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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Notebook Hardware
another undecided laptop buyer
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<blockquote data-quote="Oneironaut" data-source="post: 916125" data-attributes="member: 88633"><p>It isn't all about specs because Macs are still computers that use more or less the same kind of high quality hardware as other, cheaper computers. But the reason other computers can have such specs at such a cheap price is because... well, they're built cheaply. You're absolutely right that Macbook Pro's (which I think look WAY better and less toy-like than white Macbooks) are built much sturdier than any plastic Windows machine with oodles of blinking lights, clips that break off and plastic that cracks. Macbook Pro's are made out of a solid chunk of aluminum and just handling it, you can tell that it's sturdier and will last longer with appropriate care. That's why so many people are still using their old Powerbooks (which aren't unibody but still made of heavy aluminum.) after years of owning them, which stands in stark contrast to your experience with your Dell. Glass screens, glass multi-touch trackpad (which is far more enjoyable to use than any other touchpad I've tried), the iSight camera, the MagSafe power cord that detaches when tripped on so you don't bring your MBP crashing to the floor... all these little touches plus the general aesthetic make the MBP a higher quality machine. You can get a cheaper Windows machine with similar or even better specs, but to get those specs, they usually have to cut a lot of noticeable corners.</p><p></p><p>The software that's available for Macs is actually useful, well-written and less likely to cause conflicts with the OS than all the useless, unsupported software floating around for Windows. The integration between apps, OS and hardware is nearly always seamless. </p><p></p><p>Macs also come with software that has no equal on a Windows machine. iDVD, iMovie, GarageBand, iPhoto, Front Row, Time Machine and even simple apps like Mail, iChat and Address Book work well, are well-integrated and are pretty powerful tools for basic included software. In other words, Garageband is no Pro Tools, but it's more than you'll find included with Windows. iMovie is no Final Cut Pro, but it beats the pants off of Windows Movie Maker. And there's no bloatware to deal with.</p><p></p><p>Customer service, for the most part, is hassle free. You can learn to use your Mac and its apps by scheduling a one-on-one appointment at the Apple Store and even attend free seminars on how to use the apps. (What kind of introduction do you get with a Windows machine? A general overview then you're on your own.) You also get a year of free AppleCare and 90 days of free phone support (which is based in the US and staffed by people whose first language is English). Even if you're out of warranty, there are many things you can troubleshoot for free at the Genius Bar.</p><p></p><p>Then of course there's the OS itself, which is intuitive, pleasing to the eye and just simple to use. No defragging, no registry to worry about, no antivirus software always running in the background, most preferences all located in one place rather than scattered throughout the system, and Terminal if you really like tinkering with your system.</p><p></p><p>You might think the specs are "pathetic", but they aren't drastically different from other notebooks of its class. There's a lot to be said for efficiency and HOW those specs are used. You can have a gaming rig with specs that blow a MBP and every other notebook away, but it'll still be a loud, power-guzzling Frankenstein monster of a computer, not necessarily a better tool. People who own Macs tend to actually USE them for stuff, like school, video editing, graphic design, etc, and that ends up being more important to them than whether or not they can play GTA at maximum resolution.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Oneironaut, post: 916125, member: 88633"] It isn't all about specs because Macs are still computers that use more or less the same kind of high quality hardware as other, cheaper computers. But the reason other computers can have such specs at such a cheap price is because... well, they're built cheaply. You're absolutely right that Macbook Pro's (which I think look WAY better and less toy-like than white Macbooks) are built much sturdier than any plastic Windows machine with oodles of blinking lights, clips that break off and plastic that cracks. Macbook Pro's are made out of a solid chunk of aluminum and just handling it, you can tell that it's sturdier and will last longer with appropriate care. That's why so many people are still using their old Powerbooks (which aren't unibody but still made of heavy aluminum.) after years of owning them, which stands in stark contrast to your experience with your Dell. Glass screens, glass multi-touch trackpad (which is far more enjoyable to use than any other touchpad I've tried), the iSight camera, the MagSafe power cord that detaches when tripped on so you don't bring your MBP crashing to the floor... all these little touches plus the general aesthetic make the MBP a higher quality machine. You can get a cheaper Windows machine with similar or even better specs, but to get those specs, they usually have to cut a lot of noticeable corners. The software that's available for Macs is actually useful, well-written and less likely to cause conflicts with the OS than all the useless, unsupported software floating around for Windows. The integration between apps, OS and hardware is nearly always seamless. Macs also come with software that has no equal on a Windows machine. iDVD, iMovie, GarageBand, iPhoto, Front Row, Time Machine and even simple apps like Mail, iChat and Address Book work well, are well-integrated and are pretty powerful tools for basic included software. In other words, Garageband is no Pro Tools, but it's more than you'll find included with Windows. iMovie is no Final Cut Pro, but it beats the pants off of Windows Movie Maker. And there's no bloatware to deal with. Customer service, for the most part, is hassle free. You can learn to use your Mac and its apps by scheduling a one-on-one appointment at the Apple Store and even attend free seminars on how to use the apps. (What kind of introduction do you get with a Windows machine? A general overview then you're on your own.) You also get a year of free AppleCare and 90 days of free phone support (which is based in the US and staffed by people whose first language is English). Even if you're out of warranty, there are many things you can troubleshoot for free at the Genius Bar. Then of course there's the OS itself, which is intuitive, pleasing to the eye and just simple to use. No defragging, no registry to worry about, no antivirus software always running in the background, most preferences all located in one place rather than scattered throughout the system, and Terminal if you really like tinkering with your system. You might think the specs are "pathetic", but they aren't drastically different from other notebooks of its class. There's a lot to be said for efficiency and HOW those specs are used. You can have a gaming rig with specs that blow a MBP and every other notebook away, but it'll still be a loud, power-guzzling Frankenstein monster of a computer, not necessarily a better tool. People who own Macs tend to actually USE them for stuff, like school, video editing, graphic design, etc, and that ends up being more important to them than whether or not they can play GTA at maximum resolution. [/QUOTE]
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Apple Computing Products:
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another undecided laptop buyer
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