Dude, I'm thinking of getting a Dell. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> H seems to want me to get a Mac.

My first computer was an Apple. My next was IBM comp. Then, I used an old Mac in college and HATED it.

I currently use IBM comp PC.

I want a laptop.

I want speed. I want memory. I want programs (Microsoft, of course).

So, should I get a Dell or a Mac?

Thanks,

Petals

<small>[ January 17, 2004, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Zuzus_Petals ]</small>

A Mac of course. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />
Unless you simply want headaches. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" />

Thanks for your reply Chris,

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> A Mac of course. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Okay, Chris. You've got to do better than that. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I'm firm on IBM's (in understanding/using). Mac, I'm in another world. I AM considering Mac, but I'm not convinced I need one, especially since my HARDWARE Dad seemed to suggest I go with Dell (actually, he's said it before, "Why didn't you get a Dell?"). He said that I can get some MS programs but not all. I need Office Prof, specifically some of the programs that come on it.

Why don't I just go get a Dell, if it seems I've made up my mind? Because I'm considering what my H has said. I'm weighing it with what Dad has said (who is a computer guy), and trying to make a good decision and not one I'll regret.

This purchase is obviously huge, but it's more than money. I'm going to need this machine to last me years and years through who knows how many upgrades. I don't want to have to go buy a new machine in 5 years or less. Dell told me their machines are completely upgradeable (I'm wondering what the limits are besides space...and if it's what I think it means, all computers are cuz all you need is the chassis). I need to be able to use this machine for a work-at-home job I'm doing that involves every type of business and web application you can imagine (okay, maybe not, but it's huge...I love it! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> ). And it may eventually involve employees. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

So, these are my needs. What can Mac do for me? Sounds like I should be speaking to a rep...but they're all biased. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

Petals

Because of my perceptions of Dell's labor practices, I would not buy a Dell and I live in a Dell-focused city.

A lot of their employees are contract employees working for a temp agency. They can work only so many days then they are released from the contract. They can not go back to work with the agency for 100 days. They receive no benefits. No seniority.

I would not buy a new Dell.

ZP,

I used to sell both Windows and Mac. And I currently support over 3500 computers on both platforms where I work.

Send me an e-mail letting me know what you're going to do on it. I'm particularly interested in your need for MS Office Professional.

Most Macs will do what the Windows PC's will do and most Windows PC's will do what the Macs do. However, there are some things that either platform will do better than the other.

Your current knowledge and comfort with one platform will give weight to your decision. But the specific software that provides the solution you need will literally dictate what computer you will get (regardless of what you're used to using).

Oh, that goes for your H's needs too.

Later'z.

S&C

SPARCstation!

Peep the image here since we don't have the IMG tag here...

http://www.sun.com/2004-0113/images/B3_refresh.jpg

Tony

Mac??? Are you serious? A friend of MINE suggesting getting a Mac? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" /> Have you been hit on the head? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

ZP:

I'm trilingual. I own Macs and PCs at home, use Macs and Unix Boxes at work.

The weakest link in your plan is the Bill Gates software. Office has been much better in recent years regarding translating from one platform 2 the other, so it pretty much doesn't matter which one you choose.

...but with a Mac, you can run unix, Vir2al PC (with any of the windows OSs AND redhat linux!), AND Mac OS X all at the same time...

...and the Cinema display monitors are the most beautiful I've ever used (and I've used LOTS)... ...but then a laptop doesn't have one (though you can plug one in2 the newest ones).

For laptop screens, I think the high-end PCs win out. I just saw a colleague's Dell laptop, with a 1900x1600 or some such ridiculous high resolution screen. Great for pictures, but default text is TINY.

Things are much better these days than they were 15 years ago, when a friend of mine was asked why he'd want 2 buy a mac. He was asked "Wouldn't you rather have something compatible (a PC)?" 2 which he replied "Compatible with what? Certainly not the human mind!" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

-ol' 2long

ZP:

As S&C says, let us know what you want to do with your laptop. I have two Dell workstations here, loaded to the gills with RAM. I have two Dell laptops also, to work with as I need to at home.

The only computer I *love* to use is my G3 iMac at home. Oh yeah---and the iBook I got my son for Christmas.

If you have to use PC only tools---you'll need a PC. I do a lot of DB work with TOAD from Quest---it's PC only and a joy to use. I don't use MS Office on the Mac simply because Appleworks does enough stuff for me. For digital photography, digital video editing, web creation---my old clunker Mac rules, and much of the software is FREE (iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes).

Mac OSX is a treat to use, and once you get used to it, you'll be very productive. In fact, I think that "switchers" have an easier time with it than do MacHeads coming over from a pre-X OS. Mac hardware is typically more elegant and thoughtfully designed as well (IMO). For laptops, I really think that the Mac side can be pretty cost effective. And nobody will ever 'ooooooohhhh' over a Dell laptop. Trust me...

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Tak and everyone,

Some of this was over my head. I've had a computer for about 2.5 years now, but it had been about 6 years before that that I used one. A lot has changed, and again, I don't know much about Mac's.

Here's the list I sent to SandC.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Databases. People, addresses, phone numbers. Meeting times setups and phone numbers.

I have to do quite a bit of research. Grant writing. Publicity. Health. You name it. And storing all of that research.

Site building. I had to download and figure out an FTP trial version.

I am going to be doing some modifications and updates to the home page, plus extend it and create a site map.

Eventually, I suspect we'll have employees and will have to network somehow. I don't know anything about that. Plus, I'll probably keep up with everyone.

I'm also supposed to coordinate seminars, workshops and some other publicity spots.

___ and I exchange documents quite often using mostly Word and Excel.

I also may need to keep info on clients.


Petals

<small>[ January 21, 2004, 10:26 PM: Message edited by: Zuzus_Petals ]</small>

My thinker's on the fritz...or maybe it's my thanker.

Thank you, everyone for your input. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> I appreciate it.

Petals

ZP;

The list of what you have to do can be handled easily by either platform. A couple advantages to the Mac are the lack of viruses, and the relative ease of adding/configuring hardware. I put in a wireless network (WiFi---pioneered by Apple) over Christmas so my son would have internet access whereever he was in the house. Very easy. Another advantage (in my book) is the stability of MacOS over WinOS---I have a Win2K build on one of my work boxes that's just not behaving right. It seems that SOP is to completely reformat/reinstall the OS every year or two to get rid of these behaviors.

I'd encourage you to get to an Apple store and talk to someone there---tell them you're thinking about buying a Dell, and explain what you want to do. Then let them show you a PowerBook. Spend an hour or two playing, and see what you think.

Thanks, K.

That does sound like a plan. Maybe I could just spend this time fingering products and seeing what I think.

Petals

Unless you are doing strictly graphics design, then I would definitely stick with a PC...Dell makes really good laptops, so that's a good choice...

The ratio of available software is at least 10-1 in favor of the PC. Go into Best Buy (yuck) or CompuUSA and look at the PC software, vs. the MAC software...or look at amazon.com. I'm sure the MAC has it's followers, but for shear compatability, availability, etc...I'd definitely go with the PC.

Not to turn this into a bag debate...
Unless you are doing strictly graphics design, then I would definitely stick with a PC
Why?

The ratio of available software is at least 10-1 in favor of the PC.
But the majority of people only use 3-5 programs, so who cares if their are 100 word processors for a PC vs. 5 for the Mac.

I'm sure the MAC has it's followers, but for shear compatability, availability, etc...I'd definitely go with the PC.
If you have you have a program for the Mac, it IS available and it IS compatible.

Decide what you want to do, find the software which will do it, weigh the total cost of ownership along with advantages vs. disadvantages.

ZP:

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The ratio of available software is at least 10-1 in favor of the PC. Go into Best Buy (yuck) or CompuUSA and look at the PC software, vs. the MAC software...or look at amazon.com. I'm sure the MAC has it's followers, but for shear compatability, availability, etc...I'd definitely go with the PC. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Boomer is correct in terms of sheer volume, there is way more software available for the PC. But most of it is crap. For almost every major business area, there's excellent software for the Mac as well as the PC. A major liability for the Mac in terms of software is in the gaming arena---but if you're not an avid gamer, that shouldn't be of interest.

Based on your list of what you want to do, I'd suggest the following:

Office X for Mac (actually has "newer" features beyond the Windows Office).

Filemaker Pro (for DB work, if you need that). Completely cross compatible with Windows and highly thought of by Win users.

Freeway (Express or Pro) for WYSIWYG Web layout---very flexible and much less expensive than Dreamweaver or GoLive.

For web based research, you can rely on your browser. I prefer Camino over the current version of Apple's Safari (just slightly). They're both free. PDF capabilities are built in to the OS, so that's not an issue.

I wouldn't let the "lack of software" scare you off, unless there is a specific title that you MUST have that isn't available for the Mac. And because the Mac OSX is Unix-based, there's a lot of good software coming over from that side of the world.