PC or MAC

[FarmerPug]

I need to get a new laptop for work, but i have approaced the bad junction where im asking myself PC or MAC. I have had an old dell laptop for the past 5 years and its been faultless but now i want something that works fast, the dell just lies down when i open up solid works (CAD software) on it. But the hp is £800 and for £999 the MAC is a grand or £1400 for one with the spec of the HP. But what ones better, ive watched the reviews and read plenty i hear about no viruses, and somehow more speed but i dont believe this is a Windows has an i5 processor and the Mac an old just a dual core how can it be quicker

[teamster1975]

I guess it depends what you need to run on it.
What software will you need on it? Connection to office VPN? Does your firm use exchange server for email?
I've never been a Mac fan myself but that's just personal preference

[FarmerPug]

I had an ipod and hated the thing, you seem to be only able to transfer all your music or nothing, and you cant take it to someone elses computer and view your songs there, but a macbook pro isnt an ipod

[Bailes1992]

I use Mac's quite abit in college for graphics work. I personally think there a waste of time, a good spec Windows PC will be just as fast and just as good in my opinion. Also the MS Office package for MAC is dire. There customer service is also dire and the Mac's crash more than the PC's in College and there mainly used by IT Geeks like me

[FarmerPug]

Yup customer services for apple i believe that is a myth, my ipod broke and i could not get hold of them, at all, but then the macbook apparently gets customer services.

[steve_earwig]

Macs are probably faster because you can't get as much software for them

[Bailes1992]

Macs are probably faster because you can't get as much software for them

I think the 'Macs are faster' thing is a load of bollocks. My PC is defragmented once a week, I keep everything organised etc etc and I doubt any Mac that cost the same as my PC, with as much stuff on it could be any faster.

[FarmerPug]

so then a pc bought at mac money with more than double the spec should be better, heres what im after:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/hp-pavili ... 3-pdt.html
theres a more expensive one there at £999 but i think a more portable laptop with good battery is more important, how would it compare to the basic macbook because on paper it doesnt the hp is the superior machine its even got a sort of aluminum thing going on

[FarmerPug]

the macs design is starting to get at me and ive been doing some research a mac the similar spec as the hp is about £1500 in the uk but on ebay usa even with the delevery added its only about £1100, thats superb value but whats the catch

[omega]

the macs design is starting to get at me and ive been doing some research a mac the similar spec as the hp is about £1500 in the uk but on ebay usa even with the delevery added its only about £1100, thats superb value but whats the catch

dont the usa run on a diffrent voltage to our 240?

[highlander]

At best, you'd need a new cable for your power adapter, at worst, you'd need a whole new power adapter. Compared to the cost difference between the UK and US prices, there's still no contest; the laptop is cheaper from the US.

Although you have to note that the keyboard won't have the £ or the Euro symbol on it - just the $. You can buy UK keyboards for Mac laptops but would you be able to fit it without invalidating your warranty?

The real issue is, if you need tech support, would you still be able to get that support from Apple (or the US reseller) in the UK?

[gumby6371]

I think I've made my feelings on all things Apple clear on this forum before, wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole. Add 30% mark up for a stupid picture of some fruit on the case.

My personal opinion would be go for a well specced windows machine, if it's mainly for work related stuff Dells are rock solid, multi media based usage I'd go for something like an Asus N52JV-EX342V which also comes with a HDMI out which can be quite useful.

Any windows based system of an equal price to a MAC will kick it's ass on speed and reliability, plus software availabilty will be much better. (Don't forget MAC's wont run flash video as well).

In short save a large chunk of change by going down the windows route and keep your machine clean with good security software (NOT NORTON !!!!!)

[steve_earwig]

Just a thought, the last time I imported bike spares from the US to the UK they suddenly started charging me c&e duty, they never used to, I gather the rules have changed again but I don't know how this applies to computers.

[FarmerPug]

Well i ordered the mac, the seller will provide the uk spec stuff i dont know how, he says the warrantys valid worldwide, apples keyboards look the same (it can be reprogrammed anyhow $ to £ sign), and the charger will be the correct one. Anything will be better than this old dell, and no more antivirus to buy

[rwb]

I love Macs but I have to use Windows at work.

Plan Z: you can run Windows on your Mac anyway, because Macs use Intel chips now.

But if you really want stuff to not work then there's always Linux

Changing the keyboard map is easy.
From memory:
Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Internationalization