Best mac

What is the best mac to buy?

[tokenuser]

Wah?? Buy? A computer ... ?? are you sick or something????

Seriously, it depends on your needs.

For me a previous gen Macbook (2.4GHz Core 2 Duo, upgraded to 4GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Firewire, etc) was perfect, but the current model isn't as good for me (more expensive, no Firewire).

The iMac is a slick machine at a comparable price point to PC desktops - espeically factoring in the monitor.

MBP are great. MBA is kinda "meh" ... great technology demonstration, but not worth the expense.

Servers are mystery. The world runs Linux on servers, and you'd do better with a "PC" based system.

What are you looking for? If checking out the Apple store (online) look at the refurbs - good deals there. Also, if this is for a student, the academic pricing is about the only discount Apple EVER give.

I think for you, something salvaged from a dumpster or a yard sale

Originally Posted by tokenuser

Wah?? Buy? A computer ... ?? are you sick or something????

Seriously, it depends on your needs.

For me a previous gen Macbook (2.4GHz Core 2 Duo, upgraded to 4GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Firewire, etc) was perfect, but the current model isn't as good for me (more expensive, no Firewire).

For me, the unibody 2.4 was the closest thing to a machine I could use if I needed to run OS X, wanted a replaceable battery and didn't want to carry 2.5Kgs all-up, all the time. I think it's also the only form factor in which the unibody construction makes any kind of real structural sense. And it has less fundamental kinks than the previous plastic Crudbook. Shame/bizarre about the firewire, but I need a Crapple with firewire I can turn to other machines.

If you HAD to buy a Mac now and it could be any machine, I'd say the 2.4 Crudbook is an acceptable intro to all things Apple - although you can pick up vastly superior Windows machines for only a little more. If you don't like it, it'll be easy and popular to resell too.

The iMac is a slick machine at a comparable price point to PC desktops - espeically factoring in the monitor.

Oh purleeeze.

iMac 3Ghz, 4Gb, 750Gb, underclocked mobile 8800, iWork, iLife, Applecare, wired mouse/keyb, N wireless = $2667.
Dell Studio XPS, i7 920, 6Gb, 750Gb, 2408WFP, ATI 4850, Microsoft Office, Sony Imagination Studio, 3-year onsite, Bluetooth mouse/keyb, N wireless, 2.1 speakers = $2448.

It's a nice lifestyle machine if you have no interest in technology, or your particular need is more style than substance. Which is why I have one in the kitchen.

MBP are great. MBA is kinda "meh" ... great technology demonstration, but not worth the expense.

The current Crudbook Pro's are the most naked expression of Apple's style over substance obsession. The newer MBA's are less crud than the first gen (which was borderline unusable, at least for me), but are still way too compromised. As for the newest 17-inch, I'll reserve judgment until the first of them thuds onto my doorstep and I've had it for a while.

Servers are mystery

No mystery to me. XServes are OK, but poorly supported (in my neck of the woods). OS X Server is exactly as it seems to be. Fisher-Price Windows Server.

Oh yeah, there's also the Pro. Quietest dual-Xeon machines around, also the most prone to instability through overheating (duh) if you actually use them for doing *&%$ beyond whatever BS media types do. The expansion capability is a bit of a joke since e.g. GPU's are usually tied to a specific generation of machines and you don't get a choice in the matter - but if you want more than the relatively pathetic capabilities of the iMac, it's the only game in town unless you're going with a potentially (more) unstable Hackintosh.

[xcorvis]

Originally Posted by computoman

What is the best mac to buy?

You must be trolling. You must know by now how these guys will react to a question like that.

Oh I dunno, perhaps he's looking to refresh his computer collection with something more recent.

Maybe a G3 BarbieBook?

My brother who works for a small town newspaper where macs are king for doing the publication asked me about a potential system. He has a g4, but wants something better.

[phatlip]

Originally Posted by computoman

My brother who works for a small town newspaper where macs are king for doing the publication asked me about a potential system. He has a g4, but wants something better.

Is he looking for a portable machine or a desktop?

If he's looking for a desktop I would suggest an iMac. There is a 20 inch model and 3 24 inch models. The specs on the machines increase as you go up the ladder (and so does the price of course). The 20 inch should be fine but he may want the 24 inch for the larger screen size. DO NOT purchase RAM through Apple. It's ridiculously overpriced ($150 to go from 2 to 4 gigs). It's super easy to upgrade yourself and you'll save money.

If he's looking for a laptop a regular old Macbook may suite him well. I would consider the white and the lower end of the aluminum models. However, he may want a Macbook Pro for the larger screen size. I bare minimum low end Macbook should be fine. Both of these machines are super easy to upgrade so don't spend money customizing the machine. You can access the hard drive super easy and it's easy upgrading the RAM in it too.

Apple offers education discounts which he is eligible for if he's taking any college courses. Apple also has TONS of government and corporate discounts too. Another thing to consider is "Back to school" time which is just around the corner. Historically speaking, Apple has had a promotion where students got a free iPod (after rebate) after purchasing a computer.

One thing I would seriously consider is the Apple Care protection plan. It can be expensive on the laptops (cheap on the desktops) though I think it's worth it. I love Apple, but I admit I had my share of problems with Apple hardware. My Apple Care literally saved me over $1,000 worth of repairs on my Macbook. Well worth it. Apple is a lot like BMW. They're expensive GREAT cars. But when they break they're expensive to fix.

Hope this helps.

[phatlip]

I bet ArmpitOfDeath has a HUGE Apple tattoo on his chest. A huge one.


lmao

"Apple is a lot like BMW."

Great analogy. Driven by egotistic cocks who think they know how to drive but don't, people who know nothing about cars but simply recognise the brand, poorly aspirational juniors in business who laughably think it puts them above others, people in media who can't afford a Porsche, and soccer moms with zero grip on driving ability

I'm pretty surprised given the extremely limited number of products that anyone computer-literate has to ask for advice on which Mac to buy, but if by G4 you mean a G4 tower, then the obvious replacement is a Pro. However if a 24" monitor won't be a limiting factor than an iMac may do just fine for regular use.

[masherscf]

Originally Posted by ArmpitOfDeath

"Apple is a lot like BMW."

Great analogy. Driven by egotistic cocks who think they know how to drive but don't...

Oh, snap. Given the number of Mac users on the forum, that little jab is really provocative. I guess I would delete it if it wasn't so damned funny.


That reminds me, How do you tell the difference between a Saab and a porcupine?