[Johnny 1989]

As you may have read on the archive thread, my old PC blew up a few months back & rather than getting the hulking beast back up & running again I've decided to get a laptop. However I'm tempted in getting an Apple Mac Book but have been advised by others that I'd be best to get a Windows laptop rather than an Apple one.

So seeing as several of you on here are up on computers I was wondering if anyone could advise me what's best, to get another windows based system or go over to apple.

Your advice please

[Console]

Depends, what are you going to use it for? It you aren't going to be using it to play Windows based games, and don't mind the extra expense, then get the Mac Book.

[Johnny 1989]

Bloody hell, quick response

I'm going to be using mostly for the internet, the copy & editing of old Moyles shows. The only games I play on my PC (which is rarely) are Rollercoaster Tycoon 1 & 2 and Sim City which I think work on both.

I've had a look at the price of Mac Books on Amazon so I'm swinging a bit more towards a Windows 7 PC, however a friend of mine has a Mac computer and said that I shouldn't bother with Windows anymore so I'm a bit confused as to who to go with.

[Console]

Do you know how to lock-down a Windows PC? If you do, and you have no real desire to have an Apple computer, then get the Windows one (you can always install Ubuntu on it at a later point if you want something different).

[Johnny 1989]

Do you know how to lock-down a Windows PC? If you do, and you have no real desire to have an Apple computer, then get the Windows one (you can always install Ubuntu on it at a later point if you want something different).

I'll be totaly honest with you, I haven't a clue how to "lock-down a Windows PC" is or how to do it, could you explain at all please?

[Console]

I mean installing a decent Anti-virus and Anti-spyware, making sure that you install updates regularly, not installing any old software you find on the internet, not using IE etc.

[dime]

It's a tough one this. To be honest if you fancy a MacBook then it's all down to cost.

MacBooks are expensive when compared to a Windows based laptop. If you only have a few hundred pounds to spend then it's a no brainer, a Windows 7 based laptop is your answer.

However, if you have £799 to spend then if you compare a MacBook to a Windows 7 based laptop of the same price then I would say it's a MacBook all the way! They're sleek, fast, incredibly easy to use and get you noticed wherever you take it!

As a recent convertor to a MacBook I can strongly recommend them, have a quick look at my blog here: http://www.playedforandgot.co.uk/macstuff/My_Mac_Blog/Archive.html

You can read about some of the things I have been up to so far on my new MacBook and that might help you make your mind up - scroll to the bottom of the archive to read my first couple of entries.

Hope that helps.

[MK Chris]

Moving away from the operating system choice, is there any real use in getting a laptop? A desktop is the cheaper option, I'm never quite sure why so many people are buying laptops at the moment and then leave them in the same place all the time.

[Johnny 1989]

I mean installing a decent Anti-virus and Anti-spyware, making sure that you install updates regularly, not installing any old software you find on the internet, not using IE etc.

Ah Ok, gotcha, don't worry I won't be using any old shite, I'll be getting proper software (any you could recommend at all?) and IE will not be used. I'll be using Firefox/Safari instead

It's a tough one this. To be honest if you fancy a MacBook then it's all down to cost.

MacBooks are expensive when compared to a Windows based laptop. If you only have a few hundred pounds to spend then it's a no brainer, a Windows 7 based laptop is your answer.

However, if you have £799 to spend then if you compare a MacBook to a Windows 7 based laptop of the same price then I would say it's a MacBook all the way! They're sleek, fast, incredibly easy to use and get you noticed wherever you take it!

As a recent convertor to a MacBook I can strongly recommend them, have a quick look at my blog here: http://www.playedforandgot.co.uk/macstuff/My_Mac_Blog/Archive.html

You can read about some of the things I have been up to so far on my new MacBook and that might help you make your mind up - scroll to the bottom of the archive to read my first couple of entries.

Hope that helps.

It will be more down to cost more than anything else, and weighing it all up, I can't really afford a mac unfortunately, I wish I could but I can't (damn work telling us we're not getting a pay rise until Jan 2011 )

Moving away from the operating system choice, is there any real use in getting a laptop? A desktop is the cheaper option, I'm never quite sure why so many people are buying laptops at the moment and then leave them in the same place all the time.

Can't speak for others, but for me, I still live at home, I just can't afford to move out & get my own place in London at the mo, and my parents are doing up the house. My PC was custom made & was the size of an average South London council estate. Our house is a small Edwardian (Edward VII) house so space is a big issue. The PC is 4 years old, no longer works (the motherboard gave up the ghost in September/October) and is just out of date.

I just need something a bit newer, and more compact, so a laptop is the answer at the mo, if I had my own place mind I'd probably build a new one

[Console]

I mean installing a decent Anti-virus and Anti-spyware, making sure that you install updates regularly, not installing any old software you find on the internet, not using IE etc.

Ah Ok, gotcha, don't worry I won't be using any old shite, I'll be getting proper software (any you could recommend at all?) and IE will not be used. I'll be using Firefox/Safari instead

If you want to pay for the software (for the additional support etc.) then either BitDefender or Kaspersky, it you want free software, then Avast and Spybot S&D's TeaTimer and Immunization.

[Johnny 1989]

I mean installing a decent Anti-virus and Anti-spyware, making sure that you install updates regularly, not installing any old software you find on the internet, not using IE etc.

Ah Ok, gotcha, don't worry I won't be using any old shite, I'll be getting proper software (any you could recommend at all?) and IE will not be used. I'll be using Firefox/Safari instead

If you want to pay for the software (for the additional support etc.) then either BitDefender or Kaspersky, it you want free software, then Avast and Spybot S&D's TeaTimer and Immunization.

Ah ok, thanks for the info

[Munki Bhoy]

For what it's worth, I personally don't like Macs. I've never really got into them. But I know plenty of people that swear by them. MacBooks can be expensive, but then if you want to get the best out of Windows 7 you'll end up paying something around the same price anyway.

Windows 7 is well worth going for though. I've heard people saying it's Microsoft, wait til SP1 comes out, but then it's not that different from Vista. In fact it's Vista, fixed. So it IS SP1 to me. Well, SP3. It's still got things I moan about, but then I tend to use Ubuntu too so I know what I like from there too.

Another I'd add to the list of free protection software is AVG. It covers virus and spyware in one package, and you can upgrade for more stuff if you want to pay for it.

I think the key point here is how willing you are to move. Because if you do you'll find you need to learn how to do certain things, some of which will annoy you because you're used to doing them another way. If you're willing to go through that, you're already considering moving so maybe you've already made up your mind.

[Johnny 1989]

For what it's worth, I personally don't like Macs. I've never really got into them. But I know plenty of people that swear by them. MacBooks can be expensive, but then if you want to get the best out of Windows 7 you'll end up paying something around the same price anyway.

Windows 7 is well worth going for though. I've heard people saying it's Microsoft, wait til SP1 comes out, but then it's not that different from Vista. In fact it's Vista, fixed. So it IS SP1 to me. Well, SP3. It's still got things I moan about, but then I tend to use Ubuntu too so I know what I like from there too.

Another I'd add to the list of free protection software is AVG. It covers virus and spyware in one package, and you can upgrade for more stuff if you want to pay for it.

I think the key point here is how willing you are to move. Because if you do you'll find you need to learn how to do certain things, some of which will annoy you because you're used to doing them another way. If you're willing to go through that, you're already considering moving so maybe you've already made up your mind.

I used my cousins Mac (non laptop) when I was in Hong Kong, I like the icons at the bottom & it was a nice, speedy machine. However one thing that did frustrate a bit was the lack of "right button, click" which I did miss.

My brother (who earns quite a bit more than me) is getting a Mac so I'm now swinging more towards a Windows Laptop, I've got about a month to make my mind up anyway so hopefully by then I'll have my new laptop, whether it be Windows or Mac.

[dime]

I used my cousins Mac (non laptop) when I was in Hong Kong, I like the icons at the bottom & it was a nice, speedy machine. However one thing that did frustrate a bit was the lack of "right button, click" which I did miss.

My brother (who earns quite a bit more than me) is getting a Mac so I'm now swinging more towards a Windows Laptop, I've got about a month to make my mind up anyway so hopefully by then I'll have my new laptop, whether it be Windows or Mac.

The right mouse button works fine on my MacBook - in fact better than a PC as you can either touch the scratch pad with a couple of fingers to 'right-click', hold down the CTRL key and then 'left-click' or I simply press the right mouse button on my Kensington mouse.

If you have a budget of £799 or more then a MacBook is the thing to go for - I now know why Mac users have a smug look on their face when you take the micky out of them for having a Mac!

If your budget is less than the cost of a MacBook then a Windows 7 based laptop is the way to go as it is so much faster than XP or Vista.


With regards to waiting until a Service Pack comes out - this is a precautionary thing IT Professionals do as there are millions of people out there who just cant wait to find a hole in the Operating System and break it and by the time the first service pack comes it most holes are hopefully found and filled. As long as you keep Windows 7 fully up-to-date with Windows Updates you shouldn't have any problems as all a Service Pack basically is, is a collection of all the previous updates plus a couple of new ones.

[Console]

With regards to waiting until a Service Pack comes out - this is a precautionary thing IT Professionals do as there are millions of people out there who just cant wait to find a hole in the Operating System and break it and by the time the first service pack comes it most holes are hopefully found and filled.

Actually, it's not about security - it is suggested that people wait for at least the first service pack (if not the second) because of stability and drivers issues, because by the time the service packs come out most of the problems have been fixed. If it was purely about security the 'IT professionals' would suggest leaving a Windows computer switched off at the plug, as that's pretty much the only was to keep one secure (NB: minor exaggeration).

[DannyBoy]

As you may have read on the archive thread, my old PC blew up a few months back & rather than getting the hulking beast back up & running again I've decided to get a laptop. However I'm tempted in getting an Apple Mac Book but have been advised by others that I'd be best to get a Windows laptop rather than an Apple one.

So seeing as several of you on here are up on computers I was wondering if anyone could advise me what's best, to get another windows based system or go over to apple.

Your advice please

Personally Id go with a MAC and use BootCamp basically it will allow you to run Windows on a Mac so you get best of both worlds.

[Console]

so you get best of both worlds.

You also get the price of both worlds.

[Zoot]

As you may have read on the archive thread, my old PC blew up a few months back & rather than getting the hulking beast back up & running again I've decided to get a laptop. However I'm tempted in getting an Apple Mac Book but have been advised by others that I'd be best to get a Windows laptop rather than an Apple one.

So seeing as several of you on here are up on computers I was wondering if anyone could advise me what's best, to get another windows based system or go over to apple.

Your advice please

Personally Id go with a MAC and use BootCamp basically it will allow you to run Windows on a Mac so you get best of both worlds.

Yea, then you'd need to buy a windows license too...

Basically, rule of thumb -
If you don't play computer games and can afford to pay £800 upwards, buy a Mac.
If you DO play computer games, or money is an option and you are capable of managing the security issues, buy a PC.

[AndyJ]

I'm in the same boat actually, I would like a MAC book but I know for a fact the Missus would get very confused very quickly with it, she still struggles with XP! I think we are going to get a new Dell Inspiron laptop, I would love a new desktop but we don't have the space for it any more, and it wouldn't get the use as we tend to do most of our computer work on the sofa while watching TV.

ESET Anti-virus is supposed to be very good as well.

[Console]

I'm in the same boat actually, I would like a MAC book but I know for a fact the Missus would get very confused very quickly with it, she still struggles with XP!

If she struggles with XP then Mac OSX shouldn't be a problem for her. Most of the problems with people learning to use Mac OSX (or any other OS) is that they assume everything should work they way it does on Windows - if she doesn't have them preconceptions, it won't be a problem.

[dime]

Basically, rule of thumb -
If you don't play computer games and can afford to pay £800 upwards, buy a Mac.
If you DO play computer games, or money is an option and you are capable of managing the security issues, buy a PC.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

I'm in the same boat actually, I would like a MAC book but I know for a fact the Missus would get very confused very quickly with it, she still struggles with XP!

If you put two computers next to each other, one with Windows and the other with Mac OS, in most cases someone who either has little or no experience with a computer will get on better with the Mac OS rather than Windows as Mac OS is more intuitive to use than Windows - so if someone is struggling to use XP then OS X is going to be the better OS for them to use.

[Nicola_Red]

I can't believe nobody has yet replied:

there's only one way to find out...




FIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHT!!!11!

[Lactating Man Nips]

Does the OS really matter nowadays for those using mainstream applications? Tight security for Windows is easily achievable so you're paying a hefty premium for aesthetics and 'probably' more intuitive application management .

[Johnny 1989]

I can't believe nobody has yet replied:

there's only one way to find out...




FIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHT!!!11!

I did think of starting the thread like that but thought best not to

I think I'll go with Windows 7, I have no problem using Windows 95, 98, 2000 & XP so shouldn't have any problem with 7. Money will ultimately be an issue (as I'm going to start paying back the money I lent off people for the HK trip) so a Windows Laptop it is then.

Question is, which manufacture HP, Acer, Toshiba, Sony or Dell?

[Wykey]

I've only just got hold of a second hand powerbook, so can't really help much with the mac "experience" - it looks lovely and shiny, and people who know about these things say if you're doing music editing / manipulation then a mac is the best tool.

I'd say if you're going to be doing similar stuff that you've been doing for a while, a significant change might not be the best idea.

I also think Windows 7 is excellent, I know more techy types will probably pick holes in it, but I don't really 'tweak' any of the settings or customise it, so I don't see any problems.

I've got a four and a half year old HP Pavilion for work - which has been used for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week 45 weeks a year and hasn't ever missed a beat.

I've had it's replacement sat on the desk next to me for a year in the expectation that it'd go belly up, but it's kept going.

It still performs as well as I need, so I'd always recommend one without hesitation. The new ones look very smart too (and they have a full size keyboard, which is a massive plus for me).