NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Apple Forums › Apple Notebooks › Making the switch--PC to Apple--I need some help
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Making the switch--PC to Apple--I need some help

post #1 of 14
8/4/05 at 9:55am
Thread Starter 
I'm thinking of crossing over...to the Apple side, that is. I was considering buying a 15" Powerbook this weekend (I need a new notebook soon b/c classes start up in a few weeks), but I'm so used to PCs, that I don't know how well I'll be able to switch over. I'm looking for a fairly portable laptop, b/c I obviously can't lug a rock around campus and I'd def. need to take it with me once in awhile, but I just don't want to lose performance abilities by getting an ultraportable, so I figured w/ a Powerbook, I sort of get the best of both worlds. Buttttt (there's always a but, when it comes to computers) there is the whole software compatability issue that worries me. I basically need the basics in the laptop I eventually purchase--I only need it for some photoshopping for class, word processing, and using the internet, basically. I was considering getting an IBM T43 or some Sony S-series, but after reading some reviews (I've heard IBMs' screens tend to have some broken pixels in them and a few people I know who have had them had the screens die on them fairly soon), the Powerbook still seems like the best buy. The only thing is, I'm kinda concerned that if i do get the Powerbook, I'll need to go BUY software like Photoshop (which costs 600 and 300 with a student discount--still more than what any college student can afford for software)--and Office is another 100 or so. I hate to sound like someone who goes around stealing every piece of software out there, but I def. think that I'd need a "non-legit" copy of Photoshop and maybe Office. I've already got an older version of Photoshop for my PC, but I'm just afraid I won't be able to find a copy of Photoshop or Office for my Powerbook (like somehow dling it or w/e)--and I don't want to end up with a laptop with nothing useful on it b/c I can't afford $700 worth of software in addition to this $2000 laptop. Can anyone help me decide what to do here? Ah I'm so confused, and I don't know too many Mac users who can help me out on this one./=
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 14
8/6/05 at 9:06pm
how pray tell would one go about finding websites that might deal w/ various p2p filesharing technologies?
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 14
8/7/05 at 5:41pm
don't get a 15", get a 12". i had classes with a 14 and I regreted it. now i'm planning on 12"!
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 14
8/8/05 at 1:11am
but u cant compare a 14 inch with a 12 inch the same way you compare a 15 inch with a 12 inch... the 15 inch has better screen... better resolution... better graphics card... more ram capacity... and also faster clock speeds
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 14
8/8/05 at 2:21am
First off, I'm pretty much a PC man, but I've used Macs, and there's absolutely no trouble getting around. Obviously, its different in that the locations aren't the same, but its not like you're trying to speak a foreign language, eh?

As for Photoshop and Office, I'm in no way promoting piracy (and you might be looking at a closed topic, and I suggest nobody else further it), but Mac software is by no means rare. Once you get integrated into the software community, you'll find many hidden gold mines... But I mean, $300 isn't that much, unless you're living off the streets... besides which, you might just be able to borrow copies from your teacher and friends. My girlfriend attends Pratt, and she was able to swipe copies of Photoshop off her teacher.

If you're really worried about price, it doesn't really matter what Macs will offer--PCs offer lower, equal, and higher alternatives, and you can get an equal for probably a few hundred dollars less. Macs are by no means the end all to productivity, and if price is an issue, going with Macs is like ordering gourmet when you've got $5 in your pocket. You can get amazing steals on laptops that will suit you just as well from companies like Dell, and with the $750 off coupons that they have running nearly non-stop, you can get a $1500 laptop for literally half the price.

Asus, Acer, Toshiba, and dozens of other makers will deliver fantastic performance, and really, you're probably not going to regret the difference. Again, if price is your only reason, go with a non-Mac; if not, I'd weigh both options on a clean scale. Like I said, productivity does not start and end on Macs.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 14
8/8/05 at 4:44am
the "switch" will be fine. if u want a PB, get one. u won't be disappointed by performance for school and productivity stuff, so long as u r not trying to be a 1337 gamer.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 14
8/8/05 at 7:55pm
Speaking on the piracy end. If you pirated software in windows, you will generally find it easier to do so when searching for MAC compatible software, such as the Adobe Creative Suites.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 14
8/8/05 at 7:56pm
Not sure if I am allowed to post information like this, but download "Serial Box." You will be rather impressed.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 14
8/10/05 at 10:05pm
You're buying a 15" Powerbook and you're worried about $500 in software? I mean, you could get a Dell notebook, Photoshop and Office, fully legit, for less than the 15" powerbook. I'm being serious too. I just went to the Dell website, spec'd a i6000 with 128MB X300, 1.6 p-m, 512MB, 80Gb HD, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, Office SB, 3 Year Warranty and the I added a copy of Photoshop CS2, full version, not upgrade, and I hit $2033. This is without doing anything special. Just straight through the notebook link for the i6000. The base price of a 15" on Apple's site is $1999. The only difference I see is a Mobility Radeon 9700. The X300 isn't that much slower though.

So anyways, it seems to me that if you're willing to spend $2000 on a notebook, dropiing an extra $500 for the software shouldn't be that big of a deal.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 14
8/11/05 at 12:05am
I'm pretty sure he wasn't looking for advise on which to buy, he was asking a question about the decision that he had already made.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 14
8/13/05 at 3:07pm
I wasn't commenting about the choice he has made, just thinking its absolutely ridiculous that he is buying a $2000 powerbook and fussing about buying the software that he obviously needs.

Now, believe me, I know the difference between what one needs and what one wants. He obviously wants a power book. But he needs Photoshop, Office, etc. It just seems stupid to sacrifice something you need for something you want. If he has a $2000 budget, a Dell laptop with all the necessary software will do everything he needs it to do. It may not be what he wants, but it's what he needs that really counts in this case. IMHO, he can wait until he graduates school to get a nice powerbook.

Not that it matters anyways. If he bought the Dell, he would just steal the software for PC.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 14
8/13/05 at 4:48pm
Get what you want, you won't regret it

borrow software from friends of friends.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 14
8/19/05 at 4:00pm
Or just sraight jack it like I tend to do. Free sh!t is the best sh!t
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 14
2/15/06 at 8:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mzellie
I'm thinking of crossing over...to the Apple side, that is. I was considering buying a 15" Powerbook this weekend (I need a new notebook soon b/c classes start up in a few weeks), but I'm so used to PCs, that I don't know how well I'll be able to switch over. I'm looking for a fairly portable laptop, b/c I obviously can't lug a rock around campus and I'd def. need to take it with me once in awhile, but I just don't want to lose performance abilities by getting an ultraportable, so I figured w/ a Powerbook, I sort of get the best of both worlds. Buttttt (there's always a but, when it comes to computers) there is the whole software compatability issue that worries me. I basically need the basics in the laptop I eventually purchase--I only need it for some photoshopping for class, word processing, and using the internet, basically. I was considering getting an IBM T43 or some Sony S-series, but after reading some reviews (I've heard IBMs' screens tend to have some broken pixels in them and a few people I know who have had them had the screens die on them fairly soon), the Powerbook still seems like the best buy. The only thing is, I'm kinda concerned that if i do get the Powerbook, I'll need to go BUY software like Photoshop (which costs 600 and 300 with a student discount--still more than what any college student can afford for software)--and Office is another 100 or so. I hate to sound like someone who goes around stealing every piece of software out there, but I def. think that I'd need a "non-legit" copy of Photoshop and maybe Office. I've already got an older version of Photoshop for my PC, but I'm just afraid I won't be able to find a copy of Photoshop or Office for my Powerbook (like somehow dling it or w/e)--and I don't want to end up with a laptop with nothing useful on it b/c I can't afford $700 worth of software in addition to this $2000 laptop. Can anyone help me decide what to do here? Ah I'm so confused, and I don't know too many Mac users who can help me out on this one./=

As a PB and a PC user I would say 'go for it !'. Regarding the software issues. I use Open Office which is free & gives me all the compatibility with Office that I need. The MAC software supplied with the PB I find is adequate for most needs and is 'productive'. Do not expect to play games.

Mozilla, FireFox and Thunderbird are worth installing. HTH
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Apple Notebooks
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Apple Forums › Apple Notebooks › Making the switch--PC to Apple--I need some help