Mac laptop

[FIGJAM]

And the computers that are somewhat comparable in design and build quality aren't dissimilar in price.

Then you have the whole OS thing to consider, which for mine is worth any premium (if any!) over a several year cycle alone.

 

[Hawkamania!]

And the computers that are somewhat comparable in design and build quality aren't dissimilar in price.

Unfortunately, some brands charge more for the same build quality. A few years ago, Apple builds were spectacular and you paid for it. Now, its much closer to the pack and yet the price isn't.

Then you have the whole OS thing to consider, which for mine is worth any premium (if any!) over a several year cycle alone.

This is true for me as well. I wouldn't consider another OS over Linux at this stage. Things may change in the future though. My loyalty lies with whoever provides the best mix of performance, reliability, security, customization and price.

 

[King Elvis]

MACs are good if you don't want to stuff around with it.

Until recently, I would've never considered buying a MAC, and I've been using PCs since 1992, I thought MACs were shit.

Now, I can see the value in them - their weaknesses are also part of their strengths (ie, closed system, basically). Next time we upgrade our work network, it'll largely be to MACs, that way I don't have to worry about people messing around and doing things they shouldn't - and they're bloody simple to use.

Back in the day when I used to play games and upgrade my PC Components regularly, myself, I would've rather killed myself than buy a MAC.

Hawka - Linux is arguably the best OS you can get... Provided you know what the hell you're doing; if you don't, it's a complete and utter nightmare.

 

[FIGJAM]

Unfortunately, some brands charge more for the same build quality. A few years ago, Apple builds were spectacular and you paid for it. Now, its much closer to the pack and yet the price isn't.

The Envy and Vaoi range are about the same as a MB for the "luxury" (read: very well built) range of laptops. You have Dell trying to knock of MBPs as well, but I've had nothing but bad experiences with that company, and even then their supposedly better builds are quickly approaching the MB levels.

This is true for me as well. I wouldn't consider another OS over Linux at this stage. Things may change in the future though. My loyalty lies with whoever provides the best mix of performance, reliability, security, customization and price.

I agree with all of that and it's why I have a MBP. Performance is brilliant, reliability is second to none, security is close to a non-issue, customisation is better than you may think (Candy Bar, Super Docker, geektool, Better Touch Tool etc.) and the premium (again, if any!) for having a top line, aesthetically awesome machine with an intuitive OS and trackpad, is completely worth it.

It ain't all beer and skittles, obviously. Things can frustrate from time to time with regards to compatability and having to deal with Apple's way of doing things, but there's always compromise. But there are also things that are of interest, like a new OS to be launched on Monday (supposedly reasonably/"aggressively" priced), with the iCloud (whatever benefits that may or may not confer is yet unknown).

For mine, I'd recommend MBP's to anyone. You don't need to be a graphic designer to want one, or to enjoy all of its positives. You're not (necessarily!) a sheep for buying one, and nor are you getting ripped off. Comparing apples with apples (so to speak), the MBs stack up relatively well when considering all costs and all benefits.

 

[Hawkamania!]

Hawka - Linux is arguably the best OS you can get... Provided you know what the hell you're doing; if you don't, it's a complete and utter nightmare.

I've got a few people on to Ubuntu in the last couple of years and they don't have any problem. They aren't IT experts either and I spend less time helping them with problems now.

One thing we can all probably agree on, the more choices available, the better it is for us consumers.

 

[nicky]

I have to work this weekend because we're rolling out an app and decided to use the time to transfer some music from my external HD onto the mbp.

I didn't use the option to use as a time machine because this HD plugs into my air express which i use as a network.

When i try and open the ext from my macbook it says that i can't because i don't have permissions.

Can anyone suggest how to get around this?

 

[nicky]

I have to work this weekend because we're rolling out an app and decided to use the time to transfer some music from my external HD onto the mbp.

I didn't use the option to use as a time machine because this HD plugs into my air express which i use as a network.

When i try and open the ext from my macbook it says that i can't because i don't have permissions.

Can anyone suggest how to get around this?

Resolved: created a 'root' account and changed the permissions on the HD.

I have a new issue which i'll start another thread about.

 

[soonarmee]

Hawka - Linux is arguably the best OS you can get... Provided you know what the hell you're doing; if you don't, it's a complete and utter nightmare.

I have been using Natty Narwhal (The latest Ubuntu release for the uninitiated) as a downloader PC and apart from still looking a wee bit agricultural, it is so stable and simple to use compared to it's earlier predecessors.

I have to say I've had W7 now for about 2 years (inc beta) and I can't fault it.

As for Mac's WELLLLL, I would like to think i'm not that pretentious nor conceited to travel that path

 

[nicky]

I have been using Natty Narwhal (The latest Ubuntu release for the uninitiated) as a downloader PC and apart from still looking a wee bit agricultural, it is so stable and simple to use compared to it's earlier predecessors.

I have to say I've had W7 now for about 2 years (inc beta) and I can't fault it.

As for Mac's WELLLLL, I would like to think i'm not that pretentious nor conceited to travel that path

.....just a judgemental w***er.

 

[soonarmee]

.....just a judgemental w***er.

No.....that was a straight forward opinion of mine obtained from thought and observation seen through many years of experience.....Go Figure!!!!!!!

 

[nicky]

No.....that was a straight forward opinion of mine obtained from thought and observation seen through many years of experience.....Go Figure!!!!!!!

What ever you pretentious little clown.

You come into a thread with 'mac' in it's title, sprout off your latest little geek "look at how techy i am" lingo and then end it labelling all mac users as pretentious and conceited.

You're the worst kind of geek there is. Atleast the geeks I argue with over macs aren't completely dismissive w***ers.

Go away and don't ever come into a thread with the 'mac' or 'apple' in it's title.

 

[soonarmee]

What ever you pretentious little clown.

You come into a thread with 'mac' in it's title, sprout off your latest little geek "look at how techy i am" lingo and then end it labelling all mac users as pretentious and conceited.

You're the worst kind of geek there is. Atleast the geeks I argue with over macs aren't completely dismissive w***ers.

Go away and don't ever come into a thread with the 'mac' or 'apple' in it's title.

Nice to see I found the nerve, wasn't that hard to be honest .

You Apple people are such easy targets

 

[nicky]

Nice to see I found the nerve, wasn't that hard to be honest .

Not at all buddy, I couldn't care less that you don't like macs. You're a w***er and it's not beneath me to call you out on it.

You Apple people are such easy targets

Why do you even care which OS people choose to use? You haters are all the same and it has got to stem from jealousy i think, or else why would bother.

 

[red+black]

nicky,

Previous gen MBP (mid-2010) for $999. It's Core 2 Duo unlike the i5/i7 of the current models. Not the best specs.

http://www.domayneonline.com.au/apple-macbook-13.html

 

[Doctor Feel]

I work at Dick Smiths, the 10% off apple deals happens quite a bit, probably every few weeks. Apple stuff sells itself, people lap it up.

Pretty decent product though if your just an office user. The dedicated graphics for the most part are rubbish.

Apple set extremely tough targets for the store to reach in terms of sales, attachments, apple care etc. If we don't reach our targets set by them 3 weeks in a row, they will take the macintosh bench and all the macintosh products from us.

Same goes to every store that stocks apple.

 

[King Elvis]

Surely not, 3 weeks and they do that?!

3 months I'd believe, but 3 weeks sounds harsh.

Which store you at bliss?

I have been using Natty Narwhal (The latest Ubuntu release for the uninitiated) as a downloader PC and apart from still looking a wee bit agricultural, it is so stable and simple to use compared to it's earlier predecessors.

I'm pretty sure they've made massive leaps in simplifying it over the last 18 months; driver management and stuff to prevent you from having to do things under command line; is that right?

 

[soonarmee]

Not at all buddy, I couldn't care less that you don't like macs. You're a w***er and it's not beneath me to call you out on it.



Why do you even care which OS people choose to use? You haters are all the same and it has got to stem from jealousy i think, or else why would bother.

Steady there Nickmeister..are you a girlie or boyee??...can't tell from such an androgynous name!!!!.......

Don't bite so easily man...I do this as sport!!. I just find Apple people easy targets...it's a bit like big game fishing, troll the lure...get the fish..easy sport

 

[HarryTiger]

I just bought my first Macbook second hand. 15 inch core duo 2. Can't believe how dumbed down this thing is compared to other systems. I think in the space of 30 minutes I've seen everything.

That said I can see how this IS what a computer should be to someone who just wants to use it and not tinker with anything.

 

[FIGJAM]

That said I can see how this IS what a computer should be to someone who just wants to use it and not tinker with anything.

What specifically did you want it to do?

 

[HarryTiger]

What specifically did you want it to do?

Having access to thousands of freeware and open source apps would be nice. Every windows user has their favourite apps they install after every clean installation.

But all I really want this one to do is allow me to do iPhone development, so I had to pay $600 for a second hand computer with specs that were impressive about 4 years ago.

$600 will get you a brand new i5 in the windows world.

 

[FIGJAM]

I use Windows and Macs, and the only freeware I ever install on a Windows machine are new browsers, VLC and torrent programs.

What else am I missing out on?

 

[HarryTiger]

Mac's are OK, it's just the price which leaves them open to criticism. And the culture.

I will pay $99 for the priviledge of developing applications for their platform which they will take 30 % of any profits from.

Just looking at one of my Utilities folder...

Lingoes - real time language translation
EditPlus 3 - advanced notepad
Bulk Rename utility - batch file rename
Curve Expert - mathematical curve fitting
FileShredder - defeat file undelete
FileLocator Pro - what it says
iSpy - turn your webcam into a surveillance camera
Putty - remote connection GUI, ftp, SSH etc

That's far from all, shit comes and goes all the time.

 

[Chazz M Michaels]

I use Windows and Macs, and the only freeware I ever install on a Windows machine are new browsers, VLC and torrent programs.

What else am I missing out on?

http://ninite.com/ is your friend for new machines. Especially if your buddy just got a new machine and wants you to "set it up"...

These are my stock installs, amongst other things...

puTTY
Notepad++
7-zip
ImgBurn
TeamViewer
Defraggler
CutePDF
Avast
uTorrent
Recuva
IrfanView
VLC

 

[Hawkamania!]

http://ninite.com/ is your friend for new machines. Especially if your buddy just got a new machine and wants you to "set it up"...

These are my stock installs, amongst other things...

puTTY
Notepad++
7-zip
ImgBurn
TeamViewer
Defraggler
CutePDF
Avast
uTorrent
Recuva
IrfanView
VLC

That's a pretty nifty site. Has some Linux software as well. Cheers.

 

[King Elvis]

Mac's are OK, it's just the price which leaves them open to criticism. And the culture.

I will pay $99 for the priviledge of developing applications for their platform which they will take 30 % of any profits from.

Just looking at one of my Utilities folder...

Lingoes - real time language translation
EditPlus 3 - advanced notepad
Bulk Rename utility - batch file rename
Curve Expert - mathematical curve fitting
FileShredder - defeat file undelete
FileLocator Pro - what it says
iSpy - turn your webcam into a surveillance camera
Putty - remote connection GUI, ftp, SSH etc

That's far from all, shit comes and goes all the time.

Hackintosh wouldn't work bro?