Vanity-Need Computer Advice as far as a Mac laptop

[rockrr]

Thanks, but you didn’t answer the question. Do you know for a certainty that this machine will even be used for graphics greater than downloading videos from YouTube for the first year?

My point is that ozaukeemom should purchase sufficient to meet the requirements (including video) but not hand off a high-end machine (unless they are made of money) as a first-time computer to what is quite likely a teenager.

[blu]

From one mom to another:
First, just go ahead and bite the bullet. Get the MacBook Pro. But, shop around. Apple frequently offers educational discounts, not only on the laptop, but your son will be able to use his educational discount on software that he’ll need.

Why did I say to just bite the bullet? Because if you send him off to school with a Windows computer, you can count on him asking you to replace it with a Mac about 2 weeks into the semester. And, believe it or not, he’ll say “But Mom, everybody else has one!” and he’ll prolly be mostly right. Macs are known for their graphic abilities. Also, the MacBook Pros can run Windows applications, if he really needs to use one.

What you WON’T hear from him is “I can’t email you, my computer got a virus and can I have $100.00 to get it fixed?”

I bought the MacBookPro I’m typing on about 1 1/2 yrs ago. I have never had a virus, and only had to have some optical drive thingy replaced (the Apple store agreed, it DID sound like a helicopter was landing on my desk!) at no cost to me. Buy the service plan. Yes, I know it’s more money, but it’s totally worth it.

I have never had to have my son work on my computer, Macs are so easy to use that even I, who sometimes need help opening a jar of mayo, can handle whatever comes up. And when I can’t, Swordmaker has always been a great help.

Spend the higher bucks now, it will save you money in the long run. But remember, look for the education discounts. Also, Apple sells refurbished units on their website.

Oh, and these threads? Ignore the Mac bashers, they’re just jealous! Somedays I think the boys should just pull out a ruler and settle it once and for all!

[Terpfen]

Do you know for a certainty that this machine will even be used for graphics greater than downloading videos from YouTube for the first year?

My understanding is that ozaukeemom would prefer to get the expense out of the way now rather than later, as it makes no sense to buy even a basic computer if it means spending even more money on a second computer later. She would prefer to save that money by purchasing one computer now that fits the requirements of the courses being attended.

So, we go back to the rule of thumb of about computer graphics: they require every bit of horsepower you can throw at them.

[Star Traveler]

blu, you said to ozaukeemom — What you WON’T hear from him is “I can’t email you, my computer got a virus and can I have $100.00 to get it fixed?”

—

Well, I was talking about that very thing with another FReeper and got the following answer back... YIKES!

---

It recently cost me $400 to sanitize and innoculate
my computer from over 100 malwares and viruses.

So... I’m thinking next time, it’s a Mac.

---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2316229/posts?page=21#21

He absolutely won’t have any virus problems with his Macintosh computer...

[TheStickman]

If it was my son and I could afford it I would get him a Macbook Pro for the following reasons:

A) Unless he sits on it or drops it into water it’s going to last 5+ years at least.
B) It will do everything he will ever need, whether its writing papers, creating artwork, playing games, listening to music, research via internet & email.
C) It is a more secure system and less likely to come down with a virus. The hardware is superior to most Windows laptops. It just works!
D) Refer back to A)

Good luck to your son!

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Four years is asking a lot for a laptop, particularly when the student will be needing a top line laptop more at the end of that timeline than he will at the beginning.

The idea of buying an $800 laptop now and a $1500 laptop in 2 years is not bad considering the $1500 laptop in two years will likely be more capable than any $2300 laptop you can get today.

[TheStickman]

Flip4mac should allow you to play .wmv files.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Unless he sits on it or drops it into water it’s going to last 5+ years at least

I disagree. It may "last" 5 years, but it won't be a top of the line computer in 5 years. It will be far below a basic computer in 5 years.

I tell my people to view computers as 2 year rentals. If you can keep going after 2 years with it, great! If not, you haven't rented the machine for too much money.

[vox_freedom]

From one mom to another:
First, just go ahead and bite the bullet. Get the MacBook Pro.

Good advice. I bought a MacBook Pro 15" on an education discount a bit over a year and ten months ago. It is absolutely the best. No real problems on communicating with PC stuff since it translates almost automatically with Mac software. That said, I downloaded Openoffice.org for those docs that need Word and Excel formatting. The other good thing about Macs for college kids is iTunes, iPods, and the cool factor.

Oh, plus the fact that Apple has the best customer service anywhere. I was in to visit the Genius bar just last week and got a free, new charging plug on extended warranty. Try that with a Toshiba PC.

[Terpfen]

Four years is asking a lot for a laptop, particularly when the student will be needing a top line laptop more at the end of that timeline than he will at the beginning.

System requirements in academia, even graphics courses, don't usually change from semester to semester. It's entirely reasonable to expect a top of the line machine purchased today to be competent to the task 3 years from now.

Once the student graduates, however, then it's time for a new machine.

[TheStickman]

Will a new Macbook Pro bought today be “top of the line” in 5 years? Of course not. It will, however still be a fantastic computer and Apple operating system upgrades will work on it 5 years from now with no need to upgrade hardware.

[ozaukeemom]

At that point, he can buy his own! lol
I am going in to the Apple Store tomorrow and take a look around. I had thought of the desktop Mac and PC mini, but don’t know if that will work or not.

[Terpfen]

Exactly, he can get his own after graduation. But in the meantime, get what not only his current courses need, but future courses need.

Notebooks are generally better for school than desktops. The Mac Mini also isn’t exactly a high performance machine...

[ozaukeemom]

Yeah, the Mac mini is not anything I am looking at. I am so pleased with all of the info I am getting here!

[blu]

BTW, it is possible to spill water (but only water) on my MBP and have it survive. You just have to scream a lot, take the battery out, get the girly hairdryer out, scream some more, and blow it dry! Then, pray for 2 hours, call the Mac store and ask them if I did the right thing (they said yes, and I was very lucky it was only water), scream and pray some more (I mean, this thing is my baby!) and then put battery in, and smile real big when that happy "ding" sounded!

*kids, don't try this at home or on mom or dad's laptop...you might not get so lucky. And don't drink water out of those tacky plastic bottles! A glass is much harder to knock over.

[TXnMA]

First of all, you should determine what computer his animation course uses/recommends/requires. Your son will be "on his own" soon, so you should get him started by having him contact the school department (and preferably the course professor) to get "the straight skinny" on what he will need.

No matter the brand, a computer for graphics animation should be "top of the line", and have:

• As large and as high resolution display as you can afford (and he is willing to lug around). (The 17" Macbook Pro with the optional 1920 X 1200 pixel screen is optimum, but you/he would be fairly well served with a 15" Macbook Pro.

• As much RAM memory as the machine will hold (4GB). You can save by having the vendor (instead of Apple) provide and install (and guarantee) the RAM

• As large and as fast a hard disk as you can afford.

• As fast a computer processor as you can afford (The current-selling Macbook Pro will offer this.)

• I am also using a Mac "Time Capsule", which enables me to contact the Internet wirelessly. However, his dorm may already have "WiFi" wireless available. The Time capsule also provides a massve hard drive, and does automatic (wireless) backup of all your files. (No more "the dog ate my..." excuses)

• A sturdy carry case (or padded backpack pocket) to fit. (The 17" laptops are BIG!)

As I mentioned, I "do" animated graphic presentations and cartography (map making). A 17" Macbook Pro, configured as above, is my "indispensible tool"...

Good luck to both of you!

[Swordmaker]

Apple offers good education discounts and you can also buy refurbished Macs with the same warranty as new for considerably less. Look for the close outs and refurb store at the lower left on the Appl. Store’s home page. The education store link is usually on the lower right.

[CaliforniaCon]

Re: “Now you’ve done it. This thread is gonna explode.”

*********

Yes, it will explode — so I hope you’ll indulge one (me) who is so tech challenged that I can’t even post my own thread, and would like to ask a quick question about phones —

I am going on vacation (to Mammoth, CA area) and would like to get a different cell phone — one that will allow me to surf the internet a little AND check and send e-mails.

I rarely use the phone feature itself except for emergencies.

Any suggestions as to what to get? A Blackberry of some sort? I have NO idea. Thanks!!

[TheStickman]

LOL!!! Glad your baby survived.

My Macbook is my 1st laptop of any kind. I’m pretty careful when I do move it off my desk, which is rarely. Had it for 2 years now. I keep it clean and it just works and works some more for me. I used it as a DAW and it’s never let me down yet. Have it hooked up to a 22” LCD and its purdy too :)

[444Flyer]

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