Mac v. Windows Ping!
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The Mac is worth much more than $700 extra. Especially if she is away at college.
I can give you any number of reasons, but here are just a few.
1. You do not need anti-virus software. On my PCs, this is $50 per year because I always look for the bargain-basement price. If she is away at college, she may get suckered into just getting the “update” when her subscription runs out — at least $80 on your credit card right there. The first year is free with a PC, but the remaining 4 years of life will cost you $200-400.
2. On the rare occasions when something goes wrong with my Mac, I call them up and they either answer the question right there on the phone, or they tell me to take it to a Mac store, where they fix it. Period. Every time I have tried to call for tech support with a PC, the computer maker tells me it is a software problem with Windows and the Windows guys want a credit card number just to talk to me, then they tell me it is a hardware problem. I have never been able to get the hardware guys and the software guys on the same line at the same time. Do you really want your daughter to go through this at college?
Apple makes both the hardware and the software and can’t pass the buck. Go ahead, put a price on that. Think about tuition, living expenses, etc. and then figure out the cost of 2 or 3 days down time chasing a computer problem.
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How is it dying?
The new Macbooks also come with the new battery that is supposed to last 5 years I believe. More importantly in the short term, it lasts around 6 hours on a charge (or so).
I agree that everything that can be done on a Mac can be done on Windows, however, on a Mac it is almost always easier. How much not being frustrated is worth I don’t know, but it seems worth a lot to me.
Lenovos have a solid reputation, good systems. I’ve helped a family member buy one and she’s still happy.
I didn’t get the pics. Can you give me the models and specs you chose? I’m pretty familiar with both sides.
They did send me a new battery and a set of installation disks. Yet, when it came time to buy a new LT I couldn't pull the trigger for Lenovo. I bought two Toshibas and I really like them.
One thing that might factor into your thinking is whether or not you have a good idea on where your daughter is going to go to college — if you do, check with the school’s IT department to see if they have any specific recommendations. Probably not, as I bet most schools support all OSes by now, but you don’t want to get caught buying something that won’t work well in that environment.
The next major question is what, specifically, is the machine going to be used for? If it’s primarily word processing, browsing, and some image manipulation, then it matters little what OS you get — I’d suggest one of the better Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora) and lower-end (beefed up with disk and RAM upgrades) hardware.
Honestly, for those basic applications, you can use OpenOffice, Firefox, and GIMP on Linux, Windows, or Mac, and they’re all free.
The only reason to get a Windows PC, in my opinion, is the availability of games (probably not what you want in a “school” machine) or if you have a “must-use” application that’s only available on Windows — in the latter case, you can always try something like VirtualBox and buy an OS license with the money you save on not buying a “Windows 7” machine.
For basic use, Linux is better. For advanced use, Mac is better (though sparser on applications).
I have bought all my PC's and LT's from here. Usually free shipping and the best prices. And, no taxes if you don't live in CA. Read the reviews and check the specs.
I, personally, would stay away from Best Buy and the big stores. Consumer reports rates them fairly low compared to NewEgg.
Why don’t you present the options to your daughter and ask her to justify the extra cost of the Mac?
I have a Mac at home and use PC’s at work, so I'm familiar with both.
The one advantage that the Macs have that the PC’s just can't touch is the “Genius Bar” at the Mac Stores. Now that being said, I've had to visit the Genius Bar way too many times for a variety of glitches and what not (And before anyone starts in on how my Mac must be under powered, no, it has 4MB Ram)
One disadvantage to the Mac will be the amount of programs available for use. There just aren't as many (Yes, I know about Boot-camp, but adding another layer makes the system slower and more expensive. If you want to use Windows, just get a Windows machine)
One HUGE advantage to a PC is that you can get a replacement policy for any problem whatsoever. We've used this twice with her HP. Once, a roommate spilled a Coke on it and the other time she fell asleep on her bed at the computer, jerked awake and the HP was on the floor in pieces. Both times HP was good about replacing - and she got an upgraded model for each replacement.
If I were buying another computer for ME, I'd be on the fence as to go a Mac or not. I do like the aluminum body and the back lit keyboard. But if I were buying another one for a college student, I wouldn't hesitate a moment - go with a PC that has a protection policy. Apple does not have one (unless they have added it in the last few weeks) and taking a laptop into college is the equivalent of taking it to a war zone. She may protect it at all times, but her roommate may not be so thoughtful.
Just my 2 cents - enjoy!
I’m no MAC fan. But, when you have a teenage daughter who is doing well, you have to support her when it only costs you a few hundred extra $$ to do so. Computers don’t matter. Confidence and self esteem do. Her request is not unreasonable, get her what she wants.
Save yourself some grief. That is the key consideration. All the rest is just you trying to the be smart (wise) in your decision making. If you don't buy what she wants, especially because it is cool, she will find a million ways to make you pay, intentionally or not.
Past the debate about type of computer I say have the debate about buying the computer. Two of my four children received macs from their grandparents for their 16th b-day. By the time my first went to college a mere two years later she “needed” a new one for college. I know my next off to college will complain the same thing! My advice ...wait until college. In addition to that they are always on the computer b/c its theirs and its not about them studying. You are basically buying them a tool to enhance their social network...facebook. I am planning on talking to my in-laws to dissuade them purchasing macs for the remaining two kids.
AC,
There is a bigger issue than $ here.
Do you want your daughter to embark on a life
of toil, indentured servitude and misery as a
Microsoft Windows user?
Do you want her to spend hours dealing with
viruses or hours trying to prevent viruses?
Do you want her to spend hours trying to get
the latest Windows product to work?
Do you want her to be an upaid Microsoft product tester?
OR
Do you want her to have a reliable, trouble free computer
to actually use?
Cool has nothing to do with it.
If she still wants to run windows, she can do that on a
MAC. OR Linux. Or Klingon. (made the last up).
best,
ampu
PS - I have three kids in college. Son chose a PC. On his
third one now. First daughter got a Dell. Falling apart at
the hinges. Daughter three got a Mac. Never heard a word about her Mac again. It just works.
Macbook Pro is the better, long-term choice. She will get 5 years minimum use out if it. OS X is far superior to Windows, even Windows 7.
Been using a Macbook for 2+ years as a professional DAW. It’s never let me down.
Now your daughter has both on one machine, and you have saved $700.
I figured out how to do it having never done it before. Now I've got Leopard on my Toshiba laptop and on a quad-core AMD desktop. If it is more than you can handle, maybe there is a tech savvy teenager in the neighborhood who will help you.
If she wants a mac and you buy her something other than what she wants I can guarantee you that she will not be happy.
hello A_C.,
I have not read the thread & so have no clue of the battle of PC /mac that is there.
Just my own thoughts as a ‘grandma’ age wise.
What is your $$ situation?
How far will she be from you for college?
How much of a techie Geek is she?
If you can afford it, I would go with the mac. loaded for bear.
If she is like most teens they have no thoughts of safety whether it is in their love life or computers.
She will no doubt clik on questionable links & possibly get in BIG trouble with a PC Like it or not right now the Pcs & macs might be equal with qualities but the PCs are very vulnerable with problems w/virus/malware etc.
kids also might be sworn to safety but thier friends will often use their equipment and care less about security.
just my two cents. I right now am using both.. a PC note book & a iMac24. My Dell tower has been not used for 6 months due to irratic problems and I was VERY careful & had all the good virus/spyware security..
just saying