[BkueKanoodle]

Not to star a flame war, but anyone see this?

http://store.emachines.com/emachines...amp;action=new

Granted its an emachine and the quality is not as good asthe apple, but with a 3 year service warranty, this looks like a pretty nice system for the price.

[SSharon]

You get what you pay for - at least with an Apple you do. With that junk you would be real lucky to get what you pay for.

[iWrite]

Why would you want to buy that piece of crap?

"eMachine."

Seriously, you can buy an eMac for $799.

I wouldn't want that piece of junk in front of me. That black plastic is so hideously ugly.

Folks, what IS with the PC comparisons at these threads? If you want to buy a PC then by all means go buy one! Just DO it! I get the feeling that a lot of you PC folks want us Mac folks to say, "Oh, yeah, that's a GREAT deal! GO FOR IT!"

Well, we ARE saying that...

TO YOU.

Not many of us here are going to run out and buy a PC notebook just because a few oddballs actually have convinced themselves that a PC notebook is a worthwhile buy.

I'd rather go to Vegas with $1200 than spend it on a piece of junk Wintel with a crappy warranty and the blue OS of death.

[BkueKanoodle]

Sorry, but with those specs, this machine can compete on a perfomance level with a PB g4 forr all but the most serious power users. Granted it doesn't have the bells a whistles like DVD-r etc, but for less then 1200 for a widescreen laptop that's only .36 inches thicker then a tibook, and less then a pound heavier, apple has to do something to catch up on the specs race.

Will an emachine ever be an apple? Hell no. But will this put pressure on the average user only looking at specs?

I think this is a great laptop for this price. Even if you take out the $200 cost out of the tibook for the DVD-r, this machine is STILL half the cost of an apple.

Iwrite- I never said you had to buy this laptop. I just wanted to see people reactions to a laptop with comparable specs for half the price, even if it is a cheap knockoff.

Of course judging by you misinformed closed minded, knee jerk response, I'm not surpised.

[iWrite]

I just wanted to see people reactions to a laptop with comparable specs for half the price, even if it is a cheap knockoff.

Of course judging by you misinformed closed minded, knee jerk response, I'm not surpised.

You got what you wanted didn't you? You said "I just wanted to see people reactions..."

Well you got that: A reaction.

So why aren't you happy about that?

The point is that I get sick and tired of people comparing COMPUTER BOXES to each other. People forget that the OS is as important as the hardware. Yes, hardware is important, but the OS is equally important. XP is okay for browsing and certain apps, especially if you work in MS Office primarily, but for graphics XP just does not, cannot, compare.

Work in XP if you want. Or work in OS X or Mac OS. But people need to remember to compare the OS if they're going to do comparisons -- not just prices of plastic boxes.

[PeterKG]

Hi iWrite,

I have really been enjoying your posts and contributions here in the last week. Please forgive my original comments regarding the Manizone mess. I'm glad that whole thing has gone away!

[itai195]

XP is okay for browsing and certain apps, especially if you work in MS Office primarily, but for graphics XP just does not, cannot, compare.

Err, what do you mean by that?

Anyway, this is a good price, but I'd never get an eMachine. Too troublesome...

[geekwagon]

These threads are getting really tiresome. We have had what, 5 of these in the last few days?

I mean, buy whatever makes you happy. There is no "wrong answer." If you care about price/performance, than buy whatever machine gives you the most goodies for the least bucks. If you care about style and build quality, buy whatever machine you think looks best, and price be damned.

Do you really expect a bunch of people who made their informed decisions (at least I hope they would be informed, when spending as much scratch as ANY laptop costs..) to look at your post, thwack themselves on the forehead, and say "DOH, what was I thinking, I should have bought one of those?!?!" Not gonna happen.

I am about as platform neutral as they come, I own Macs, and PC clones; run OS X, Windows 2k, XP, Solaris and Linux. I administer 2k servers, as well as Sun Solaris machines at work. It all has its place. For me, a Powerbook was the right choice. It has the right combination of features, build quality, performace and looks that made me want to drop the money on it after looking at my options. Hell, I didn't even HAVE to spend the money, as work would provide me with a cheap Dell laptop, but for me it was worth it to be able to do my Unix administration on the same machine that I do my email and Office stuff on without using a bunch of expensive crap that never works for Windows (like eXceed, a Posix toolset, etc.)

Obviously, "boutique" brands have a place in the marketplace. Do you really think that people buy Nikes because they think they are a great value for the money? How about high end audio gear, like Bang and Olufsen or McIntosh? People buy this stuff because they have the money and they perceive that it is worth it to them. Apple gear is the same way.

For me it was the right answer. As always, YMMV.

[iWrite]

You're exactly right.

These threads get tiring.

I can't say that I'm platform neutral because I work on both platforms also and I get bogged down with the lack of intuitive interface and mumble jumble that I see with XP.

What I was saying is that for *some* apps then XP is better. For instance, when I'm at work I simply work on XP because it's speedier for certain things.

But for the sheer ease of use and gracefulness, nothing beats Mac OS X. I like the fact that all apps are more or less seamless.

Anyway, that much said, I'm not going to start arguing about how much better one OS is than another because people have preferences. What I AM saying is that I find it somewhat ludicrous that people keep on posting in a Mac forum about the benefits of PC notebooks.

Hey, PeterKG, good to see you around! Notice that he didn't get back to us with anymore information? There was a nice guy there willing to help him out with the Western Union gig and he didn't get back with him either. Just odd. Maybe he's too preoccupied?

Have a good evening. (Or morning!)

[iDORK]

Originally posted by iWrite:
You got what you wanted didn't you? You said "I just wanted to see people reactions..."

Well you got that: A reaction.

So why aren't you happy about that?

The point is that I get sick and tired of people comparing COMPUTER BOXES to each other. People forget that the OS is as important as the hardware. Yes, hardware is important, but the OS is equally important. XP is okay for browsing and certain apps, especially if you work in MS Office primarily, but for graphics XP just does not, cannot, compare.

Work in XP if you want. Or work in OS X or Mac OS. But people need to remember to compare the OS if they're going to do comparisons -- not just prices of plastic boxes.

Give me some good reasons why XP isn't comparable to Mac OS X in terms of graphics?

I can't think of any because for one, all the latest graphics cards are released on the PC FIRST; second, the same graphic/design softwares are released on both platforms. Something I'm missing here?

Stop being so closed minded. This is a good laptop for what it's worth considering the price. It will handle majority or all of what a Powerbook can handle.

[iDORK]

Originally posted by geekwagon:
These threads are getting really tiresome. We have had what, 5 of these in the last few days?

I mean, buy whatever makes you happy. There is no "wrong answer." If you care about price/performance, than buy whatever machine gives you the most goodies for the least bucks. If you care about style and build quality, buy whatever machine you think looks best, and price be damned.

Do you really expect a bunch of people who made their informed decisions (at least I hope they would be informed, when spending as much scratch as ANY laptop costs..) to look at your post, thwack themselves on the forehead, and say "DOH, what was I thinking, I should have bought one of those?!?!" Not gonna happen.

I am about as platform neutral as they come, I own Macs, and PC clones; run OS X, Windows 2k, XP, Solaris and Linux. I administer 2k servers, as well as Sun Solaris machines at work. It all has its place. For me, a Powerbook was the right choice. It has the right combination of features, build quality, performace and looks that made me want to drop the money on it after looking at my options. Hell, I didn't even HAVE to spend the money, as work would provide me with a cheap Dell laptop, but for me it was worth it to be able to do my Unix administration on the same machine that I do my email and Office stuff on without using a bunch of expensive crap that never works for Windows (like eXceed, a Posix toolset, etc.)

Obviously, "boutique" brands have a place in the marketplace. Do you really think that people buy Nikes because they think they are a great value for the money? How about high end audio gear, like Bang and Olufsen or McIntosh? People buy this stuff because they have the money and they perceive that it is worth it to them. Apple gear is the same way.

For me it was the right answer. As always, YMMV.

Why are they tiresome? If they're ANNOYING, why don't you just skip this thread and go on to the next rather than give some lecture on the difference of purchasing a porsche (Mac) and a Honda (PC?).

I have both platforms, PC and a Powerbook 17" and it's interesting to see the PC market's attempting to compete with Apple's products.

Is there a forum rule that prohibits the original poster from posting info on PC laptops that are competing against the Powerbooks?

[geekwagon]

Originally posted by iDORK:
Is there a forum rule that prohibits the original poster from posting info on PC laptops that are competing against the Powerbooks?

Not that I know of, nor should there be. I am just making a point about the futility of starting up a comparison of a PC laptop on a site that is devoted to Mac users. Platform bashing (from either camp) always brings out the worst in people and these threads always devolve into flames in a hurry. I guess if arguing with people over the internet is what floats your boat though...

As for the laptop itself, it doesn't look particularly special. There are lots of companies that would sell you a PC laptop very similarly configured for a very similar price (such as Fujitsu.) I have had enough bad experiences with emachines that I wouldn't even consider buying a laptop from them. So why mention this one in particular? If I needed a PC laptop for about $1300 I would probably buy this one.

Does emachines still replace your desktop with ads like they did in the old days? It has been a while since I used one of those things..

EDIT: Ooops, I meant this one. Although, I have been seriously considering buying one of these because they are small enough I could actually carry it 100% of the time (unlike my 17" PB) If it had bluetooth built in so I could access the internet without a dongle I probably would have already purchased one.

[geekwagon]

Originally posted by iDORK:
Give me some good reasons why XP isn't comparable to Mac OS X in terms of graphics?

I can't think of any because for one, all the latest graphics cards are released on the PC FIRST; second, the same graphic/design softwares are released on both platforms. Something I'm missing here?

Stop being so closed minded. This is a good laptop for what it's worth considering the price. It will handle majority or all of what a Powerbook can handle.

OS X has:
1. Superior font rendering
2. compositing display engine
3. PDF based (no Acrobat required)
4. Compositing in hardware
5. Other things I am not thinking of since it is 2am

OpenGL is probably better supported on OS X too since MS would love to kill it to push acceptance of their proprietary DirectX stuff.

OS X seems to have much better technology in the display/graphics department than Windows does right now. Lots of this stuff MS has announced for Longhorn though (in 2005.)

[rambo47]

Originally posted by BkueKanoodle:
Sorry, but with those specs, this machine can compete on a perfomance level with a PB g4 forr all but the most serious power users. Granted it doesn't have the bells a whistles like DVD-r etc, but for less then 1200 for a widescreen laptop that's only .36 inches thicker then a tibook, and less then a pound heavier, apple has to do something to catch up on the specs race.

Just looking at the specs is dangerous. How good will they look when, after 2 months, you are constantly fighting with emachines about servicing the pc? If it's in the repair shop more than it is in your house those specs start to look pretty bogus, hmm? emachines is a crapola company with a hard-earned reputation for poor service and component failure.

[vmarks]

Originally posted by iDORK:


Is there a forum rule that prohibits the original poster from posting info on PC laptops that are competing against the Powerbooks?

No such rule.

The forum is for troubleshooting and discussion. PC comparisons fall under discussion.

Now, you could argue that they ought to be consolidated into one thread, but considering that the people requesting comparison are talking about different laptops and uses. That they seem to disintegrate into much the same result at the end? Well, email a moderator if it really bothers you.

[iWrite]

I think that because this has (unfortunately) evolved into a Windows/PC world that most folks are forced to work on PCs in the business/work environment and that means that Mac folks are going to be working between both platforms. Therefore, it's reasonable that PC questions arise at Mac sites.

At any rate, I don't object to the discussions of PCs and their various qualities but I think it's futile to proclaim one better than another.

Like I said, PCs/Windows is good for some people and Macs are good for other.

I prefer Mac OS. However, in some instances (medical/scientific, etc.,) PCs are better. For persons with a particular physical challenge PCs are probably better if they require a particular program to work on a computer because companies have developed those programs for the PC. I remember in the "olden" days when Macs had those programs before Windows did, but now it is the Windows platform that has those programs because developers are going to write for the masses and not the 2% to 5% market.

That much said, we live in an amazing technological time when we can all communicate the ways we do.

[dettociao]

emachines makes laptops? jigga what?

[twil13]

Originally posted by iWrite:
You got what you wanted didn't you? You said "I just wanted to see people reactions..."

Well you got that: A reaction.

So why aren't you happy about that?

The point is that I get sick and tired of people comparing COMPUTER BOXES to each other. People forget that the OS is as important as the hardware. Yes, hardware is important, but the OS is equally important. XP is okay for browsing and certain apps, especially if you work in MS Office primarily, but for graphics XP just does not, cannot, compare.

Work in XP if you want. Or work in OS X or Mac OS. But people need to remember to compare the OS if they're going to do comparisons -- not just prices of plastic boxes.

Umm, he didn't ask for a reaction, go read the original post. He did, however, say that he didn't want to start a flame war, which you kindly started right up. If you don't like to see comparisons to your precious macs, then don't get on an online computer forum. Also, why don't you add something more than your, I-am-a-Mac-Zealot-and-PCs-suck! attitude.

Tony

[chrisutley]

Talk about comparing Apples and Oranges, or should I say Apples and LEMONS.

If a PC manufacturer is a direct competitor of Apple in the laptop market (and that's a debate in and of itself), it's going to be Sony or IBM no eMachines. Apple builds premium equipment and prices it accordingly. The PowerBook G4 does not compete in the same space as eMachines, and what might be even more important ... they don't run the same OS. Moreover, Apple is never going grow their market share by competing on price, not as long as they are the only manufacturer of Mac OS compatible machines.

If Apple sold a laptop at the same price point and quality as that eMachines box, these forums would crash under the load of people posting complaints, "How could Apple release this kind of crap?" - "I bought an Mac PowerCheap and it breaks every other week and is full of cheap, proprietary parts.", etc..

[slider]

Whatever, you're still running windows. I am sure companies like Sony, IBM, Dell and HP are producing fine machines, but that has never been the issue for me, it M$ Windows I don't like, not Dells or Sonys. Hell my PC friends ask my what PCs they should buy, when I can't switch them I recommend going by specs and customer service, that turns out to Dell most of the time. eMachine, this really is a get what you pay for, quality is lacking somewhere I can almost guarantee it. Extended warranty, you have that kind a of time? I bet they figure you'll just get tired of returning it after the second time or so and just get a new one.

[rambo47]

Hey, I'm the first Maclot to admit companies like IBM make a fine piece of hardware. ThinkPads, especially the new T40, are well made and feature-rich. eMachines, on the other hand, has yet to make a decent product. Sub-standard parts, shoddy workmanship, and tech support that makes Apple's look like the Red Cross! But hey, if some one wants to throw away $1299 based on specs, go right ahead. I'll be the first one in a long line of people waiting to say, "We told you so."

[itai195]

Originally posted by rambo47:
Hey, I'm the first Maclot to admit companies like IBM make a fine piece of hardware. ThinkPads, especially the new T40, are well made and feature-rich.

Personally, I have nothing against IBM but I think the new T40's missed the mark. 14" screens, but only 1024x768 resolution? You can only do better if you get one of the most expensive models, with an sxga+ screen and a radeon 9000. Everything else has a radeon 7500. I'm not exactly floored...

Anyway, I've seen enough problems with eMachine desktops to know that their laptops should be avoided at all costs. eMachines scrapes together their business by buying either obsolete hardware - which is easy since processor speeds are skyrocketing higher on a monthly basis - or low quality components.

[MacNStein]

I showed this system to my dad... AND HE ORDERED ONE! He owns a 17" iMac, he just wanted a PC to run a few misc apps on and do some light gaming. As soon as he gets it he's bringing it over to my house and I'll get a chance to check it out. I'll give everyone a full report on it.

[The Ginger Rat]

Originally posted by iDORK:

Stop being so closed minded. This is a good laptop for what it's worth considering the price. It will handle majority or all of what a Powerbook can handle.

But is it really, and can it really? eMachines systems are definitely inexpensive, but do not have a very good reputation for quality, and laptops are historically more fragile. You can probably find a more reliable PC laptop, if you want one, for only a little more money.

[BkueKanoodle]

Actually emachines has done alot to turn around their reputation in the last 3 years. Kind of like Hyundai used to make crappy cars in the early 90's.

I've bought over 3000 laptops in the last 3 years, and honestly, quality is very subjective and it ranges even on the higher priced items. As I said before, will it ever be an apple? No. But for the average consumer, the ones Apple is targeting with the switch campaign, and with the apple store, they only see 2 things, Spec's and Price.

If Apple is seriously trying to attract those buyers, then they have to realize that as well. This doesn't mean they have to sell a 1200 powerbook, but they do need to address this issue more then they have in the past if they want to become more then a niche player.

[ASIMO]

And what is wrong with a Honda? They are relatively affordable, relatively powerful, very fuel efficient, and the motors last forever -- some of the best 4- and 6-bangers ever made. Slick, slick sticks, to boot.

Give me an S2000 any day, mon. Can't wait for next year's 2.2L motor. TSX or S2000??? Practical fun or balls out fun???

By the way, I have seen the eMachine laptop in person, and it actually does appear of decent quality. Granted, I did not spend a great amount of time examining the details of the eMachine as I would and have over Apple's beautiful portables, but just by appearances alone, it looks better than most any other PC laptops already.

[twil13]

Originally posted by ASIMO:
And what is wrong with a Honda? They are relatively affordable, relatively powerful, very fuel efficient, and the motors last forever -- some of the best 4- and 6-bangers ever made. Slick, slick sticks, to boot.

Give me an S2000 any day, mon. Can't wait for next year's 2.2L motor. TSX or S2000??? Practical fun or balls out fun???

By the way, I have seen the eMachine laptop in person, and it actually does appear of decent quality. Granted, I did not spend a great amount of time examining the details of the eMachine as I would and have over Apple's beautiful portables, but just by appearances alone, it looks better than most any other PC laptops already.

Wow, nice post!(sarcasm) Why do you need to bring honda up? He was making a comparison to Hyundai. Anyone that knows something about cars knows that Hondas are excellent machines. No need to bring up a pointless topic, although the S2000 is a sweet ass car.

Tony

[chrisutley]

eMachines has done nothing to change their rep. They are junk machines, I consider them disposable.

[BkueKanoodle]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
eMachines has done nothing to change their rep. They are junk machines, I consider them disposable.

Not a suprising viewpoint, considering the poster is starting a site devoted to apple.

Misinformed, but not surprising.

Judging by your site, I'm willing to bet dollar to donuts you've never owned an E machine in your life.

[ASIMO]

Originally posted by twil13:
Wow, nice post!(sarcasm) Why do you need to bring honda up? He was making a comparison to Hyundai. Anyone that knows something about cars knows that Hondas are excellent machines. No need to bring up a pointless topic, although the S2000 is a sweet ass car.

Tony

Now, where would you like me to kick you? How 'bout the nuts? iDork, some posts up - "Why are they tiresome? If they're ANNOYING, why don't you just skip this thread and go on to the next rather than give some lecture on the difference of purchasing a porsche (Mac) and a Honda (PC?)."


Repeat after me. H-O-N-D-A. Honda. Emphasis mine. {(sarcasm) sarcasm)} Aah, double sarcasm!

[badnewsblair]

Originally posted by BkueKanoodle:
Not a suprising viewpoint, considering the poster is starting a site devoted to apple.

Misinformed, but not surprising.

Judging by your site, I'm willing to bet dollar to donuts you've never owned an E machine in your life.

Oh good lord. This isn't even a Mac vs. Peecee issue for goodness sake. Its a QUALIITY issue. Anyone who ever says that an eMachine is quality needs to have their heads screwed back on properly. I've owned peecees for the past 10 years and now I build my own. eMachines should never be compared to Sony or any other peecee company that has been around and building quality machines for years now. In my humble opinion, Mac vs. PC is opinion anyway. Its all about what you like best. eMachines don't even belong on this board. With any luck, they'll go the way of the Packard Bells... no wait, they are so much worse than Packard Bells. Someone kill this thread.

[DaedalusDX]

Originally posted by ASIMO:
Now, where would you like me to kick you? How 'bout the nuts? iDork, some posts up - "Why are they tiresome? If they're ANNOYING, why don't you just skip this thread and go on to the next rather than give some lecture on the difference of purchasing a porsche (Mac) and a Honda (PC?)."


Repeat after me. H-O-N-D-A. Honda. Emphasis mine. {(sarcasm) sarcasm)} Aah, double sarcasm!

Honda's are respectable vehicles... except the 2003 Accords look fugly....

anyway, back to the topic at hand, PC, Mac... as always its a silly argument.

Granted, from a pure price/performance analysis of hardware, the mac is sort of lacking in recent times... we need a shot in the arm...

But iWrite is totally right. I'd like to think that Mac users are Mac users because they understand the value of total user experience rather than just how advanced the hardware in the box is...

Mac OS X is hands down much more well thought out and more consistent... at least that's my opinion and the opinion of most of the others here...

graphically, Quartz is practically much more advanced than the rendering engine in XP. There are significantly more jarring graphical lockup moments (think white window effect) in XP than in OS X.

Believe what you may, but that is the way we feel, and our computing experiences are much better because we are Mac users....

that does not mean that there are not disadvantages to being a mac user... software is always an issue, and 3rd parties in general may just as easily ignore the Mac community altogether...

Still, we remain Mac users. The truth is, and I keep saying this, we shouldn't be disillusioned by PC offerings that are cheaper or faster... because our overall computing experience is that much better than Windows... That is what separates us from the Dark side, and this is why getting someone to switch is SO hard... you have to get them to understand that subtle idea that transcends price/performance...

Oh well... we are Mac users... and we're here to stay.

[twil13]

Originally posted by DaedalusDX:
Honda's are respectable vehicles... except the 2003 Accords look fugly....

anyway, back to the topic at hand, PC, Mac... as always its a silly argument.

Granted, from a pure price/performance analysis of hardware, the mac is sort of lacking in recent times... we need a shot in the arm...

But iWrite is totally right. I'd like to think that Mac users are Mac users because they understand the value of total user experience rather than just how advanced the hardware in the box is...

Mac OS X is hands down much more well thought out and more consistent... at least that's my opinion and the opinion of most of the others here...

graphically, Quartz is practically much more advanced than the rendering engine in XP. There are significantly more jarring graphical lockup moments (think white window effect) in XP than in OS X.

Believe what you may, but that is the way we feel, and our computing experiences are much better because we are Mac users....

that does not mean that there are not disadvantages to being a mac user... software is always an issue, and 3rd parties in general may just as easily ignore the Mac community altogether...

Still, we remain Mac users. The truth is, and I keep saying this, we shouldn't be disillusioned by PC offerings that are cheaper or faster... because our overall computing experience is that much better than Windows... That is what separates us from the Dark side, and this is why getting someone to switch is SO hard... you have to get them to understand that subtle idea that transcends price/performance...

Oh well... we are Mac users... and we're here to stay.

That was kind of a scary post. Are you going to make a sacrafice to the Mac Gods now? The new accord is awesome btw.

Tony

[PoisonTooth]

Originally posted by BkueKanoodle:
Not to star a flame war, but anyone see this?

http://store.emachines.com/emachines...amp;action=new

Granted its an emachine and the quality is not as good asthe apple, but with a 3 year service warranty, this looks like a pretty nice system for the price.

Most people here know I'm a big Centrino fan, but I still try to be very objective.

That said, this "eMachine" is junk. I would never take one over a PowerBook. No chance.

[chrisutley]

I have personal experience with 5 eMachine desktops in the last 3-years (I owned 2 of them). I can tell you that 3 of the machines have already been replaced because of one hardware problem or another. I don't know what the rest of the PC industry thinks of eMachines, but I know I wouldn't advise anybody to purchase one after my personal experience.

As for starting a Mac site, well I am not a Mac biggot but I do prefer Mac OS X. I currently have one Mac, a RedHat Linux box, a Windows XP box, and a Windows NT 4.0 box. I'm also working on building a new PC for gaming purposes.

Originally posted by BkueKanoodle:
Not a suprising viewpoint, considering the poster is starting a site devoted to apple.

Misinformed, but not surprising.

Judging by your site, I'm willing to bet dollar to donuts you've never owned an E machine in your life.

[bluejam]

I own an eMachine. It's in the attic of my garage.

BTW, Honda s2000 models are for girls and girly-men. Just like Miata's.

[twil13]

Originally posted by bluejam:
I own an eMachine. It's in the attic of my garage.

BTW, Honda s2000 models are for girls and girly-men. Just like Miata's.

I like S2000's. I can bench more than you.

Tony

[MacNStein]

I drive an Accord and I can fart the Star Spangled Banner, in French.

[Arch.]

Why the hell is the guy holding the camera so close to her face in the advertisement?

[cSurfr]

Funny topic this is. My girlfriend actually owns an eMachine (she had it before we met). It's a 2.5ghz Pentium 4, and it does run pretty well. She's only had it maybe a month or two I guess, but she has yet to have any problems with it. Also, the 17" Samsung LCD she purchased with it is top notch. Would I trade my G4 tower, or Tibook for one ? Not a chance. I haven't used windows since I got my MCSE back in '99. Anyway, no need to rant or start a flame war because someone was asking opinions. PC's ARE good for some things (other than collecting dust), as Mac's are as well. In conclusion, I don't see the eMachine being any different than any other run of the mill budget priced machine. YMMV.

Cs

[Nicko]

eMachines M5305 weight ----> 6.5 lbs. with battery

Powerbook 15inch weight ----> 5.4lbs with battery and optical drive


Yes, you do indeed get what you pay for.

[Mac Zealot]

Originally posted by SSharon:
You get what you pay for - at least with an Apple you do. With that junk you would be real lucky to get what you pay for.

At apple I find that you don't get what you pay for, in fact the more you spend on a machine the more impatient they are with you.

It also has to do with WHAT you're calling about, if it's a $10 battery, a $5 keyboard, or a $2 mouse, you'll get the best service ever.

However if you're requesting an on-site repair on your powermac tower or a screen replacement on your $3000 laptop, you're going to face a rather daunting task, I guarantee it.

At least with PC companies, the service is consistent, you get lousy service no matter what, but it's better then apple's worst.

I've been hung up on, yelled at, and harrassed by apple employees... see how far it gets

Frankly, I'll spill, eMachines are rather decent nowadays as their pricing hasn't changed much and their quality has.

It's good.

That laptop isn't the prettiest thing though, but you are paying for the computer not the looks of it.

I find, yet again, windows + a PC does a FINE Job at things. You people who complain, harass PC users, talk about how ugly and lousy PCs are, and ETC, need to find better things to do with your time.

It would be much appreciated.

HOWEVER.. when a PC user tells me "MAC sux"

Houston we have a problem.

[bracken]

Originally posted by twil13:
I can bench more than you.

So could the Village People.

[iWrite]

I think that's a pretty fair statement.

You pay for what you want, period.

Here's an example: I have a 2002 Nissan Altima and it's a nice and reliable car. Cheap compared to other cars and I also have a Saab Turbo convertible. Which one do I drive more often? The Nissan. Why? It's got a good ride and I'm not neurotic about parking it anywhere. The Saab on the other hand, is FUN to drive...but it costs a lot more to maintain and it's not as reliable. Little things are constantly going wrong with it and they cost a lot to have repaired. One is considered a good car and the other one might be considered a status symbol. Computers are like that also: They can be a status symbol and the Macs fall into that category.

In the computing world the PC is the Japanese car: Basic and reliable and the Mac is the European car: A little more luxurious and pricier. Both get you from point A to point B but one is definitely a nicer ride (yes, it's the Saab).

In my mind the operating system has a LOT to do with the computing experience and I personally find that Mac OS is easier to work with and in the case of employees it's easier and more intuitive for them. However, it's a more expensive computing ride.

Anyway, PCs are good in that they're available at very reasonable prices for the masses -- the same as Japanese cars.

Dell's $399 2.2Ghz PC with 17-inch monitor is a pretty hard deal to beat. Dell is kicking everyone's *ss in prices.

[badnewsblair]

We are all a little long winded on this topic aren't we?

I am sick of this thread.

ps - if you want a cheap peecee so bad, I build them and could make a much better product than dell for a lot less money!

[BigDaddy]

Originally posted by bluejam:
I own an eMachine. It's in the attic of my garage.

BTW, Honda s2000 models are for girls and girly-men. Just like Miata's.

With a new celica I would agree with you but the two cars your mentioned your way off. Both of those cars rock.

[BkueKanoodle]

Hmm, I doubt you could build a laptop with these specs for this price.

[OpenStep]

I saw one of these e-machines laptops at Circuit City and it looked extremely cheap. The plastic case was cheap, the trackpad looked cheap, looked like a genuine PowerBook G4 ripoff. Although the specs may be decent, it lacks a quality feel and I'd stay away from it.

[donutogre]

i think the whole mac vs pc argument is rather stupid too..i use both for whatever i need to use them for, regardless of the os. i personally enjoy using my pb more, but the windows machine does have its place.

however, we're talking about a fairly good quality windows machine...i'm pretty sure that emachines does not fall under that category. i have a friend who has one (pretty old though) and its always been a piece. her monitor nearly caught on fire too...i $hit you not. pretty crazy stuff.

[vmarks]

Originally posted by geekwagon:


I am about as platform neutral as they come, I own Macs, and PC clones; run OS X, Windows 2k, XP, Solaris and Linux. I administer 2k servers, as well as Sun Solaris machines at work. It all has its place.

Dude, where's your AIX, OS/2 and BeOS ?