Apple computer purchase advice

[mainegal]

We are thinking of getting an Apple/Mac laptop computer.

I just bought four Dell Inspiron laptops for the library. 4GB memory, 320GB hard drive, 15.6" screen for $529 each.

What would be comparable? Something around $1,000?

I know there are some strong Apple fans here. What would you suggest?
Thanks!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I've been hoping to get an iMac for several months now. Because of house hunting, that has been put on the back burner. I know that they are more expensive, but the technology of the iPhone has taught me that they are well worth it. Some day...some day...

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We recently bought the 21.5-inch: 3.2GHz iMac, and love it. It makes a good compliment to the iPad and our iPhone 3Gs's.

 

[MinnieGarden]

Buy a Dell. Why spend the money on an Apple? It's kind of like buying a Thermos instead of a HydroFlask.

 

[k5jm]

We are thinking of getting an Apple/Mac laptop computer.

I just bought four Dell Inspiron laptops for the library. 4GB memory, 320GB hard drive, 15.6" screen for $529 each.

What would be comparable? Something around $1,000?

I know there are some strong Apple fans here. What would you suggest?
Thanks!

There is nothing wrong with a Dell. You have to ask yourself the following:

"What do I use this computer for?"
"Can I do everything I want to do with one or the other?"
"Is all my software that I use compatible with either system?"
"Do I need 1 flux capacitor or two?"


Remember that a Dell may do the same thing as an Apple, but you can not buy an Apple at Target.

 

[Launchpad11B]

We are thinking of getting an Apple/Mac laptop computer.

I just bought four Dell Inspiron laptops for the library. 4GB memory, 320GB hard drive, 15.6" screen for $529 each.

What would be comparable? Something around $1,000?

I know there are some strong Apple fans here. What would you suggest?
Thanks!

I suggest crushing some ice and buying a DELL.

 

[mainegal]

Buy a Dell. Why spend the money on an Apple? It's kind of like buying a Thermos instead of a HydroFlask.

hhmmm... the Thermos and the HydroFlask do the same thing at the same price. And computers all compute.

I know that Apple costs a chunk more. My partner seems to think he wants to go Apple after being very pleased with his two iPods and his iPad.

That is why I am asking for Apple suggestions.

There is nothing wrong with a Dell.
That's what I thought.

Remember that a Dell may do the same thing as an Apple, but you can not buy an Apple at Target.

True. Only at Apple store or online, right?

 

[mainegal]

I suggest crushing some ice and buying a DELL.

The crushed ice was for my guy after he had a tumor removed from behind his eye.
Now he wants an Apple. I am just trying to help him out.

Suggestions for an Apple arounf $1,000, anyone?
I guess what we are looking for is a "souped up iPad".

 

[MErnst]

Once you go "Mac" you never go back!!

 

[k5jm]

The crushed ice was for my guy after he had a tumor removed from behind his eye.
Now he wants an Apple. I am just trying to help him out.

Suggestions for an Apple arounf $1,000, anyone?
I guess what we are looking for is a "souped up iPad".

A Macintosh is not a "Souped up IPad." An IPAD is an Appliance as where Mac is a full blown Personal Computer.

 

[MErnst]

For about $1000 you can get a very nice MacBook that will last you a long time. We love our Apple products and are the happy owners of a MacBook, iMac, iPad and 2 iphones (3Gs and 4G). Only member of the house that still uses a PC is DH and he's constantly having problems...but then again it could be the user, LOL.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

hhmmm... the Thermos and the HydroFlask do the same thing at the same price. And computers all compute.

Correction: Thermos and Hydro are not the same.

 

[k5jm]

Once you go "Mac" you never go back!!

I was a "Mac/Apple only man" for 15 years and switched to Linux and Windows about 11 years ago.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I have a MacBook Pro and I loooove it. I got it as a gift for graduation but I think it was about $1200... 13-inch, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB memory. The battery lasts FOREVER.

I've always had a Mac and will never buy anything else. I have a tendency to break things and the Mac service is unbeatable. Last year my hard drive died (possibly because I had waaaay too much stuff on there ) and my warranty had been up for about a year at that point (the computer was four years old). I took it into the genius bar and two days later my laptop came home with a brand new hard drive AND a brand new casing (which I had cracked when I dropped my computer) totally free of charge. That would have NEVER happened if it hadn't been an Apple.

Plus, its pretty.

 

[MinnieGarden]

hhmmm... the Thermos and the HydroFlask do the same thing at the same price. And computers all compute.

I know that Apple costs a chunk more. My partner seems to think he wants to go Apple after being very pleased with his two iPods and his iPad.

Thermos and HydroFlask may perform similar functions, however they are not the same price. Generally you can find a Thermos for half the price of a HydroFlask. Therefore, the objective here is to determine what you expect of a computer and whether or not price is an issue. If both are in your budget, then price becomes moot as with Thermos and HydroFlask.

 

[DisneyKevin]

hhmmm... the Thermos and the HydroFlask do the same thing at the same price.

Then why not buy the one that allows you to give 5% to GKTW?

You do realize you are asking advice from "followers".....right?

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Apple is for some like Disney is for most people here. You give them all your money and apologize because you can't give them any more.

Seriously, and trying to stay out of the Mac vs PC religious zealousness, from a strictly technical perspective, Dell and Macs are essentially identical inside. Your choice between a Dell and a MacIntosh therefore is, as was mentioned several times in this week's Disboards podcast, is a personal choice of whether the extreme difference in price is worth it for you.

If you are not a computer person, I would try and determine what you are GOING to use your computer for. Not MAY use, but WILL use. I've seen far too many people be swayed by slick sales people into spending their hard earned money on systems that are far too powerful (an therefore expensive) for their needs.

Secondly, I would do some online research. Try and determine the marketing speak verses reality. Are you a person that likes to "go under the hood", or a "I just want to take it out of the box and it works" person. Don't be "afraid that PC viruses will turn your computer into a zombie 10 seconds after hooking it up to the internet", that's just Apple speak and has no basis in reality.

Thirdly, if you already own a PC (non-Mac), realize that you may need to repurchase software for the Mac format, or some software (especially graphically intense games) may not be available on the Mac side. Same works in reverse for Mac owners switching to PCs.

That being said, 90% of the people are doing the same thing on their computers. Surfing, storing pictures and emailing. For those needs I PERSONALLY would not spend the extra for a MacIntosh, but again, that's a personal choice. If you personally think that spending the extra amount of money is worth it for you, then it is.

 

[Spaceace5150]

Do you know anyone that has a Mac you could try out? I am a Windows guy, and test drove a Mac for a week. After that week I couldn't wait to get my windows PC back!

I have thought about having a Mac but running Windows on it, but that is another story (love the sleek design of Macs).

But its all personal preference.

 

[topolino]

I just returned to college after many years in the work force. Before the semester I treated myself to a 13.5 inch MacBook Pro. I haven't had it for long, but so far I'm thrilled with it. I'd been a Windows user for so long and I was just sick and tired of slow bogged down computers. Now when I click on an application it actually opens immediately!

Now I know it's still new, and that could be part of the reason why it's so efficient, but there is just something about it. It's hard to describe. You just know it's a better quality piece of equipment than any of the Dell and Toshiba laptops I've had in the past.

It may be a crude comparison, but it's kind of like a Cadillac vs. a Chevy. You can just feel the quality at your fingertips.

I know I sound like I'm waxing poetic about this thing, and I usually don't get so sappy over material things. I was kind of an anti-Apple guy for years, but this MacBook Pro and my iPod Touch has changed that. Next step is iPhone, which will happen as soon as they sign a deal with Verizon.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

It may be a crude comparison, but it's kind of like a Cadillac vs. a Chevy. You can just feel the quality at your fingertips.

Although the Apple marketing people would LOVE everyone to believe this, it simply isn't true. Take away the pretty case and logos and what you have in both cases, be it Dell or Apple, is an identical computer. They both use the same processors, memory chips etc., are are both made in the same factories in China.

To be accurate, think of the comparison more like a Chevy with a regular paint job vs a Chevy with a customized paint job, spinners and a spoiler. They with both do what you want, but if you believe that the extras are worth it to you, then by all means buy it. Just don't fall into the marketing hype.