Posted on 12/21/2004 7:32:12 PM PST by shellshocked
I just got screwed by Dell trying to buy one of their laptops. It seems they are out of Pentium M chips and won't tell their customers, so my wife’s Christmas present is doomed.
I am now looking at maybe a 17" wide Apple laptop for the wife. If it can run windows applications, even remotely well, I might just buy one.
This is a Christmas present, so I am REALLY short on time here, and this is a great place to ask. There is also an Apple store near my house. Buying over the Internet from Dell is unreliable. If it isn't in my grubby paws, I don’t believe it will actually show. Dell Hell.
Any thought or suggestions? Thank you. She’ll appreciate it.
In this forum you will get many replies,,,, OK maybe not
All I know is Rush Limbaugh LOVES his Apple products.....
I loved my Mac and I really miss it. User friendly, no "crashes".
My job just gave all of us Apple G4 laptops. I have a Windows Compaq Presario of my own.
I am now an Apple convert. Simply amazing! No crashes. Quiet. Easy to adapt to.
For a gift as nice as a laptop, you don't think you're wife would understand a shipping delay?
Also - battery life is much much better!
It will run PC aps with a piece of software called Virtual PC.
If you go Mac - get ready to pay more for everything.
yeah apple laptops are really good quality but if the intention is for windows apps, via virtual PC, just forget it really.
Which apps do you need to run?
There are Windows emulators out there, but I've heard that they're kinda sluggish and slow.
If you need to run Windows programs, you need a windows machine. Emulation is too unreliable for a mission-critical application.
(I'm suprised Dell allowed themselves to get out of stock on Pentium-M processors. You should call them and see if they'll take $$ off the top.)
Can't address the laptop but I like Mac. Concerning Windows apps, you can get software to emulate Windows on a Mac (at least you used to) and most of the Windows apps have Mac versions which run as well if not better.
You can run PC apps on a Mac laptop or desktop in one of two ways.
First, many companies (Microsoft among them) have Mac versions of their popular apps which provide the same function and the data can be interchanged between both platforms.
There is also a program called Virtual PC which runs on a Mac and simulate the MS operating system and allows you to run the actual MS programs, albeit slower.
In terms of being suceptible to viruses, the Mac is the winner hands down
(admittedly Mac biased response)
My business partner just got a VERY GOOD Dell laptop for less than 850 (not the top of the line model but still better than my 2 year old desktop)
I own a 17-inch Powerbook and use it as my main computer. I am very happy with it (but as a caveat, have owned Apples since 1984).
What software does your wife need to run? The Mac comes with a suite of basic apps, such as ITunes, browser, a good e-mailer, etc. There are Mac versions of most mainstream software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe products (Photoshop, Acrobat, etc.), and the like.
If she has PC programs that aren't available for the Mac, VirtualPC by Microsoft permits you to run most PC programs. It's suitable for office software and the like, but I wouldn't try to run high-end games on it.
I wouldn't hardsell you on Mac, but by all means drop by the Apple store and ask one of the staff to show you the ropes. Their service support is rated as outstanding, which is in time can be as important as the computer.
I would strongly suggest getting one of the Dell Outlet portables.
They are "real", have all the warranties, and are less expensive. These systems are 30-day returns or never shipped (cancelled systems) that are refurbished.
Get one with less installed memory and you can even more cheaply bring it up to speed.
Yes, the 17" powerbook will run Windoze programs a little slower than you may be used to. You must buy the Virtual PC program to enable this. Look at buying the Microsoft Office package that includes the Virtual PC program as one part of it.
Online retailers such as macmall.com and macwarehouse.com carry all the hardware and software.
The 17 incher is a fantastic machine!
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