Laptop: Windows or Mac?

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pasqui83

New Member
I am in 2 minds in buying another computer. I have a self built computer which I love to bits, it was originally designed for gaming but then I ended up using it as a family computer.

I am trying to get into helpdesk so currently studying windows servers, networks and topologies etc...

I have always wanted a MAC laptop to compliment my Ipad and Iphone (and keep everything Apple with Apple).

So the first thing, should I buy a new Mac Laptop or should I get windows laptop and use that for my studies? If I get a windows laptop, what sort of spec would you reccomend for me to put virtual computers on (at least 2 virtual computers as a minimum).

Cheers :)
 
Well first it's Mac, not MAC. MAC stands for a network term.

Personally, I'd go with a MacBook, since I know they're usually very high-quality and don't have issues, and I don't have to compare a thousand different models before I choose, unlike PC laptops.

Once you install Windows on it via Bootcamp, your Windows needs should be taken care of.
 
It depends mostly on your budget and how much you're prepared to spend. Macs are usually more expensive.
 
Nothing against Mac and never had one. For school, friends family and business needs it would be Windows. Its compatibility with most users.
 
Yeah I have been debating for over 4 months now and I am at the point I have to decide. Sorry Mac not MAC lol :P Not really a budget but I am careful with my money, I'd only spend it if it will go a long way.

lucasbytegenius said:
Once you install Windows on it via Bootcamp, your Windows needs should be taken care of.
Click to expand...

Have you used Bootcamp feature? Is there any cons you know of installing it on the Mac?
 
pasqui83 said:
Yeah I have been debating for over 4 months now and I am at the point I have to decide. Sorry Mac not MAC lol :P Not really a budget but I am careful with my money, I'd only spend it if it will go a long way.



Have you used Bootcamp feature? Is there any cons you know of installing it on the Mac?
Click to expand...

I haven't, as I don't have a Mac, but I know several friends who use it with no problems. You just need a Windows installation disc.
 
I have a Macbook Pro and my next laptop I will be going back to a windows one.

There are a couple of cons with using Bootcamp.

1. Apple does not allow the use of the onboard graphics card in bootcamp. You can only use the discreet graphics. Ok, if you want to play games, however the machine runs hot and battery life is half of what it should be.
2. Macbook Pro's have a limited 'apple' keyboard. ie no PageUp, PageDown, Insert, Delete, etc. Not much of a problem when using OSX, however in windows the lack of keys cripples the laptop beyond belief.
3. If you are planning on playing games in bootcamp forget it. I tried playing skyrim on mine, lasts about 15 to 20 minutes before it overheats and slows down to an unusable state. Mine is a 2011 model though, I understand the newer version has better air vents.
 
cjmarsh81 said:
I have a Macbook Pro and my next laptop I will be going back to a windows one.

There are a couple of cons with using Bootcamp.

1. Apple does not allow the use of the onboard graphics card in bootcamp. You can only use the discreet graphics. Ok, if you want to play games, however the machine runs hot and battery life is half of what it should be.
2. Macbook Pro's have a limited 'apple' keyboard. ie no PageUp, PageDown, Insert, Delete, etc. Not much of a problem when using OSX, however in windows the lack of keys cripples the laptop beyond belief.
3. If you are planning on playing games in bootcamp forget it. I tried playing skyrim on mine, lasts about 15 to 20 minutes before it overheats and slows down to an unusable state. Mine is a 2011 model though, I understand the newer version has better air vents.
Click to expand...

Don't know anyone who actually uses PageUpm PageDown, or Insert. I do occasionally use the Delete key though.

I think Skyrim is way too resource intensive on a lot of computers these days anyway, other games should be fine.
 
Insert is used a lot of you are using VMware Workstation which I was trying to do.

That and the delete key are my biggest gripes. Even if you are in OSX typing a document you could benefit from the delete key.

There are key combinations you can press to get these functions, unfortunately some of them require 3 or 4 keys and you need to be an acrobat to perform them, let alone remember them.

I would have happily paid the extra couple of cents they saved by leaving these keys out.

All in all I am not happy with Apple. For a laptop that I paid over $3K AUS to be so crippled is pathetic.
 
cjmarsh81 said:
Insert is used a lot of you are using VMware Workstation which I was trying to do.

That and the delete key are my biggest gripes. Even if you are in OSX typing a document you could benefit from the delete key.

There are key combinations you can press to get these functions, unfortunately some of them require 3 or 4 keys and you need to be an acrobat to perform them, let alone remember them.

I would have happily paid the extra couple of cents they saved by leaving these keys out.

All in all I am not happy with Apple. For a laptop that I paid over $3K AUS to be so crippled is pathetic.
Click to expand...

Doesn't the backspace key (labeled as Delete) do the same thing as the delete key in Windows?
 
If you want a Mac then go for it, but make sure you get one from a store with a good return policy just in case you don't like this.

Pro's: feel's like great quality, great security and gives you the chance to learn the Unix system and premium available software.

Cons: Cost when you consider you get could the last two pro's from a Linux OS.

I had a macbook pro for about a week or so and could not stand OS X. Not that is was a bad OS, very nice and efficient but just to simple and in fact for me so simple it was almost hard to use for that reason.

I would go Windows or with Ubuntu notebook.
 
The 'delete' key on a macbook pro is the same as a backspace key on a normal keyboard.

If you want the 'del' function you have to hold 'fn' and 'delete'. Insert key is achieved with 'fn' + 'alt/option' + 'return/enter'.

At the end of the day the Macbook pro is a good solid machine. All I am saying is if you are buying it with the intention of running windows the keyboard is an annoyance. And it will be a hot laptop with reduced battery life due to the video card issue.

If you are getting it to mainly run OSX and switch to bootcamp to do the odd thing then it will work fine.
 
I really just want a Mac to learn the computer system and also have my windows on there as well but only run it as and when I need to, that means I won't need to pull out 2 laptops to do the same job.

The whole idea was to keep my Apple products to stay with an Apple machine and everything else is Windows. I wanted to have Windows running as I still really enjoy the software (although it can be a pain in the arse at times) but thats just why Windows is so good, that you get to learn the software. Im not to sure with Macs on that aspect.

I use to have Linux, never really got into it but heard it really is a good bit of kit.
 
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