Don't hit the Windows guy! [Archive]

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ericjosepi

01-31-2007, 04:27 AM

jordanddunn

01-31-2007, 06:43 AM

Nope, video isn't supported. It is in Yahoo though, I talk with friends with the video on that instead lol.

magunwarrior

01-31-2007, 02:09 PM

It surprisingly only takes a few days to get used to OS X. For me at least, it took that short of time for me to fall in love with the OS, you will not regret your purchase.

tokenuser

01-31-2007, 02:24 PM

meh ... don't worry about it, you'll be loading Vista on it and running that anyway :)

ericjosepi

01-31-2007, 03:47 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys. I really appreciate it.

ArmpitOfDeath

02-02-2007, 11:05 AM

I have a question for all the Mac guys out there. It looks like I may be getting some contract work (probably $2000 for 50 hours total work :D) and I'm looking at getting a MacBook Pro. I just want to know, what's the biggest hurdle to get through when switching from Windows? I know that it takes time to get into a new OS but I know that there are some major steps to go through when going from 15 years of Windows use to anything that isn't Microsoft made.

Also: MSN Messenger for Mac Question. Does it support video calls like Messenger for Windows does? Most of my friends from my pre-University days are on Windows Live Messenger and we do video sometimes and I would like to continue the tradition.

Cheers,
Eric

In terms of transition of using the OS, you'll have no major issues. it's all pretty easy to pick up.

I have one problem with the Macbook Pro. (I have the 17" Core Duo and the more recent 15" Core 2 Duo)

The hardware.

The Core Duo was an absolute nightmare. My Macbook Pro actually warped, presumably due to the thinness of the chassis and the heat it generated. I don't think the heat problem has been solved with the later Core 2 Duos as when I was working in ambient temps of 28C the Core 2 Duo got just as hazardously hot as the Core Duo. I honestly think it was just the timing of the release of the Core 2 Duos (Winter as opposed to end of Spring) that made people say it had less heat problems. The wireless range stinks in comparison to Sony, Dell and HP. Also both Macs shock me on a regular basis when on AC power - and that's not all. It's not without it's good points but really when you take all the problems into account it's no better on aggregate than an HP nc/nx notebook - unless looks mean everything for you.

Actually no, two problems.

The OS.

Intel Mac OS X is extremely demanding on memory and if you want to multi-task in a way you're used to under Windows, you're going to need the bare minimum of 2Gb of RAM. Think of Intel OS X as requiring twice the amount of RAM of Windows XP or Vista to do the same sort of thing as effectively. It's also less reliable. I've had significantly more 'Power Switch of Death' than Windows last and this year - and that's even with significantly curtailed usage of Mac (because I've moved back to XP / Vista). You have to weigh up the pros and cons of the 'it just works' functionality with 'will it keep on working?' lack of reliability. I like many of the little things in OS X but it's the big things that really fail the grade for me. I've little doubt that as far as system solidity is concerned, at this time I'd have better luck with a G5 or Powerbook - but those machines really show up how much Apple were in the slow lane and getting by purely on Apple BS.

Actually no, three problems.

The Support.

This is location dependent but when you spend as much as you do for the Macbook Pro, the other vendors have the option (or it's included) for onsite support. No such option with the MBP and the Applecare is very expensive for the level of support it provides. When the PSU on my Latitude failed, I was overnighted a PSU. When it failed on the MBP, I had to give the operator my credit card details 'as a precaution' and it took 3 days for the PSU to get to me. As for the turnaround of the warped MBP, it took over a week and they didn't fix the heat problems.

I guess it depends on what you've had before. If you're moving up from significantly crappier hardware, it might be a nice surprise. But then so might a Sony or a top of the line HP / Asus / Lenovo ;) If you want to dabble with OS X, there is also the OSX86 movement. I already have OS X running on a couple of PC notebooks and they're definitely getting there. The other rumoured possibility is that Parallels may allow virtualisation of OSX on PC hardware.

ericjosepi

02-03-2007, 04:57 AM

I guess it depends on what you've had before. If you're moving up from significantly crappier hardware, it might be a nice surprise. But then so might a Sony or a top of the line HP / Asus / Lenovo ;) If you want to dabble with OS X, there is also the OSX86 movement. I already have OS X running on a couple of PC notebooks and they're definitely getting there. The other rumoured possibility is that Parallels may allow virtualisation of OSX on PC hardware.

Dude... OS X on my shitty Prescott based laptop... that sounds hot. Actually I just recently reformatted and put Linux onto my external hard drive (token, I'm back in the Ubuntu camp because my friggin sound card actually works now). So if/when I get a MacBook Pro with the Core 2 Duo (and hopefully Leopard is out by the time that I finish up and have the cash in hand) I will be running 3 OSs. I love the Beryl XGL shit on Ubuntu. It looks sexier than anything Microsoft will do 10 years from now.

Thanks for the tips man. I really appreciate the insight.

Cheers,
Eric

P.S. If you haven't checked out any of the Videos out there of Beryl or any screens: look them up . It is HOT!

P.P.S I just called a Window Manager hot. This is how sad and lonely I am...

jordanddunn

02-11-2007, 03:17 AM

I haven't had any problems with my macbook pro and I am running the core 2 duo as well. I am a graphic designer and run the entire adobe suite including photoshop, illustrator,freehand,dreamweaver,flashmx, along with my browser 3 instant messaging clients, my webcam, garage band, and many many other programs all at once and can transfer from one to the other without one slow down or hickup. I don't really understand either how he says that there was a problem with the heat. I don't feel a thing and most of the time it's sitting on my lap or on a cheap plastic table. Support for mac is 10 times better than pc as well. So all in all dude I think you just got screwed and got a messed up one cause I have no problem whatsoever.

ariastar

02-11-2007, 05:44 AM

meh ... don't worry about it, you'll be loading Vista on it and running that anyway :)

Token, smack yourself for me. :)

magunwarrior

02-11-2007, 07:16 AM

Token, smack yourself for me. :)

Me too!!!! GRRR

ArmpitOfDeath

02-11-2007, 11:34 PM

Support for mac is 10 times better than pc as well.

Let's take a simple example.

The standard warranty on a Dell Latitude is 3 years on-site next business day.
Dell's Latitude Business support is an additional $249 for 3-year next business day onsite support with accidental damage cover, with direct access to second-tier support if necessary.

The standard warranty on a Macbook Pro is 1 year pick-up / god knows when it'll be fixed (usually a week it seems).
Applecare is $349 for 3-year pick-up / god knows when it'll be fixed support with no accidental damage cover, with direct access to the polite, work-by-the-screen call center operative of your choice.

10 times better? Really?

hoodedrobin

02-12-2007, 02:14 AM

I have a friend who works at the apple store in novi mich...

He got a mbp and loved it... except for the heat, but being that hes employed there he just removed the heat sink and put on arctic silver thermal compound and reduced the heat about... oh 6-8 C, and still kept his warranty...

viscountradu

02-13-2007, 06:06 AM

i have a Macbook and installed XP in Parallels so i can use Office 2007 and play Carcassonne. works wonderfully. Vista in Parallels is a lot slower in Parallels, so unless you need some Vista feature stay with XP (or Boot Camp Vista)