MAC vs PC

[TroubleAtMill]

I'm not going to use fancy applications like CAD or gaming or anything else of that calibre, but it will be used to log on to the internet, balancing my home accounts, the odd picture slide of my daughter etc ...

So can anyone help in shed some light?

Thanks

If that's all you're going to use it for then you could pick up a decent Dell/Acer/HP/Asus etc. for under £500. The cheapest Mac is the white MacBook and that costs an eye-watering £750.

I just bought my younger brother, who's about to start uni, a Dell Studio 1555 with 5Gb RAM, 320GB HD, upgraded battery and screen for £700 (it was on one of Dell's many regular sales).

Having said the above, I own a MBP as I find it easier to do my work as a code monkey.

[Twopak]

For the requirements you describe, you should get a MacBook rather than a MacBook 'Pro'. The MacBook comes in exactly the same one-piece cast aluminum shell as the MacBook Pro, but the spec. is slightly less good (but is still very good).

In terms of build quality, usability and looks, the new MacBook blows away any plastic PC laptop I have ever used. The trackpad is a joy (this from one who always hated laptop trackpads). The screen on the basic MacBook is ok, but the one on the MacBook Pro is stunning.

For your needs, I don't really think you will experience much difference between using a MacBook and a bog-standard Dell. If you appreciate good design, style and engineering, the (slight) price premium of the MacBook might be worth it.

The Mac Pro screen is what drew me in originally. I'll check the spec on the Macbook and see what else in the PC laptop range comes close.

Thanks to all the posts

[ThomasSoerensen]

the new MacBook blows away any plastic PC laptop I have ever used.

I always get soo dissappointed when I go to the mac section of an IT store, go look at the nice unibody - it looks very nice when you sit at the keyboard - but then when you close it to simulating posing with it around town, you feel that the outside of the lid (backside of screen) is just cheap plastic that is coloured to look like aluminium.

VERY BIG LET DOWN

[Spacecadet]

I always get soo dissappointed when I go to the mac section of an IT store, go look at the nice unibody - it looks very nice when you sit at the keyboard - but then when you close it to simulating posing with it around town, you feel that the outside of the lid (backside of screen) is just cheap plastic that is coloured to look like aluminium.

VERY BIG LET DOWN

The Mac should have done all the work it needs to do before you even sit down in starbucks

[realityhack]

I really loved OS/2, pre version 2.0 of course!!!

You're clearly a warped individual.

[bogeyman]

I always get soo dissappointed when I go to the mac section of an IT store, go look at the nice unibody - it looks very nice when you sit at the keyboard - but then when you close it to simulating posing with it around town, you feel that the outside of the lid (backside of screen) is just cheap plastic that is coloured to look like aluminium.

VERY BIG LET DOWN

Well mine very definitely seems to be aluminium.

[daviejones]

As does mine!!

I would never buy another PC, I prefer the MBP with XP just for the odd occassion when I need a particular piece of software that only works in Windoze.....

[VectraMan]

I always get soo dissappointed when I go to the mac section of an IT store, go look at the nice unibody - it looks very nice when you sit at the keyboard - but then when you close it to simulating posing with it around town, you feel that the outside of the lid (backside of screen) is just cheap plastic that is coloured to look like aluminium.

To be honest every Macbook I've ever seen just looks cheap and tacky to me. My Dell laptop may be a big grey/black lump of plastic, but I actually like that; it seems good in a functional way not in a desperate attempt to be trendy kind of way.

Incidentally, I also like the plastic interior of my S2000.

Personal taste of course. I also prefer the keyboard on my Dell, and I never use those trackpads anyway. But I will admit that they've done a very nice job on OSX; I just wish Apple would stop using their OS to justify the pricey hardware. I really do think Windows would have some serious competition if Apple would just release it as a general OS, or at least release it through other hardware vendors (so it can be matched with compatible hardware).

[bogeyman]

To be honest every Macbook I've ever seen just looks cheap and tacky to me.

You have got to be joking?!

[Fred Bloggs]

I just bought a brilliant 4Gb, dual core, wide screen Samsung in Piano finish style black for about £450 and it is a simply brilliant little machine. I couldn't justify spending double or triple that for an apple that is nothing more than rather tacky male jewelery really.