<p>
[quote]
but underneath, lurking in the shadows is a terminal where someone who knows python can do REALLY neat stuff.
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</p>
<p>I like this about UNIX-based OSes too. It's really missing from XP. But in Vista, you can install the PowerShell (or something like this) shell that MS built. Not that I plan to bother with it, but apparently it's now an option for Windows.</p>
<p>Ah, "overpriced." Such an overused word. What makes it overused if it brings me more utility than any other computer on the market?</p>
<p>It's like calling a BMW overpriced because you can get a Honda with the same HP.</p>
<p>You know guys, reading this thread a lot of you guys are getting very technical about computers. Unix, linix, Windex, what are you talking about? As a computer idiot, I find the Mac simply more easier to use than a Windows computer. I bought my Mac, turned it on, put some of my info in, AirPort recognized my network immediately, and was online in seconds. I also appreciate that there are Apple stores. Whenever I have a problem, I can simply make an appointment with a genius and be done with it. My old MacBook got it's motherboard replaced when I was having shutdown issues (whatever a motherboard is, I have no idea). A few weeks ago I went in and asked them to replace my keyboard because there was a crack. I waited 15 minutes and they replaced it under warranty. Now I'm on my second Mac (a Pro this time), and I can't be happier.</p>
<p>I really don't like the interface of macs, especially using the windows</p>
<p>
[quote]
Not true. There is no statement from Apple like this, and if you call Apple support they'll tell you it's not true. The software that supports Windows on Mac was written and is supported by Apple. But clearly, Apple will not support a Windows software problem on a Mac.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well in 2006 I had a friend install the beta version of boot camp on his computer and when he got an error, the Mac people said that it voids his warrenty installing it. So maybe they've changed policy since then, and in that case my information is no longer accurate.</p>
<p>However, I am wondering how they would control containing any errors that occur in Windows from affecting the running of OSX and if they encountered errors, would they be covered in your warrenty? I don't know...</p>
<p>And yes, installing OSX on a non-Mac computer isn't legal. But that was not my point. ;)</p>
<p>Which "Mac people" said that it voids his warranty (not warrenty)? This is especially silly on the part of anyone at Apple when it will be included with the new version of Mac OS X...</p>
<p>As I said, that was the beta version, so it's possible that they've changed policy. He said he called the Apple store and that's what they told him.</p>
<p>I don't know.</p>
<p>
[quote]
^ inspiron isn't exactly known for its build quality, as with all consumer lines. macs are (presumably) comparable to business-line laptops, ie latitude, travelmate, etc.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I have looked over the apple/mac official site and i have seen nothing stating that the mac book is in any way a "business" class laptop. If it was, they would be pointing out the safety features, such as a magnesium cage, ligthweight, fingerprint reader, roll cage, etc. These are things that are usually marketed with a business class laptop, thus in this case, i would presume that the mac book is not and should not be included in any business category. It is simply something cool to have. For those that frequently cover apple news, you would realize HOW MUCH EFFORT THEY PUT INTO HIDING THE VIRUSES AND BUGS THAT ARE APPARENT ON THEIR SYSTEMS. And i say frequent for a reason since they try to QUICKLY cover things up. They pay people off, they discredit people that try to help, and you want to be associated with this kind of company. Their ipods have subpar sq, you are buying an image. Mac books are heavy for their size, battery life is dismal and any dimwit can organize windows. I havent recieved a virus since 2000 while actively downloading from p2p services, bittorrent, usegroups, etc. Nothing. Perhaps the large majority are just infesting their computers with porn</p>
<p>
[quote]
Perhaps the large majority are just infesting their computers with porn
[/quote]
</p>
<p>QTF... 10 char</p>
<p>southpasadena,</p>
<p>The Macbook isn't, but the Macbook Pro is. It has most of the features of a business-class notebook. </p>
<p>I got a virus at UCLA just connecting to MyUCLA. It was sasser or something. It didn't even require that I download anything.</p>
<p>the mbp is not as durable as an actual business class notebook. As for the safety featuers, excluding the unique magnetic power supply cord, the only outstanding feature i have been able to find is the fact that the harddrive parks the heads under unusual acceleration. That is it. And as durability is one of the main components of a business class notebook, and the mbp is missing what others have, can it really by considered business class...no. That is why you can't really compare a thinkpad to the mbp, they are in totally different classes.</p>
<p>southpasadena,</p>
<p>Fine, then we'll call it "high-end." In any case, it's not comparable to low-end Dells or HPs, either. It's definitely a high-end notebook, even if it's not Lenovo-tough.</p>
<p>One quick aside...</p>
<p>Buying a computer is a personal decision. Everyone has different needs.</p>
<p>This comes as a shock to many younger people (particularly young males, which I was a few years back...), but not everyone wants the biggest, baddest, most technically powerful computer. Some of us will give up the fastest GeForce/Radeon for a good keyboard. Some of us will give up 10 gigs of hard drive space for brick and mortar shops. Some of us will give up an inch on the screen for form factor.</p>
<p>This doesn't make us stupid consumers. We value different things. My days of fraggin' and seeing how many FPS I can get out of the newest games are over. I don't want that in a computer anymore. I want a computer that will let me do Excel, Stata, Word, and productivity software. I want a computer that will let me make nice presentations for work.</p>
<p>I want a computer that I enjoy using.</p>
<p>That's why I like my Mac. Do I still use Windows? Yes. But don't tell me that my computer was a ripoff because yours gets 15 more FPS in Oblivion. That's not how it works. Everything is defined by the utility you derive from its use. And I get a lot of utility out of this computer.</p>
<p>No, it's not perfect.
No, it's not the fastest computer ever made.
No, it's not going to turn heads on the 3DMark boards.</p>
<p>But it has done what it's supposed to do, and it's done it very very well.</p>
<p>Is it true to almost all of the computer stuff you can get at like best buy/circuit city (hard drives, videocards, portable hard drives, videocards, RAM, speakers, external drives) don't work on macs?</p>
<p>I use the same external hard disk on my Windows machine as my Mac. And speakers not working is kind of silly. Macs don't use some special and rare form of audio plug that doesn't exist elsewhere...</p>
<p>Mac laptops are subject to the same limitations as most Windows laptops (not being able to change much.) But they use pretty much all the same standards.</p>
<p>If you buy a Mac Pro, then everything but the video card is pretty much able to be changed.</p>
<p>Here at work (a Windows/Mac/Linux shop) we use the same external hard drives, RAM, keyboards, mice and speakers/headphones interchangeably. We tend not to move video cards or internal drives around; maybe we can't.</p>
<p>and do mac books have a pci-express card slot? For any computer with one, you can have the graphics capabilities of a desktop with the mobility of a notebook. You use the pci-e card slot to connect a gpu normally used in a desktop computer. You can leave it at home and take a computer with its shared onboard graphics, have better battery life and scoff at those without the same choices that have been blessed upon you.</p>
<p>MacBooks do use the Expresscard/34 standard.</p>
<p>last time i checked, notebook graphics cards can't be upgraded (or changed at all). AND if you stick a desktop graphics card into a puny little notebook, something'll fry.</p>
<p>toxic_waste,</p>
<p>You can now.</p>