Mac and PC Price Differences Grow, Does it Impact Your Purchase?

[F1GTR]

I have high hopes for Windows Seven seeing as Vista was the biggest joke since Windows Me... If they mess that one up then I may build a hackintosh buy a mac and switch to OS.

Robin

Again, Vista is a very good OS providing you have sufficient hardware for running it.

 

[Joey D]

Again, Vista is a very good OS providing you have sufficient hardware for running it.

But that's the issue, people don't want to pay for the good hardware to run it (not that I'm saying that's ok). My system will run it just fine and I had issues with it, but that was during it's early days when nothing was compatible with it. MS just took so long to fix that, that I see no reason to switch over with the next Windows not being to far off.

 

[Casio]

My bet is Windows 7 won't be that drastically different from Vista anyway, at least in it's first iterations.

And the reported features it will have, are going to need a heap more computer hardware then Vista does now. I wouldn't be suprised if when 7 comes out it recommends 4GB or more.

Then we'll just go around in this same old circle again as we doing with every Windows release for the last 10 years.

Personally speaking, Vista is a heck of a lot easier to use than XP once you get used to it. Working in IT support I can tell you that at the moment most Vista problems I can generally solve in about half the time as XP ones.

 

[Jondot]

Again, Vista is a very good OS providing you have sufficient hardware for running it.

*Chokes on sandwich*

I installed Vista to serve one purpose: to let me run the stuff that wasn't Mac compatible. And quite frankly, it totally fails at it. I can't run a single game for more than about 15 minutes before it locking up on me. And I'm not talking highly intensive stuff or anything - GTA San Andreas and Test Drive Unlimited, to be precise. I mean GTA ran slowly on my old XP laptop (due entirely to the processor and integrated graphics card), but it only locked up once in a blue moon.

I wish I'd bothered to source a copy of XP now, I really do. The only thing holding me back from rolling it back is the fact that I'd lose all of my GTA mods that took bloody ages to install. ARGH.


Sorry, but the words 'Vista' and 'good' used in the same sentence set me off. I really really really loathe it. And I know my situation (using for games and nothing else) isn't really a fair test, but that's what I use it for. I never thought I'd say it, but I miss XP.

 

[F1GTR]

But that's the issue, people don't want to pay for the good hardware to run it (not that I'm saying that's ok). My system will run it just fine and I had issues with it, but that was during it's early days when nothing was compatible with it. MS just took so long to fix that, that I see no reason to switch over with the next Windows not being to far off.

I've been using Vista for well over a year now and driver problems weren't an issue for me. The incompatibility problems stem from either users expecting outdated hardware and software to work perfectly or companies simply not providing enough support for their products.

*Chokes on sandwich*

I installed Vista to serve one purpose: to let me run the stuff that wasn't Mac compatible. And quite frankly, it totally fails at it. I can't run a single game for more than about 15 minutes before it locking up on me. And I'm not talking highly intensive stuff or anything - GTA San Andreas and Test Drive Unlimited, to be precise. I mean GTA ran slowly on my old XP laptop (due entirely to the processor and integrated graphics card), but it only locked up once in a blue moon.

I wish I'd bothered to source a copy of XP now, I really do. The only thing holding me back from rolling it back is the fact that I'd lose all of my GTA mods that took bloody ages to install. ARGH.


Sorry, but the words 'Vista' and 'good' used in the same sentence set me off. I really really really loathe it. And I know my situation (using for games and nothing else) isn't really a fair test, but that's what I use it for. I never thought I'd say it, but I miss XP.

I run 64-bit Vista with a custom theme, I run games like GTA: Vice City, I do a lot of intensive graphics work and I've even messed around with the registry. The only program that has crashed on me was a Firefox 3 beta. It's basically XP + some nice visual features, Vista is a perfectly usable OS that does everything I require it to do.

 

[Jondot]

Do you not have any issues with the games then? I mean mine run perfectly smoothly and then just suddenly lock up.

 

[F1GTR]

Do you not have any issues with the games then? I mean mine run perfectly smoothly and then just suddenly lock up.

No issues whatsoever bar performance issues due to old nVidia drivers or simply poorly coded games.

 

[Jondot]

Lucky 🤬

 

[HACKr]

^HP sucks...

I will be sticking with PCs thanks and more precisely, I'll be sticking with Lenvo/Thinkpad for their 1337 "nipple" mice. I LOVE THOSE enough that I'm willing to pay more if it has it.

I totally forgot about Lenovo when I made my post. They're like amazingly well built from what I heard, and I think they're sexy. If I'm buying a new laptop, I definitely want a Lenovo.

And about Apple's build quality, where my father works, they use all Macs. The PPC-Based ones and Mac Pros work pretty well, but the iMacs fail on a monthly basis and so do the laptops, and it's not just minor things, they usually need huge repairs, and sometimes it's more economical to replace one that has failed. Same thing happened with my brother's iMac. Good thing it was under warranty, because it would have cost the same price as the computer itself to repair.

Anyway, for the money go with something like a Lenovo. If you really love Macs that much, I mean, you could go with an expensive Macbook, it may work out well anyway, or you may want to look into a used Powerbook or iBook.

 

[Robin]

I totally forgot about Lenovo when I made my post. They're like amazingly well built from what I heard, and I think they're sexy. If I'm buying a new laptop, I definitely want a Lenovo.

Lenovos are excellent, I use one regularly and they really do everything they should for the price... sure some may not be that striking in the aesthetics dept but the quality Think Pad DNA runs through most of them and it makes them really reliable.

Robin

 

[Jondot]

I totally forgot about Lenovo when I made my post. They're like amazingly well built from what I heard, and I think they're sexy. If I'm buying a new laptop, I definitely want a Lenovo.

Not sure about 'sexy' exactly, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose. Reliability wise though, fantastic. You get the impression they'd be the only things left after nuclear war, along with the cockroaches and Pat Butcher.

Actually having said that, their new Netbook is pretty hot. Those glossy keys must be a nightmare though.

 

[Muzaffar]

Since you guys are talking about Lenovo here, can I ask you guys a few questions?

First of all, does anyone know how good the Lenovo IdeaPad U330 is compared to the other laptop? (especially the MacBook Air) I have read a lot of good reviews on it about how small and light it was and how the spec was almost perfect (Vista Premium, 3GB RAM, 250 or 320 GB hard drive, 802.11n, etc.) and looks fantastic to boot. Although it lacked a DVD drive or some of those other component, I think I would still buy one if its that good. As for the price, do you guys know how much you can get one? I'm thinking it should be cheaper or par with the Air.....

Bah, I'm still thinking of which laptop to buy next year. A MacBook Pro or the Lenovo U330......

 

[Tornado]

I've got an HP Compaq laptop and the build quality is some of the worst I've experienced.

Bingo.

 

[Robin]

Some Lenovo's do look clinical but I agree the new Netbook looks excellent and my personal favorite is the Beijing Olympics special edition with the swirling clouds pattern.....

If you didnt know Lenovo designed the olympic torch.

A USB stick to go with it..

Robin

 

[Jondot]

Since you guys are talking about Lenovo here, can I ask you guys a few questions?

First of all, does anyone know how good the Lenovo IdeaPad U330 is compared to the other laptop? (especially the MacBook Air) I have read a lot of good reviews on it about how small and light it was and how the spec was almost perfect (Vista Premium, 3GB RAM, 250 or 320 GB hard drive, 802.11n, etc.) and looks fantastic to boot. Although it lacked a DVD drive or some of those other component, I think I would still buy one if its that good. As for the price, do you guys know how much you can get one? I'm thinking it should be cheaper or par with the Air.....

Bah, I'm still thinking of which laptop to buy next year. A MacBook Pro or the Lenovo U330......

Please don't buy an Air. I beg of you - it's verging on gimmick in my opinion. I mean sure, wireless is great and all, but it's not something that should be relied upon yet - particularly for doing intensive tasks like, say, running something from a DVD placed in a totally different computer. It's really spartan in terms of equipment, and not all that great in terms of portability and robustness when you compare it to something like an Eee PC.

MacBook Pros I can highly reccommend from experience. Lenovos I can reccommend because of... what I've read... and stuff, but the Air? I wouldn't do it. It might be fun for a while, but in the end I suspect it'll just frustrate you.

Bingo.

Does it really make that much difference? It had HP tattooed on all all over the place, and was really just a repackaged HP DV4000:

Admittedly though, the newer HPs seem to be superior at least in terms of look and feel.

 

[Muzaffar]

Please don't buy an Air. I beg of you - it's verging on gimmick in my opinion. I mean sure, wireless is great and all, but it's not something that should be relied upon yet - particularly for doing intensive tasks like, say, running something from a DVD placed in a totally different computer. It's really spartan in terms of equipment, and not all that great in terms of portability and robustness when you compare it to something like an Eee PC.

MacBook Pros I can highly reccommend from experience. Lenovos I can reccommend because of... what I've read... and stuff, but the Air? I wouldn't do it. It might be fun for a while, but in the end I suspect it'll just frustrate you.

Well of course I wouldn't really buy the Air, but the U330 was (in a way) in a similar market to the Air as both laptops are compact and powerful. 👍 But if you say the Lenovo is good, then I'll take my word for it. Here is that review I did mentioned about:



So is it true you guys could get the U330 for about ~1,200.00US$? I did a search on Lenovo Malaysia, although I didn't get to find the U330, rather I found the price for the U110.

http://www-07.ibm.com/lenovoinfo/my/notebooks/ideapad/u-series/index.html

Its RM 6,799 for 🤬 sake!!!! Thats about the same price as the MacBook!!!

 

[Tornado]

Does it really make that much difference?

Yes. A rebadged Compaq is still a Compaq.

 

[V1P3R]

Lenovo is stupid for not including the nipple mouse on ALL their Laptops. I was so sold on that U110 until I saw it didn't have a nipple mouse. Another thing that's a real FAIL is any laptop that comes with Vista... There's a reason any laptop with XP is selling for MORE than a comparable Vista machine.

I'm just gonna get another thinkpad x31 when this one craps out.

 

[F1GTR]

Jon: You're doing A-levels right? How did you get your student discount through Apple?

 

[Sprite]

Well my 2c's

Is a Mac more expensive compared to its Windows based rivals? Answer: Hell yes.

We all know that Mac users pay a premium over Windows and why, and I think part has to do with image, and part has to do with OSX. For me owning a Mac transcends both but that is because I use Apple specific software that you simply cant run without OSX.

Was my choice a good one? Hell yes.

For this hardware didn't come into it, I wasn't looking for a fast processor or a great graphics card to play crisis, I wanted OSX simple as, and without all the hassle and fuss of hacking, I wanted something that worked and didn't give me any kind of problems when running, with windows based stuff, I've had nothing but problems, all the way through UNI I used a (now stone age by comparison to todays PC's) Win 2000, GF4, AMD 2100xp with an Epox MB and 2 GB RAM. I had nothing but headaches with software problems and driver issues, all sorts of hardware issues (not down to Windows directly) to put it bluntly and total pain in the proverbial.

For over 3 years after UNI i still struggled to use the aging PC. Windows being the pain in my life, Windows 2000 just been too rigid and inflexible, but stable under pressure, but XP been too open to problems and buggy. in the end I gave up and just used my parents PC for a while, eventually I got my Mac and I haven't looked back, every thing works just like its supposed, its easy to use and just simply wants to do the jobs I ask it to do. Yes the hardware is inferior compared to other Windows based machines, but what good is all the power when the software just isnt stable and just makes working a complete nightmare, the difference is aching to something like this...

A ricer spends £60,000 on doing up an EVO he doesn't have a clue and the car is a total pile, yes it has 800hp and can do a quarter mile in under 9secs, but it needs an overhaul every time it does a quarter mile, then mr rich comes along and shows off his £120,000 Ferrari, a machine honed to perfection, it may not do the quarter mile in 9secs but it looks beautiful it drives like a dream and can be used every day, now the EVO in the right hands can do amazing things and can in some circumstances blow away the Ferrari but it has to be the right person with the right knowledge.

So yes in the right hands a Windows based machine can blow away a Mac in benchmark tests and doing all sorts of processing but you have to know how to get the best from it and be willing to spend the time making sure it does exactly that, but a Mac purrs a long and looks good doing it, for me the Mac was the perfect choice, and I can also say my parents think the same, I got them a macbook the bottom of the range, and I can tell you that they love it, it does exactly what they need and doesn't ask them to strain the old gray matter just to get a web page up, unlike windows.

If you want a PC for the simple matter you want allot more bang for your buck then go for it, because your making the right choice, but if you want a machine that does exactly what you need without you having to upgrade this and that and install new drivers and worry about other software issues, then go mac, yes you have a premium to pay but for me anyway its worth it.

(this speech was brought to you by an avid Mac users and proud Mac fanboy )

 

[Robin]

Lenovo is stupid for not including the nipple mouse on ALL their Laptops. I was so sold on that U110 until I saw it didn't have a nipple mouse. Another thing that's a real FAIL is any laptop that comes with Vista... There's a reason any laptop with XP is selling for MORE than a comparable Vista machine.

I'm just gonna get another thinkpad x31 when this one craps out.

A nipple mouse makes sense until you want to click... I don't want to click with my thumb and have gotten so used to double tapping the touch pad, plus with the touch pad you can skim your finger across the pad super quick to where where you want to go, nipples are too slow but as for use with vista I havent had any experience.

On another note I can't for the life of me understand why Apple laptops don't have touch pad click support... I was in the store tapping the thing on a macbook air and nothing happened, then realized you actually have to use the button...... I was like my god are we in the mid 90's! Very odd considering all the iphones fancy touch options plus mac's only use one button compared to PC making it even more ludicrous!

Robin

 

[Jondot]

Jon: You're doing A-levels right? How did you get your student discount through Apple?

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/education_routing?mco=MTIxODk0Nw

It's changed a bit since I applied - I had to stick in the name of my school, but not anymore.

It says 'over 18', but essentially you can use it as long as you're an over 18 year old buying on behalf of a student under 18 (e.g a parent purchasing a laptop for their son/daughter).

On another note I can't for the life of me understand why Apple laptops don't have touch pad click support... I was in the store tapping the thing on a macbook air and nothing happened, then realized you actually have to use the button...... I was like my god are we in the mid 90's! Very odd considering all the iphones fancy touch options plus mac's only use one button compared to PC making it even more ludicrous!

Robin

They do. I'm guessing someone was fiddling around with the settings of the touchpad. In fact, the MacBook Pro now supports multitouch like the iPhone.

 

[Blackbird.]

Well it's kinda pointless to build a laptop and expect it to last. I am going off of how badly made my old one was, but I don't think the new ones will be that much better.

Well I'm using my mother's HP dv6000 laptop (Running vista) and I've had no problems using it everytime I do. Granted I only use it to surf the web like GTP when I'm downstairs watching TV and not in my room. The only HP that's having problems is mine but it's an old 5 year old desktop that I abused. Everytime I start it up horrid sounds bellow from the tower.

 

[V1P3R]

A nipple mouse makes sense until you want to click... I don't want to click with my thumb and have gotten so used to double tapping the touch pad, plus with the touch pad you can skim your finger across the pad super quick to where where you want to go, nipples are too slow

It's a natural position because the thumb can fold under the hand to reach both left and right clicks. The nipple is in the middle of the keyboard so you never really move away from the keys like you would a touch pad. There's a middle button that when held turns the nipple mouse into a convenient scroller. I suppose it does take a little getting used to, but after you start using it you'll also start to see how ergonomically, efficiency, and practicality inferior a touch pad is.

So much faster and I even mistake other keyboards for having a nipple mouse, it sucks. I want a desktop keyboard with a nipple mouse.

All I gotta say is nipple mouse + less movement = WIN!

Well I'm using my mother's HP dv6000 laptop (Running vista) and I've had no problems using it everytime I do. Granted I only use it to surf the web like GTP when I'm downstairs watching TV and not in my room. The only HP that's having problems is mine but it's an old 5 year old desktop that I abused. Everytime I start it up horrid sounds bellow from the tower.

My laptop was about 4-5 years old when I it started having a lot of problems, but there were just things about it that sucked...

 

[GT3mich]

Well my 2c's

Is a Mac more expensive compared to its Windows based rivals? Answer: Hell yes.

We all know that Mac users pay a premium over Windows and why, and I think part has to do with image, and part has to do with OSX. For me owning a Mac transcends both but that is because I use Apple specific software that you simply cant run without OSX.

Was my choice a good one? Hell yes.

For this hardware didn't come into it, I wasn't looking for a fast processor or a great graphics card to play crisis, I wanted OSX simple as, and without all the hassle and fuss of hacking, I wanted something that worked and didn't give me any kind of problems when running, with windows based stuff, I've had nothing but problems, all the way through UNI I used a (now stone age by comparison to todays PC's) Win 2000, GF4, AMD 2100xp with an Epox MB and 2 GB RAM. I had nothing but headaches with software problems and driver issues, all sorts of hardware issues (not down to Windows directly) to put it bluntly and total pain in the proverbial.

For over 3 years after UNI i still struggled to use the aging PC. Windows being the pain in my life, Windows 2000 just been too rigid and inflexible, but stable under pressure, but XP been too open to problems and buggy. in the end I gave up and just used my parents PC for a while, eventually I got my Mac and I haven't looked back, every thing works just like its supposed, its easy to use and just simply wants to do the jobs I ask it to do. Yes the hardware is inferior compared to other Windows based machines, but what good is all the power when the software just isnt stable and just makes working a complete nightmare, the difference is aching to something like this...

A ricer spends £60,000 on doing up an EVO he doesn't have a clue and the car is a total pile, yes it has 800hp and can do a quarter mile in under 9secs, but it needs an overhaul every time it does a quarter mile, then mr rich comes along and shows off his £120,000 Ferrari, a machine honed to perfection, it may not do the quarter mile in 9secs but it looks beautiful it drives like a dream and can be used every day, now the EVO in the right hands can do amazing things and can in some circumstances blow away the Ferrari but it has to be the right person with the right knowledge.

So yes in the right hands a Windows based machine can blow away a Mac in benchmark tests and doing all sorts of processing but you have to know how to get the best from it and be willing to spend the time making sure it does exactly that, but a Mac purrs a long and looks good doing it, for me the Mac was the perfect choice, and I can also say my parents think the same, I got them a macbook the bottom of the range, and I can tell you that they love it, it does exactly what they need and doesn't ask them to strain the old gray matter just to get a web page up, unlike windows.

If you want a PC for the simple matter you want allot more bang for your buck then go for it, because your making the right choice, but if you want a machine that does exactly what you need without you having to upgrade this and that and install new drivers and worry about other software issues, then go mac, yes you have a premium to pay but for me anyway its worth it.

(this speech was brought to you by an avid Mac users and proud Mac fanboy )

My Windows XP based machine that I built myself does all the things you listed above. I've had no driver issues, all the programs I've installed work and the only BSOD's I get are from bad ram. I've used a Mac G4 and it would lock up at least once a day. Its rare when my pc locks up. I guess its all about what works for you. I've built a few PC's over the last year and I will never buy one that I've not built myself.

 

[Blackbird.]

My laptop was about 4-5 years old when I it started having a lot of problems, but there were just things about it that sucked...

This is the one I was using:

 

[V1P3R]

They seem to look and feel better in the quality department but then again, it's still how well it will last then the looks at least for me.

This is what mine looks like btw.

 

[nick09]

For me I would not touch a Mac as they are expansive as heck and is not supported by many programs that I would like to use. If I were forced to get a Mac or Linux operating system I would get Ubuntu because it supports the hardware I have currently.

 

[Casio]

This is the one I was using:

Yep, that's a DV6000 series. The exact laptop I've have for 18 months without one problem. I love it and am already planning to buy another HP next year.

So much faster and I even mistake other keyboards for having a nipple mouse, it sucks. I want a desktop keyboard with a nipple mouse.

They totally have those.

 

[Shannon]

We all know that Mac users pay a premium over Windows and why, and I think part has to do with image, and part has to do with OSX.
...

You could have just left it at that.

Mac's are trendy, and trendy things can justify a higher price tag. Just like I can buy cheap jeans from Target that do exactly the same thing as $300 designer ones... At the end of the day, a computer is a computer. It doesn't matter what OS you're using, you're still doing the same fundamental tasks. I can't justify spending the extra money for something 'trendy' when I can do everything I want and more in Windows for a lot less. But, some people will buy those $300 jeans for the image...