powerbook or Dell?

HOw do you seemlesly want to connect to your home network?

People sometimes get confused with what a Windows network actually is.

If you mean you have a wireless router for internet access, then yes it will go straight on. If you have set up security for your wireless network then it will ask for the password.

With a few buttons pressed you will have access to some aspects of windows running in the house, such as your home folder, there is little else of use for macs and windows to communicate over. Except printing and that should be very straight forward.

The decision you need to make is do you want the apple which is without doubt the better machine, or the dell which is cheaper?

I would go for apple every time and without doubt.

SJB
I run a Mac and an XP machine simultaneously through my broadband wireless router, as well as an IBM laptop running XP when I work from home. I much prefer the Mac. OSX is incredibly robust and you will be amazed how useful the iLife software will be to you.

Unfortunately I need a Windows machine to run a couple of pieces of software which don't run on OSX. I am seriously considering one of the New Intel macs, on which Windows and MacOSX can both run.

So Garyi's forthright opinion is bang on (as they usually are to be fair).

My home moved over to osx about 2 yrs ago. My children can make any xp computer grind to a halt within 3 months. I bought my wife a Sony centrino laptop. Initially it felt ok but after a few sessions it became clear how much better my lowly G4 PowerBook is. With the advent of intel macs which can run xp for those xp only applications, there's no reason, bar cost, not to switch.

I must say having the XP option is very handy. I have it on my machine, I bought an OEM version for 60 quid.

It allows me to play recent games, which is all I have found a use for XP for, but if you went for a macbook then that option is open to you.

Dual booting between two or more OSes is in a way the worst of all worlds as you inevitable will want applications from more than one platform available at the same time.

Go with a Mac but keep an old 'doze machine on the network for those must do but "do not enjoy" tasks that require 'doze.

Many years ago I tried to get the hang of a Linux distro by dual booting it with OS/2 on my laptop - it ended up that I never booted into Linux as the apps I needed were on OS/2, so I wiped the Linux partition to increase the space for images under OS/2's control.

Thanks for the replies so I'll seriously look at a mac book or mac book pro.

Is there anything that I may need to consider that might not be immediately apparent to someone locked behind Gates for years



SJB

SJB

As everybody says the Mac is far better computer than the PC - you can run PC software on a PowerBook using Virtual PC for the odd couple of programs.

If you do decide on a PC then I wouldn't go for Dell - every bit of Dell kit I've used has been shoddy and the support was mediocre. Our company standadised on Dell PCs for a year (big miistake), they are now using Fujitsu, which seem well built.

Personally, I run several Macs for work tasks, one for my own use and a PC with Amiga OS. I'd recommend the Mac to anybody - the software is just so well thought out - plus there's lots of good quality software for free such as Neo (Open) Office.

Have a look at the new Apple advert, which explains the basic difference between a Mac and PC - here

Rotf

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:
Thanks for the replies so I'll seriously look at a mac book or mac book pro.

Is there anything that I may need to consider that might not be immediately apparent to someone locked behind Gates for years



SJB

If you need 3D video and a thin case go for a pro, if not a MacBook is enough.
But offer it extra ram : 1 Go is cool for now and the futur.

Personally I wouldn't touch a Dell with a bargepole. I have one and I have had a lot of trouble with it and the help from Dell has been abysmal. Also the components they use are rubbish. For example it had a half duplex sound card which meant I couldn't use internet telephony - had to replace it. Dell were no use at all when I spoke to them. I have had a few component failures, worst of which has been a hard disk. Again Dell support was unhelpful at best. I have a new machine which I'm steadily transferring stuff to - I bought it from PC world. At least then if I want to upgrade/changeit/ have problems I can take it to them and they will fix it rather than putting the phone down on me. Price wasn't bad either.
As to Mac's, well I've only used them a few times and actually I found them quite difficult to use. Once you're used to Windows, Mac OS feels a little strange. Not hugely
different or hard to use but I can't see anything about them that would make me want to change. The world runs on pc's so it's easier to stick with them. I know macs can emulate pc's now but isn't it better to stick with the real thing?

quote:

Dual booting between two or more OSes is in a way the worst of all worlds as you inevitable will want applications from more than one platform available at the same time.

Dual booting is not the way to go with the new Intel Macs. Virtualisation is far better and not to be confused with emulation and the horror that is Virtual PC

THE way to do multiple OS's on a Macbook

It's the future

Doug

Parallels is fine for people that need to do work on XP. If you want to play half life 2, you need to dual boot.

Either way the option is fully open to you, and no doubt Vista will be as well.

quote:

If you want to play half life 2

But Garyi, SJB also wants to look cool . . . .

...........Or,

You could always try loading up Linux on your current laptop and see if that helps things go a bit faster!

Martin

I have developed software for the PC for years and the Mac for around 3 years. Both sit together side by side in my office and talk happily to each other and the internet via a broadband router. For development the mac wins because of its excellent stability. If something crashes I have never had a total lockup unlike the PC which as we all know gradually grinds to a halt over a period of a few days even if you apparently "do nothing". OSX is a much more stable operating system and makes windows xp look like cruddy old DOS.

The Mac for me got another boost recently with the possibility of their Intel based boxes being able to run XP in dual boot mode if you really really have to have it for the odd application. So now I would summarise the situation between pc and mac as this.

Mac - really excellent stability, intuitive, clean, fantastic looking. Most of the major bits of software available and will run XP if you need it.
Downside - The mouse. I have a hand on the end of my arm and not a stump, I like roller ball mice with buttons on the side.

PC- cheaper, more software available, will do more low level strange bespoke applications that never get written for the mac.

so if you just want mainstream applications and net access - no hestitation, MAC it is.


Gary

One point to clear up and I do find it amusing.

The mouse that comes in the box is indeed shit, but its not stuck to the mac with glue.

Goto the web or the highstreet and buy any, and thats right ANY usb mouse that takes your fancy and use that instead. Simple.

I have the excellent wireless MX1000

quote:

Originally posted by jcs_smith:
Personally I wouldn't touch a Dell with a bargepole. I have one and I have had a lot of trouble with it and the help from Dell has been abysmal. Also the components they use are rubbish.

Agree completely

quote:

I know Macs can emulate PCs now but isn't it better to stick with the real thing?

No not in my view - OS X is far more stable and secure than Windoze, and you can get very high quality software for free.

I have one of the earlier titanium powerbooks which has no right to still be functioning, but it works fine. Starting to get a bit creaky on Photoshop but I can live with that.

One possible deterent to switching over to macs may be your access to software - starting afresh with new applications could cost you dearly. Assuming you happen to have the necessary programmes, I strongly recommend a mac attack.

Peter

Do the mac users out there run any sort of firewall and/or virus scanners or do you trust in the fact that the mac has so few viruses and nasty people just seem to target windows that you don't bother with them? Just wondering because I'm also thinking of getting a laptop and thinking of trying a mac.

I ought to I suppose and I know there's always the danger of us Mac users being too smug for our own good, but it's just not been an issue for me, so far at least.

I have the firewall on.

Regarding the mac emulating XP. Its not.

XP can be run exactly and precisely as if the mac was a windows computer, there is a significant difference for those of you that have use emulation software.

I rely on the NAT function in the router to protect the cluster of computers from being abused from outside and I only switch on the WiFi when I need it and use one of the protection techniques plus restricted MAC access. If any one gets in thru WiFI then they are inside the NAT fence.

Re Virus protection - none so far, I do not mind resending 'doze problems in word docs - after all they came from outside.

I keep watching the boards for comments re Mac vulnerability and when it looks real I will install some form of anti virus tool.

quote:

Originally posted by Two-Sheds:
Do the mac users out there run any sort of firewall and/or virus scanners or do you trust in the fact that the mac has so few viruses and nasty people just seem to target windows that you don't bother with them? Just wondering because I'm also thinking of getting a laptop and thinking of trying a mac.

No virus scanner just common sense (which has served me just as well on Windows), and the hardware firewall in the router, though if I weren't behind a router I probably would switch on the software firewall to be on the safe side.

Naim and Mac, they seem to engender similar loyalty.

I think I'll go for the new powerbook with Intel core. I have 2 windows pc's wired on a wireless network which I will use for the windwows (mainly work) tasks I have to do.

I'll keep you posted. (which probably means I'll have plenty "Noddy buys a Mac" type questions



SJB

I've been using dell for 6 years or so(company).
Recommended Toshiba to me brother. And after that Acer to me mum.

Dell is good value for money but its after sales service has clearly been 'rationalised', meaning it takes a lot of persistence to get anything done. Replacing a faulty battery was hard.
The harddisk started to degenerate a month ago.

I'd avoid anything with a desktop cpu, because the cooling is insufficient -especially after the first year or so, when dirt accumulates inside. My Dell uses 'speedstep' which effectively halves the speed to avoid a china syndrome. Sort of. My brother's Toshiba has a desktop cpu, and he told me yesterday it overheats and shuts down. Ok so he lives in a dusty place.

As for stability and safety of windows, I think stability is excellent and safety is not excellent.

quote:

Originally posted by Two-Sheds:
Do the mac users out there run any sort of firewall and/or virus scanners or do you trust in the fact that the mac has so few viruses and nasty people just seem to target windows that you don't bother with them? Just wondering because I'm also thinking of getting a laptop and thinking of trying a mac.

I run IPFW as a firewall (comes free with the Mac and is an industry strength packet filter), there is also a firewall on Cisco router and network address translation to make my home network invisible to Internet initiated transactions. I all also use HenWen, which is a version of Snort Intrusion Prevention System (free) and I use ClamXav anti-virus (free). I haven't had any problems so far.

If I launch my Windoze emulator then I have McAfee antivirus on that along with Check Point Smart Defense firewall. Though I tend to destroy Virtual PCs after use in any case - I keep one clean copy that I clone before use. I agree with GaryL, it is not really an emulator, it is Windoze in an Intel emulation - so it has all the problems inherent in Windoze (I hardly ever use it).