Question on laptop

peacelovestar · Mar 5, 2007

I got an Apple Macbook ( I think it's 1200$) and I kind of regret it. I grew up on Windows and going to Apple..just, it wasn't a good idea. I'm constantly irritated at little things and I haven't gotten used to it (6 months later). I got the Macbook as an "impulse gift" as in my Aunt was like "Hey let's go buy you a computer!" (i LOVE her..haha) and two hours later I had one. I wish I had put more thought into it though. I liked the creativity of the Apple's but I wish I had stuck with Windows.

Vaio is EXCELLENT. but kind of pricey if I remember. I've heard great things about Toshiba as well

gudiarani, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 5, 2007

Ooh, if you've been a PC user, why would you switch to Mac??! I've tried Mac for months and it was just always so frustrating not being able to do something so simple as RIGHT CLICK! That is one thing that really gets me with Macs...small pet peeve, I know.

Another thing is... I agree with carolinapooh, there's no need to bash PC users, as if you, as a Mac user, are some higher being. If you've used a PC all your life, it's just easier. And, truthfully, I find EVERYTHING easier with a PC. The only time I wished I had a Mac laying around was to use it to reset my Ipod.

Also, when you have a software problem, no one calls Microsoft, you call the computer manf!! I have NEVER needed to call Microsoft, nor has ANYONE I know. I have talked to Dell many times about issues, but never software manufacturers. And even then, with software, you can be sure that someone else somewhere has had the same exact issue...so do the EASY thing and just search for it in a search engine on the INTERNET, beautiful resource for you if you can't seem to work a PC, with which us "uninspired" folk seem to be able to produce outstanding work.

If ever you don't know how to do something on a PC, you can easily just search some simple terms in your fave search engine and find out how to do what it is you want to do, forums like techguy.org are great. Really, PC's are not that difficult to have to "overcome the deterrent." One who says things like this and then insults others' academic capability based on being a PC user has obviously not done much work on a PC, nor have they had much outside experience in places such as research labs, many of which rely on Excel and Word so much that running a Mac and trying to use them so often is pointless. People keep separate computers for this reason. The lab I worked in for 2 years had a set of Macs for experimental protocols and a set of PCs for data input and analysis from the experiments.

You can definitely do equal quality work on a PC as on a Mac, don't insult others based on their Operating Systems!!! Graphics have never been a problem for me, unless, as mentioned by someone else, the item is protected. Sure you have to play with it a little when you get it, but thats the case with almost anything.

peacelovestar · Mar 5, 2007

I have no idea why I switched from PC --> MAC. I think I wanted to try something new? Like I said, it was an impuslve purchase. The right click KILLS ME Too though! You know we aren't the only ones! hah.

I think I'm okay with it because I have a Windows PC desktop that I always use if I want to write up a paper or do something similar. I usually use my laptop at school even though Safari hardly ever works on campus (Pepsi wifi'd our whole campus but apparently it's hard for Apples/Safari to use it?)

I always use my Windows PC when I have something "important" to do and don't want to get irriated in the process...cause sometimes I really get irritated at this Macbook.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 5, 2007

Totally swerving for just a moment. Back in the day it was the trend to grade on the curve. I graduated with a 123 out of 100. So I ended with what they called a summa cum laude 4.0. Yeah that and a dollar might get a mountain dew.

aviator411, RN · Mar 5, 2007

Gudiarani,

I respect your opinions, I just don't agree with them because they do not apply to the experience here.

Ooh, if you've been a PC user, why would you switch to Mac??! I've tried Mac for months and it was just always so frustrating not being able to do something so simple as RIGHT CLICK! That is one thing that really gets me with Macs...small pet peeve, I know.

If I wanted to be able to "right click" I could use my bluetooth mouse but I haven't found anything I can't do without right-clicking.

That's simply not true. I've used BOTH "all my life", well not quite; I started w a PC but have used both on a daily basis now for many years, and I find the Mac much easier to work with and therefore more productive.

Again, not true. Sorry, I work for a major research university, in their research labs. The research group of the chairman of the department here and MANY others are Mac users.

You're missing the point of the discussion. The entire point. Nobody is arguing that you can't do equal quality work on a PC and a MAC. The point is many, if not most, people who use both systems find the Mac easier and more intuitive to use and find they spend less time figuring out how to get a job done. Most of the folks who insist on arguing this isn't true turn out to be people with substantial experience using computers, "teachers", "researchers", etc. Most of us don't fall into that category nor do most first time notebook computer buyers.

One need not be insulted by the truth. I am not insulted by the fact that there are many excellent PC's on the market nor that some people prefer them; I will switch to a PC if and when they do a better job for ME than Apple does; unlike some of the anti Mac respondents to this discussion who have stated that they would not buy a computer based on superior design features.

CuriousMe · Mar 5, 2007

gudiarani,
i respect your opinions, i just don't agree with them because they do not apply to the experience here.
.

i think what the past few posters are trying to say is that they do apply to their experiences here, they just don't apply to everyone's (including yours).....but then again, very few things apply to everything.

if i wanted to be able to "right click" i could use my bluetooth mouse but i haven't found anything i can't do without right-clicking.

i confess to really missing right click on a mac as well, yes i know you can do it other ways....but my first instinct is to right click.

that's simply not true. i've used both "all my life", well not quite; i started w a pc but have used both on a daily basis now for many years, and i find the mac much easier to work with and therefore more productive.

ok, so gudiarani might have said "it's often just easier" which i've found to be true with my students. one of the organizations i worked for was all apple when i got there (although they eventually changed over to pc's for all but the artists). when i would teach the introduction class for our systems, pc users tended to be very frustrated with the mac os, while folks who hadn't used either os were amiable to the os.

again, not true. sorry, i work for a major research university, in their research labs. the research group of the chairman of the department here and many others are mac users.

and i have no doubt that's true, but i think that gudiarani was suggesting that the whole world might not be like the one place you've worked. your comments suggest a limited scope. it seems that you're making grand sweeping statements from this limited scope. which is where most of my disagreement stems from.

you're missing the point of the discussion. the entire point. nobody is arguing that you can't do equal quality work on a pc and a mac. the point is many, if not most, people who use both systems find the mac easier and more intuitive to use and find they spend less time figuring out how to get a job done. most of the folks who insist on arguing this isn't true turn out to be people with substantial experience using computers, "teachers", "researchers", etc. most of us don't fall into that category nor do most first time notebook computer buyers.

in my opinion, it's you who's missing the entire point. mac is an option, but not always the right one. you imply that you need advanced degrees and countless hours of classes to get a pc to do what you want, and that simply isn't true. since i worked with and taught inexperienced users (for many this was their first computer experience) both mac and pc, i'm trying to tell you that often people find it easier to use what everyone else is on. they can get help from their family and friends, and follow most directions that are out there. taking an inexperienced user and then putting them on an os that no one else is on, can be cruel.

one need not be insulted by the truth. i am not insulted by the fact that there are many excellent pc's on the market nor that some people prefer them; i will switch to a pc if and when they do a better job for me than apple does; unlike some of the anti mac respondents to this discussion who have stated that they would not buy a computer based on superior design features.

i'm never insulted by the truth, i believe that it's true that you find apple's easier to use, but that doesn't mean that because it's true for you, it's true for everyone. (that limited scope, grand statement thing again.) i don't think anyone would have problems with you saying that you think the mac is the best thing in the world for you....the problem is when you say it's the best thing for everyone and then suggest that anyone who uses a pc is either a computer genius or accepts academic mediocrity.

as i said, i've personally used both mac and pc (not just professionally) and right now the pc does a better job for me. for me, the fact that mac does not make a laptop that's a tablet convertible is a deal breaker.

but i didn't answer the question for me, and i never said absolutely don't get a mac. i said to make sure the user is comfortable with tweaking so that they're able to translate what they need between mac and pc. i said (to counter some other opinions) that mac wasn't the only smart answer and to keep their options open.

i also agree with carolinapooh, this has gotten out of hand and is no longer about curlysue getting a laptop (she seems to have decided on a toshiba). i won't add to the conversation again.

i wish you the best in your academic career.

peace,

cathie

FAM600 · Mar 6, 2007

I have to say one unbiased thing, I like both PC and Mac. Once in awhile i find myself on my PC desktop doing things i wouldn't be able to do on my Mac laptop such as using Autocad, or using that nvidia 6600 video card for games because my $1100 mac laptop doesn't have it's own video card, but for everything else i'd use my Mac.

I think that if someone were to buy a laptop then an apple would be superior. But as far as desktops go, choosing a PC would be wise because they're cheaper than Mac desktops and highly customizable.

But i have to say this too. If you took a person who had never used a computer in he/shes life, and you let them use a PC for an hour then a Mac, and then they had to choose between the two, then they would choose the Mac just because it's easier to use.

Cherish · Mar 6, 2007

I have vista I just got a new laptop less than 2 weeks ago so it already had this installed. I kinda like it still getting used to it but I'm human so I'll adapt. I like that you can see a icon of your webpages on the tool bar. Like you can have 5 webpages up on the toolbar and just place the arrow icon on it and it will show a mini-screen. You can also toggle from your desktop, word, game, etc. from a button on the keyboard while still seeing all the other webpages (sort of like picture in picture in the 90's TVs). It is pretty LOL sorry I'm a girl but its a pretty OS. It has weather already installed so you do not need the weather channel downloaded. It has a hand clock, sliding picture show, and news articles updated on the right side of the desktop. The icons are HUGE so if you have trouble seeing this system is great for that.

Cons-I'm still figuring this system out but in order to restart your computer you have to log out your screenname (everyone gets there own log in unless you just want one main admin, this system seems more like its bigger in security). In that screen is where you shut down your computer. The start menu is smaller and more compact. But you have hibernate in this screen not shut down or restart.

I have to say that I do like this OS. I remember when XP came out I was excited about it. So I guess I just like new things. But I like it so far. I'm not a computer expert but am a novice. So I do like this and as an everyday computer thing its great. If you were into graphics or an architect or something then this wouldn't be a great system. But if your a gamer, or just a home computer person its great.

Oh yea Vista uses more than XP system does so when you first start it up it takes AWHILE, and do NOT shutdown that first 25-30 minutes when you first get your system with VISTA. They have been having problems where people think because its a black screen they screw up and automatically shut down. Doing this locks the computer up and you will not be able to start again and will have to take it to the store to get fixed.

Oh yea no longer has an hourglass when it thinks but it looks like a blue marble that highlights in a circle. So some people will miss the hourglass but it uploads faster and thinks faster. I think anyways.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2007

Ooh, if you've been a PC user, why would you switch to Mac??! I've tried Mac for months and it was just always so frustrating not being able to do something so simple as RIGHT CLICK! That is one thing that really gets me with Macs...small pet peeve, I know.
Another thing is... I agree with carolinapooh, there's no need to bash PC users, as if you, as a Mac user, are some higher being. If you've used a PC all your life, it's just easier. And, truthfully, I find EVERYTHING easier with a PC. The only time I wished I had a Mac laying around was to use it to reset my Ipod.
Also, when you have a software problem, no one calls Microsoft, you call the computer manf!! I have NEVER needed to call Microsoft, nor has ANYONE I know. I have talked to Dell many times about issues, but never software manufacturers. And even then, with software, you can be sure that someone else somewhere has had the same exact issue...so do the EASY thing and just search for it in a search engine on the INTERNET, beautiful resource for you if you can't seem to work a PC, with which us "uninspired" folk seem to be able to produce outstanding work.
If ever you don't know how to do something on a PC, you can easily just search some simple terms in your fave search engine and find out how to do what it is you want to do, forums like techguy.org are great. Really, PC's are not that difficult to have to "overcome the deterrent." One who says things like this and then insults others' academic capability based on being a PC user has obviously not done much work on a PC, nor have they had much outside experience in places such as research labs, many of which rely on Excel and Word so much that running a Mac and trying to use them so often is pointless. People keep separate computers for this reason. The lab I worked in for 2 years had a set of Macs for experimental protocols and a set of PCs for data input and analysis from the experiments.
You can definitely do equal quality work on a PC as on a Mac, don't insult others based on their Operating Systems!!! Graphics have never been a problem for me, unless, as mentioned by someone else, the item is protected. Sure you have to play with it a little when you get it, but thats the case with almost anything.

Oh...my....God - the iPod issue is why I am actually considering a Mac when I get out of school and am no longer surgically attached to my computer like I am now. The latest Windows download is causing iPod issues for me, like anyone's buying that stupid Zune of Bill's (I'm sure this is his way of getting back at Apple). I keep waiting for a new update for iTunes that will fix this problem. I'm hoping they get one out soon, because the whole reset issue drives me nuts. Problem is I can't do tiny screens so I need a huge Mac Professional, or whatever they're called, so it will have to wait. They're not exactly cheap....

But other than my current annoyances, I adore my PC and wouldn't trade it for the world.

unquenched · Mar 11, 2007

I've done a lot of research, especially this year, on laptops. I went with an HP dv2000 series in the fall and I was absolutely loving it until the LCD went dead last month. I had no other problems besides that, but Best Buy ended up replacing it with a Sony Vaio because they "lost" my computer. I really like my Vaio a lot and Sony is definitely one of the better made brands when it comes to laptops. They are more sturdy.

I would stay away from Gateway because they have had a lot of problems over the last few years and are generally unreliable.

Dells are supposed to be the best, but they do not have great customer service. They also tend to be more expensive than purchasing an all-inclusive laptop from a large electronics store.

Do not go with a Compaq unless you want to have regular issues with it.

Best bets? HP, Sony, Acer, Apple, and I guess- Dell.

Another very important tip: always get the service plan!! It is very much worth it if anything ever goes wrong. Don't take the chance that it won't- ESPECIALLY if you purchase through Best Buy.

That said, my model is the Sony Vaio VGN-N250E. Only $849.99 at Best Buy. :) But of course I have the protection plan!

justme1972 · Mar 11, 2007

HP is the worst one you can get....their "selling point" is that they offer free, lifetime computer support...but what they don't tell you, is that the "support" comes from a foreign country, where you never get a rep that speaks English, they are NOT computer knowledgeable, and they just read from a screen. PLUS your software isn't even fully installed to where you can just sit down and operate it, you have to load it.

I had a brand, spanking new, $2,000 laptop, and the only problem? The HP printer (that I had just bought 6 months before), my computer didn't have the driver to run it.

This rep insisted that I went through a series of instructions that ultimately caused my computer to be irreplaceably damaged. I had to ship this computer back and wait 4 weeks for another one to be sent to me...and NO ONE from HP gave a rats a**!

Needless to say...I'm not an HP fan

ECEDude · Mar 11, 2007

I am a pre-nursing student and I am in the market for a new laptop. What brand would you recommend and why? I have heard Apple is good but I want to know if there is something better and I don't know much about computers. Please Help!!

A thinkpad will outlive any laptop 4X longer.