<p>I have been a windows pc guy all of my life and I like it a lot. However I continue to hear how much better quality and how much longer mac computers last so I plan on getting a Mac laptop for school. However I want to keep my windows so what windows programs can I install on a Mac? How can I make my Mac as much as a pc as possible?</p>
<p>Also, does anyone have any laptop suggestions? Not too pricey?</p>
<p>All of them, Bootcamp.
Also the reason you get a mac is to be DIFFRENT from windows, for whatever reason. Macbook, I suggest. There are only 2 models out.</p>
<p>Its just better to run a standard x86 pc with freebsd and configure gnome to get the looks you want. We all do know that Apple stole there Gui from Gnome, dont we?</p>
<p>FreeBSD ftw</p>
<p>The ports package management system is awesome.</p>
<p>Any MacBook model will run Windows as long as you have XP SP 2, and not an OEM one that came with your previous computer. Upgrade won't work either--it's got to be the retail version.</p>
<p>If you aren't going to use the Mac mode at all (which is so much more elegant, BTW) just get a Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad. Those computers are dependable too. But just to give you an idea how long Macs last--I have a Mac IIsi from 1992 that I got at school surplus in 2003. Hadn't turned it on since about February 2003 or so. Plugged it in a few days ago and it came right up in spite of its age (14 years) and idle time, not to mention it had a hard life as a school computer (I was the only student in the IT department in my HS, and I know firsthand what kind of abuse school comps go through).</p>
<p>Trust me and make the switch! I just got a 17" Macbook pro and am loving it. You can fully run win xp on it and do anything as you would to a regular pc. I use xp to play counter-strike source and call of duty 2 and it runs great!</p>
<p>Macs are great. The downside is that they don't run games well and they are more expensive.</p>
<p>Your only options are Macbook and Macbook Pro.</p>
<p>Slorg- 1,300 for top of the line macbook with thestudent discount and a free iPod and printer? How is that any more expensive then its comp?</p>
<p>Haha I read the title of this thread as "making the Mac sandwich."</p>
<p>Just know that Macs are inferior when it comes to gaming and inferior in running XP.</p>
<p>NosNs3- You can buy a computer with nearly identical specs from Dell for hundreds less.</p>
<p>True, I would just go with a Dell. They really are better machines, plus you are already used to using windows. And it's cheaper. I wouldn't make the switch haha</p>
<p>i pod- 179 printer 100 so 279 off of 1,399 = 1120. DO NOT even sit there and try to tell me that dell has the same specs LET ALONE OS X by itself is worth it, or that they have the same customer support, or build quality. For the same price of 1,120. (Excluding tax). Look at the kid in the other post who just blew 1,600 for a dell and got nothing special but 2 gigs of ram.</p>
<p>I wouldn't make the switch if you are planning on making it "as PC as possible". Macs have better software for video editing and in some cases graphic design, and if you aren't interested in that, I wouldn't bother spending the extra money. Get some new clothes or use it for your books!</p>
<p>Dells really aren't better machines. The main argument FOR Apples is that they're more reliable.</p>
<p>compares a macbook pro and a similarly equiped dell....also, just so you know, windows xp runs better on my mac than any other pc ive ever owned...not that I use xp much now anyways</p>
<p>Just a lil note... my best friend was one of the biggest pc guys in the world, builds them on his free time, the whole nine yards.. He made the mac switch about... 3 or 4 months ago, we would have heated debates about which is better. He got his macbook pro, the most expensive one knowing him... and he was in love with mac, much more so than he is with pc</p>
<p>..... until about a month ago.. hes now regretting his change, and is saving up money for a new pc (since he absent mindedly gave his old pc away when he got his mac). So speaking on behalf of someone who did make the switch, "been there done that...." honestly reconsider the switch, mac isnt that much superior to pcs at all.</p>
<p>Tooya, why does your friend regret it now?</p>
<p>=/ He was saying he hates the layout now.. it seemed great to him but now its just a pain (especially with some sort of pop up thing?)</p>
<p>He also said it would freeze up on him.. he got incredibly annoyed with the limited number of games he had access to. We use to play all sorts of online games all the time, and when he got his mac/gave away his pc... we just couldnt play. He had the intel processor thing going on... but for some reason emulating a pc and installing a 2nd os on the machine would not enable pc games to work. =/ He kept on trying all these different methods... and he just grew more and more fed up.</p>
<p>It was funny because at first he was just bashing me and how I used a pc... but little by little he just started getting frustrated by macs.</p>
<p>ugh i already bought a video ipod and i'm considering buying a macbook now. just great.</p>