Posted on 04/25/2011 9:49:28 PM PDT by balch3
So, an older relative wants a laptop so he can surf the web from his recliner. His computer skills consist of being able to turn the computer on, open his browser, and do simple word processing/printing. He's tired of viruses and malware. I've been talking up the Macbook. He's decided on the Macbook pro with 17 inch monitor, Way more computer than he needs, but he likes the big monitor because it will be easier on his eyes.
All sounds good, right? That is, until I go online and look at the price. Yikes! Nearly $2500. He can afford it and doesn't seem phased by it, but...still, Yikes! My worst case scenario fantasy is he isn't satisfied and I'll feel guilty for giving him a bum steer. Or, something goes wrong and we have to send it back. Or, I have trouble setting up the wireless LAN--Seems simple enough, but I've never done it before. Or...well, you get the picture.
Somebody talk me into (or out of) this, please?
My parents had PC’s and were incessantly asking for help.
The best thing I ever did for my sanity was get them a Mac. No viruses and very little learning required on their part.
After a couple of years the extra cost of the Mac was nothing.
If it was me. I would have him take a look at an Ipad, hook it up with a blue tooth keypad and let him go.
“How much has it cost you, after the initial purchase.?”
Nada. Zip. Zilch. I bought the extended warranty and used it once for a swolen battery which was replaced for free (find a reliable laptop fan—they do get hot). So other than software and peripherals, it’s just like I drove it off the showroom floor. Total workhorse of a machine.
The time it has NOT been on in the past 3 years can be counted in days. I leave it on all the time. Rarely shut it down. It’s in use 18+ hours a day. Wake up, open it, and it’s up and running. I demand a lot from my computers. There are faster and trendier laptops out these days, but this one never disappoints.
Model Name: MacBook Pro 17”
Model Identifier: MacBookPro2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.33 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Mac OSX 10.5.8
Oh, you’ll often find Mac users tend to be very pushy about how wonderful Macs are. I think it’s from cognitive dissonance justifying the outrageous heaps of cash they laid out for it. Hell, for $2500, you could buy a new PC every several months.
For the cost of one 17” MacBookPro, you could buy him three brand new 17” laptops.
Might be easier to set him up with an online backup program, and simply sync an extra laptop to the backups and hand him it, while you then reimage the broken one.
Dell Inspirons, HP DV7’s, Toshiba Qosmio X505, and all those are good options.
can you explain further about the differences?
Rather extensive response for ‘nothing’.
You’re welcome.
Yes you should!!! I had an HP for four years and had so many virus’. I purchased a MAC Pro Apple and never had a virus. It is wonderful. Yes the price is steep but it is so worth it for peace of mind and the ease of using the laptop. It I was you, I would go out today and buy one. I was nervous buying one after I was recommended to do so and never regretted it.
It is, in fact, a cult. Jobs and Gore are their deities.
Otherwise known as Bull$hi*.
Does he understand that he can change the size of screen fonts in his browser just by holding down the CTRL key and moving the mouse's scroll wheel? Also, it is easy to change the default font and icon size in Windows 7, and to change the default "zoom" setting in his word processor.
I suspect that he might be happy with an $800 Windows 7 laptop with a 14" display, a decent security suite, and a lesson or two about how to change font size.
But that Mac is a fine computer.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/17?mco=MjEwNzM3NjQ
Get a refurb from the Apple Store and save some money.
Do you want me to disseminate bad advice?
Oooh, can I pray to Algore and Jobs before I answer?
I had a thought... if he doesn’t need mobility and mainly wants to use it in his lazy boy... get a Mac Mini and hook it up to the TV. Use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and save about $2,000. As an added bonus, he’ll be able to stream Internet video content directly to his TV. That’s what I’d do in this scenario.
Apple ping!
He is tired of malware and viruses. You correctly tell him that is less of a problem with a mac. He has the money. If he buys it and later has remorse, why would you feel any guilt?
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