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?</p>