Need advice from Apple Computer users - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #16 09-08-2010, 07:49 PM

I suppose some people like to use them, but using a system locked down like Apple is not a good thing either. I'd rather use Ubuntu (which I do about half the time anyways). Steve jobs likes to have waaay too much control over how people use their computer/iphone/apple services.

#17 09-08-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

I am seriously considering a jump to an Apple computer, probably a laptop of some kind.

I'd like to try a used one first, before sinking serious money, but really have not followed the Apple models, series, etc.

My intent is to use it for web-browsing, word processing, e-mail and occasional downloading.

Any models to get or avoid? Price range to look at? Features I must have? I assume the laptops come with batteries and AC adaptor, right?

I just bought a new 13-inch macbook for my daughter (the white plastic one), it is fairly cheap and more than capable of doing what you need. The new ones are around $1000, you can probably find a good used one for around $500.

I currently have about 4 macs in service, I refuse to deal with windows boxes. If I didn't want to pay for macs, I would probably run linux (but I'm not that interested in spending my time playing geek-boy).

suginami · #18 09-08-2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I currently have about 4 macs in service, I refuse to deal with windows boxes. If I didn't want to pay for macs, I would probably run linux (but I'm not that interested in spending my time playing geek-boy).

I'm with Craig.

I still use Windows machines for work because that is what they provide me with, but at home we have three Macs, and we love them.

gastropodus · #19 09-09-2010, 03:13 AM

Just be aware that you apparently can't run the Mercedes electronic parts catalog on a Mac... at least that was the consensus that I've seen on a forum thread. You CAN view the factory service manuals, however, the pages are just PDF's.

Typed on a 2005 PowerPC Mac... still a good machine.

Kurt

LandYaghtLover · #20 09-09-2010, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I suppose some people like to use them, but using a system locked down like Apple is not a good thing either. I'd rather use Ubuntu (which I do about half the time anyways). Steve jobs likes to have waaay too much control over how people use their computer/iphone/apple services.

Not sure what you mean since OS X is open source and there is PLENTY one can do to it. Much more control than can be found on windows. Remember, OS X is based on Unix foundations.

And if push comes to shove, just boot into Windows! I do that so I can play my PC version of SimCity 4

LandYaghtLover · #21 09-09-2010, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastropodus

Just be aware that you apparently can't run the Mercedes electronic parts catalog on a Mac... at least that was the consensus that I've seen on a forum thread. You CAN view the factory service manuals, however, the pages are just PDF's.

Type on a 2005 PowerPC Mac... still a good machine.

Kurt

I found the same, but I have not tried using a different browser yet.

pawoSD · #22 09-09-2010, 08:13 AM

One truth is that most Mac people seem to have no sense of PC performance. Even a bottom of the shelf modern desktop PC has more power than the G4 Macs, and a modern nice PC has much more power than a G5.

Running Windows 7 on a machine with 6-8GB of RAM, a fast Hard drive and 4/6/8 core CPU, and you are flying! Modern Macs are mostly Core2Duo, while fast, they are just average. My current PC would beat any PowerBook, and it only cost about $400 to put together, not $2000

francotirador · #23 09-09-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

If you consider yourself a person incapable of using technology, by all means obtain a MAC.

IMHO why would you waste money on an old used MAC when for the same $$ or less you could get a brand new nice Windows7 netbook or even a whole laptop WITH warranty. Plus, you'd have an operating system that is useful rather than annoying and designed for simpletons.

I agree. They're just overpriced and oftentimes when people pay more for something they just assume they're getting the best. You can buy a PC with Windows 7 that will scream for less than what you would pay for an entry level Apple computer. I personally will not give that company another dollar of my money. We had purchased an iMac for $3,500 about 4 years ago. That thing didn't last two years. It would have been more expensive to fix it than what we could have purchased a new one for. Never again.

Oh, and don't get me started about having to send a device back to them in order to change a battery.

Pavka007 · #24 09-09-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

If you consider yourself a person incapable of using technology, by all means obtain a MAC.

IMHO why would you waste money on an old used MAC when for the same $$ or less you could get a brand new nice Windows7 netbook or even a whole laptop WITH warranty. Plus, you'd have an operating system that is useful rather than annoying and designed for simpletons.

One truth is that most Mac people seem to have no sense of PC performance. Even a bottom of the shelf modern desktop PC has more power than the G4 Macs, and a modern nice PC has much more power than a G5.

Running Windows 7 on a machine with 6-8GB of RAM, a fast Hard drive and 4/6/8 core CPU, and you are flying! Modern Macs are mostly Core2Duo, while fast, they are just average. My current PC would beat any PowerBook, and it only cost about $400 to put together, not $2000

After almost 30 years using Windows based servers, PC, Laptops I've switched to MAC and never looked back. For you to make a comment like that is very single sided. You can pick up 27 inches all in one iMac for around a $1000.00 on eBay and it is better in anyway than any PC.
This is not an argument just almost 30 years of experience. I've started with Windows 1.0, few years later moved to the new Windows 2.0 with improved processing speed of the Intel 286 processor

So please don't argue...
Not to mention that for the last 3 years since I've moved to Mac I never have to deal with any virus or crash or new security patch every other day etc.
Now I am running "old" and very reliable iBook4 as my every place any time laptop with updated hard drive and few more gigs in the ram but other than that stock with Airport card, Bluetooth, 2 USB 2.0 ports etc. I've paid $250.00 for it with 160GB HD and 2 GIG Ram.

At home is iMac- 27", quad core 3.06GHz, 8GB ram, 1TB hard drive and tons of other stuff, got it from ex-corporate sale with the latest OS Snow Leopard with ALL the discs, remote control etc for $1095.00
There is not a Window's based PC at the same size and the same capabilities for the same money, period.
Now the iMac is connected via firewire to my satellite/cable box and I can record and watch everything I want as well. So for the money I've paid I have: HD TV, Outstanding music system, Desk Computer, Hard drive recorder for TV shows...all in one.
The software available for Mac is far better and stable than any Windows based one.
Just my $0.02

LandYaghtLover · #25 09-09-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

One truth is that most Mac people seem to have no sense of PC performance. Even a bottom of the shelf modern desktop PC has more power than the G4 Macs, and a modern nice PC has much more power than a G5.

Running Windows 7 on a machine with 6-8GB of RAM, a fast Hard drive and 4/6/8 core CPU, and you are flying! Modern Macs are mostly Core2Duo, while fast, they are just average. My current PC would beat any PowerBook, and it only cost about $400 to put together, not $2000

Well the G4 is ANCIENT. And the current Mac use Core i3 and i5... so not sure why you say they are Core2 Duo. Heck, even the towers use Xeon “Westmere” processors.

As for price, been show time and time again that macs might cost a little more. But not by much. And they are MUCH better build. Comparing specs along is like comparing a Geo Metro to a Mercedes. The build quality is drastically different.

LandYaghtLover · #26 09-09-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francotirador

I agree. They're just overpriced and oftentimes when people pay more for something they just assume they're getting the best. You can buy a PC with Windows 7 that will scream for less than what you would pay for an entry level Apple computer. I personally will not give that company another dollar of my money. We had purchased an iMac for $3,500 about 4 years ago. That thing didn't last two years. It would have been more expensive to fix it than what we could have purchased a new one for. Never again.

Oh, and don't get me started about having to send a device back to them in order to change a battery.

No iMac sold for $3,500... ever.

MTI · #27 09-09-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francotirador

I agree. They're just overpriced and oftentimes when people pay more for something they just assume they're getting the best. You can buy a PC with Windows 7 that will scream for less than what you would pay for an entry level Apple computer. I personally will not give that company another dollar of my money. We had purchased an iMac for $3,500 about 4 years ago. That thing didn't last two years. It would have been more expensive to fix it than what we could have purchased a new one for. Never again.

Oh, and don't get me started about having to send a device back to them in order to change a battery.

Another ironic post from a Mercedes enthusiasts forum.

Dee8go · #28 09-09-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I suppose some people like to use them, but using a system locked down like Apple is not a good thing either. I'd rather use Ubuntu (which I do about half the time anyways). Steve jobs likes to have waaay too much control over how people use their computer/iphone/apple services.

This may sound ridiculous to some of you, but I LIKE having less control over how things get done on a computer. I have a computer to get things done, not to fiddle around with it, finding nifty short cuts, ways to customize it, etc. I never saw the need to be able to do the same thing twenty different ways. To me that just creates needless confusion.

The fastest, most powerful computer for most of us is the one we can learn to use and get our work done on the quickest, not the one that hits the fastest benchmarks and has the best specs.

The Clk Man · #29 09-09-2010, 11:19 AM

Macs RULE, I have been using the same mac at my shop for the last 9 years.

strelnik · #30 09-09-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

If you consider yourself a person incapable of using technology, by all means obtain a MAC.

IMHO why would you waste money on an old used MAC when for the same $$ or less you could get a brand new nice Windows7 netbook or even a whole laptop WITH warranty. Plus, you'd have an operating system that is useful rather than annoying and designed for simpletons.

I keep hearing that Mac products don't have the requirement for constant updates and the forced choices which Windows creates. A lot of time, when I download software, I accept all the add-ons which they try to slip in with the desired software, then I just remove it later

I have to constantly update and renew Windows products and I get hit by so many ads. I just want to use the PC to do work.