Basically (and I do mean the most basic level possible), the Mac has a more efficient system, is much less prone to viruses, and are produced exclusively by Mac, so there's no chance of inferior parts screwing it up. Macs also are designed for use with most of of today's most popular iLectronics. The ASUS charges a lower price and has better features to compete with this brand recognition. Personally, I'd go with the lower price, but if you're getting the computer for college I'd check to see what the school recommends.
Basically (and I do mean the most basic level possible), the Mac has a more efficient system, is much less prone to viruses, and are produced exclusively by Mac, so there's no chance of inferior parts screwing it up. Macs also are designed for use with most of of today's most popular iLectronics. The ASUS charges a lower price and has better features to compete with this brand recognition. Personally, I'd go with the lower price, but if you're getting the computer for college I'd check to see what the school recommends.
If your getting it for college the biggest consideration is what you're using it for.
If you want it for gaming -- get a PC. By far the most supported.
If you want it for coursework, and you're an Engineering/science student -- get a PC. By far the most supported for programs like MatLab, and other simulation suites. Especially the "student" versions that often come with your texts. Every Engineer I konw who got a mac in undergrad wished they had a PC. If you are going in for art/teaching go for the Mac. For soem reason most art and teaching programs are much more mac freindly. No idea why, but thats what it is. For other degrees? Not really sure -- but you'll mostly be using it as a glorified typewriter and internet box.
If you're not going for gaming/graphics, you could get a MUCH cheaper computer (~$500 at most) which should be enough for all your needs.
Agreed.
When I built my most recent computer (few months back) I spent $800 (not including monitor) -- and I was buying a good enough graphics card for a mid-range gaming rig. Graphics card = waste of money if you aren't playing games (or, I suppose, running a CAD program).
i vote MAC 100%... get a student discount and wait for the back to school promotion tomorrow and get a free iPod Touch.... if you get a 13" macbook air you can get it for like 1300$ which comes with a free iPod touch that you can sell
i vote MAC 100%... get a student discount and wait for the back to school promotion tomorrow and get a free iPod Touch.... if you get a 13" macbook air you can get it for like 1300$ which comes with a free iPod touch that you can sell
macbook air will start up extreme crysis 2, then crash immediatly lol, i knwo that much. at it costs just as much as the ASUS
someone above said "superior parts". they actually exact same parts (as far as manufacturer goes), made by the exact same companies actually, mainly FOXCONN.
its most certainly for gaming, or id get a cheap 200 dollar book
viruses arent really a consideration, not only are macs not that hard to crack (its more that the OS is new), i have good security already.
macbook does seem to get more battery life and is a LOT lighter though, but 6.4 pounds didnt seem tooo bad in my backpack (well, a 6 pound weight and a 1 pound weight)
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i vote MAC 100%... get a student discount and wait for the back to school promotion tomorrow and get a free iPod Touch.... if you get a 13" macbook air you can get it for like 1300$ which comes with a free iPod touch that you can sell
On Macrumors.com right now there is a rumor that the BTS promotion this year will be for a $100 iTunes gift card. That would be really sad and unfortunate.
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The explosion that... destroyed our city, razed our home, and turned our fields into wasteland was nothing compared to what was now happening to those who survived.
You're looking for something that can play games? Go with the one that has a graphics card, then. The macbook you're looking at only has integrated graphics. That's not a good thing for games.
The 13" has integrated graphics, but the 15" and 17" come standard with actual graphics cards that are reasonable. But again, buy a desktop computer if you want to play Crysis.
You shouldn't be looking for a notebook if you want to play games. Desktops are much more cost efficient if games are important to you.
The 13" has integrated graphics, but the 15" and 17" come standard with actual graphics cards that are reasonable. But again, buy a desktop computer if you want to play Crysis.
bringing it around, cant carry my desktop tower around lol
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I'm a mac guy usually, but I like both platforms well enough. For gaming you definitely want a PC. A laptop should be OK depending on what you go with (personally I've run into a decent amount of issues with ASUS stuff), and I do know that for awhile that a lot of the i7 Intel chips were overheating in laptops, probably a combination of bad ventilation / power management.
But regardless, if this is for gaming then go for the PC, hands down.
I'm a mac guy usually, but I like both platforms well enough. For gaming you definitely want a PC. A laptop should be OK depending on what you go with (personally I've run into a decent amount of issues with ASUS stuff), and I do know that for awhile that a lot of the i7 Intel chips were overheating in laptops, probably a combination of bad ventilation / power management.
But regardless, if this is for gaming then go for the PC, hands down.
I use a cooling mat under my laptop and it's amazing how it just dissipates the heat. It seems like the dumbest thing in the world, but for like $20 spent on the mat, the thing never even gets hot anymore.
Ok. First things first. The idea that macs are less prone to viruses is A MYTH. Ya know why? They all have the same firewall! So, if im a hacker, i can just see OH ITS A MAC. (Insert hack program here) and presto, you have a hacked computer! Another thing, is that macs are overpriced. You could get an equally efficient PC as a mac, with there usually being a 200+ difference in price.
Sidenote: IPADS ARE OVERPRICED. 500 dollar ipad, basic 8gb features.
Benefits: CAN YOU FIT IT INTO A MANILLA ENVELOPE? SHOOT YEA! (Angry Birds too, thats it)
HP Pavilion Dv6-3210us Entertainment - Phenom II 500$
Benefits: Dvds, CDs. Computer games. Full games, with actual complete controls. I think laptops have ipads beat.
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Why care about the past, when the present can smack you in the face?:halo:
I've posted in hundreds of these kind of debates, I'll I'm gonna say is, if you want to waste your money for the "ezbake oven" version of computing get an apple. If you want freedom with your purchase get a pc. Apple is a joke as is its general customer base.
I've posted in hundreds of these kind of debates, I'll I'm gonna say is, if you want to waste your money for the "ezbake oven" version of computing get an apple. If you want freedom with your purchase get a pc. Apple is a joke as is its general customer base.
If you've ever done music, video, or picture editing on a mac you would know that that isn't exactly true. Macs have very good software for those areas, and are much easier to use then the PC equivalent.
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Even if the author is silenced, the performance is stopped, the story will not end.
Whether it's a comedy or a tragedy, if there is cheering, the story will continue on.
Just like the many lives.
For the us who are still in it and still in the journey, send warm blessings.
- We will continue to walk down this path until eternity.
Superior parts (the same parts)
Superior OS (Still a windows-esk lay out)
Superior Software (Compared to what, a spell and say's software?)
Apple has cornered the market in being able to sell a fascists product. "If you don't have an I phone, well, you don't have an Iphone."
I love it, they are getting there asses handed to them in every conceivable way, and the best thing they can come up with is, well if you don't have us, you just aren't cool. Yeah great company. Apple is going to crash in burn over the next 15 years. Just watch. The masses are slowly becoming more and more comfortable dealing with technology, and so the need for this "sleek, sexy, user friendly" way of computing is going to be obsolete.
If apple didn't charge 60% more for their products maybe I'd have a little respect for them. I have an ASUS laptop that is for the cost I had to pay for it would have gotten me and INFERIOR apple product, but hey that would be alright because it would run all the time and look great?
Oh wait my laptop runs fine all the time, and it looks bad ass.
Apple customers can continue thinking they got a good deal. I'll keep my affordable PC gadgets and have the freedom to do what I want with them.
Google has taken apple by the hair and well, I can't finish that sentence with out infraction.
Superior parts (the same parts)
Superior OS (Still a windows-esk lay out)
Superior Software (Compared to what, a spell and say's software?)
Apple has cornered the market in being able to sell a fascists product. "If you don't have an I phone, well, you don't have an Iphone."
I love it, they are getting there asses handed to them in every conceivable way, and the best thing they can come up with is, well if you don't have us, you just aren't cool. Yeah great company. Apple is going to crash in burn over the next 15 years. Just watch. The masses are slowly becoming more and more comfortable dealing with technology, and so the need for this "sleek, sexy, user friendly" way of computing is going to be obsolete.
If apple didn't charge 60% more for their products maybe I'd have a little respect for them. I have an ASUS laptop that is for the cost I had to pay for it would have gotten me and INFERIOR apple product, but hey that would be alright because it would run all the time and look great?
Oh wait my laptop runs fine all the time, and it looks bad ass.
Apple customers can continue thinking they got a good deal. I'll keep my affordable PC gadgets and have the freedom to do what I want with them.
Google has taken apple by the hair and well, I can't finish that sentence with out infraction.
Did it ever occur to you that people are willing to pay a premium for a user-friendly platform? That's the reason I go after Apple stuff.
It used to be that the software was superior (nothing beats FCP, it's just the truth), but now that I'm not into video editing anymore for me it's just about not wanting to have to constantly work on my computer in order to enjoy using it.
Apple is easy and dumbed down, sure, but that's exactly why I like it. I work in a tech shop at a university, so I can build a machine, customize, tweak, manage security and everything else with the best of them, but when I go home at night those are the LAST things I want to do.
In fact I recently made the decision to just buy an iPad2 instead of a new laptop. There's nothing to manage, and it's easy and fun to use. And it's lightweight. For most technophiles these are absolutely non-features, but for me, and for a lot of people they're incredibly important.
So I guess say what you will about PC superiority, the lower cost, better power, because that's not what matters to me. Ease of use matters to me, and that's something that Apple products do have, and PCs, especially custom ones, do not.
I say get the Asus. It's cheaper, stronger, and if you're not an idiot, viruses aren't that big of a problem. You get an extra 500 dollars for booze and such.
To be honest, I wanted a Mac for a laptop just for Apple's Logic and Aperture but my dad got me an Acer. A week later, I wasn't complaining. I'm still able to edit photos, make music, and actually PLAY GAMES.
A couple of my friends got Macbook Pros for college ... then two years later built PCs
were they WoW addicts? lol
btw, the new futurama tonight had the best line ever... this rock guy was like whats better... chocolate or villa, macs or pc, and men or women... and bender was like chocoate, macs, men...sooo right lol it was AWESOME
Laptops and desktops aren't necessarily good comparisons. Nowadays appearance and $$$ are the big reasons to go for and against Macs, respectively, as well as ease of upgrading which goes to non Apple machines.
I've used win7 for a bit, as well as futzed about on macs. Not really sure ease of use is a huge deal between the two now. The iPad also isn't really comparable to a laptop.
<Sigh> the whole thing pretty much originates from Apples PR and marketing teams who launched a pretentious campaign that got a large group of people to utterly loathe them in an effort to prove how hip they were and justify the higher cost of the products.
Basically, if you want to run games on high settings, don't get a laptop or a mac because you'll pay out the arse for one. If you want to get a more powerful machine for less cash that's a laptop, get one of the windows operating machines that doesn't have an integrated video card. Buy your machine from NewEgg - they have the best prices for parts and whole computers.
If money isn't an object or the word budget has no meaning, yes, you can buy an Apple product that's just as good as a high end non Apple product, but it will cost you $500+ more. As you start moving into top of the line gaming machines, especially desktops, that number skews upwards by thousands of dollars. What you're paying for is their OS, warranty, and tech support, and if you want a high end machine, the money difference just ceases to be worth it. Apple has *very* high margins in an already lucrative industry, this isn't some kind of elite hardware or software they're selling.
$1799 macbook pro 15 inch basic everything
2.0GHz quad-core
Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz
500GB 5400-rpm1
Intel HD Graphics 3000
AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5
$1299 ASUS 53
Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.0GHz
8GB DDR3
640GB HDD
Blu-ray Player
NVIDIA GTX 460M
15.6" Full HD
like i said, i dont actually know that much, but it seems like the asus has more power for 500 dollars less? unsure
UWUW ControlUW
UGWSpiritsUGW
GHardened ScalesG
WGRUKiki PodWGRU [RIP]
If your getting it for college the biggest consideration is what you're using it for.
If you want it for gaming -- get a PC. By far the most supported.
If you want it for coursework, and you're an Engineering/science student -- get a PC. By far the most supported for programs like MatLab, and other simulation suites. Especially the "student" versions that often come with your texts. Every Engineer I konw who got a mac in undergrad wished they had a PC. If you are going in for art/teaching go for the Mac. For soem reason most art and teaching programs are much more mac freindly. No idea why, but thats what it is. For other degrees? Not really sure -- but you'll mostly be using it as a glorified typewriter and internet box.
Tired of corporate corruption ruining your favorite MtG site?
Come join ours!!
We even have Mafia!!
Agreed.
When I built my most recent computer (few months back) I spent $800 (not including monitor) -- and I was buying a good enough graphics card for a mid-range gaming rig. Graphics card = waste of money if you aren't playing games (or, I suppose, running a CAD program).
macbook air will start up extreme crysis 2, then crash immediatly lol, i knwo that much. at it costs just as much as the ASUS
someone above said "superior parts". they actually exact same parts (as far as manufacturer goes), made by the exact same companies actually, mainly FOXCONN.
its most certainly for gaming, or id get a cheap 200 dollar book
viruses arent really a consideration, not only are macs not that hard to crack (its more that the OS is new), i have good security already.
macbook does seem to get more battery life and is a LOT lighter though, but 6.4 pounds didnt seem tooo bad in my backpack (well, a 6 pound weight and a 1 pound weight)
UWUW ControlUW
UGWSpiritsUGW
GHardened ScalesG
WGRUKiki PodWGRU [RIP]
On Macrumors.com right now there is a rumor that the BTS promotion this year will be for a $100 iTunes gift card. That would be really sad and unfortunate.
The explosion that... destroyed our city, razed our home, and turned our fields into wasteland was nothing compared to what was now happening to those who survived.
The 13" has integrated graphics, but the 15" and 17" come standard with actual graphics cards that are reasonable. But again, buy a desktop computer if you want to play Crysis.
EDH:
UBGThe MimeoplasmUBG
bringing it around, cant carry my desktop tower around lol
UWUW ControlUW
UGWSpiritsUGW
GHardened ScalesG
WGRUKiki PodWGRU [RIP]
Every single feature on the asus destroys the ones on the mac, and its 500 dollars cheaper. Shouldn't be much of a question in my opinion
But regardless, if this is for gaming then go for the PC, hands down.
I use a cooling mat under my laptop and it's amazing how it just dissipates the heat. It seems like the dumbest thing in the world, but for like $20 spent on the mat, the thing never even gets hot anymore.
*DCI Rules Advisor*
Sidenote: IPADS ARE OVERPRICED. 500 dollar ipad, basic 8gb features.
Benefits: CAN YOU FIT IT INTO A MANILLA ENVELOPE? SHOOT YEA! (Angry Birds too, thats it)
HP Pavilion Dv6-3210us Entertainment - Phenom II 500$
Benefits: Dvds, CDs. Computer games. Full games, with actual complete controls. I think laptops have ipads beat.
If you've ever done music, video, or picture editing on a mac you would know that that isn't exactly true. Macs have very good software for those areas, and are much easier to use then the PC equivalent.
Whether it's a comedy or a tragedy, if there is cheering, the story will continue on.
Just like the many lives.
For the us who are still in it and still in the journey, send warm blessings.
- We will continue to walk down this path until eternity.
I've heard it all.
Superior parts (the same parts)
Superior OS (Still a windows-esk lay out)
Superior Software (Compared to what, a spell and say's software?)
Apple has cornered the market in being able to sell a fascists product. "If you don't have an I phone, well, you don't have an Iphone."
I love it, they are getting there asses handed to them in every conceivable way, and the best thing they can come up with is, well if you don't have us, you just aren't cool. Yeah great company. Apple is going to crash in burn over the next 15 years. Just watch. The masses are slowly becoming more and more comfortable dealing with technology, and so the need for this "sleek, sexy, user friendly" way of computing is going to be obsolete.
If apple didn't charge 60% more for their products maybe I'd have a little respect for them. I have an ASUS laptop that is for the cost I had to pay for it would have gotten me and INFERIOR apple product, but hey that would be alright because it would run all the time and look great?
Oh wait my laptop runs fine all the time, and it looks bad ass.
Apple customers can continue thinking they got a good deal. I'll keep my affordable PC gadgets and have the freedom to do what I want with them.
Google has taken apple by the hair and well, I can't finish that sentence with out infraction.
Did it ever occur to you that people are willing to pay a premium for a user-friendly platform? That's the reason I go after Apple stuff.
It used to be that the software was superior (nothing beats FCP, it's just the truth), but now that I'm not into video editing anymore for me it's just about not wanting to have to constantly work on my computer in order to enjoy using it.
Apple is easy and dumbed down, sure, but that's exactly why I like it. I work in a tech shop at a university, so I can build a machine, customize, tweak, manage security and everything else with the best of them, but when I go home at night those are the LAST things I want to do.
In fact I recently made the decision to just buy an iPad2 instead of a new laptop. There's nothing to manage, and it's easy and fun to use. And it's lightweight. For most technophiles these are absolutely non-features, but for me, and for a lot of people they're incredibly important.
So I guess say what you will about PC superiority, the lower cost, better power, because that's not what matters to me. Ease of use matters to me, and that's something that Apple products do have, and PCs, especially custom ones, do not.
To be honest, I wanted a Mac for a laptop just for Apple's Logic and Aperture but my dad got me an Acer. A week later, I wasn't complaining. I'm still able to edit photos, make music, and actually PLAY GAMES.
were they WoW addicts? lol
btw, the new futurama tonight had the best line ever... this rock guy was like whats better... chocolate or villa, macs or pc, and men or women... and bender was like chocoate, macs, men...sooo right lol it was AWESOME
I've used win7 for a bit, as well as futzed about on macs. Not really sure ease of use is a huge deal between the two now. The iPad also isn't really comparable to a laptop.
<Sigh> the whole thing pretty much originates from Apples PR and marketing teams who launched a pretentious campaign that got a large group of people to utterly loathe them in an effort to prove how hip they were and justify the higher cost of the products.
Basically, if you want to run games on high settings, don't get a laptop or a mac because you'll pay out the arse for one. If you want to get a more powerful machine for less cash that's a laptop, get one of the windows operating machines that doesn't have an integrated video card. Buy your machine from NewEgg - they have the best prices for parts and whole computers.
If money isn't an object or the word budget has no meaning, yes, you can buy an Apple product that's just as good as a high end non Apple product, but it will cost you $500+ more. As you start moving into top of the line gaming machines, especially desktops, that number skews upwards by thousands of dollars. What you're paying for is their OS, warranty, and tech support, and if you want a high end machine, the money difference just ceases to be worth it. Apple has *very* high margins in an already lucrative industry, this isn't some kind of elite hardware or software they're selling.