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tracemhunter · Jul 28, 2005, 03:27 PM

i am debating wheather to get a powerbook 15" or an alienware area-51m. i just wish i knew the advantages of a mac and how the powerbooks are better. i have only used osx in the apple store so i know nothing about it except that there arent very many apps for it. please give me some information on why i should switch. i am not sure if this is the right section but i figured it was since it has to do with a powerbook. thanks.

typerlover · Jul 28, 2005, 05:07 PM

What are you going to do with the computer. I was a hardcore PC user, built many and never had any problems with Windows. Ran real well for me. I quit playing games a while ago and just get online now and look at a couple of forums, check out any good deals and talk to some people. And then for school just do my work on it, nothing else really. I always had a 12" powerbook that was my portable but I never got into it because of the 1024x768 resolution. I was used to 1680x1050 on my dell monitor. Then one day went and sold my 12" and gave my pc to bro and bought a 15" with superdrive. Everything I need to do is getting done, plus it seems like a lot of fun. Half is probably OSX, and the other half is doing something new.

El Magnificante · Jul 28, 2005, 05:20 PM

If you're going to use it to browse the web (mostly) get the Alienware. There is not a single OSX browser that "just works" quickly. Safari can't handle JavaScript, Camino is painfully slow while trying to type in these text boxes etc etc etc

Pennstate · Jul 28, 2005, 05:52 PM

I was also a hardcore PC user..building and overclocking my own systems.

Switched about 3 months ago. I just sold my IBM laptops (both a T42 and a X22). I now do not own a single PC!

My basic experience:

PC: I constantly have to WORK on it
MAC: It actually does WORK for me!

You paid good money for your laptop. It's about time for it to work for you

slffl · Jul 28, 2005, 06:10 PM

I got a 17"PB over 2 years ago. Since then I have used a PC and the powerbook side-by-side for 8 hours a day. Let me tell you, there is nothing the PC can do that the mac can't. If a program is written only for windows, it's not because OSX can't handle it, it's because the developers won't develop for mac because they want to make as much money as possible without having to make a nice piece of software. The ONLY thing I use a PC for is to play games, other than that I am always on the Powerbook. It takes a few months to get used to everything, I was frustrated at first, but once you figure it out there is no going back.

moodymonster · Jul 28, 2005, 06:35 PM

using Windows pains me - I just think "why", even when someone shows how to do, they faff about and stuff. Mac is just streets ahead - for me anyway.

BTW slffl that is one scary quote in your sig

Scooterboy · Jul 28, 2005, 06:42 PM

Depends on how much you plan to game on your laptop. 256 MB vram on an ATi x700 or GeForce6800Go on a 16x PCIe slot will crush the 128 MB vram Mobility 9700 on a 4x AGP in the PowerBook.

tracemhunter · Jul 28, 2005, 08:33 PM

well i just built this computer for gaming. (amd64 3500+, asus a8n-sli deluxe, 6800gt, 1gb ram) but i need the powerbook for classes and stuff. i am on forums constantly and i would like to be able to listen to music and stuff without any problems. i just need to know more about the plugins like flash and media players. i need to be able to play .avi and .mpg and use xvid and divx codecs. i just do not know if osx has all of that preinstalled. maybe i am just not educated enough.

moodymonster · Jul 28, 2005, 09:14 PM

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

^ should play any video QT player can't handle

just search on the codecs in google - they're there for mac

flash and stuff is already there - you can even get the Flash 8 beta player for mac

Its easy to install stuff on the mac - codecs tend to have their own installer and link into QT and therefore are available systemwide, apps are mainly drag and drop onto the app folder.

You can also surf with impunity.

tracemhunter · Jul 28, 2005, 09:16 PM

very nice. i think i have made my decision. i am officially buying my first mac. even though the price is outrageous! they updated the ibooks so i am guessing the powerbook is next?

sxates · Jul 28, 2005, 09:19 PM

If you have an apple store nearby, you might ask them about "refresh" models, which are open box returns. Apple charges a 15% restocking fee, and then resells them for 15% off or so. You may be able to get a good deal that route.

tracemhunter · Jul 28, 2005, 09:20 PM

well i am using the education discount and that is like $200 i think.

brettcamp · Jul 29, 2005, 12:15 AM

Plus apple has a nice deal on this summer for education customers -- get an iBook (or Powerbook) and a free iPod mini. If you already have a gaming PC, an iBook may be all you need, and they're quite reasonably priced considering all you get. Also a bit more durable if you're carrying it to class or the library a lot.

tracemhunter · Jul 29, 2005, 12:20 AM

blah. the ibook has no style. powerbook is sleek and sexy. WS is what i am looking for in a notebook. i like to have the best of everything possible in technology and won't settle for less

. i am aware of the ipod mini but it will go straight to ebay. i have got 3 different ipods already (1gb shuffle, 3g 15gb, 60gb photo (thx getipod4free!))and dont need another.

zanyterp · Jul 29, 2005, 01:45 AM

you just found it in your powerbook. for the best in tech, i am guessing you are getting the 17"? (can i/we ask which you decided on?)

Darthmaul4114 · Jul 29, 2005, 04:31 AM

if you are going to game, get the alienware or just build a desktop cuz its way cheaper. if you're going to do arts or anything of that persuasion, get the mac. i used to play games so i built by own PCs, which i still have. but since last year i have laid the games to rest and have been doing graphics and video editing, so i invested in the powerbook because i wanted a portable machine, but i dont trust pc laptops at all.

moodymonster · Jul 29, 2005, 05:48 AM

don't forget about the light reactive screen and keyboard - sounds gimicky, but is useful

tracemhunter · Jul 29, 2005, 09:59 AM

well yea. i will use the powerbook for GoLive and Photoshop. i havent decided between the 15" and the 17". i want the 17 but i dont know if i can scrounge up enough of my money and graduation money.

itguy05 · Jul 29, 2005, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by El Magnificante

If you're going to use it to browse the web (mostly) get the Alienware. There is not a single OSX browser that "just works" quickly. Safari can't handle JavaScript, Camino is painfully slow while trying to type in these text boxes etc etc etc

No problems here on a 15" 1.67, Tiger and Safari or Firefox. No problems on the wife's G3/800 iBook either using the same browsers and OS.

All are pretty snappy.