Hidden Costs?

Clemsonfan15 · Jun 13, 2009

I'm about to enter my freshman year of college and am pretty set on getting a new Macbook Pro. They seem pretty cool and I figure I need to try out a Mac at some point in my life.

Are there any hidden costs I should be aware of? I know that I will have to buy programs specificially for Macs and accessories. Will I have to spend any more money to make my Mac compatible for everyday use?

CrimsonRequiem · Jun 13, 2009

Not unless you have to purchase windows for some reason. There shouldn't be any extra cost to you unless there are programs that are a must have for the windows platform that isn't available in a Mac version.

iPod Nano · Jun 13, 2009

The only extra expenses would be like for MS office or Windoze.

Clemsonfan15 · Jun 13, 2009

Yeah, I'm definitely getting Office, I just don't think I can convince myself to give that up after using it for so long.

I'm considering getting Microsoft 7 or whatever when it comes out depending on the price.

Are there a lot of common and useful programs that aren't made for Mac?

iPod Nano · Jun 13, 2009

Not really.

CrimsonRequiem · Jun 13, 2009

Clemsonfan15 said:
Yeah, I'm definitely getting Office, I just don't think I can convince myself to give that up after using it for so long.

I'm considering getting Microsoft 7 or whatever when it comes out depending on the price.

Are there a lot of common and useful programs that aren't made for Mac?

I would try out Open Office before buying MS Office. Office for the Mac is totally different animal compared to the Windows version. The layout is totally different.

I was struggling to find where everything was at first but you kind of get use to it after you are forced to use it so much. Especially when you get to college every class requires a paper. I'm so sick of writing papers. >_<"

S.SubZero · Jun 13, 2009

Applecare to extend the warranty out past the first year.

CrimsonRequiem · Jun 13, 2009

S.SubZero said:
Applecare to extend the warranty out past the first year.

That is optional not a must have. It's not like they bend and twist your arm to get it.

BenBarlow85 · Jun 13, 2009

CrimsonRequiem said:
Especially when you get to college every class requires a paper. I'm so sick of writing papers. >_<"

Haha, My Degree switched to being 100% coursework last year so they replaced each exam with 2 much longer papers, it's been lol but I finished May 8th when everyone else had exams so it's all good until September.

vansmith · Jun 13, 2009

CrimsonRequiem said:
Especially when you get to college every class requires a paper. I'm so sick of writing papers. >_<"

Oh, how I feel your pain - graduate school will do that to you.

There may be a few Windows programs that aren't ported to the Mac but there will be fine alternatives. For example, while MSN is made for the Mac (it's horrible), Adium is a fine replacement. You should have no problems finding an alternative that will hopefully make the transition fairly seamless.

louishen · Jun 13, 2009

You could even end up saving money considereing what software comes free with the mac

Imovie / iDVD
Garageband
iPhoto
iweb

Also you can download the public release of Windows 7 for free that will work until June 2008

vansmith · Jun 13, 2009

louishen said:
Also you can download the public release of Windows 7 for free that will work until June 2008

A caveat though - it will start to shut down every two hours starting in March.

verdejt · Jun 13, 2009

There is also Thinkfree Office. ThinkFree Online It has fully compatible Word, Excel and Powerpoint. As far as reading I would get MacFormat. It cost about 15 bucks per issues but each issues comes with free software plus some special full versions. Trust me once you go Mac you will never go back.

Kash · Jun 13, 2009

CrimsonRequiem said:
Especially when you get to college every class requires a paper. I'm so sick of writing papers. >_<"

I love writing papers, much better than multiple choice/short answer type of exams.

S.SubZero · Jun 13, 2009

CrimsonRequiem said:
That is optional not a must have. It's not like they bend and twist your arm to get it.

If one doesn't get it and their Mac breaks after the first year, they will wish someone had twisted their arm.

vansmith · Jun 13, 2009

Kash said:
I love writing papers, much better than multiple choice/short answer type of exams.

Do you now? Would you like to write mine?

S.SubZero said:
If one doesn't get it and their Mac breaks after the first year, they will wish someone had twisted their arm.

On the same token, you could save yourself money if you're conscious of what you do with your Mac.

Clemsonfan15 · Jun 13, 2009

CrimsonRequiem said:
I would try out Open Office before buying MS Office. Office for the Mac is totally different animal compared to the Windows version. The layout is totally different.

I was struggling to find where everything was at first but you kind of get use to it after you are forced to use it so much. Especially when you get to college every class requires a paper. I'm so sick of writing papers. >_<"

MS Office is different on a Mac than on a PC?

To S.SubZero, I though Macs didn't break that often. I've had my PC for over four years now with pretty much zero problems. I would expect the same or better from my new Mac.

CrimsonRequiem · Jun 13, 2009

vansmith said:
Do you now? Would you like to write mine?

On the same token, you could save yourself money if you're conscious of what you do with your Mac.

LOL looks like I totally derailed the thread.

I prefer short essay exams as well because it can be all fluff with a bit of facts thrown in here and there and you still get credit.

I'm an Art major and I don't see how writing papers on other people's artwork helps me.

Dysfunction · Jun 13, 2009

Yes, but they're easier in many ways than a project is

Oh and being forced to actually pay attention to someone elses work... not so bad either.

CrimsonRequiem · Jun 13, 2009

Clemsonfan15 said:
MS Office is different on a Mac than on a PC?

To S.SubZero, I though Macs didn't break that often. I've had my PC for over four years now with pretty much zero problems. I would expect the same or better from my new Mac.

The layout is different. It still does the same things.

Hidden Costs?

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louishen

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