Treating myself to a Macbook Pro

Peregrine

smurfjed wrote: »

I started off with Windows for Workgroups 3.1, Windows 95, 98, NT4, ME, 2000 and XP (which still runs on desktop on 1 netbook), I gave up when Vista arrived as it was getting too costly. So for me the change to Mac had as much to do with software as aesthetics.

I just noticed that the upgrade to Windows 8 will cost me $40, this is a big difference to the $150-300 that each upgrade used to cost.

smurfjed

Yes, Windows 8 will be made very affordable compared to the previous versions and it will be officially released by the end of the month. Maybe the OP can go for a Windows 8 laptop..

And actually, some people here might even like it.. not much techy stuff, you get an appstore and can run apps like a phone or tablet, start menu is like(is) the metro interface for Windows phones and tablet, extremely quick to boot, task manager doesn't look scary etc.

doctorg

Those praising the Mac OS, you do know that you can install it on a windows machine also?
Therefore comparing the OS is stupid as can you can install it vica-versa .

As per the actual machine itself, its as simple as buying a diamond worth €1500 and €500. The former has better cut, clarity and color but lacks the carat. The later may be nice, big and juicy but lacks the appearance.

Although you may go for a visually appealing machine but you must remember that its performance won't be as good and at the end of the day that's what counts. No point having a Bugatti if you can't get to your destination on time(ie. burned tyres). But if you polish the €500 diamond's appearance, and buy it for €1500 then your Bugatti will make the destination on time.

mathepac

doctorg wrote: »

Those praising the Mac OS, you do know that you can install it on a windows machine also?
Therefore comparing the OS is stupid as can you can install it vica-versa ...

I believe what is stupid and illegal is attempting to install the Mac OS on non-Apple equipment as that might be classified as IP theft or software piracy and result in legal action.

dahamsta

mathepac wrote: »

doctorg wrote: »

Those praising the Mac OS, you do know that you can install it on a windows machine also?
Therefore comparing the OS is stupid as can you can install it vica-versa ...

I believe what is stupid and illegal is attempting to install the Mac OS on non-Apple equipment as that might be classified as IP theft or software piracy and result in legal action.

ROFLMAO

doctorg

mathepac wrote: »

I believe what is stupid and illegal is attempting to install the Mac OS on non-Apple equipment as that might be classified as IP theft or software piracy and result in legal action.

No... You buy the Mac Os from apple and then install

Torqay

mathepac wrote: »

I believe what is stupid and illegal is attempting to install the Mac OS on non-Apple equipment as that might be classified as IP theft or software piracy and result in legal action.

People do a lot of stupid things... regardless your beliefs.

As a matter of fact, Apple's EULA violates consumer rights in many countries. You can buy non-Apple hardware with Mac OS X preinstalled from PearC in Germany for example, a lot cheaper and their top of the range products outclass anything Apple has to offer. All perfectly legal... and yes, they do ship to the Republic of Ireland.

And it certainly isn't IP theft or software piracy, as you're buying a Mac OS X license.

mathepac

Torqay wrote: »

... As a matter of fact, Apple's EULA violates consumer rights in many countries. ...

Well then I guess it's open to Governments and consumer protection groups to initiate appropriate action to correct that situation.
Just as a matter of interest can you name some of these "many countries" where successful challenges to Apple's (or any other software manufacturer's) EULA have been mounted? If this world-wide abuse of consumers' rights is happening surely someone, the EU maybe, has fought against it.

Torqay wrote: »

... You can buy non-Apple hardware with Mac OS X preinstalled from ...

But as OP wants an Apple laptop with Mac OS X installed, why would you mention a desk-top assembler? Iy is of no interest based on the OP.

I also noticed that those systems are not fully Mac OS X compatible for a number of reasons. e.g. EFI upgrades from Apple cannot be applied.

PogMoThoin

mathepac wrote: »

Well then I guess it's open to Governments and consumer protection groups to initiate appropriate action to correct that situation.
Just as a matter of interest can you name some of these "many countries" where successful challenges to Apple's (or any other software manufacturer's) EULA have been mounted? If this world-wide abuse of consumers' rights is happening surely someone, the EU maybe, has fought against it.
But as OP wants an Apple laptop with Mac OS X installed, why would you mention a desk-top assembler? Iy is of no interest based on the OP.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/12/29/apple_italian_fine/

mathepac

PogMoThoin wrote: »

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/12/29/apple_italian_fine/

and the connection this has with an End User Licence Agreement is ...? Give us a hint - ah go on go on go yeh will, ah go on, sure yeh will

Torqay

mathepac wrote: »

why would you mention a desk-top assembler? Iy is of no interest based on the OP.

Why would you be calling the installation of Mac OS X on a computer "stupid"? And how is your talking horsesh*t about "illegal IP theft and software piracy" when people buy a product with a license of "interest based on the OP"?

Of the top of my head, I remember companies in Italy, Romania and Russia legally selling similar products. And PearC is shipping to a lot of countries in the EU, which I'm sure they wouldn't do if their product was illegal in these countries (or else, Apple would have certainly taken legal action long time ago).

doctorg

Torqay wrote: »

PearC is shipping to a lot of countries in the EU, which I'm sure they wouldn't do if their product was illegal in these countries (or else, Apple would have certainly taken legal action long time ago).

And sue them for a billion dollars :P

mathepac

Torqay wrote: »

Why would you be calling the installation of Mac OS X on a computer "stupid"? And how is your talking horsesh*t about "illegal IP theft and software piracy" when people buy a product with a license of "interest based on the OP"?

Of the top of my head, I remember companies in Italy, Romania and Russia legally selling similar products. And PearC is shipping to a lot of countries in the EU, which I'm sure they wouldn't do if their product was illegal in these countries (or else, Apple would have certainly taken legal action long time ago).

My point being that you are posting stuff about a German company selling desk-tops - why bother posting that rubbish? It has no connection with the thread whatsoever - OP wants an Apple lap-top / notebook, a simple request you seem to have trouble understanding.

mathepac

doctorg wrote: »

And sue them for a billion dollars :P

This helps the OP in what way?

Torqay

mathepac wrote: »

why bother posting that rubbish? It has no connection with the thread whatsoever

And your nonsense about "stupid people" who install Mac OSX on other than Apple computers is so very connected to this this thread? Stuff it.

I only posted this example to debunk your myth of illegality. If people buy a software and license it is anything but "IP theft and software piracy".

Will I Amnt

mathepac wrote: »

This helps the OP in what way?

You dragged the thread in this direction with your bizarre piracy and illegality claims

mathepac

Just to refresh your extremely poor memories, this post is what dragged the entire discussion off topic, your collective contributions simply compounded the problem.

doctorg wrote: »

Those praising the Mac OS, you do know that you can install it on a windows machine also?
Therefore comparing the OS is stupid as can you can install it vica-versa ....

And here is what I wrote in response

mathepac wrote: »

I believe what is stupid and illegal is attempting to install the Mac OS on non-Apple equipment as that might be classified as IP theft or software piracy and result in legal action.

Note the might be part. I wrote might be, do you remember now?

If you read posts accurately and concentrate on improving your memory skills, you might someday be able to make useful contributions. Until then I'll accept your overdue apologies for the posts below:

cambo2008 wrote: »

You dragged the thread in this direction with your bizarre piracy and illegality claims

Torqay wrote: »

...
I only posted this example to debunk your myth of illegality. If people buy a software and license it is anything but "IP theft and software piracy".

Ah yes, they just don't make trolls like they used to.

yer man!

I've had an €800 dell and now have a €979 macbook pro, I prefer the macbook pro,
1. It has a 7 hour battery, and I mean 7 hours!! that with word open and browsing with screen on half brightness and backlit keyboard on. Dell had 2 hours, if you were lucky.

2. Backlit keyboard, very handy in low light situation, it also looks lovely.

3. OS is simper to use, IN MY OPINION!! I just perfer it, again IN MY OPINION, before any apple haters attack me...

4. It's very slim, the macbook air is really slim and light and really fast too.

I just prefer the macbook, I have windows 7 on it too, just for those few college programs that work better on windows.... If I was to buy a windows machine the only one I would seriously consider would be the new acer ultrabook in pcworld, lovely machine, and thats like €1179....

Peregrine

yer man! wrote: »

I've had an €800 dell and now have a €979 macbook pro, I prefer the macbook pro,
1. It has a 7 hour battery, and I mean 7 hours!! that with word open and browsing with screen on half brightness and backlit keyboard on. Dell had 2 hours, if you were lucky.

2. Backlit keyboard, very handy in low light situation, it also looks lovely.

3. OS is simper to use, IN MY OPINION!! I just perfer it, again IN MY OPINION, before any apple haters attack me...

4. It's very slim, the macbook air is really slim and light and really fast too.

I just prefer the macbook, I have windows 7 on it too, just for those few college programs that work better on windows.... If I was to buy a windows machine the only one I would seriously consider would be the new acer ultrabook in pcworld, lovely machine, and thats like €1179....

What?

yer man!

Nimrod 7 wrote: »

What?

Refurb, in dec 2010

Media999

yer man! wrote: »

Refurb, in dec 2010

What MBP is it and how much would it set everyone else back?

Also whats the Dell?

PogMoThoin

yer man! wrote: »

Refurb, in dec 2010

Hold on, you're comparing the price of a refurbished Mac to a new Dell, WTF?

Peregrine

yer man! wrote: »

Nimrod 7 wrote: »

What?

Refurb, in dec 2010

So basically you're saying a good Windows machine worth around €1200 would so the same job for you as a €1400 Macbook

Personally I'd say a €1000 Windows machine would be the same

And I actually hate Macbook's design..soo grey and blank with a half eaten apple on it

yer man!

Media999 wrote: »

What MBP is it and how much would it set everyone else back?

Also whats the Dell?

Intel core 2 duo, 2.4GHz, 250gb HD, 4gb RAM, 13.3"

It's the same as the one currently available but a different processor, USB ports, SD card dock and HD (currently they have higher capacity now)

Dell was an XPS, 13.3" too and same spec as above, crap battery, looked nice though. The Nvidia graphics card burnt out and as it is soldered, would have cost €250 to fix, feck that thing was already old at the time.

Also had an inspiron 1525 (€750 in 2008), worst laptop ever!! in one week the fan broke up, screen hinges went which ultimately ended in the screen cracking in half, the second HD (was replaced by dell) burnt out and so did the rest of the mother board....

PogMoThoin

yer man! wrote: »

Dell was an XPS, 13.3" too and same spec as above, crap battery, looked nice though. The Nvidia graphics card burnt out and as it is soldered, would have cost €250 to fix, feck that thing was already old at the time.

All the Nvidia gpu's of that generation burned out, it was a major flaw in the 8 series gpu's. Apple were affected by it too.

yer man!

Ok people if you like windows laptops GREAT!!! I really couldn't care

If you like apple laptops GREAT!!! I really couldn't care

I prefer the apple laptops personally, that's just me, I had the money at the time, I don't regret buying it, I love it, it's nice to type on and integrates with the iPhone nicely. It has a great battery, backlit keyboard and a simple to use OS and never had a problem with a virus. Most people who have bought macbook pros and airs that I have come in contact with seem to like them also, I haven't heard anything bad about them.

Jesus you mention a Mac and you have about 50 people shouting their opinion of them and telling you you made a mistake, grand if I have, whatever, I'm happy with my purchase.

Alanstrainor

PogMoThoin wrote: »

All the Nvidia gpu's of that generation burned out, it was a major flaw in the 8 series gpu's. Apple were affected by it too.

the ould 9 minutes in the oven trick usually sorted that too...provided you were brave enough to try it:P

PogMoThoin

Alanstrainor wrote: »

the ould 9 minutes in the oven trick usually sorted that too...provided you were brave enough to try it:P

Yep, for a desktop gpu, not for a laptop. It was criminal that Nvidia got away without replacing every single device, their answer was to release a driver that turned up the fan

Alanstrainor

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Yep, for a desktop gpu, not for a laptop. It was criminal that Nvidia got away without replacing every single device, their answer was to release a driver that turned up the fan

After speaking with my mate with the same GPU in his laptop, last week he popped it in the oven. Back to it's former glory now! How long that will last remains to be seen, but it did work! He put the whole motherboard in, with as much things removed as possible.

Ziegfeldgirl27

Well I didn't really want to start a Windows vs. Apple debate.

I only really wanted to know if people thought the 13" spec was good enough or should I put an extra £200 or whatever it is towards it to get the next highest one.

People I've talked to who own Macbooks can't recommend them highly enough to me, and encourage me to get one and promise that I won't go back to anything else! Then some people tell me that it is a huge waste of money and it is overpriced. But for me, you can't put a price on a long lasting piece of equipment and I feel like you pay for good quality.

I went ahead and ordered the 13" so hopefully it will be delivered in the next day or two. Thanks to everyone who gave their advice.

Torqay

Ziegfeldgirl27 wrote: »

But for me, you can't put a price on a long lasting piece of equipment and I feel like you pay for good quality.

1. The MBA isn't exactly a powerhouse and you cannot upgrade it.

2. Compared to more a powerful MacBook Pro the technology will be outdated much sooner. What good is a shiny case filled with components which will struggle to keep up pace with new operating systems and software in 2 years time or so. So much for "long lasting piece of equipment".

I have a very old Toshiba laptop here, 10 years if not older. A Pentium 4 2.4 GHz processor and 512 MB RAM (this was pretty much top of the range at the time, unlike the MBA today). It is in pristine condition, even the battery holds a charge for more than an hour. A very long lasting piece of equipment indeed but it is of no practical use anymore.

Have a look at a 3 yr old MBA, it has a Core 2 Duo processor with 2 GB RAM. A second hand laptop with such low specs is hardly worth more than 100 yoyos today. Any modern web browser will struggle on such a processor when you open more than a few tabs.

If you mean future proof rather than long lasting, you should buy a laptop with an Ivy Bridge quad Core i7 processor. Nothing less will realistically last you for more than 3 yrs. And in in Apple speak, this means a current generation MacBook Pro.

Media999

Nimrod 7 wrote: »

half eaten apple on it

Definitely what im gonna think about every time i see a Mac

Good luck with your MBP OP.

Pretty obvious you where buying it regardless of what was said here.

mathepac

Ziegfeldgirl27 wrote: »

... I went ahead and ordered the 13" so hopefully it will be delivered in the next day or two. Thanks to everyone who gave their advice.

Best of luck with it; welcome aboard.

djfitzerjnr

long question short.

Is it worth buying a MacBook direct from Apple in America and bringing it home to Ireland to use?

Also is there an issue with the different power voltage with the different chargers that can affect it?

yer man!

djfitzerjnr wrote: »

long question short.

Is it worth buying a MacBook direct from Apple in America and bringing it home to Ireland to use?

Also is there an issue with the different power voltage with the different chargers that can affect it?

Am well, the laptop is completely identical other than perhaps an american keyboard layout compared to the british one here so it would work just fine. Things get a bit heated around here when buying a mac abroad is brought up, import tax, VAT and all that......

djfitzerjnr

yer man! wrote: »

Am well, the laptop is completely identical other than perhaps an american keyboard layout compared to the british one here so it would work just fine. Things get a bit heated around here when buying a mac abroad is brought up, import tax, VAT and all that......

Thanks. The only change really with the keyboard is the @ sign isen't it?

So other than the TAX, it's ok to buy abroad and bring in?

yer man!

djfitzerjnr wrote: »

Thanks. The only change really with the keyboard is the @ sign isen't it?

So other than the TAX, it's ok to buy abroad and bring in?

Ya more or less, other than tax, yes it's ok, the warranty is worldwide and the adapter is identical, joust have to fit an irish figure 8 lead into it and your set.

djfitzerjnr

yer man! wrote: »

Ya more or less, other than tax, yes it's ok, the warranty is worldwide and the adapter is identical, joust have to fit an irish figure 8 lead into it and your set.

Thanks again! No, just heard that there was some issue with the chargers in Europe and the US having different power supplies internally and that the battery can affect the laptop in that way, and that it is a regular occurrence in many multinational's products.

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

yer man!

That
http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/SAMSUNG-Series-9-900X3B-133andquot-Ultrabookandtrade-Black/310169/301

Up to the individual whether or not they prefer the macbook over this

doctorg

Aquila wrote: »

So for the price of a macbook pro what kind of windows machine would I get?

PogMoThoin

yer man! wrote: »

That
http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/SAMSUNG-Series-9-900X3B-133andquot-Ultrabookandtrade-Black/310169/301

Up to the individual whether or not they prefer the macbook over this

PC world don't have great deals on new laptops, they do great deals on old stock. This is even better deal, more ram and a faster processor
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Samsung_Series_9_900X4D_Core_i5_Windows_7_Pro_Laptop_in_Silver__NP900X4D-A01UK/version.asp

AlmightyCushion

Aquila wrote: »

So for the price of a macbook pro what kind of windows machine would I get?

Samsung Series 7 Chronos. It's similar to the 15" MacBook Pro and it's a beast. It should be cheaper than the 13" MacBook Pro too.

Torqay

Aquila wrote: »

So for the price of a macbook pro what kind of windows machine would I get?

Depends on the model.

Say a basic 15.6" MBP with a Core i7 3615QM, 4 GB RAM, GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5), 500 GB 5.400 rpm HDD, 1 yr warranty costs 1.949 yoyos.

For the same money (€1.947) you'll get the Vortex III with a Core i7 3740QM, 8 GB RAM, GTX 680M (4 GB GDDR5), 512 GB SSD 3 yrs warranty. It hardly get's any more "future proof" than this, unless you spend really big bucks on a 8 MB L3 Core i7 extreme.

yer man!

PogMoThoin wrote: »

PC world don't have great deals on new laptops, they do great deals on old stock. This is even better deal, more ram and a faster processor
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Samsung_Series_9_900X4D_Core_i5_Windows_7_Pro_Laptop_in_Silver__NP900X4D-A01UK/version.asp

I like that....

yer man!

Torqay wrote: »

Depends on the model.

Say a basic 15.6" MBP with a Core i7 3615QM, 4 GB RAM, GT 650M (512 MB GDDR5), 500 GB 5.400 rpm HDD, 1 yr warranty costs 1.949 yoyos.

For the same money (€1.947) you'll get the Vortex III with a Core i7 3740QM, 8 GB RAM, GTX 680M (4 GB GDDR5), 512 GB SSD 3 yrs warranty. It hardly get's any more "future proof" than this, unless you spend really big bucks on a 8 MB L3 Core i7 extreme.

Jaysus I didn't realise the MacBooks went up in price so much in two years, I bought my 13.3" when they were about €1000 with a student discount.

AlmightyCushion

yer man! wrote: »

Jaysus I didn't realise the MacBooks went up in price so much in two years, I bought my 13.3" when they were about €1000 with a student discount.

The 13" MacBook Pro starts at €1299. The 15" MacBook Pro starts off at €1949.

yer man!

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

The 13" MacBook Pro starts at €1299. The 15" MacBook Pro starts off at €1949.

ya it would put me off getting another one after this one....

Torqay

OK, 13" MBP with a Core i5, Intel HD 4000, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, 1 yr warranty, sells for 1.299

The 14" UltraNote with a Core i7 3632QM, Intel HD 4000, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, 3 yrs warranty costs 1.140 yoyos.

Now take your pick.

Cienciano

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

The 13" MacBook Pro starts at €1299. The 15" MacBook Pro starts off at €1949.

Jesus christ! I never thought they were that expensive so checked it (no offence!). For the retina display everyone goes on about, the cheapest is €2,350! To get one with the better retina display it's €3000! To get the slightly better processor, 16gb ram instead of 8 and the hard drive to be 760gb instead of 512 it's €4000 :eek::eek:. FOUR FECKING GRAND!

EDIT: And it can't even play a CD or DVD!

Media999

Once you go custom youll never go back