<p>hmm your right with it it would be $1088.I read that it comes with leopard. I guess a macbook pro would be worth getting since it still would be $100 less then the regular student discount.</p>
<p>I have to agree; once I bought my Mac, there is absolutely NO way I'm switching back to a PC.</p>
<p>Is it really that hard to just have auto updates, anti malware and a firewall running in the background? yes, Macs are more secure, but is it really worth massively overpaying for your rig when your university probably has norton security suite for free on its software site?</p>
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hmm your right with it it would be $1088.I read that it comes with leopard. I guess a macbook pro would be worth getting since it still would be $100 less then the regular student discount.
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<p>Yeah, the developer discount is only really effective on the pricier items.</p>
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Is it really that hard to just have auto updates, anti malware and a firewall running in the background? yes, Macs are more secure, but is it really worth massively overpaying for your rig when your university probably has norton security suite for free on its software site?
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<p>It's not just a question of cost; it's also a question of whether you want to devote RAM and processing power to running such programs. Though systems may come with enough RAM and processing speed to make such an expenditure negligible, I like to have as much computing power possible available to me.</p>
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<p>Yeah, that's actually why I chose my name.:D I'm a prospective CS major.</p>
<p>fuzzylogic,</p>
<p>Another QS fan! Good to meet you!</p>
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It's not just a question of cost; it's also a question of whether you want to devote RAM and processing power to running such programs. Though systems may come with enough RAM and processing speed to make such an expenditure negligible, I like to have as much computing power possible available to me.
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<p>LOL. Are people still raising that issue in the age of dual core processors and 1-2 GB RAM being standard? Dual Cores are built specifically to have multiple memory hog apps like say photoshop and firefox and itunes all open at the same time. </p>
<p>MAC OSX is nice and secure (mainly because hackers dont care enough about its diminutive userbase to hack it), but I cant justify spending an extra $500+ so i dont have to run security programs. The Macbook Pro 15" is $1800 AFTER student discount, and still doesnt match specs with my rig. No amount of stupid commercials where people pretend to be computers will convince me that Mac OSX is worth that difference in cost.</p>
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LOL. Are people still raising that issue in the age of dual core processors and 1-2 GB RAM being standard? Dual Cores are built specifically to have multiple memory hog apps like say photoshop and firefox and itunes all open at the same time.
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<p>Yes, too bad your average teenager girl entering college doesn't even know what RAM is...</p>
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but I cant justify spending an extra $500+ so i dont have to run security programs.
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<p>It's 500$ more!?!?! Wow... I wonder how I got this brand new Macbook for less than 800$...</p>
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The Macbook Pro 15" is $1800 AFTER student discount, and still doesnt match specs with my rig.
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<p>It's not supposed to match those specs either. The hardware requirements for running Mac software do not necessitate those types of specs. Moreover, it is kind of unfair to compare your self-made system (it is self-made, right) to a Mac. Almost any self-made system will be cheaper than actually buying a ready-made computer. So I can make the same argument that a Dell is more expensive than my rig, yet it still doesn't match the specs (assuming my rig was self-made and a PC).</p>
<p>Recall also that your average college frosh isn't going to know how to build a computer.</p>
<p>nspeds: I was talk about the macbook pro, not the regular macbook. If you have a regular, then you dont match specs. No matter how concerned you are about how much RAM security programs take up, my point is that for the same price as a mac, you can buy a more powerful PC that more than accounts for that difference. Now if you'd said "Most college freshmen girls dont know how to run a security suite properly", I'd agree with you and say they're better off with a Mac.</p>
<p>No, I didnt build it. Its an Asus that I bought it off ZipZoomfly.com. Sites like ZipZoomFly, Tiger Direct, and NewEgg are online retailers that mass order products and usually sell them for less than brick and mortar retailers.</p>
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nspeds: I was talk about the macbook pro, not the regular macbook.
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<p>Last I recall, the macbook pro was not marketed to the average college student.</p>
<p>Pcs still have macs beat in price no matter what level of performance, or what demographic we're discussing: <a href="http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=265312%5B/url%5D">http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=265312</a></p>
<p>Fine. I'll admit that you pay a slight premium ($100-$200, no more than that) with a mac, but you also get a lot more with a mac. Apple customer service I think is excellent, and I actually get to talk to someone from North America. I mean, I bought a computer that was designed by Apple in Cupertino, made in China, and shipped from Ontario (Cali) so I expect to talk to someone from North America. Besides, AppleCare covers you at any apple store globally. Plus Apple gets an A+ in design, A in functionality, A+ in ease of use, and A in customer service.</p>
<p>In this market you get what you pay for; when you're looking at that $1500 HP or Dell vs. an $1800 macbook pro just know that there's a reason Apple charges a premium.</p>
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Pcs still have macs beat in price no matter
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<p>Price is not always what people go for, I'm afraid. Do you ever wonder why the iPod has more than 70% market share, even though it is more expensive and has less features than other competing players?</p>
<p>Because in that case, Apple is ahead of the curve. I had already bought my 30GB video iPod before the Zune or the Zen had managed to rip off the iPod.</p>
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you get what you pay for
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<p>Not always. Dell and HP like to gouge prices too. But as good or better IBM, Sony, and Asus notebooks can be had for more than $200 less.</p>
<p>Pay for a computer, not for a name.</p>
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Because in that case, Apple is ahead of the curve. I had already bought my 30GB video iPod before the Zune or the Zen had managed to rip off the iPod.
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<p>We are not just talking about you; we are talking about the millions of people who opt for the iPod even when the choice is still available.</p>
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Pay for a computer, not for a name.
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<p>Really? I thought the Macbook was a computer.</p>
<p>Did I say the Macbook wasnt a computer?</p>
<p>"I wonder how I got this brand new Macbook for less than 800$"</p>
<p>just wondering how this is possible? i mean, what features does it have. i wanted a laptop w/ a lot of hard drive space, cuz i wanna add editting software. i guess i could have bought hard drive space, but if its included for less than 800, then i have a good deal. i know macs have final cut pro, better and i already know how to use it, but i need to consider the cost of the laptop plus the cost of the software. i've heard that adobe premier is good. i guess i don't know much about computers.</p>
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Did I say the Macbook wasnt a computer?
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<p>Oh, so you didn't? Great, then the following statement is absolutely useless:</p>
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Pay for a computer, not for a name.
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<p>Since the Macbook is a computer, people are paying for a computer when they purchase it. The statement is superfluous.</p>
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just wondering how this is possible? i mean, what features does it have
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<p>I had a special price because I had a special membership with the Apple Developer Connection. It's the best Macbook you can buy that is ready-made.</p>
<p>but, what features does it have? i don't know much about mac prices.</p>