Modern Vespa

okay, i am finally going to do it.

i don't know anything about macs other than that i really like ipods (and my 2 iphones), and i had to write apple help files about 8 years ago and it really sucked compared to writing chm files.

anyway, here's what i need. you guys chime in as to what i need to buy.

1. it needs to be laptop.
2. it needs to cost under $1,500.
3. it will be used exclusively for looking at the internet + working on websites (very, very basic stuff, editing javascript, html, php, etc.).
4. if i can igure it out, i might want to edit video with it. but, i will probably be too lazy to ever do this, so it's not that important.

eh?

The Macbooks start at $999.00 http://www.apple.com/macbook/

i was looking at that, but 13 inches seemed kind of small. i'l keep looking at that page, though.

www.macmall.com has some pretty good deals.

Having some extra ram helps out with multitasking.

I have an imac and an old powerbook g4 from back in the day. Good stuff.

enjoy....


this page has a snapshot of the various laptops...

http://www.macmall.com/ttsvr/n/Macbook-Pro/macNavLinks-macNavLinks.222

You could always try to find a reconditioned MacBook Pro. http://www.macofalltrades.com/Apple_Notebooks_s/5.htm

what's the difference between a macbook and a macbook pro? just the processor or something? yes, i am a moron.

here's another dumb question. say i want to run windows for some programs i'm super familiar with. what is better, vmware, paralells, or boot camp?

First of all, it is more powerful and you get a stronger (aluminum) case.
You get the option of a bigger screen (15" & 17")
Beefier graphics package
Lighted keyboard (comes in handy on planes) and bedrooms if your spouse is watching TV.
It will run windows ... if you really want it to.
You have expandable ram
You can use video cards

There's more but I can't think of it off hand. You'll have to look at the specs. However, the Macbook Pro is heavy! If you do a lot of traveling, I would reconsider and probably go with the Macbook if it does all you need it to do.

You could also try places like eBay and iOffer if you feel a little more adventurous ie. http://tinyurl.com/npk9j7

okay, that helped. i want the lighted keyboard thing + bigger screen, so i guess i need to look at pro now...

With any of those options you will need to install one of the Windows operating systems. Using boot camp, you will either be using the Mac or Windows OS. My wife is using vmware and Windows Vista on her Macbook and it seems to be OK for the most part. It occasionally needs to be rebooted for the printer to work properly with the Windows program she needs to run. You will also need an Intel based machine for these options. If you go used with a G4 or G5 chip, you'll need VirtualPC or similar emulator for the windows side.

okay, i will read up on these suggestions and check back tomorrow with more questions...

Try looking in the refurbished section of the Apple.com website,
There are some good deals there.

I bought a Mac Mini 1.83 ghz for $425. (Can$ Apple store)
It's into it's 4th year now without any problems.

I have a 13 in macbook an plugged it into a $250 22inch LCD monitor. Now I have a large screen and a small lightweight notebook for travelling.

I picked the smallest MacBook Pro (13") and use a second monitor at home and work. Before this one, I did the same with the 12" laptop.


Harvey

Chad,

I made the jump from PC to Mac earlier this year after a decade of denial - I'll never go back - the way Macs work is a world easier than PCs, even though I am still learning some of the 'tricks of the trade' so to speak..

I am NOT a computer geek - just do the most basic of stuff, but everything just seems to work 'better'. My girlfriend installed 'Microsoft Windows' for a Mac on my computer to help me with the transition and even that seems to work better than on my old PC (though I use it less and less now). I have even had good luck so far with Quickbooks for a Mac, which apparently hasn't always been the case in the past.

My recommendation is definitely to go with the Macbook Pro if you can afford a new one or get a good deal on a refurbished one. I initially wanted a 17" and wound up with the 15" one - still plenty big enough for me. My girlfriend has a 13" Macbook and even it is better than my old ACER 17" I used to have.

Edit - Just looked at the Mac site - lots of refurbished stuff at seemingly good deals for under $1,500 - seems like they back up the work with a good warranty and such too...

Best of luck, whatever you get!

Desi B.

I second the suggestion of 13" Macbook Pro + external monitor when needed.

The Pro-series uses built-in batteries much like the new iPods and iPhones, and when it dies you'll have to go to Apple to get a replacement instead of simply buying a battery off-the-shelf to replace it. That said, the built-in batteries are supposed to be very good, having triple the lifespan and almost twice the capacity of Apple's external ones (which are already excellent compared to most other laptops I've used).

If you decide to go with the 13" Macbook (non-Pro) however, I don't think you'll lose much other than the backlit keyboard, but you do get external batteries support. How long Apple will continue to make external batteries is another question...

When I was buying I asked the same question; 13 inch Macbook or MacBook pro.

Here are two of the most telling answers: Harvey

Oh another thing to consider is the actual resolution of the screen in addition to physical screen size. In the past Apple screens tend to be of a higher resolution than laptops of other makes so Apple's 13" screen may display as much as, for example, other laptop's 14" screens. I don't know if the other makers have caught up with using higher-res displays but this might be something to consider if you prefer the lower-res displays (which means larger text...).

And finally, 13" Apple laptops are only available with glossy screens which I find a bit difficult to use outdoors. If you prefer the matt displays, you'll need to get at least the 15" ones.

Try the refurbished Macs from Apple:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=NzcwNjg0Ng

Often these are items returned for exchange and the store is not allowed to re-package and they have to go back to Apple.
If the link doesn't work got the Apple home page, select store and the look in the lower left of the store page for refurbished products.

You won't regret getting a Mac - Good Luck.

You won't regret getting a Mac - Good Luck.[/quote]


Right, nobody ever regrets getting a Mac.
I bought one about a year and a half ago on a "whim" when my Dell notebook was behaving poorly. It was my first Apple product ever, now everything I have is Mac and the mere mention of a PC makes me sick. I may have bought into the hype, but the products do deliver. You can go broke, but you can't go wrong.

I switched from about 15 years of using a PC to a mac about a year ago, and now using my old Dell laptop is agony.

For discounts, you can also see if there are group discounts available. For example, my wife used to work at Genentech and they had an employee discount, and I belonged to photoshopuser.com and they too had a discount. And of course if you're in any way associated with a school or university, there are great discounts to be had.

My first computer was an Apple IIe. I just bought the latest 13" macbook pro back in June. I have owned nothing but Apple computers for 18 years now. I use only PCs at work, can't understand why people want to run the Win-doh's operating system on the Mac. However, I guess some folks need apps other than MS Office for Mac.
I just wanted to add my voice to getting a new or refurbished Macbook pro. The 13" screen is actually quite spacious for all but the most graphic heavy programs (like Finalcut Pro, or something along the lines of a graphics editor), then you want a larger screen.
Be aware that the new MacBooks use the USB 2.0 and firewire 800 standards for the ports, so if you have older stuff (peripherals) with firewire 400 connectors, you'll need a converter dongle to plug them in. And it uses a mini-display port, so older cinema displays require a converter (mini display port to dual link DVI adaptor).

I think you need one from the macbook pro range. depending on the level of video editing you plan to do will determine what level to get. the new range (came out june-ish with SD card slot) good but the 15 and 17 inch have faster graphic cards than the 13in macbook pro. so you should get the 15inch 2.53 or 2.8ghz pro. They also continue to have firewire that helps in transferring video.

i picked up a new 2.8 15inch 2 weeks ago. it is a brilliant machine. but the 2.53 is also very good and is really close to your price

I have the white 13" and the new macbook and although I like the new features on the new mac, I HATE THE TRACKPAD. With all of that said, you won't regret getting a mac, it will take some time to get used to how the operating system functions but you'll get it

Comparing White 13" Macbook to Macbook Pro 13" (which are the only two macboks under $1500):
The Pro has a 2.26 ghz processor and the white mac as a 2.13 (you won't notice a difference)
The Pro has DDR3 SDRam instead of DDR2 in it's GPU (twice as fast as ddr2 and most newer products coming out will probably have ddr3 compatability)
The Pro has an illuminated keyboard
The Pro has the new trackpad which is actually a button you can press, like a normal laptop left click function button
The Pro has the new unibody design (not sure of it's practical use, its pretty :p)
The Pro has a 800mbps firewire port and not a 400
The Pro has an SD card slot (useful if you're going to be doing anything involving cameras)
The Pro is .5 lbs ligher (I can't tell the difference)

Conclusion: If you REALLY want a mac, get it, you won't be dissapointed. If you're willing to spend the extra $200 then get the Macbook Pro. I hate the new trackpad but it's just a personal preference which I'm sure I would get over it if I HAD to use it.
Hope this helps.
cmac

Try this: http://www.aquascutum.com/

Apple also has an educational discount that most anyone can use. I saved $200 when I bought my MacBook Pro last year.

You could always save some money and buy a PC

**ducks and hides while everyone bashes PC and throws things at me**

sorry had to be said in all honesty I work on comptuers for a living in a 100% Windows enviroment and if I had the money or desire to buy a computer for personal use I would buy a Mac too.

I bought my Macbook 13.3 2.4 intel Core 2 Duo on www.craigslist.org. Got it for 1,000. I know you say the 13 '' is small for you, but honestly, but if you have 1500 cash, look for some of the new macbooks on craigslist in your area (it's like a classified newspaper but online) that are selling for 1,700 or 1800, and tell them you have 1500 cash and you can buy it right now.

Most sellers work with you on price. I can tell you from experience, i make nice money on CL, but always work with my buyers.

Just type in Macbook in the forsale heading, and a whole world will open up for you.

I have the white 13" macbook.

It was the recently superseded model so I got it for $899.

I used the savings to buy a mighty mouse (laser cordless mouse) and a beautifully stealth mac cordless keyboard.

I have it plugged into a 21" HP monitor so it works like a desktop while at home.

I bought VMware and Windows XP and can run both it and OSX at the same time on the desktop.

With bootcamp you either boot OSX or Windows, one at a time.

Windows XP full version is hard to find and expensive, believe it or not, it's not on shelves anywhere anymore and the version that comes packaged with P.C.'s does not work (something about a tattoo on the intended motherboard).

Vista is cheaper.

okay, i'm looking at this. what do you guys think? with tax and such it will be slightly over my budget, but oh well, it won't kill me.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC118LL/A?mco=Nzk2MTU0Mw

Use a Mac because I want to.
Use a PC because I have to for work.
I have been an Apple user since 1979.

That referb is a good deal.

I have the same model, have had no problems. If it is the first generation Aluminum case, then the battery is removable. But don't believe the 7 hour battery life. All laptop makers overstate that number, that is the best you could get with a new battery using almost no power. 3 to 5 hours is more the norm.

I use bootcamp to run Windows when needed.

Works great for all my needs, including watching DVDs, video editing, internet work, Photoshop etc. The display is A+.

I use the windows side mainly for some work, but also to play windows only video games.

The CD/DVD Superdrive will burn CDs and DVDs, but no Blueray.

I would jump on that deal in an instant.

My previous Macbook Pro was a referb. Was just as good as new, except for a small dent in one corner.

I personally find it hard to justify spending $1500 for a computer that one can get equivalent functionality with a windows machine for $1000 or less. If you can't stand Windows try Ubuntu or one of the other Linux distros on a much cheaper laptop? Or try a cheaper dual-core laptop and install OS X (a hackintosh)...

If you still want an Apple laptop, don't get the low end model, but get a nice 15" with minumum specs, then upgrade the memory, processor and HD with non-apple parts.

But then, I got a Vespa rather than a cheaper but functionally equivalentl scooter made by someone else... so I'll just shut up

Apple quality controls every part of their computers and has good ergonomic design. They set standards their parts must meet if they get them from 3rd party suppliers.

PC Makers buy the cheapest parts available, often switching makers as pricing changes. thus a unit that has one set of drivers may need different ones 6 months later, though it is the same model of computer.

JUST don't do it!! macs are evil...

i haven't pulled the trigger yet, as i am psyching myself to have $1,500 sucked out of my checking account. proabably do it today or tomorrow though.

I know very little when it comes to computers and their "behind the scenes" operation.

I do know that I was sick of limping my old Gateway along, keeping it clean, etc so I bought a Mac 4 or so years ago.

It does everything we want and we love it as a home computer, for home type things. Pictures, Music, Email, Internet, Video. All of these things are easy to use and do with little to no maintenance.

We have Office for Mac as well when we need to do "work" stuff and it does fine there too.

I use a PC every day at work and a Mac every night at home.

you can get a lot more for your money if you by a pc platform laptop. have had both pc's and mac's and they both have issues at some time.

Check out this site:
http://dealmac.com/?iref=dnhd
Many times it will have exactly what I'm looking for from Mac...
Whether I can afford it or not, that's a different story. But do check it out.

Get the extended warranty if you do buy a Mac laptop,
You'll have a year to buy it, It's well worth it.

I still have and use my old iBook G4 1.33 mhz 12" laptop.
(I need it to run my old OS 9.22 programs)

If you are worried about installing Windows XP SP3,
It's simple using Bootcamp, I use it on really really rare occasions on my Intel Mac.