MacBook vs. Chromebook

OCNRN63, RN · Jan 15, 2014

This thread is interesting. Hubby is an IT guy and I am truly at a crossroads. The kids have Macs for school (they provided). Hubby says the Chromebook would be easier to repair. I am duenfor another laptop and he says it truly my choice. I have a lot of homework to do.
My music appreciation class did give me a CD to listen to but I can put that in the car and listen.

I wouldn't consider "easier to repair" a plus. Why not make products that don't crash and burn? My original 6 year old MacBook has never needed any repairs. The only reason I got another MacBook was I wanted to upgrade. My father is the happy owner of my original MacBook.

As for the PCs I had, they were sold for scrap years ago. When I had my HP Pavilion, I used to send daily hate emails to Carly Fiorina. When I ditched that for the Dell laptop, within a year the power cord conked out. Turns out there was a problem with it that Dell was aware of, but refused to fix. So, people were having to buy replacement cords over and over. Dell was just too lazy to fix the problem.

I have a freelance job writing for a nursing website. I would not be able to do my job if I had either of my previous PCs. Between the constant "blue screen of death" and both being painfully slow, it would take me twice as long to submit one item.

I have never had a problem when I've called customer service. Most of the time, when I call it's because I don't know how to perform a particular function, not because there's something wrong with the laptop. With the PCs, I was calling because there was an issue with the laptop.

I'm not saying Apple is a perfect company. But I bristle at being called a "sheeple" just because I've found a product that happens to work well for me. If a Chromebook works better for you (collective "you"), then yippee skippy. I just don't understand why some feel the need for name calling just because someone has a difference of opinion.

FuturePedRN2016, CNA · Jan 15, 2014

OCRN63

I never mentioned anyone was sheeple. I just have my preference in what I personally like. Hubby's preference for easier to repair is what will sell with me because I personally can't fix it and that is what he does professionally... Hardware and software for over 20 years.

I do have an iPad and all I use it for is pictures. Pretty cool gadget but the customization is not what's best for me. I do have another laptop here at home and all I would need this one for is school purposes. Playing with the kids Macs just doesn't cut it for me. To each his or her own. One person's experience may not be the same as another.

Thanks everyone.

FuturePedRN2016, CNA · Jan 15, 2014

And out of all the other laptops out there, my best experience was with HP. I have never had one fail me. I too see little change with Apple from one version to the next but that has zero to do with the price of tea in China. Its just MY perception of things. Thanks again!

OCNRN63, RN · Jan 15, 2014

OCRN63
I never mentioned anyone was sheeple. I just have my preference in what I personally like. Hubby's preference for easier to repair is what will sell with me because I personally can't fix it and that is what he does professionally... Hardware and software for over 20 years.
I do have an iPad and all I use it for is pictures. Pretty cool gadget but the customization is not what's best for me. I do have another laptop here at home and all I would need this one for is school purposes. Playing with the kids Macs just doesn't cut it for me. To each his or her own. One person's experience may not be the same as another.
Thanks everyone.

I quoted you regarding the comment about the cost of repairs. I hadn't intended on posting beyond that, but then I kind of got on a roll regarding the name calling Mac users have to deal with all the time. I apologize if I confused you.

Dranger · Jan 16, 2014

I have a McBook Pro, an iPhone 5 and an iPad. I don't consider myself a "sheeple." I have these products because I like how they work, and I can depend on them. That's more than I can say for the HP laptop and the Dell laptop I had. They have excellent customer service; if I need help, I can talk to someone who speaks comprehensible English.
I do not understand the degree of contempt people have for those of us who like Apple products. So what if someone prefers Apple over another company? Is it hurting you somehow?
There are all kinds of products out there; people are free to choose whatever products suit their needs.

For full disclosure I own an ipad and an iphone and I do not hate Mac people nor the product they endorse. However, I find it overkill for people to suggest the OP just get a 2000 dollar laptop when a 300 dollar Chrome book will do the same job. I have had mine for 2 years without a hiccup and is awesome for college course. In fact any notebook works well.

There is no contempt just quiet laughter from those knowledgeable about IT who rather not spend 400% markup on a product that's hardware is literally the same as HP or Dell. Where people screw up with PCs is they don't know how to maintain them with updates or virus software and thus get frustrated and then go stand in line with the rest of the uniformed. I have cracked open Mac cases and PC cases for years, there are no difference in parts. Maybe Apple has better customer service? Well after my iphone 4 died literally a year after I bought it they left me out in the cold because the warranty was up after a year. Convenient? Coincidence? My point is, Apple is just another corporation, they aren't special. Their computers are made in China like everyone else. There us this mythos surrounding them that they are infallible when it is simply not the case.

This girl asked a question and I gave an answer, I gave up long ago trying to seriously convert people to see the rational light.

People can go and buy what they want, that's their prerogative.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2014

Good day:

If they "were the same" then they would get the same rankings in Consumer Reports. They don't.

If they "were the same," then it would be more universal in terms of the repairs -- which even when covered involve down time and money. Yet, after 30 years in IT, I've seen far more PC's and PC-based products go to dumpsters in every single company I worked or otherwise had relations with compared to any MAC product.

Sure you can probably argue about the guts being made from the same companies, but the finished product gets different reports from Consumer Reports. And if it was just one year here or there or otherwise inconsistent results, that would be one thing. Yet, Consumer Reports -- year after year after year after year.. -- continues to list Apple with

* Fewest repairs

* Fewest customer complaints

* Highest customer service

Now, a small number of people are lucky who push the bell curve higher for PC's and related products. Other people fit into the bell curve where they waste so much money by trying to save money....

Thank you.

OCNRN63, RN · Jan 16, 2014

For full disclosure I own an ipad and an iphone and I do not hate Mac people nor the product they endorse. However, I find it overkill for people to suggest the OP just get a 2000 dollar laptop when a 300 dollar Chrome book will do the same job. I have had mine for 2 years without a hiccup and is awesome for college course. In fact any notebook works well.
There is no contempt just quiet laughter from those knowledgeable about IT who rather not spend 400% markup on a product that's hardware is literally the same as HP or Dell. Where people screw up with PCs is they don't know how to maintain them with updates or virus software and thus get frustrated and then go stand in line with the rest of the uniformed. I have cracked open Mac cases and PC cases for years, there are no difference in parts. Maybe Apple has better customer service? Well after my iphone 4 died literally a year after I bought it they left me out in the cold because the warranty was up after a year. Convenient? Coincidence? My point is, Apple is just another corporation, they aren't special. Their computers are made in China like everyone else. There us this mythos surrounding them that they are infallible when it is simply not the case.
This girl asked a question and I gave an answer, I gave up long ago trying to seriously convert people to see the rational light.
People can go and buy what they want, that's their prerogative.

I maintained my PCs when I had them. At that time, I couldn't have afforded to be careless with then even if I'd wanted to.

It's not just the hardware I'm talking about. I find their programs easier to use. I don't get nagged to instal this patch or that patch all the time because there's yet another problem with the security.

If anyone is coming across with a Messianic attitude, it's you. I don't need anyone to get me to "see the light." I've BTDTHTTS. I've never said Mac products were "infallible"; it's just that for me, they work better and have been more reliable. I know IT people too, and not all of them share your opinions.

I like Macs, you like PCs. Each one has its pros and cons.

SNN813 · Jan 17, 2014

Thank you for the Avatar Advice. :-)

SNN813 · Jan 17, 2014

Thanks for posting Avatar advice.

FuturePedRN2016, CNA · Jan 17, 2014

I agree with the avatar advice!

I didn't intend for this thread to be a debate. I just wanted to know others opinions that's all. I think we can agree to disagree as we all won't see eye-to-eye on everything. We are nursing students. We all won't agree on which department is best to work in. We all won't agree on which class was the best.

Dranger · Jan 17, 2014

I agree with the avatar advice!
I didn't intend for this thread to be a debate. I just wanted to know others opinions that's all. I think we can agree to disagree as we all won't see eye-to-eye on everything. We are nursing students. We all won't agree on which department is best to work in. We all won't agree on which class was the best.

Obviously the ICU is where all of the cool kids are :yes:

FuturePedRN2016, CNA · Jan 17, 2014

Obviously the ICU is where all of the cool kids are

Lol I bet.!