thinking of switching.......

Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Hey guys...I need to get your opinion. I've been a windows user since like ever..and I've been reading about the pros about using a mac..no spyware/antivirus nonsense..combined with the fact that im getting sick and tired of windows and im looking for a change...I decided that I want to try out a mac....thing is when I was comparing their regular macbook line (especially the "blackbook") with an HP laptop of a little less value ($1300 compared to $1400 for the blackbook with the 100 student rebate), the hardware specs pale in comparison. All the macbook line uses the old merom architecture while the hp I am looking at (dv 2500t) has the latest intel core 2 duo platform; santa rosa. The other major drawback, (thats prob worse than using the old core 2 duo platform) is that the macbooks don't have have dedicated video graphics, instead they use the native intel gma 950 graphis. If they were using the new santa rose platform with the latest g965 integrated graphics,,,I might have looked over the lack of a dedicated graphics card....on the other hand the hp uses 319 mb of dedicated nvidia 8400 ms graphics.....(in addition to having other nice features such as a tv tuner with antenna and a fingerprint reader which really aren't a big deal to me as much as the processor and video memory difference)...those 2 things are honestly the only thing thats keeping me from making the jump...what do you guys think?? anyone thats used a pc with the santa rosa core 2 duo and compared it a with a mac?? thanks in advance!!
 
Joined
Apr 28, 2006
Messages
2,542
Reaction score
79
Points
48
Your Mac's Specs
iMac Core Duo 20", iBook G4, iPhone 8GB :)
Santa Rosa is not the end of the world is all I can tell you. It only increases battery life while idling due to its ability to rapidly step down its clock speed or FSB whatever. As for other performance benchmarks, its almost the same. Cause even though Santa Rosa processors are different from those on the macbook, they are essentially Meroms. Its only the FSB that has changed.

And as for your graphics question, as long as you don't play games or plan on doing intensive 3D stuff, the GMA is more than capable of handling OS X and all its effects. Only, you can't install Final Cut Studio 2, but I wonder who is stupid enough to install FCP2 on a 13 inch screen.

Its all about the OS. These small milisecond performance differences aren't going to change your way of working.
 
Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
67
Reaction score
0
Points
6
finger print scanner is use less ummm i'd just say go with mac cause u can have windows and mac
 
Joined
Apr 28, 2006
Messages
2,542
Reaction score
79
Points
48
Your Mac's Specs
iMac Core Duo 20", iBook G4, iPhone 8GB :)
The other day I went to my PC dealer. Some yo-yo comes in with a Lenovo thinkpad and is showing off his Fingerprint reader. Then he locks the screen and goes to the bathroom.

"What the ****" I say, and ran my finger over it. It recognised and I was in his system! I could also access all his passwords if I wanted to (I didn't though)...
 
OP
M
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
You're right about the differences between the merom and santa rosa core 2 duo architectures being very minute and the 800mhz bus speed won't make a difference bec. the max on the ram is 667 mhz.....and I can overlook that....but I did a little more research on the GMA950, and found out that Apple limits it to 64 mb shared...and its true that its ok for normal use and some light gaming....but that is extremely abysmal; on top of the fact that there is a lack of a dedicated graphics card that even entry level $600-$800 pcs manage to have with at least 128 mb (and even those "dedicated" graphics cards from nvidia or ati are considered "cheap" and "low end")...I would expect that a $1500 dollar machine would have some sort of a decent dedicated graphics card (even my 4 yr old dell has a 64 mb dedicated nvidia card)...which for the same amount i can get a midrange asus with a great graphics card.....so this is the standstill that I am at.....Most of the times I do use just email chat, and word...but occasionly I do play 3D intensive games and would appreciate a decent graphics card....so i am not sure what to do lol...Im not sure if I can justify an extra $500 to get the mac book pro.....
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top