Thursday, May 27, 2010
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15 comments:
Is it that time already? I can remember you talking about all the neat features you were getting on THIS laptop.
I'm not telling you anything you don't know by saying that Macbooks aren't really inexpensive (a little less so with an education discount), but they are functional and uncomplicated (i.e., no technical issues). Also, Apple's total stock value (?) recently superseded Microsoft's, so maybe it would be a good investment...
Yes, but three years, one b0rked and replaced LCD and one dying battery later, it is time for replacement (and this time, with a FIVE YEAR WARRANTY). Macbook is $900 (not included FIVE YEAR WARRANTY) with school discount, which is still cheaper than Lenovo and other, higher-quality laptops. There is also a Dell in the sub-$1000 range, but I'm leaning away from it.
As for investments, the better investment would be to buy Apple stock, not Apple computers.
I'm happy switched over to a MacBook, although it did take me a while to convert all my files. The difficulty is owning a Mac without becoming an insufferable Mac person. After a while, one fails.
MacBook, with Apple Care. The warranty has already paid for itself; repairs are generally quick and painless.
Since when did the Macbook have a five year warranty? Buying Applecare gives you only three. I believe Applecare is also significantly more expensive than warranties from PC makers, even with the education discount.
Disclosure: I made very frequent use of Applecare in the 3 years when my Macbook was still under warranty. Also, the battery had near-zero capacity after 2 years, so I've been using it as a desktop (with external monitor) since. Applecare does not cover this decrease in battery capacity, and new batteries are really expensive. Some problems with the charger are also not covered, and new chargers are also (surprise, surprise) really expensive. That said, I believe the current Macbook model has different hardware, so maybe you won't need to rely on Applecare so much.
Withywindle: Technology is merely instrumental. Unless it can teleport me to the past, I am unlikely to become a brand advocate.
Becky and Ponder Stibbons: Yes, I was exaggerating about the length of warranty. But I only got one year on my current laptop and this was a BAD IDEA. I've heard Macbook maintenance is better. Even three years would be an improvement. I have also heard about bad battery life, but I'm not sure what the alternatives are. My Dell battery lived for three years, and I thought this was ok, since a new battery is about $300, which could be worth it if I hadn't already paid a ton for previous repairs. What is out there that is better?
And, hey, Ponder Stibbons is no longer anonymous!
Oh, no, MSI, technology is not merely instrumental. We make it, but it makes us too. Or unmakes us, like that creepy "I am ready" device in the Decalogue.
So choose wisely.
Macbook. I am a convert. This one is 3 years old and actually still works quite well. (Though I'm considering a new one, or an iPad.) The only problem has been (ahem) feline-caused, and the darned sharp-eyed employees at the Apple Store noticed the teethmarks so I couldn't claim a warranty.
Besides, if a Macbook works even in Discworld, it must be pretty good!
Tyler: So you're saying I'm going to become a laptop?
Arethusa: In what way is a Macbook amenable to being eaten by felines? Does it secretly taste like salmon?
I don't think there's a better operating system out there than OS X for your purposes (I'm assuming these don't include programming). So if you don't mind paying for the warranty and quite likely locking yourself into Apple products for some time to come, then go with the Macbook.
When you starve a cat in preparation for travel, a Macbook cord looks mighty tasty.
I bought a Macbook in 2006 and it still runs great. Macs are easy and well worth the money over Dells. I don't know if I'd recommend Applecare--typically the things that make it worthwhile don't go wrong until the three years have already passed. I didn't buy it for mine.
Ponder Stibbons: What do you mean by locked into Apple products? Will a Macbook not charge my non-Apple mp3 player or run my usual software?
Arethusa: I hear electric shock tastes just like salmon.
M: I thought this about my Dell warranty, and it was true, but that only underscores my need for longer warranties.
MSI:
I've become dependent on a lot of software that is specific to OS X. There just seems to be a lot more software designed by independent developers, that runs only on OS X, that I really like, than there is on Windows or Linux. This is, I suppose, a good thing for my productivity, but I find myself getting impatient with other OSes when I have to use them.
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