<p>So which notebook do you recommend, UCLAri?</p>
<p>Personally, I think if you're going to go Windows, get a Lenovo. The support, build quality, and marginal value are just fantastic.</p>
<p>I enjoy my MBP, but it's not perfect for everyone.</p>
<p>The new asus modular notebook is a good notebook option now. You can even upgrade the CPU, graphics card, and all the drives.</p>
<p>It's called the C90. It will come it in May. Look out for it. It looks to be the most ultimate laptop ever (HDMI support and many other perks!).</p>
<p>Dell and I think Alienware tried modularity sometime back. I don't know why they stopped, but it'd be a nice plus!</p>
<p>Asus definitely builds good notebooks.</p>
<p>Yeah I heard good things about Asus and Levono. Never used a Dell, but apparently they're crap. Acer is the worst pices of crap on the market. Don't get those. I heard not so good things about Sony and Toshiba as well. HP customer service, for the lack of a better word, sucks ass.</p>
<p>I use both Windows and Mac so I can provide a somewhat unbiased opinion. </p>
<p>Macs are amazing. </p>
<p>I am in love with my Macbook and wouldn't trade it for any other computer. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten the internet hooked up at home to use the Mac online, so I use Windows... after I use the Mac after Windows, it's like a breath of fresh air. The new Macbooks come wireless ready and I get a great connection at the local library (although the library's connection is painfully slow)</p>
<p>I have had to suffer through two nasty viruses on the Windows computer. Macs have yet to get a virus UNLESS you're running Internet Explorer or other Microsoft stuff on it. I only have Office on my Mac to do school work and all, it works perfectly. </p>
<p>For arts, Macs are definitely the better one of the two. </p>
<p>Yes, the cost is "ouchies" at first, but they're built very well and should last a long time. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Macs are amazing.</p>
<p>I'll admit, it took a while for me to get used to the interface when I first encountered Macs freshman year (my school is roughly 1/2 mac-run, 1/2 pc-run), and I utterly despised the mouse. However, over the 3 years at my school, I've converted.</p>
<p>I want a Mac.</p>
<p>And those new Macbooks run like a dream. I love them.</p>
<p>I think that the biggest sell for me for the Mac has been Spotlight. Of course, this is largely a non-sell now with Vista, but with programs like Quicksilver on the market, life is good times on the Mac.</p>
<p>I find that I get things done faster on the Mac thanks to the UI.</p>
<p>I love Apple's sleek design.</p>
<p>However, I am concerned about leaving programs in Windows that I have gotten used to for a new operating system.</p>
<p>I understand that the Mac can run Windows. I am sure that I will be able to use Word, Excel, and other programs without any hassle. </p>
<p>Is there any program that is like Word on the Mac though?</p>
<p>And will future models of the Mac allow the user to continuously use Windows?</p>
<p>I am wondering just in case I miss Windows...</p>
<p>Umm...there's MS</a> Office for the Mac...</p>
<p>
[quote]
And will future models of the Mac allow the user to continuously use Windows?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Boot Camp will be a built-in feature of the new Mac OS X iteration.</p>
<p>I am way behind on computers.</p>
<p>It has been seven years since my family bought a computer.</p>
<p>I will buy a notebook this summer for college, and I think it will probably be a Mac.</p>
<p>ManUtd20Ole,</p>
<p>Make sure to get an academic discount!</p>
<p>UCLAri, which items are necessary?</p>
<p>I think the 13'' MacBook will do the trick.</p>
<p>I am not sure if I will need a wireless mouse. I will not be gaming in college so...</p>
<p>And is there a screen filter that I can buy? I currently have one on my desktop because my eyes get really tired without it. I was wondering if long hours on a MacBook would result in the same effect.</p>
<p>I dunno...the screen on the MacBook either comes glossy or matte. Go to your local Apple store and see which one you prefer. You might find that the glossy screen reduces tiredness.</p>
<p>Well here's my issue: Art stuff like adobe products and the like generally work better on mac (the whole "mac for arts" thing). BUT, from what I've heard, CAD programs work better on a pc. And yes, I do plan on using CAD quite a bit when I am in college. So what do you think?</p>
<p>Alright the hardware/software integration is key if the software can run at a faster pace with budget hardware then its golden. Linux can run a lot faster than Windows can. All drivers are selected and booted if necessary, and there are not any extra processes to worry about. Also guess what Ubuntu is the size of one CD(700MB). In a common install it only takes ~10-15 minutes (depending on your hardware). With Ubuntu there is a noticeable difference in performance when using the 64bit version. so my judgment on this topic is Neutral. Ps... this is NOT the place for Hardware/software advice. it is basically a bunch of common end users who don't know the difference between SATA and ATA.</p>
<p>I prefer Windows. I've always been told I'm a "Mac person" whatever that means. However, I just find Windows more organized, and just better suited for me. Whether or not they are actually more organized, I don't know, but I've had Windows all my life and only one Mac, and there's a reason for that...</p>
<p>I think just go to the store or do some research and find out which is better for you. Get used to using both, though??? You never know when you might be in a position to use the other.</p>
<p>lfeqlbrm,</p>
<p>ATA is an older standard interface for attaching storage devices to motherboards. It was originally developed by Western Digital, and named IDE. SATA replaced ATA. It offers the advantage of near-SCSI speed (if you use SATA 3.0 (SCSI still wins, but not by much anymore). SATA 6.0 will offer incredible burst speeds, but will be unlikely to have a strong market presence with consumers-- for now.</p>
<p>Oh, and SATA has smaller, more compact cables and features hot-swapping and native command queueing.</p>
<p>So yes, I know the difference.</p>
<p>right now i use my computer in a dual-boot manner so if my linux crashes then i use windows to backup my linux system. and i too have been born and raised with windows but just recently decided to switch to linux and now i couldn't be happier</p>
<p>A dual boot system with Ubuntu is a good thing, I don't disagree. However, for the average user who needs a system that includes support (myself included), Linux is still less-than-ideal. </p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, I've run Linux boxes. But at this point of my life, I need the darn thing to boot, run Excel and Stata, and save my precious documents. I can't deal with Slashdot when something goes wrong.</p>