New Laptop, what to get?

Can I test yours out then? 

My dad ordered the new OSX for me to upgrade to as a "moving to the UK" gift!  Weeeeeee!

Awe, that is a nice pressie!

Of course you can!  (I'm being optimistic that I will have it soon too)

I have not started a PC vs Mac War now have I.

I should say I want a Mac notebook, does that make a difference?

Oh and bonus, Rich gets a discount on Macs!!!!!  Not much but anything is good!.


If I buy after 10 days what does it mean, I pay for the upgrade or it's included?

Dar, I might have it before you get here.  At least I hope I do!

If you buy it in ten days (right after the 26th), the computer will come with 10.5 so there will be no need to pay for an upgrade. It will essentially be upgraded already.

And welcome to the wonderful world of Macs

*posted from a 12 inch powerbook*

I have not started a PC vs Mac War now have I.

I should say I want a Mac notebook, does that make a difference?

Mac notebooks rock!  Seriously!  I love my MacBook Pro!  Super sleek and just generally awesome.     If you get a notebook, I recommend the matte screen instead of the glossy.  I saw the glossy in the store and though it looks really pretty, your eyes start to hurt after awhile.

Mac notebooks rock!  Seriously!  I love my MacBook Pro!  Super sleek and just generally awesome.     If you get a notebook, I recommend the matte screen instead of the glossy.  I saw the glossy in the store and though it looks really pretty, your eyes start to hurt after awhile.

My powerbook is obviously a little older and didn't come with the option of a glossy screen, but honestly I don't think I'd even want one. It's really cool when you're watching movies, but I think for practical work I wouldn't like it. I don't know, I guess to each his/her own.

Mac notebooks rock!  Seriously!  I love my MacBook Pro!  Super sleek and just generally awesome.     If you get a notebook, I recommend the matte screen instead of the glossy.  I saw the glossy in the store and though it looks really pretty, your eyes start to hurt after awhile.

Glossy or Matte screens, I love it already!  I always get Matte for pictures

What size do you have.  I'm thinking the smaller one, I like that you can tote it around easily.

My sister has the 17 inch and I think unless you're a person who edits movies on the go, 17 inches for a laptop is ridiculously huge. If you really want one for on the go, the smaller ones are best because they can go on a plane, train, in class, etc, and are not extremely heavy. The 15 inch is a good medium though. Sort of in the middle of the two.

Glossy or Matte screens, I love it already!  I always get Matte for pictures

What size do you have.  I'm thinking the smaller one, I like that you can tote it around easily.

I have the 15" MacBook Pro.  The MacBook Pro only comes in 15" and 17".  The 17" was WAY too big for me.  The 15" is perfect, but, I also do photography so I wanted a slightly bigger screen for editing and stuff.  Mine travels with me on occasion.  The MacBook Pro also has more power.  So, if you don't really need the power or the massive screen, I would go for the the regular MacBook.  My MacBook Pro is the first generation of those so I didn't have the glossy screen option, but, having seen them, I wouldn't want it.  I do too much practical work on it and it would drive me crazy!

I miss my iMac though....sigh....but, only one Mac gets to make the trek to the UK.  Although, DH did say that once we get settled, he might get me a new iMac so I can do more photography related stuff!  Yay!

hi again!

Take a look at this review for a MacBook Pro from sep 07

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/120483/apple-macbook-pro.html

 and here's the 'normal' macbook in a group test

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/113146/apple-2ghz-macbook.html?searchString=macbook

the lower spec macbook may have had it's specs upgraded since may 07 when the review was done, so may be better but I suspect when compared to similar priced PC notebooks will still be underpowered and underfeatured.

Admittedly, these are reviews from a PC user magazine focus point of view so if you don't ever plan on running Vista using Boot Camp or parallels - you can discount that cost - just remember to factor in the little extra costs Apple would like you to have at point of sale!

Dar - remember that when you get here applications like Adobe CS3 for MAC's are around £12-1300 - if you can, buy CS3 in the USA, you'll get it for the equivalent of around £900-1000. Other applications you may need are generally sparse in choice - and probably expensive. If you find you dont need any other applications then you're lucky! but if you do, prepare for a good bit of time hunting for MAC certified and reliable solutions (back to that long term 'hidden' costs thing I mentioned earlier!)

hope this helps!

cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Dar - remember that when you get here applications like Adobe CS3 for MAC's are around £12-1300 - if you can, buy CS3 in the USA, you'll get it for the equivalent of around £900-1000. Other applications you may need are generally sparse in choice - and probably expensive. If you find you dont need any other applications then you're lucky! but if you do, prepare for a good bit of time hunting for MAC certified and reliable solutions (back to that long term 'hidden' costs thing I mentioned earlier!)

hope this helps!

cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

I swear, Dennis, you know so much about well...everything!    Those articles were interesting. 

Luckily for me, I have a friend who works for Adobe so I get all that for free because I test drive it.  When they release new stuff, I get the full software as payment.    Haven't done it for a long while though, I should ring him and see if he needs anything really cool tested out!

I don't really mind the hidden costs seeing as none of my computers have fried themselves or blown up in a few years.  I'll trade the cost for reliability anyday (again, personal preference)!

Oh, and for the gamers out there, my MacBook Pro ran World of Warcraft at full graphics with wireless internet brilliantly! 

Ok, will stop bragging about my Mac now. 

Definitely get the extended 3 year warranty!!! It's good worldwide.

Definitely get the extended 3 year warranty!!! It's good worldwide.

Oh! Good point, Olive!  I forgot about that!

Definitely get the extended 3 year warranty!!! It's good worldwide.

YES! Best investment ever. Totally 100% worth it, unlike with other companies who offer warranties. Apple Care rocks!

ETA cross posted with Dar!

YES! Best investment ever. Totally 100% worth it, unlike with other companies who offer warranties. Apple Care rocks!

I just used mine so I know!! 

guys, I am so jealous!  I have wanted an Apple laptop since I went to uni in 2002- even then my plans were foiled by my uni giving me a PC laptop, and I just bought a new Dell desktop because the macs were too expensive   But I want to be in the Mac users club!! I use my mum's iMac whenever I'm at home, does that count?

I use my mum's iMac whenever I'm at home, does that count?

Yes! You can be in the club because you actually like Macs!