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Do You Know Computers?! Which Laptop!

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GypsyLovin
Posts: 656 - Karma: 109
Okay Newschoolers... So heres the deal, Its getting to be that time where I need a laptop...

Im going to be heading off to college in not too long. (Maybe classes in the summer)


I wont go too in depth with what Ill use it for because its pretty simple. Im going to be doing a lot of video editing and other than that just school related things.

So I want to know what the better way to go is, and the pros and cons of each is seeing as I dont know too much about computers...

Spark Notes: MAC OR WINDOWS

Thanks everybody!
Feb 29 2012 9:00PM
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skitheWest.
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 1,276
MAC
Feb 29 2012 9:07PM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
for what u r using it for..both would be fine. both have their video editing programs and you can buy word for both. it really just comes down to a personal preference and how much $$ ur willin to spend
Feb 29 2012 9:26PM
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GypsyLovin
Posts: 656 - Karma: 109
Good to know.. See my family has the mac desktop and Im super familiar with how they operate but are the macbooks really worth the extra cash? What makes them that much better?
Feb 29 2012 9:31PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
i got a macbook for christmas and absolutely love it, i just find everything faster with the operating system, i mean its not that much different than the imac besides what u can do with the touchpad but id go for the macbook
Feb 29 2012 9:50PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
let me just give you the skinny on how i feel about the whole mac v pc debate...(this is all my opinion and what i would do/have done)

i am into audio/video production...writing/recording songs, fiming/editing videos, that sort of a thing. i have used both platforms for both scenarios and i hate editing anything on pc's. period. for me, there are a lot more compatible interfaces/third party plugins/blah blah that i think run smoother on macs so in the auido/video world...i will never use a pc again.

now im also an engineering major so i use software like autocad, solid works, matlab, mathcad, that sorta stuff. all of that is made for the pc platform and those are industry standard softwares. to run those big programs on a mac is a complete pain in the ass...so engineering applications...i would go with a pc.

those being said, i guarantee you will spend 96.69% of your time just chillin on your computer, this is where i prefer mac over pc and windows yet again. i have never had an sorts of technical problems with the luxuries everyone expects from their computers. my two roommates, who both have lenovo thinkpads have problems all the time. one runs windows, the other linux, and the one running windows has the slowest computer ive ever seen, right behind my other buddies hp piece of shit. i also like how macs feel, they feel solid and like they are one piece when you pick it up. not like the think pads where they are bulky and feel like the top might fall off whenever. i also like the operating system better as well. just seems less clunky to me for what i do and use it for. (except lion, thats effin trash)


all of that being said, i am a mac man and will be for a very long time. now everyone will say "oh cant game on mac, oh cant have multi-touch trackpad on pc, oh yes you can this oh no you can't that" and there are some windows computers coming out nowadays that mimic the style and features of macs because everyone likes them. so hope that helps a little in your decision.
Feb 29 2012 9:56PM
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GypsyLovin
Posts: 656 - Karma: 109
Thanks a ton dude that actually does help for sure! Ive always wanted a mac until I recently really thought about why... But I feel like it would definitely be a solid choice.
Feb 29 2012 10:36PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
nice yeah i love my macbook pro. best thing ever
Mar 1 2012 12:34AM
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HoughtonHuffton
Posts: 75 - Karma: 403
Don't mean to sound like a fanboy. But Mac for sure.
Mar 1 2012 9:33AM
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Eggbert
Posts: 329 - Karma: 46
are you paying for it? if so:

samsung qx410: Macbook pro 13", core i5 upgraded
core i5 @ 2.8 ghz core i5 @ 2.8 GHz
650 gb hard drive 750 gb hard drive
4gig ddr3 ram 4 gig dd43 ram
14" screen 13.3" screen
7 hour battery 7 hour battery

price: $700 price: $1500?!?!

and if you need mac? my friend has his samsung set up to dual boot windows, or mac, runs super smooth, thinking about doing it to mine.

just saying....... figuring that you actually pay for mac instead of torrenting it, you still pay about $600 for the apple logo, even though everything else is essentially the same (you can upgrade the hard drive to 750 gb for $100)




Mar 1 2012 11:08AM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
heres some pros and cons of both:
windows
pros
cheaper
more bang for your buck (cheaper)
more programs available- as a student your probably going to be taking notes. on my windows/school laptop i have a program called microsoft onenote. it is one of the easiest note-taking softwares available, much easier than taking notes on microsoft word.
faster gaming
cons
easier to fuck up- viruses and shit
could be slow if you dont get a prime setup.
no final cut (but there are other programs like premiere, after effects, vegas, etc.)

mac
pros
hardware/software works awesome together (no compatibility issues)
final cut
IMO much more fun to use, explore, and be creative with.
cons
expensive
some programs cant run
slow for gaming

if i had to go with one computer id probably go with mac though. i prefer using osx to windows all day. in all honesty one note is cool but i hear there are equivalents that work just as well, and taking notes on microsoft isnt hard, it just takes getting used to (for me).
try them out and see which one is best for you though
Mar 1 2012 1:44PM
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Benji.
Posts: 1146 - Karma: 88
get a mac. they dont break. ever.

Just like everybody, a lot of my friends have Windows and a lot have Apple.

I find that most of the Windows users run into more problems than The apple users.

ESPECIALLY in the long run. (which youre going to have to consider considering you'll be broke in no time.

its a fact not an opinion.


Mac hardware = better

Windows software = better (debatable on what applications you'll be using)

and HELL NO, i am not a mac fanboy. Microsoft Office FUCKING BLOWS!


Mar 1 2012 1:58PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
saying office blows is sorta pro-apple, anti microsoft...
Mar 1 2012 3:52PM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
For what it sounds like you're going to be using it for, I'd definitely say a Macbook.

If you are short on cash though, and would rather save some money and put it towards programs. I'm selling my HP dv7 you can check it out in my thread here if you want: https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/681145/

Really though it sounds like you would be best suited with a mac.
Mar 1 2012 3:57PM
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GypsyLovin
Posts: 656 - Karma: 109
Thanks for the words or wisdom guys! I feel like a mac would be sick...
Mar 1 2012 5:19PM
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eheath
Posts: 61638 - Karma: 123,418
When it comes to specs, computers will be the same. Why are macs more expensive? Because of the demand for their software and the excellent build quality and durability of their computers. I have friends with original macbooks from 2006 that still run to this day. Another great thing you get with apple is an amazing warranty and if you buy the apple care, its definitely going to help you out in the future. I had about 1000 bucks worth of shit fixed on my OG MBP a few years ago, all for free. My last MBP (15" from like 2 years ago) still runs like clockwork and has had no issues and now i have a 17" mbp that is running great. Macs are better because of the details, not the specs.
Mar 1 2012 5:23PM
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lukewalnuts
Posts: 2730 - Karma: 152
this...



read steve jobs' biography by walter isaacson

you will see how many people he pissed of due to the details he had to have
Mar 1 2012 5:26PM
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phreshpow
Posts: 834 - Karma: 133
In my mind there is no "better" or "worse" in the mac vs. pc debate, it all depends on personal preference, budget, needs, etc.

I have had a PC my whole life (and just ordered another one) because they are much cheaper than macs for the same internal specs and I am engineering student who doesn't want to have to fuck with parallels etc. to use software for my major.

That being said, I would say almost all objective people would say they macs have superior hardware and build quality (screens, aluminum unibody and touchpad on laptops, etc.) but, you are going to have to pay for it. Also, some people prefer the mac OS and user experience one gets on a mac.

Personally, I think PC makers have started to step their game up and have started to compete with mac hardware wise, but really just aren't quite on the same level yet. I also can't justify the higher price and hassle I would go through to get the programs I need for school to work on a mac, but that is just for me.

I would say the best thing to do is: decide what you really need to do on it, what your budget is, which OS you like best, if one will help/hinder what you can or can't do, then decide which is a better fit for you. People get really heated about mac vs. pc (not saying I haven't been in some arguments) about which is better, but I would say it really just depends on your situation.
Mar 1 2012 6:21PM
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GypsyLovin
Posts: 656 - Karma: 109
Thanks erverybody! As far as processors go whats better i5 or i7!
Mar 4 2012 5:59PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
you do realize that mac and windows parts are exactly the same, they're even made in the same factory.
Mar 4 2012 7:27PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
i7, but if your just doing basic stuff and your on a budget, i5 works well.
Mar 4 2012 7:33PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
for engineering stuff just use bootcamp. I partitioned my MBP so i could run solidworks. definitely the best combination if you're willing to spend the extra money over having a windows only laptop
Mar 5 2012 5:01PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,314
lol foxconn
Mar 5 2012 5:06PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
that is legit. i think i will look into that now
Mar 5 2012 7:44PM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
i love my mac. the os is fine, windows 8 will prob be good too but the build quality is awesome on macbooks
Mar 6 2012 2:06AM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
I was in the same boat as you a couple months ago...go MAC!

I just got the 13" Macbook i5 b/c I'm a poor college student, but even still its awesome!

I do alot of video editing and graphics work on it, and it runs just fine! On top of that, the 13" is awesome to carry around, so light and compact and sturdy. I previously had a pc for about 2 years, and after about 1 year it slowed down significantly, the construction was frail and a few keys broke after not too long. Bottom line, macs are made to work and the i5 processor works fine for video/graphics.

If you've got the money go with the 15" because you'll get an i7 and and AMD graphics card which is ideal for video/graphics, but if you don't have quite that much, the 13" will work just fine.
Mar 6 2012 12:37PM
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GypsyLovin
Posts: 656 - Karma: 109
Thanks for the input man! Its good stuff to hear.
Mar 6 2012 10:50PM
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Gnams
Posts: 891 - Karma: 31
Don't get a Mac, unless you like paying extra for nothing. Just get Windows 7, either go with a Lenovo Thinkpad T series if you don't game but if you game I would go for an Asus laptop with a video card of an Nvidia 520m or higher. You'll be saving loads over a Mac and at the same time you still get that sleek look that the macbook pro prides itself on.

Real talk.
Mar 6 2012 11:22PM
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Gnams
Posts: 891 - Karma: 31
Clearly you are a retard. Mac's use the same hardware that Windows computers use. Why give your opinion when you know nothing about the topic. Mac's use the same i5/i7 sandy bridge processors that windows use. Thats why its a ripoff to get a Mac.
Mar 6 2012 11:25PM
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eheath
Posts: 61638 - Karma: 123,418
Sick opinion bro.
Mar 7 2012 3:46AM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
"Quoting eheathUltimate Bling! from Mar 1 2012 5:23:00:
When it comes to specs, computers will be the same. Why are macs more expensive? Because of the demand for their software and the excellent build quality and durability of their computers. I have friends with original macbooks from 2006 that still run to this day. Another great thing you get with apple is an amazing warranty and if you buy the apple care, its definitely going to help you out in the future. I had about 1000 bucks worth of shit fixed on my OG MBP a few years ago, all for free. My last MBP (15" from like 2 years ago) still runs like clockwork and has had no issues and now i have a 17" mbp that is running great. Macs are better because of the details, not the specs."

Like eheath said, macs are more expensive because they're quality. Sure you can put the same hardware into a PC but that doesn't mean its going to work or hold up. Apple prides itself on the fact that they make a product that works, and works well, (and it looks good.) Also, like eheath said, macs will last for years, and the AppleCare is legit. You could go with a PC, but you may find yourself looking for a new one in a year or two.
Mar 7 2012 11:57PM
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awesomeness17
Posts: 639 - Karma: 27
In my personal experiences Macs break easier than PCs. Haven't had a new mac though, those seem a lot more durable and just seem to run better. But I've had three older ones and none lasted longer than 2 years. I've had the same PC for almost 10 years and it still runs fine and I got a new one about 2 years ago and I've never even had a single problem with it.
Mar 8 2012 2:05AM
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awesomeness17
Posts: 639 - Karma: 27
I disagree, because like I said above in my experiences the macs I've had were way shittier and never held up. But my PCs did. Also about warranties, I got a three year accidental warranty that replaces my computer no matter what pretty much. You can get that on a mac too but I didn't get it on my recent one and they never fixed it even though I only had it for two years but that was expected. Btw I have an Asus, which is by far the best computer I've ever had and was almost a thousand dollars less then the mac competitor at the time which I'm pretty sure would have been about $1,600. But my mom actually ended up getting a new Mac, the new ones are a lot nicer than the one I had.
Mar 8 2012 2:10AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Did you have the Macbooks or the pro line? The consumer line does not hold up as well as the pro stuff in my experience.

I've got a macbook pro I got my senior year of high school - 2005 - that still runs like a champ. Definitely not as well as it used to, but it still runs really well.

Mac makes products that tend to run forever. I'm on my third mac i've owned, they are built to run creative software and they cater to creative professionals. That's why I like them. I can buy them and know they will run the programs I use every day better and faster and with less problems than similar PCs.
Mar 8 2012 3:26AM
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awesomeness17
Posts: 639 - Karma: 27
ya not a pro. I know the pro does well.
Mar 11 2012 2:30PM
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