Mac Clones? Finally an alternative to the pricey Apple Computer

[Brickhouse]

Hey Rod sorry about the threadjack, hehe.

I've turned this into, what does Wyatt need in a laptop.

 

[fllbrent]

I think between what already comes loaded on the Mac & a free download from Openoffice.org LINK you should be able to do everything listed below without having to buy extra stuff.

Basically my laptop computer usage consists of:

- Wireless Internet usage (cigar pass, hehe) this is the main use for my laptop. I have Dell XPS desktop I use for most applications (word, excel, power point)

- Photo editing/albuming and what not

- Music storage/burning (I have an ipod currently)

To be honest that's about it for my laptop, it's just for me to use on those items. I do my work on my desktop. Of course my laptop is also my travel computer that is used at hotels for internet and what not.

 

[BlindedByScience]

Windows sucks! I don't want to debate you Tom. I am simply talking from personal experience. Yes, Mac's are a little pricey but in my case, I think we will save money in the long run.

Brian

We can agree to disagree, Brian. It's all good.....

I've got a dual Xeon workstation class machine on my desk at work, an IBM Thinkpad on my desk at home to VPN into work, my home Windows system also in my desk, my wife's windows system on her desk, and a guest system upstairs our kids use when they are here. With the exception of the Thinkpad, I built them all. They all run Windows XP professional. They have never crashed but I'll say I'm a very careful person and I understand PC hardware very well. I know how to test hardware to ensure it's working properly. Software, I guess pretty good most of the time... We run active virus scanning behind our router, and routine maintenance runs automatically on all the machines (OS updates, defragging, virus scanning) at regular intervals. We do not download every freebie "spamware" program on the internet we can find. I'm pretty careful but the payoff has been solid, completely reliable platforms we use for work and entertainment, most every day.

You can argue that the average person wouldn't do the things I've done, wouldn't know to take the care we take, and it would be a valid argument.

Long and short of it is that a computer is a tool. The games I play run on this toolset, not on any others, Linux included. I'm knowledgeable with these tools, have great success and have no reason to change.

One guy's opinion - B.B.S.

 

[verhoevc]

This Mac clone business will be shut-down in no time. There have been several over the years and Apple ALWAYS files against them and shuts them down. In the license agreement for Mac OSs it says you agree to not install it on any machine besides an Apple made one. Therefore, any company making machines and putting Mac OSs on them is in legal breach and Apple has recourse that it is more than happy to take. I would not expect this to be long lived.
Chris

 

[Ginseng]

Basically my laptop computer usage consists of:

- Wireless Internet usage (surfing for porn)
- Photo editing/albuming (enhancing and cataloging porn)
- Music storage/burning (vintage 1970's porn soundtracks)

To be honest that's about it for my laptop, it's just for me to use on those items.

In that case, you'd be just fine with either a MacBook or a PC laptop.

Wilkey

 

[Brickhouse]

Basically my laptop computer usage consists of:

- Wireless Internet usage (surfing for porn)
- Photo editing/albuming (enhancing and cataloging porn)
- Music storage/burning (vintage 1970's porn soundtracks)

To be honest that's about it for my laptop, it's just for me to use on those items.

In that case, you'd be just fine with either a MacBook or a PC laptop.

Wilkey

ROTFLMFAO!

That was great Wilkey. I see you can spot a fake no matter the topic, lmao.

 

[moki]

Anyone who recommends Linux based on what Brickhouse stated he needed a laptop for is simply clueless.

Yeah, everyone knows you can't run the Internets on Linux!!! :sign:


Although, seriously, wireless would be his only troublepoint. Firefox for browsing, Gimp for photo editing, SyncPOD or something similar for the iPod, etc.. Just depends how much you want everything to "just work". Wireless isn't impossible, either.

---John Holmes...

Not so. Linux has poor laptop support in terms of drivers, battery management, sleep, etc.

Linux has incredibly weak products for storing/managing photos (he's not editing them, he wants something more like iPhoto).

Linux has incredibly weak iPod support; half the reason to get an iPod is the "total package" integration that iTunes offers you.. which goes out the window with primitive tools like SyncPod.

I could go on... the bottom line is, recommending Linux based on what he's stated he wants to use a laptop for is delusional fantasy.

 

[Infinity]

With the exception of the Thinkpad, I built them all. They all run Windows XP professional. They have never crashed but I'll say I'm a very careful person and I understand PC hardware very well. I know how to test hardware to ensure it's working properly. Software, I guess pretty good most of the time... We run active virus scanning behind our router, and routine maintenance runs automatically on all the machines (OS updates, defragging, virus scanning) at regular intervals. We do not download every freebie "spamware" program on the internet we can find. I'm pretty careful but the payoff has been solid, completely reliable platforms we use for work and entertainment, most every day.

You are not normal Tom :laugh:

Seriously, 99.9999999% of people who use Windows OS haven't got a clue. Among other things, most folk do not or never have defragged (is that a word?) It plugs and plays or in time, it doesn't.

Given the option between Mac Os and windows OS, IMO, based on thousands of $$$$ I have spent on windows OS, Mac is less complicated and will, in the long run, perform better. This
mainly due to plug and play, that's what average folk do.

Brian

 

[Rod]

I think OS X is a great operating system. I just don't like being locked into their hardware. People like variety - imagine if we all drove the same exact car. Just won't happen.

Luckily I have friends who work at Apple, so every so often I'll get the opportunity to pick up a really nice system for 25% below MSRP. Two years ago I bought the top of the line iMac 24". Sold it within 3 weeks. Decided to try again a few months ago, bought the 24" iMac, sold it within 3 weeks again. The iMac sits way too high, and it kills my neck. I need the ability to adjust the monitor height, something you just can't do on an iMac unfortunately.

One thing that really disappoints me about Apple is that they really do gouge. If you purchase a new iMac, you can pay Apple something like $800 for an additional 3 GB's RAM! I can go out and get 4 GB (2 simms) from an online retailer for $120, and it's the same RAM that Apple uses! That is a huge turnoff to me, the fact that Apple locks you in with their hardware, and a lot people aren't even aware that they can upgrade the Apple RAM on their own rather than paying Apple to do it. So if anyone is looking to purchase an Apple, don't let Apple upgrade the RAM, do it yourself and save over $600.

I just purchased a new XPS 420, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HD, nVidia 8800 GT, fully loaded w/ Vista for $1200. Grant it Dell was running a promo on this system, but it's very affordable and very powerful. Been a Dell customer for 8 years and very happy with their hardware. Would love to toss in a second hard drive with OS X, but Apple won't allow it. I would gladly pay full price for OS X if Apple would license it out like Windows.

I won't say PC's are better than Mac's. They both have their place, and Macs are definitely better for some users, just like Windows is better for others. For me, the perfect setup would be to run OS X on a Dell XPS.

 

[BigMacFU]

But Rod, as I typed before, you can.

 

[KeithS]

I wonder if this means that the price of Mac/Apple will go down? I am about to invest in a 24" iMac in next month and get rid of my 4 year Dell Dimension 2400. I love my Dell, but it has become way to slow, even with a 1gb of RAM. THe only things that are keeping me from comitting 100% ti the Mac is the cost, and the fact that most of the games I play are not compatible. But, the software that comes with Leapard and some of the other productivity apps really seam far better than any Windows apps.

Also, I hear that there is a way to make the Mac run in a windows enviroment so I may be able to use my "PC" software.

Tim

"WinRot" is a well known and easy to fix issue. It's also easy to prevent if one knows and understands what goes on with the OS. Consider adding a Gb of ram, reformatting your hard drive and re-installing your OS. You may re-think the upgrade altogether.

If you're sold on a Mac, I won't try to talk you out of it. Just keep in mind that you're comparing 4-year old hardware and OS with new stuff. A new Windows platform would be pretty snappy, as well.

Food for thought - B.B.S.

If your talking about Vista no way, it sucks. Four year old hardware will probably run better on a fresh load of XP than a new system running Vista. Vista is horrible, Microsoft should be ashamed.

Definitely reload the os. Watch your background process and kill any services you are not using. If you can keep your computer running around 35 processes or less you should be fine with 1Gb of ram, unless of course you are gaming. Might help you get a little more time from your rig.

 

[KeithS]

Windows sucks! I don't want to debate you Tom. I am simply talking from personal experience. Yes, Mac's are a little pricey but in my case, I think we will save money in the long run.

Brian

We can agree to disagree, Brian. It's all good.....

I've got a dual Xeon workstation class machine on my desk at work, an IBM Thinkpad on my desk at home to VPN into work, my home Windows system also in my desk, my wife's windows system on her desk, and a guest system upstairs our kids use when they are here. With the exception of the Thinkpad, I built them all. They all run Windows XP professional. They have never crashed but I'll say I'm a very careful person and I understand PC hardware very well. I know how to test hardware to ensure it's working properly. Software, I guess pretty good most of the time... We run active virus scanning behind our router, and routine maintenance runs automatically on all the machines (OS updates, defragging, virus scanning) at regular intervals. We do not download every freebie "spamware" program on the internet we can find. I'm pretty careful but the payoff has been solid, completely reliable platforms we use for work and entertainment, most every day.

You can argue that the average person wouldn't do the things I've done, wouldn't know to take the care we take, and it would be a valid argument.

Long and short of it is that a computer is a tool. The games I play run on this toolset, not on any others, Linux included. I'm knowledgeable with these tools, have great success and have no reason to change.

One guy's opinion - B.B.S.

X2 I could not agree more. The only problem with XP IMHO is what people download and install for "free". There is no "free" software on the internet. You are paying one way or another (spyware mostly).

Oh, but Vista still sucks! Sign the Save Windows XP petition on InfoWorld Linky

 

[NiteSeer]

I used a Mac before I retired from my teaching job. I used a PC at home and a Mac at work. I thought the Mac was worthless. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[moki]

Luckily I have friends who work at Apple, so every so often I'll get the opportunity to pick up a really nice system for 25% below MSRP. Two years ago I bought the top of the line iMac 24". Sold it within 3 weeks. Decided to try again a few months ago, bought the 24" iMac, sold it within 3 weeks again. The iMac sits way too high, and it kills my neck. I need the ability to adjust the monitor height, something you just can't do on an iMac unfortunately.

Why not just tilt it? Anyway, it seems really odd to repeatedly buy a computer and then turn around and sell it.

One thing that really disappoints me about Apple is that they really do gouge. If you purchase a new iMac, you can pay Apple something like $800 for an additional 3 GB's RAM! I can go out and get 4 GB (2 simms) from an online retailer for $120, and it's the same RAM that Apple uses! That is a huge turnoff to me, the fact that Apple locks you in with their hardware, and a lot people aren't even aware that they can upgrade the Apple RAM on their own rather than paying Apple to do it. So if anyone is looking to purchase an Apple, don't let Apple upgrade the RAM, do it yourself and save over $600.

This is an odd complaint, as Dell, and many other manufacturers do the same thing. I find Dell hardware to largely be crap, but when we do buy it, we don't buy RAM from Dell. We buy it from third party sources like Crucial.com and save a bundle.

I just purchased a new XPS 420, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HD, nVidia 8800 GT, fully loaded w/ Vista for $1200. Grant it Dell was running a promo on this system, but it's very affordable and very powerful. Been a Dell customer for 8 years and very happy with their hardware. Would love to toss in a second hard drive with OS X, but Apple won't allow it. I would gladly pay full price for OS X if Apple would license it out like Windows.

Not going to happen. Apple is about the total experience; they are not going to let you install OS X on any random junker box (and it's also thus easier for them to make the OS work properly as well).

 

[grateful1]

Conversely, we just got a Mac in-house. We are a Dell/Windows shop and for all OS-X's touting of AD integration....it was broken!
Heck - we even run XP on the thing with some shell software.

Anyhow, the Mac notebook has pretty much the SAME hardware(in some cases not as good)....as a mid/high Dell notebook. Intel/Nvidia...etc.

The applications we are using (Mkt. Dept.) are all Adobe based products.
Benchmark's have shown the PC to be equal or better than a Mac of equal standards.....go figure!

I could care (not much) as to which way this whole thing goes....my view - it will all come together in look, feel and use.
Mac's are nice and stable in some area's - PC's in others.

As far as Linux goes....it's the AMC of the computer world.