Advice on Mac laptop buying wanted. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

intecel · 10-25-2007, 07:59 AM

I am debating buying a mac laptop, mainly to get used to the operating system since I keep finding myself having to do some kind of support (or passing it up) for macs.

It is also going to be used for the purpose of seeing if I need a Windows based Laptop anymore. I have always been a Windows user, or Linux on my servers, but I'm ready for a change. After installing Vista and using that for 3 weeks, I went back to XP and now am determined to never use windows again at home if at all possible.

I don't need a top of the line Mac, mainly because I don't want to spend $1000 for a 13" top of the line model.

I don't think I'd mind a PowerPC version at all as long as it would run the newest OS.

Since I will be completely new to Apple again, I don't know much about what I'm looking for. What recommendations do yall have as for the minimum hardware I should look for, or models I should look for, prices, etc.

I would prefer a 15" or bigger screen model since I will probably be doing programming from it (inside a VM) every once in a blue moon.

ratbastid · 10-25-2007, 04:38 PM

I'm very VERY happy with my 15" MacBook Pro. I retired a Windows laptop and a Linux desktop, and now use it exclusively, dual-screening with a 24" widescreen LCD.

JustJess · 10-25-2007, 04:53 PM

What Rat said - I have the 15" and it's beeeyoooootiful. You can get the student/teacher version of Office for about $120. I didn't go crazy, but I did get a fair amount of memory etc so that I could make it last a while. I'm not the type to buy laptops regularly. See this thread! We talked about it a bit before it degraded into "mac vs. pc" stuff.

Willravel · 10-25-2007, 05:04 PM

You can find refurbished Mac laptops that are only 1 generation old at a reasonable discount, and considering how long they last you'll still be in good shape. Imagine buying a 2004 BMW instead of a 2007 Kia.

Get the first generation Intel MacBook Pro 15". I found one for my mom that was around $1k. It had a good processor and more than enough ram. Don't get less than a 1.5 GHz processor and 1 GB ram. I'd never get less than 2 GB ram personally, but being a Mac guy I obviously love throwing money at my computer.

intecel · 10-25-2007, 08:52 PM

I appreciate the comments (and link to the other thread Jess). I think I am going to troll on ebay for a few weeks and try to catch a good deal on one of those MacBooks. I don't mind spending up to about $1000 since I know I could re-bay it if I fall in love with Mac and decide I want to upgrade to a newer model (or if I hate it).

I'm a bit depressed that I just sunk $600 into my PC for upgrades a few weeks ago...

sadistikdreams · 10-25-2007, 10:54 PM

If there's an Apple Store around where you live, stop on in. The Specialists there are trained to help you find the complete solution.

intecel · 10-27-2007, 07:35 AM

The nearest Apple store is about an hour away. I've been watching ebay for the past couple days, and finally settled on a 13" Macbook, brand new for $900 w/ Leopard OS. I'm going to use this until I know for sure I want a beefier one.

ubertuber · 10-27-2007, 12:22 PM

intecel - if that laptop is brand-new as in unopened, there is something fishy about the deal. Be wary.

intecel · 10-27-2007, 05:04 PM

I should have said 'damn near new' instead of 'brand new'... He says it was purchased a week ago, and is including the receipt. It has only been turned on for a couple hours total.

He is getting his Leopard disk in the mail monday/tuesday and will ship that to me when it comes in.

I figure it's a decent deal. If I had gone thru apple, it would have cost me $1070 with my school discount.

10-25-2007, 07:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
intecel Psycho	Advice on Mac laptop buying wanted. I am debating buying a mac laptop, mainly to get used to the operating system since I keep finding myself having to do some kind of support (or passing it up) for macs. It is also going to be used for the purpose of seeing if I need a Windows based Laptop anymore. I have always been a Windows user, or Linux on my servers, but I'm ready for a change. After installing Vista and using that for 3 weeks, I went back to XP and now am determined to never use windows again at home if at all possible. I don't need a top of the line Mac, mainly because I don't want to spend $1000 for a 13" top of the line model. I don't think I'd mind a PowerPC version at all as long as it would run the newest OS. Since I will be completely new to Apple again, I don't know much about what I'm looking for. What recommendations do yall have as for the minimum hardware I should look for, or models I should look for, prices, etc. I would prefer a 15" or bigger screen model since I will probably be doing programming from it (inside a VM) every once in a blue moon.

10-25-2007, 04:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	What Rat said - I have the 15" and it's beeeyoooootiful. You can get the student/teacher version of Office for about $120. I didn't go crazy, but I did get a fair amount of memory etc so that I could make it last a while. I'm not the type to buy laptops regularly. See this thread! We talked about it a bit before it degraded into "mac vs. pc" stuff. __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

10-27-2007, 12:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	intecel - if that laptop is brand-new as in unopened, there is something fishy about the deal. Be wary. __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

10-25-2007, 04:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	I'm very VERY happy with my 15" MacBook Pro. I retired a Windows laptop and a Linux desktop, and now use it exclusively, dual-screening with a 24" widescreen LCD.

10-25-2007, 05:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	You can find refurbished Mac laptops that are only 1 generation old at a reasonable discount, and considering how long they last you'll still be in good shape. Imagine buying a 2004 BMW instead of a 2007 Kia. Get the first generation Intel MacBook Pro 15". I found one for my mom that was around $1k. It had a good processor and more than enough ram. Don't get less than a 1.5 GHz processor and 1 GB ram. I'd never get less than 2 GB ram personally, but being a Mac guy I obviously love throwing money at my computer.

10-25-2007, 08:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
intecel Psycho	I appreciate the comments (and link to the other thread Jess). I think I am going to troll on ebay for a few weeks and try to catch a good deal on one of those MacBooks. I don't mind spending up to about $1000 since I know I could re-bay it if I fall in love with Mac and decide I want to upgrade to a newer model (or if I hate it). I'm a bit depressed that I just sunk $600 into my PC for upgrades a few weeks ago...

10-25-2007, 10:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
sadistikdreams lonely rolling star Location: Seattle.	If there's an Apple Store around where you live, stop on in. The Specialists there are trained to help you find the complete solution.

10-27-2007, 07:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
intecel Psycho	The nearest Apple store is about an hour away. I've been watching ebay for the past couple days, and finally settled on a 13" Macbook, brand new for $900 w/ Leopard OS. I'm going to use this until I know for sure I want a beefier one.

10-27-2007, 05:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
intecel Psycho	I should have said 'damn near new' instead of 'brand new'... He says it was purchased a week ago, and is including the receipt. It has only been turned on for a couple hours total. He is getting his Leopard disk in the mail monday/tuesday and will ship that to me when it comes in. I figure it's a decent deal. If I had gone thru apple, it would have cost me $1070 with my school discount.