Lap Top Advice

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by .muffy.

for the record (just to appease my mother more than anything)
what's up with buying re-furbished? are they really just as good?? to me this is kinda like shopping at Value Village *insert gag noises here* but some people say you can get really good deals and still get the warranty

Don't do it.

With a laptop - buy it brand new with an extended warranty so you don't have to worry about it.

[.muffy.]

tons of excellent advice !
thanks so much guys :)

[rawb]

in the magical land of re-furb, it is just like a brand new laptop. they take returned laptops in one end, add fairy magic and elbow grease, and out the other end comes a basically brand new laptop that is awesome and cheap!

in reality though, refurb quality will vary wildly with the company. apple refurbs are usually really good (apple has a refurb store on their site). some other companies refurb programs aren't as awesome. some do things like take back laptops with dead pixels in the screen, and then immediately resell them to someone else they hope doesnt notice.

i would check out forums to see how people feel about their refurbs, also i would make sure that refurbs come with the same full warranty as a new unit (you can get full applecare for a mac refurb)

[Drazkers]

Originally Posted by Kraig

On a side note you you peeps that need to run Windows apps.... FUCK BOOTCAMP. What a pain in the ass having to reboot to run a Windows app or two.

I'm using this software and it's flawless... fast as hell too. I can also share documents between my OSX and Windows sessions.

If you don't have it, get it and thank me later - VMware Fusion Overview, Run Windows on Mac, Virtual PC on Mac - VMware

Best Mac utility I use daily, i need it for sop cast to watch the euro cup.

Boot camp is great for people who only want to run windows without any mac os.

[rawb]

that being said, the discount you get on refurbs is basically a YOU MAY HAVE TO PUT UP WITH SOME BULLSHIT tax because you may have to send the computer back 1 or 2 times or get it exchanged to get something that you feel comfortable with. also you will always have a nagging feeling every time you have a problem that OH SHI- IS THIS BECAUSE I BOUGHT REFURB I HATE MY LIFE

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by rawb

to offer a counterargument, i haven't bought a desktop in years. i have 3 laptops, 2 don't really leave the house. i find them very useful because i can do work/play games sitting on the couch, lying in bed, making dinner, getting all-up-ins etc etc etc.

also sometimes if LIFE MAKES ME SO UGH ANGRY i can take it to a starbucks or bike to the woods for a couple of battery-hours and work on stuff there

anywhere i want to be is a workstation.

but this may not suit some people so who knows!

Agreed partially.

I have an old mac laptop (G4 ibook) that still works amazing. I use it here there and everywhere.

That being said, when I want to mess around on for a while (Downloading, games, work, porn) the desktop is far more comfortable. I've got a nice chair, monitor, keyboard and it was cheap to boot.

If I could only go for one though I'd keep the desktop, just because I don't use a computer outside of the house enough to justify it.

[Kraig]

Originally Posted by Kraig

I'm with Rawb...

MacBook all the way for both you ladies. The peeps at MacStation are pretty knowledgeable - Mac Station - Retail Stores. There is also Simply Computing on Broadway although I've not purchased anything except a hard drive from them.

Muffy - based on what I'm hearing you need it for and your budget, the 13" MacBook-White will do you fine - Apple Store (Canada) - MacBook

Rough cost is $1149. You'll have to add the cost of the Applecare ($299) + MS Office Mac 2008 Educational version (I think it's $150) + tax. Pre-tax you're looking at $1598 + tax for everything you'll need.

Bringing this to the top... MUFFY - just buy this, you'll be all good.

[.muffy.]

yeah I think I'll go online on the MAC site tonight... re-furb is looking out of the question

[rawb]

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

Agreed partially.

I have an old mac laptop (G4 ibook) that still works amazing. I use it here there and everywhere.

That being said, when I want to mess around on for a while (Downloading, games, work, porn) the desktop is far more comfortable. I've got a nice chair, monitor, keyboard and it was cheap to boot.

If I could only go for one though I'd keep the desktop, just because I don't use a computer outside of the house enough to justify it.

yup! it all comes down to personal preference. i know a lot of people that like to create a "space" to work in and a desktop is much better and more ergonomic for that.

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by .muffy.

yeah I think I'll go online on the MAC site tonight... re-furb is looking out of the question

Mac. Not MAC. THIS ISN'T GIRLY COSMETIC TIME!

Also, make sure you use this: Apple Store (Canada) - Back to School

If it's for school you get a free ipod touch or nano for buying any mac. This is a painfully good deal if you are going to buy a Mac anyways.

[.muffy.]

Originally Posted by Kraig

Bringing this to the top... MUFFY - just buy this, you'll be all good.

:)
sounds like a plan...this was one that I had heard from a couple others about too as being the best product for the price but I just wanted to get a couple different opinions before committing myself

[Drazkers]

Originally Posted by .muffy.

yeah I think I'll go online on the MAC site tonight... re-furb is looking out of the question

I have a macbook pro and its a refurb, no problems at all. It really depends on how critical the laptop is and how tight your budget is. Mine is for non critical stuff so its no biggie for me.

[.muffy.]

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

Mac. Not MAC. THIS ISN'T GIRLY COSMETIC TIME!

I could hit you :P

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by Drazkers

I have a macbook pro and its a refurb, no problems at all. It really depends on how critical the laptop is and how tight your budget is. Mine is for non critical stuff so its no biggie for me.

I wouldn't be too keen on owning a laptop with the thought that "I saved 10% but it could die at any given time, no biggie."

[rawb]

also, if this is for school and you buy from the apple site or your school store, you can get a educational discount

[ash1ee]

untill i found out that my best friend paid close to $3000 for his mac book air i was dreaming of one.

i think it'll go on the next year wish list.

i have a G5 desktop. and i love it. i got this after owning a laptop. i don't have the attention span to multi task with a laptop so having mine at my desk works fine for me. will most likely go the laptop route next computer i buy.
after all we do have brets laptop for travel and for when i was stuck in bed broken.

[.muffy.]

yeah I was told about that aswell...any idea what the discount is?
probably enough to cover the tax I'm guessing??

[wishbone]

macs make sense for the daily, normal user.

[rawb]

Originally Posted by ash1ee

untill i found out that my best friend paid close to $3000 for his mac book air i was dreaming of one.

i think it'll go on the next year wish list.

IMHO macbook air is a pos (no optical drive, no ports, expensive as all shit) for early adopters that will be much better next revision. other companies are putting much more featureful computers in that really thin form factor so im sure the "air 2" will be a sweet machine.

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by .muffy.

yeah I was told about that aswell...any idea what the discount is?
probably enough to cover the tax I'm guessing??

It's not that much, but when you count the free ipod, and educational discount it's still saving a ton.

As a side note, anyone who gets a Macbook air is a fool. Underpowered and a crippled design. If you need a laptop that thin you have problems.

[rawb]

i have a laptop almost that thin : (
I HAVE PROBLEMS THOUGH PROB

[anewlife]

macs are okay, macbook air sucks.

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

It's not that much, but when you count the free ipod, and educational discount it's still saving a ton.

As a side note, anyone who gets a Macbook air is a fool. Underpowered and a crippled design. If you need a laptop that thin you have problems.

macbook ed. discount = $100
macbook pro discount = $200

i bought the tits murdered out macbook, paid the $319 for the ipod touch, got my discount, and after tax was just under $2000, and then i've got the cheque for $319 coming back my way.

But that was on the laptop that was $1449, you can snag the entry level one for $1049 I believe.

[ash1ee]

i wouldn't spend $3000 on a laptop.
$3000 to him...is nothing.

different things for different people.

[rawb]

i wouldn't but an Air for $1200 even if it was brand new. right now its a 'look how much i spent on this laptop' laptop.