you're not what I hoped for

[bluelovesorange]

cheapo poll:

Mac or PC?

Situation: I hate my Toshiba. It has become an enemy with a familiar face - things that used to bring me joy now only bring me frustration and 'when is it going to break DOWN again?' and exasperation when dealing with tech support. The times when it's working problem free and when it's not are becoming shorter.

My main use of the computer is to write, surf the internet and download things, but I do use Photoshop from time to time. I am not a gamer.

I am mac curious - I was thisclose to buying an imac when they first came out, but the price then and the Apple Cult Condescension turned me off. Now I'm just wondering about the mac book versus a regular laptop PC.

Comments

[crankylex.livejournal.com]

My gut response, of course, is Mac.

However, like Mercy said, it does depend on what you want to do with it.

just updated the post

[crushw-eyeliner.livejournal.com]

I basically want a laptop that doesn't have weird emo breakouts for NO DAMN REASON. I mean, aesthetically, the mac does have my heart, but I like the pc's basic affordability issues and there's software and networking things I want to look into (if I get another laptop, I will use the toshiba as a backup archive or DVD player) so I am just doing a little consumer reports style interviewing among people I know.

Re: just updated the post

[jasminelily.livejournal.com]

I'm a PC person, but I just read a review of the newest MacBook (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/10/AR2006061000137.html), and it sounds like you can basically do anything on there that you would on a PC, it won't have the breakdown issues of a PC, and the price is pretty good (way cheaper than I paid for my Toshiba, btw).

investment options

[lilorphanannie.livejournal.com]

keep in mind that despite what you're getting, you'll need to invest in software programs and upgrades of said programs ahem: unless you do a little something called "sharing?"

the apple store indicates that macbooks come with tiger as the os, but other software such as microsoft office is only available as a trial (30 days)... if you're to be writing lots, you'd probably want some type of word processing/editing software, unless you're really comfy using something basic such as text edit (pc equivalent to notepad) instead of word:mac.

as for surfing the net - safari is similar to firefox. test drive the sucker at any store that sells macs and play with the widgets. (we should've hit up a mac store in pasadena or santa monica) get a sense for their suite of software apps. you basically get music, photo, movie, & dvd access with iLife, but graphics such as photoshop, illustrator, indesign come at a price.

networking - not too familiar with this bit but built-in AirPort & Bluetooth sounds like a bonus (i'm sorry: but when has getting a calendar a selling point?). and macs are becoming increasingly more easy to cross platform with their universal applications (http://www.apple.com/universal/). there's probably a catch, like you have to buy apple related products? $$$!

finally: don't think that macs won't break down and go kaput either (hey: mine died of dust!) if you're worried about this happening for your future laptops, regardless of the brand, investigate in warranties but be wary of predators! if/when something tragic occurs, it'll be just as pricey to get the puter fixed and the Apple Cult Condescension will return in full force, especially if you're not familiar with mac lingo. technically speaking the core duo is sweet! but at 2k, you can probably find a comparable and less pricey pc.

decisions, decisions.

hahahaah, i have programs all covered

[crushw-eyeliner.livejournal.com]

openoffice.org COMPLETELY FREE and what I use now.

photoshop cs - if i can't get a comparable one for the mac, i'll just leave it on marvin and unistall everything else, perhaps I'll finally have enough memory for a change.

Re: hahahaah, i have programs all covered

[lilorphanannie.livejournal.com]

sis TOLD me to mention openoffice, should've listened.