<p>So here is the thing. From what I've looked up and researched, it seems that all boarding school kids/tech whizzes agree that Macs are basically the computer to go to for college/boarding school kids. So I really want a Mac and I'm going to Exeter where Macs are supposed to be very in?</p>
<p>Anyways, my father, however, absolutely hates Macs and believes in Dell only. He is hideously stubborn and won't listen to reason. He thinks that everyone now uses Windows instead of Macs. Is that true? Anyways, there's probably no chance of me getting a mac so I've resigned myself to getting an XPS M1330. Can anyone tell me the perks of having Windows? Please don't tell me about how much better a Mac is. -_-' I'm really trying to see the bright side of Windows Vista but on the Exeter website, it says that sometimes Vista won't work. Is that true for any current Exeter students?</p>
<p>Frankly, I cannot imagine anyone using Windows instead of a Mac anymore (my husband is a developer and regularly swears at the windows OS that some clients insist on using). Macs are used widely at Exeter, you will not have a problem with support - perhaps that is his worry? Show him the clips of "Mac vs. PC" - if he has a sense of humour that may help :)</p>
<p>i have windows vista...LOVE IT!!!! U will be special and show them all the cool stuff u can do..lol good luck...i was in the same place as u...but now i love it</p>
<p>so bballprep, has your computer ever broken down but the Exeter computer people didn't know how to fix it? I'm afraid of having a computer that no one else will have a clue to manage. </p>
<p>Oh and liddyb4, is it true that a Mac is only better if you use it for graphics. My dad swears that everyone at his newspaper workplace uses Windows and that a Mac isn't the best for a student.</p>
<p>I doubt you'll have a problem with the computer people not knowing how to fix your computer....tech guys are generally pretty good at fixing stuff ;)</p>
<p>I used a dell laptop/windows while I was at boarding school (..not Exeter) and it was fine...there were people who had macs but plenty who didn't...I never had a problem with my computer breaking (just a few issues with the wireless internet, but that wasn't because of windows or anything).</p>
<p>I think it's a matter of personal preference. When we went to revisits, students said computer choice is about 50-50 for Mac vs. other laptops. We have the opposite situation; at xmas, I told my S that I think he should get a Mac and he absolutely insisted on a non-Mac, so we got him a Dell; so far, he loves it.</p>
<p>The computer that Exeter provided via their scholarship is a Dell -with Vista. It's highly unlikely that you will have any problems with that - or else every scholarship kid at Exeter is going to be having the same problems. I imagine that if that happened someone would figure out how to fix it. I wouldn't worry.</p>
<p>My dad is exactly the same and it is SO annoying. He won't even listen to why Macs are better computers. Windows is perfectly usable though, and if you are unhappy with Vista (most people are), there are a lot of preferences you can change to make it almost exactly like XP. And I would recommend splurging on all the operating system updates as they are released because there are some pretty detrimental security problems going on that Microsoft is trying to fix. There are also many more software options for Windows computers, as until recently, very few people owned Macs due to compatibility reasons. Although, if your dad is unwilling to budge to get you a Mac, I would try to get him to buy you an HP or Sony. I think they are much better computers and also have designs similar to Macs.</p>
<p>I think it is a misconception that Macs are for Graphic artists to exclusion of those with more mainstream needs. My opinion here - but the only reason Windows is even still being used is because they have adopted many of the user friendly ideas that Mac users took for granted years ago. Admittedly, graphic artists (and similarly minded design and theatre professionals) are by definition risk takers and were the first major group to take the leap to near exclusive Mac use - however most of the developers I know are as far from the art world as one could get and only use Macs in both their personal and professional lives. To each his own, though.</p>
<p>i was deciding between the two today...and eventually came to the conclusion that windows was better (mostly because it was way more affordable). but, the good thing that i wanted to say was, i called the IT department at exeter before i decided, and talked to a very nice guy who told me that he has run into very few problems with vista at the school. so i wouldnt be so worried about having a vista on campus. =]</p>
<p>Your dell will work fine (or sell it on ebay and get a mac....). The only advantage is that some companies have programs that are only written for windows. Apple solved that by letting the new macs do both (they do just as same as a pc in all programs except games). </p>
<p>The IT at Exeter fixed by nephews mac several years ago. But apple will send you a box and fix it and return it for free within a couple of days airborne (if you have apple care) so I would probably want my d to use apple.</p>
<p>The viruses you can get with windows can be fixed by IT, you don't get them with mac os.</p>
<p>iWork is actually easier than Office - esp the presentation (vs power point) and saves for those who want it in office format.</p>
<p>Since Apple "sold" Microsoft patents so that Windows was made, there is not much advantage over OS and windows (they are almost the same) as opposed to the past when it was Mac vs Dos.</p>