Reasons to buy a Mac?

College Life
1

<p>About a month ago, my relatively old laptop....well, lets just say that the hard drive exploded. We sent it in to get fixed, but when we brought it home, it was still barely functioning. </p>

<p>My dad decided that I'll need a new computer next year for college anyway, so he figures that it makes sense just to buy it for me now. </p>

<p>I really want a Macbook, but knowing my dad, he'll irrationally whine about it being too expensive, and will insist that any other laptop will be just as good. I know that he can afford it, and I think I can talk him into it...I just need some good reasons to sway him. </p>

<p>So, what are the best reasons to buy a Mac?</p>

2

<p>Reasons to buy a Mac = NONE</p>

3

<p>Very few viruses= download away</p>

<p>iLife= great for making dvds, cds, sharing photos</p>

4

<p>go to apple.com, click Mac (at the top bar) and go to Macbook. Show this page to your dad.</p>

5

<p>Reasons to buy a Mac = NONE</p>

<p>I co-sign this!</p>

6

<p>Why are there no reasons to buy a Mac? Other than the fact that there are not reasons.</p>

7

<p>I'm trying a MAC next time.</p>

8

<p>Better customer support than any other laptop.
Fewer virus problems.
Higher price is offset by maintenance costs later.
Check Consumer Reports.</p>

9

<p>quality of the OS (just how things work), support, design, etc. </p>

<p>Go to your local Apple Store and have him use a Mac for around 15 minutes. He'll love it. Be sure to turn on Hot Corners, that always gets my dad.</p>

10

<p>If you are considering a name-brand PC (HP, Dell) vs. a name-brand Mac (Apple), here's a myth-busting comparison that shows Mac now costs less than the equivalent PC:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=macintosh_os&articleId=9023959&taxonomyId=123&intsrc=kc_feat%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=macintosh_os&articleId=9023959&taxonomyId=123&intsrc=kc_feat&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>But if you want a no-name PC, it will be cheaper.</p>

11

<p>Look around. Macbooks aren't more expensive than equivalent PCs.
example:
<a href="http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/config.workflow:java-configure?x=x&sb=%3A00000025%3A0000014F%3A&rid=%5B/url%5D%5B:00000FAD:%5D"&gt;http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/config.workflow:java-configure?x=x&sb=%3A00000025%3A0000014F%3A&rid=[:00000FAD:]&lt;/a>
it has similar specs to this:
<a href="http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/EducationIndividualCustom.woa/61314004/wo/jB4QRBcbIisv2KUfavI187Uy6tz/2.?p=0%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/EducationIndividualCustom.woa/61314004/wo/jB4QRBcbIisv2KUfavI187Uy6tz/2.?p=0&lt;/a>
(i lowered the cpu speed to compensate for the marginally better gpu)
The Lenovo is $1294 while the Macbook is $1199. Also take into account that you get $100 off of a printer and a free ipod with the macbook.</p>

<p>No Apple doesn't have something in everyone's price range, but the laptops they do have beat most of their competition.</p>

<p>edit:
Remember to get the education discount when you buy it. It takes $100 off a macbook. If you buy online it's on the bottom of apple.com/store or if you go to a physical store just make sure to tell them you want the education discount.</p>

12

<p>Well, colincsi, remember that the Lenovo can get an accidental warantee which Apple won't offer and is something worth considering while in college as well as the fact that you can get education discounts from Lenovo though they're not as well advertised.</p>

<p>Reasons to buy a Mac -- stability because its based on a Unix core, fewer viruses due to its lower market share and its Unix approach, great free software, less need for tech support, better form factor than all but maybe Lenovo (thinner, lighter, aesthetics, etc than most laptops with similar spec/cost), frequent OS updates, better scientific computing platform...</p>

<p>Btw, I don't own a Mac, but there are some obvious reasons they have appeal beyond "cool factor".</p>

13

<p>Keynote, iMovie, Final Cut, lack of viruses, top tech support in the industry, and the fact that there are often promotions for college kids where if you buy a Mac you get an iPod free.</p>

14

<p>Macbook's OS sucks!</p>

15

<p>
[quote]
Macbook's OS sucks!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You mean MacOSX? The same operating system used by the Macbook, Macbook Pro, Power Mac, Mac Mini, and iPhone?</p>

<p>Take this poster's opinion to heart, he's clearly informed.</p>

16

<p>I just got my MacBook 2 days ago, and after always using a PC, I'm already in love with Mac. It's amazing to know I can go on limewire and download songs and NOT have to worry about viruses, spyware, anything!</p>

17

<p>Viruses are no problem either, unless you're downloading illegal content; if you do you'll have to worry about something a lot larger, and meaner than any virus you've ever seen...</p>

18

<p>ND6, you mean that thing called a CRIMINAL RECORD? And FINES? And LAWSUITS?</p>

<p>I was just talking to a friend from Penn State who said that they really crack down on file sharers up there. Don't think you'll be safe on a college campus--they check there because that's where the illegal file sharing problem is most widespread. PSU isn't alone in this, I believe there was a big crackdown at Ohio University not too long ago too, and most all colleges have followed suit.</p>

<p>College campuses have ALWAYS been troublesome for the computer world. Look up the MBDF virus that was developed at Northwestern, if I recall, to see what I mean. There is a reason they crack down on college campuses.</p>

<p>Download legally. It's the law.</p>

19

<p>There is no connection between viruses (or other kinds of "infections") and illegal content. Most infections are spread by email attachments and by visiting bogus web sites.</p>

20

<p>Airport is amazing, iMovie and iDVD make magnificent DVDs that can be used for class presentations, movies, slideshows, etc... and they play on standard DVD players or other computers. Windows Office for Mac is just as good (if not better) to work on class work. They are very easy to use and the Genius Bar at any apple store is always willing to help in a timely manner. The AV Chat feature is also quite intriguing, but I haven't had an opportunity to use it yet. </p>

<p>It is slightly more expensive, but it's a good investment for the future; just don't horseplay around with it. </p>

<p>I've had a MacBook for 7 months now. No problems whatsoever with it. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>