When?

[Xsorovan]

Hello all,
Lifetime Windows Fan here and all around IT guy. Lately I have been getting more and more questions about how to do ___________ on a mac (fill in the blank) and being a Windows guy I kind of shrug and say something snootly like, "I don't know, I thought Mac's were supposed to be easy to use."

I realized recently though that I've been using that answer more and more recently, which leads me to believe I now need to further my education with something like a MacBook in my life.

That being said, I have almost NO fingers on the pulse of the world of Apple and so I don't know if buying a Macbook now (the shiny black one, no white for me thank you very much) is a good idea, or if I would be much happier if I waited a month or so and was able to get my hands on better technology. Any rumors, any facts? Any help?

Thanks...

 

[tefleming]

Best advice I've heard for buying Apple products, if you need it now, buy it now.

On a less philosophical note, not expecting a MB refresh any time soon (at least according the Apple discussion sites I read).

So, if you want one, get one.

 

[Xsorovan]

Excellent. Thank you Senior Member tefleming. Your advice sounds solid. (Like I ever NEED an excuse to go out and buy new computer hardware...)

But thanks for one anyway!

 

[Ultima200]

As has been said, if you need one by it now. There is always new technology months away and basing your purchase on speculation from people on internet forums is just plain crazy.

 

[aphex]

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#MacBook

Always a helpful took to check the model's product cycle

That being said, there are rumors that the Macbook will be updated to aluminum casing and multitouch trackpad this June, but as with all rumors, no one will know for sure till its announced. Most apple products seem to receive two updates a year, though the redesigns are typically a couple years apart.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: tefleming
Best advice I've heard for buying Apple products, if you need it now, buy it now.

On a less philosophical note, not expecting a MB refresh any time soon (at least according the Apple discussion sites I read).

So, if you want one, get one.

While literally true, this isn't often very helpful. I mean, sure, there are a couple of cases where it's something like "Every single computer within 100 miles was lost in a freak case of ball lightening. So I need to buy a new one. Should I wait?" In that case, sure, you need a new one.

But in most cases, the person in question can afford to wait 3-6 months. It might be inconvenient and annoying, but it's possible. So in that case, it really does make sense to see what rumors are out there. In the case of right now, there is decent evidence that the Macbook Pros are going to be upgraded to Centrino2. Maybe that matters to you, maybe it doesn't. But it's something to look at. Also, at some point (December or Jan 09) they'll get the new processor (Nehalem? Can't remember which).

There was an article on Macrumors (can't find the link) that states that updates should be more predictable now, as they'll follow (for the most part) Intel's tick-tock path. So it's not like the old G3/4/5 days when things really did literally come out of the blue.

So, yes, if you'll die tomorrow without a new machine, buy it yesterday. Otherwise, take a look at some Apple rumor sites, take a look at what [processor] features could conceivably be added, take a look at what a realistic timeframe is for said features, and make your decision.

 

[narzy]

Originally posted by: Xsorovan
Hello all,
Lifetime Windows Fan here and all around IT guy. Lately I have been getting more and more questions about how to do ___________ on a mac (fill in the blank) and being a Windows guy I kind of shrug and say something snootly like, "I don't know, I thought Mac's were supposed to be easy to use."

I realized recently though that I've been using that answer more and more recently, which leads me to believe I now need to further my education with something like a MacBook in my life.

That being said, I have almost NO fingers on the pulse of the world of Apple and so I don't know if buying a Macbook now (the shiny black one, no white for me thank you very much) is a good idea, or if I would be much happier if I waited a month or so and was able to get my hands on better technology. Any rumors, any facts? Any help?

Thanks...

If you just need something to get your feet wet I'd get a Mac Mini (the lowest end model). There are rumors that Apple is expected to refresh that product line in the near future but I take that with the largest amount of salt I can buy at the store.

If you need a portable get a MacBook (not the pro) the lowest end white model will do just fine for your needs, I've seen decent prices on craigslist for used Macs that should get the job done as well.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

The Macbook is a GREAT laptop, and a very good Windows PC as well if that floats your boat. To me the form factor is just about perfect, the screen is nice and bright, the keyboard and touchpad are excellent, it's fairly priced, and it's easy to upgrade. I have had my C2D Macbook for about a year and a half, and have upgraded it with 2GB RAM and a Hitachi 7K200, so it has plenty of room for a Windows partition. When it conks out I will more than likely get another.

 

[Xsorovan]

Thanks all for the tips. No "need" here with the laptop, just an interest in how it works. I'd like a laptop over a mini so I can tell people how the wireless stuff works. Thanks for the suggestion.

And Don Vito, I only have one REAL argument with your points. "It's Fairly priced". I take it you haven't done a side-by-side comparison of laptop parts from a dell or hp to a Macbook. It's about 400 dollars cheaper for a Dell or HP with the same specs. But hey, I already knew that and was expecting to pay 400 bucks for the OS. =)

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

In all fairness, though, no Dell or HP is nearly as nice a machine as a MacBook. Frankly I'd argue that a Thinkpad isn't as nice, and I've owned both (as well as a Dell, which was the crappiest of the three).

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone
In all fairness, though, no Dell or HP is nearly as nice a machine as a MacBook. Frankly I'd argue that a Thinkpad isn't as nice, and I've owned both (as well as a Dell, which was the crappiest of the three).

I am with Don Vito on this one. It is hard to get a good comparison anyway, but frankly, the keyboards on most laptops are crap. They flex as you type, the key spring back seems different across the keyboard, they are all laid out completely bass-ackwardly... Not so with the MacBook IMO.

And the trackpad, o my the trackpad! Now, if you have an ipod, i want you to take it and set it down in front of you, turned sideways. That is roughly the size of the trackpad on the MacBook.