Opinions on computers....

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Hi all...getting a new computer in a week or two....this one has been on it's last legs for ages now, and just really tired of it! We can get discounts on Dell and Apple through my school..does anyone have a strong opinion on either one? Thanks! Michelle

[rebeccajo 14]

I love my old Dell. I've had it about 8 or so years. The hard drive was bad on it - went out in about 6 months and they replaced. The modem was a piece of ####### too but the y also replaced that. Both replacements were done without hassle - but remember that was eight years ago. Don't know what their customer service is like now.

We've done a lot of upgrades on it, so there is actually very little of the original machine still on board. In fact, I chose a Dell specifically for that reason - back then the only integrated part on their machines were the sound cards. These days, my understanding is nowadays Dell's are mostly integrated. Not much flexibility with any machine like that.

My opinion - I would not so much look for a brand as I would the separate, non-integrated features that you want.

Or build your own.

Edited April 3, 2006 by rebeccajo

[MichelleandCraig 1]

The one we have now is a build your own thing. My nieces hubby is a computer tech for an insurance company(pretty large firm)so he gets all kinds of parts...surprised me for my bday(and my Sis got me a printer!) in, I think it was, 2000. So..this is pretty old..served its purpose, but I want something I can do my schoolwork on and NO CHANCE with this..only 4GB on the hard drive for one thing..been low on memory for a couple years now! The only reason I'm looking at Dell/Apple is for the discount, but after looking at the website it only amounts to about 20 bucks on the models we're looking at, so not really worth bothering with if I find something better anyway. Any suggestions welcome! M.

[Fuzzness 2]

Considering that most of the development is for the PC, I would not go with the apple.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I was thinking that when I went on the website too...never even hear of Apple anymore! well..hardly anyway. M.

[babybunny 2]

Dell!

[onwa 6]

Apple's are awesome if you'rei nto anything with media (photos, video, music, etc.) We just bought our first apple and will be our power computer for my husband's video production studio. I'm a PC person, but this MAC ROCKS!

[keltic 1]

i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my mac...

i have had both pcs and macs... and i LOVE my mac... easy to use and seldom have problems

the apple store has lots of options... and one thing to remember when making a big purchase is always... you get what you pay for

i would HIGHLY recommend a mac... safer from viruses... not nearly so many compatibility probs as it used to be... and they work forever

good luck on your hunt

I was thinking that when I went on the website too...never even hear of Apple anymore! well..hardly anyway. M.

um, you know that iTunes and iPod are apple?

Edited April 3, 2006 by keltic

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Without trying to get into any advocacy discussion, Apple is alive and well. I've been using their hardware forever, and I've always been very happy with it. I've been particularly surprised in recent years at the ways they are expanding their customer base; it used to be that I never saw anyone using an Apple, but now lots of people seem to do so (and I'm talking about the US here).

That said, I would make my decision based on your actual needs. For most common computer tasks, software is available for both platforms, and there are only a few areas in which one platform is better than the other (Desktop and Web development as well as certain types of mathematical calculations on the Apple, certain engineering applications and hard-core gaming on the PC).

Apple just recently switched to the Intel Platform, so the hardware will be very similar on both sides (not all machines are currently Intel, so look out if that's important for you). In terms of operating system, the MacOS is currently more up-to-date than WindowsXP, which by now is 5 years old. The MacOS-upgrade cycles are shorter (every 18 months or so instead of 5+ years), and so far not many computer viruses have made it to the Apple-side (but that could change, even though the vulnerabilities of the OS are very different from the Windows problems).

If you're unsure about all this, see if your school allows you to test both machines, either in their store or in campus labs.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

sorry..of course...computers is what I was implying, but I wasn't even thinking about the famous ipod,etc etc.

[Fuzzness 2]

dont want to get into a debate here or anything (im sure someone will take offense) but can you do your taxes on an ipod? can you do online banking on an ipod? can you surf the web on an ipod? if you only want to play music, then ipod is for you.

[gwenneh 7]

I <3 my Mac. My husband wants another one (he was downgraded back to PC after the cat spilled a glass of water into his 17" powerbook) and I can;t be parted from mine.

[keltic 1]

sorry..of course...computers is what I was implying, but I wasn't even thinking about the famous ipod,etc etc.

also, just look at how many big companies (at least one of the big 4 accounting firms - so there goes the notion that apples cant number crunch)... and how many schools use apples to teach kids how to use a computer...

i have an iBookG4 and it travels easily anywhere, has plenty of storage and processor speed, burns cds/dvds, can go wireless with the internet/printing/etc... the convenience is incredible... and i have to say, that when it comes to needing help in understanding how to use a computer or if you have a problem, apple has a 'genius bar' in each store... and you can literally have someone just talk you thru and help you with your puter... and it doesnt cost anything!

oh.. and then there is iLife... iPhoto, iCal, etc... so many things to make your life easier...

my father has built his entire company on macs...

but Fisch is right, you should look at what your needs are... just keep an open mind... i dont know anyone who has actually used an apple that didnt love it

try and find an apple store near you and go in and just play with them... they have them set up and you can play around and see if it fits you

dont want to get into a debate here or anything (im sure someone will take offense) but can you do your taxes on an ipod? can you do online banking on an ipod? can you surf the web on an ipod? if you only want to play music, then ipod is for you.

iPod does do more than just music, but still... the point is that it is an apple product... just that simple

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Craig has his laptop for gaming,etc which he likes but I'm not into at all, so that's not important. I'm in an Accounting program, so I want to get a computer with Excel, Access, Powerpoint..and Office for sure...basically that software suite. Email and downloading pics is all I'll use it for other than this, and like I said, the other needs are already resolved with the laptop. I also want to get Quickbooks since I'll be getting into all in the Spring term. How much memory do those of you who are really familiar with computers think I'll need for that kind of thing? Most of the ones I'm looking at are 80GB I think..and I only have FOUR(*yes, four!) now, so I think I'll have plenty of space, but I'm admittedly pretty clueless when it comes to these things. I've only ever used this one to surf, email, chat, a few pics, and things like that up until now. I'd really like to not HAVE to be at the computer lab to get my homework done! Due to conflicts in my schedule, I may have to take one online class in Spring and one in Summer as well, and it would be really nice to do them from here! They both look alright, but I'm just looking for the best deal for the money that will suit my (not too large of) needs. Thanks everyone! M.

[Mirorgate 0]

Get an old Dell laptop... take XP off, drop in linux. Open Office can import/export all the office apps you see. Can burn DVD's, CD's etc plus actually makes beter use of the processor for mathematical processes and number crunching... and actually uses DLL's dynamically... Also, uses less than the now 4gig XP OS.. eesh!

other than that... mmmm, sure! Apples are great too.. gave M$Windows the gui and the mouse