ChatterBank2 mins ago
Apple laptop versus others?
11 Answers
Please don't blind me with science and technical jargon as I'm an IT dummy, but we need to buy a laptop for my son going to Uni and would like to know the fors and against of Apple Mac versus the others?
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It depends what he is used to and how tech savvy he is.
As I have always hated macs, but that was because the ones I had to use were awful. The new ones are great and everyone I know who has one, loves them (I mean loves!).
However, there can be problems when running software as some is really based for Windows. This is nowhere near the problem it used to be and most things can work on both platforms. You can also create a Virtual Windows machine on your Mac, if you really had to run a Windows only program, hence why I ask how technical your son is.
If he's used to Windows he will have to get used to the Mac interface, but it's not hard. I know a lot of geeks (meant in an affectionate way) and they all like/love Macs. The market does seem to be heading that way.
I would ask your son.
Hope that helps
As I have always hated macs, but that was because the ones I had to use were awful. The new ones are great and everyone I know who has one, loves them (I mean loves!).
However, there can be problems when running software as some is really based for Windows. This is nowhere near the problem it used to be and most things can work on both platforms. You can also create a Virtual Windows machine on your Mac, if you really had to run a Windows only program, hence why I ask how technical your son is.
If he's used to Windows he will have to get used to the Mac interface, but it's not hard. I know a lot of geeks (meant in an affectionate way) and they all like/love Macs. The market does seem to be heading that way.
I would ask your son.
Hope that helps
if it's for uni ... forget the pros and cons
find out what the uni recommends for both machines and software on the courses he'll be taking.
often they (or the student uni shop) will have negotiated discounts with suppliers
he needs to be 100% compatible .. not faffing with virtual machines or compatibility issues. He'll have enough on his plate with the subjects he's taking
and this will continue into his future employment
even in arts and publishing subjects where apple is still pretty much the dominant format the PC is beginning to catch up
it's useless going to an interview and telling them he's familiar with PCs if they use macs in house.
For general office work - PCs are king - 99% of all firms in non arts areas use windows
best in this case is what every one else is using and what prospective employers will be using
find out what the uni recommends for both machines and software on the courses he'll be taking.
often they (or the student uni shop) will have negotiated discounts with suppliers
he needs to be 100% compatible .. not faffing with virtual machines or compatibility issues. He'll have enough on his plate with the subjects he's taking
and this will continue into his future employment
even in arts and publishing subjects where apple is still pretty much the dominant format the PC is beginning to catch up
it's useless going to an interview and telling them he's familiar with PCs if they use macs in house.
For general office work - PCs are king - 99% of all firms in non arts areas use windows
best in this case is what every one else is using and what prospective employers will be using
There's a reasonable discount from the apple store for students, but I think you will have to have already registered at your uni for you to be eligible.
He might use it more for recreational stuff anyway, I know I do.
Often you have to use the software for your degree on college computers as that's what the licence covers. Although once you've registered you often have free/reduced price access to things. Though this was more true when I was doing a postgrad degree.
It really doesn't matter much either way, both formats have been around for ages, it's just whichever he'd get the most out of. Most peopleget top spec laptops/computers to run games and watch tv/dvds, not do their work!
An important consideration is cost and insurance. As he'll be carrying it about, leaving it in halls/student housing, and thefts are common (as thieves know they'll all have lots of technical equipment with them that they might not have thought about protecting!). This isn't meant to scare you, the same will be said to them by the Warden of the halls etc. when they arrive.
Often the information pack that the Uni sends you when you have accepted an offer will have all of the required information in.
He might use it more for recreational stuff anyway, I know I do.
Often you have to use the software for your degree on college computers as that's what the licence covers. Although once you've registered you often have free/reduced price access to things. Though this was more true when I was doing a postgrad degree.
It really doesn't matter much either way, both formats have been around for ages, it's just whichever he'd get the most out of. Most peopleget top spec laptops/computers to run games and watch tv/dvds, not do their work!
An important consideration is cost and insurance. As he'll be carrying it about, leaving it in halls/student housing, and thefts are common (as thieves know they'll all have lots of technical equipment with them that they might not have thought about protecting!). This isn't meant to scare you, the same will be said to them by the Warden of the halls etc. when they arrive.
Often the information pack that the Uni sends you when you have accepted an offer will have all of the required information in.
Here's the fundamental difference:
Apple stuff is made only by Apple, and they have the philosophy that any hardware they sell should be able to do anything that the software on that machine can promise (including video editing with iMovie, for example).
Because of this, their stuff is more capable than the average Windows laptop, but the higher spec also comes with a higher price.
Windows machines are made by all kinds of different manufacturers, at difference price levels, with different specs. You can get a laptop that can't do much more than browse the web and check your email, or you can get one that's equally as powerful as Apple's top range laptops (usually for about the same price).
If your son isn't going to be doing much more than checking email and browsing the web, spreadsheets or typing letters, then any laptop will be fine. It won't matter whether it's a �300 one or a �900 Apple MacBook.
Another difference is the software. Macs come with Mac OS X, not Windows. There are advantages to both systems. Mac OS X is more secure by default, doesn't suffer from viruses like Windows (yet, anyway), and is more polished (what Apple is famous for --- the interface is nice, like how iPods work better than other mp3 players just because they seem to work well).
Apple stuff is made only by Apple, and they have the philosophy that any hardware they sell should be able to do anything that the software on that machine can promise (including video editing with iMovie, for example).
Because of this, their stuff is more capable than the average Windows laptop, but the higher spec also comes with a higher price.
Windows machines are made by all kinds of different manufacturers, at difference price levels, with different specs. You can get a laptop that can't do much more than browse the web and check your email, or you can get one that's equally as powerful as Apple's top range laptops (usually for about the same price).
If your son isn't going to be doing much more than checking email and browsing the web, spreadsheets or typing letters, then any laptop will be fine. It won't matter whether it's a �300 one or a �900 Apple MacBook.
Another difference is the software. Macs come with Mac OS X, not Windows. There are advantages to both systems. Mac OS X is more secure by default, doesn't suffer from viruses like Windows (yet, anyway), and is more polished (what Apple is famous for --- the interface is nice, like how iPods work better than other mp3 players just because they seem to work well).
But, with all the upsides of Mac OS X, there are some downsides:
1) Software is either for Mac OS X or Windows, you can't mix. Some software is written for both at the same time, like Microsoft Office. If there's anything that's Windows only, there's almost always an equivalent for Mac OS X (but not always).
2) Games. Largely Windows only. There are many for Mac OS X too, but all the latest and greatest are on Windows before Mac, and often only Windows.
3) The University will officially support Windows, and probably not Mac OS X. Windows is a big hit in the corporate environment. However, the counter argument is that usually a problem can be fixed without having to ask for help from uni IT support staff, and if not, can be taken to an Apple store. I had a Mac laptop at uni, and never had an issue with connecting to the network or anything like that.
Thankfully, there are many IT standards, so both systems work well together for the most part.
1) Software is either for Mac OS X or Windows, you can't mix. Some software is written for both at the same time, like Microsoft Office. If there's anything that's Windows only, there's almost always an equivalent for Mac OS X (but not always).
2) Games. Largely Windows only. There are many for Mac OS X too, but all the latest and greatest are on Windows before Mac, and often only Windows.
3) The University will officially support Windows, and probably not Mac OS X. Windows is a big hit in the corporate environment. However, the counter argument is that usually a problem can be fixed without having to ask for help from uni IT support staff, and if not, can be taken to an Apple store. I had a Mac laptop at uni, and never had an issue with connecting to the network or anything like that.
Thankfully, there are many IT standards, so both systems work well together for the most part.
Oh, and you can get good discount by being a student on Apple stuff, but you need to be connecting to the uni's network. This is usually easiest by going to the uni library, going to the online store from there, and buying through this store (educational store, where you have to tell it the uni you're from).
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