[In_MODeration]

im looking to buy a new macbook for school. ived always been a pc user and am not familiar with mac at all. any tips on buying a used macbook without getting ripped off for a noob?

[tool001]

just get a cheaper laptop.. (PC) and install MAC OS.
i have a macbook, 8 months back, ,,
ur pretty much paying for OS, if u buy macbook.. now the OS runs on Intel cpu/hardware..
good luck.


buying any used laptop is risky, specially with HD, that could be going or have bad sectors. try running a HD test.

[pandalove]

iono about used macs.... but there's some refurbished macs on apple website that are for cheaper.... apple have a good reputation for good refurbished products... i believe

[distanc3]

refurb and get the student discount bought one last semester 1074.xx shipped.

get one now (w/o student discount) before sept and get a 8gig i-touch :D

[In_MODeration]

just get a cheaper laptop.. (PC) and install MAC OS.
i have a macbook, 8 months back, ,,
ur pretty much paying for OS, if u buy macbook.. now the OS runs on Intel cpu/hardware..
good luck.


buying any used laptop is risky, specially with HD, that could be going or have bad sectors. try running a HD test.

whats an HD test?

iono about used macs.... but there's some refurbished macs on apple website that are for cheaper.... apple have a good reputation for good refurbished products... i believe

yeah that is true but there usually only about a hundred cheaper, im looking to spend $800 at most

[asian_speedster]

^ have you looked at the white (previous generation) mac books new?

I believe that they have upgraded the internals to the new standard but retain the older looks at significantly less cost.

I think the white macbooks are 1149.00 on their site and if you buy before school starts you get a ipod touch free which you can either keep or sell for about 200 and that might work for you!

http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook/?cid=WWWCA-MACBOOK-INDEX-CONFIG

[bengy]

Why do you need a macbook for school? Afraid you won't score any pussy chillin in the study hall with a regular laptop? LOL

[pandalove]

ya mac books or any apple product are more of a fashion accessory to be honest ...

[TRDood]

refurb and get the student discount bought one last semester 1074.xx shipped.

get one now (w/o student discount) before sept and get a 8gig i-touch :D

FYI, you can get the free itouch and still apply your student discount.

[In_MODeration]

^ have you looked at the white (previous generation) mac books new?

I believe that they have upgraded the internals to the new standard but retain the older looks at significantly less cost.

I think the white macbooks are 1149.00 on their site and if you buy before school starts you get a ipod touch free which you can either keep or sell for about 200 and that might work for you!

http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook/?cid=WWWCA-MACBOOK-INDEX-CONFIG

i dont think they do refurbs on older macbooks and change the inside hardware.


what would you recommend i should get then if not a macbook? to be honnest i thought getting a mac would be a good idea because i thought they dont have as many problems as a pc, especially if all you want to do is just do simple things.

is there someway to tell what model/generation is the macbook?

[pandalove]

if you know how to go on revscene and open a thread and ask questions then you can handle a pc just as well you can handle a macbook .... macs have problems too just not as frequent i think ...

if its just for school use.. get a netbook .. those are cheap and serve its purpose ... but get one wit ha decent keyboard ...
there are some HP 11 inch netbook/laptop going around .. u can look in to those .. if u want a real laptop .. there some hp laptop with decent price too

[goo3]

why a mac over pc? edit: nvm you answered.

i have a macbook. It's nice. But i'd only get it with the new hardware + osx, not just for osx without the big one button touchpad.

[Noir]

to be honest i thought getting a mac would be a good idea because i thought they dont have as many problems as a pc, especially if all you want to do is just do simple things.

Why do PC's get such a bad rap? I've been a PC for life along with my many of my friends and neither have encountered any problems with them. And we game and download porn like any other people.

I'm beginning to believe that this "PC = junk" sentiment is just all mac propaganda. Honestly, Mac owners make it seem like buying a PC over Mac is like buying a KIA over the likes of Honda/Toyota.

[Rikaro]

^
Not really. PC owners thinks they're the shit and vice versa for Macs.

They want to prove that they didn't make the wrong purchase/decision.

[ilvtofu]

I believe if you buy them off apple, they give you a free ipod (touch i think don't quote me on that) lolol

[bengy]

i dont think they do refurbs on older macbooks and change the inside hardware.


what would you recommend i should get then if not a macbook? to be honnest i thought getting a mac would be a good idea because i thought they dont have as many problems as a pc, especially if all you want to do is just do simple things.

is there someway to tell what model/generation is the macbook?

The only time you have trouble with PCs is when you start doing dumb shit like going to sites that end in .cc etc... Or when you are running specialized applications that require special hardware drivers...

In any case, if you just want to surf the web and write some papers, why pay more to do it on a macbook? Just get a netbook from Dell or Acer and call it a day.

[tgill]

Why do PC's get such a bad rap? I've been a PC for life along with my many of my friends and neither have encountered any problems with them. And we game and download porn like any other people.

I'm beginning to believe that this "PC = junk" sentiment is just all mac propaganda. Honestly, Mac owners make it seem like buying a PC over Mac is like buying a KIA over the likes of Honda/Toyota.
because companies like acer and emachines make shitty quality laptops
keyboard/screen flex, acers common screen ribbon cable defect, shitty service i actually had acer fix my screen and it came back with the little peg that turns of the backlight when the lid closed broken off and they said i did it!

but yea alot of laptops are easy to install os x on!, avoid laptops with 8400s or 8600s gpus (design is defective) I have a hp notebook with osx on it

[bengy]

because companies like acer and emachines make shitty quality laptops
keyboard/screen flex, acers common screen ribbon cable defect, shitty service i actually had acer fix my screen and it came back with the little peg that turns of the backlight when the lid closed broken off and they said i did it!

but yea alot of laptops are easy to install os x on!, avoid laptops with 8400s or 8600s gpus (design is defective) I have a hp notebook with osx on it


Apple has one of the highest rates of laptop hardware failure. And the Macbooks are produced by Asus. You are not paying out the ass for the hardware, you're paying a lot for OSX. Components are the same as regular laptops.

[Renthal]

I have a macbook and have no complaints, it runs really well, doesnt get viruses, comes with software such as iweb - web site building, iphoto, imovie, iDVD, garage band, and ichat which once you do the math, still puts a loaded up pc in the same price range as an entry level macbook.

In terms of a buying a used macbook, see if u can find one with the apple care warranty still remaining. When you buy a macbook brand new it comes with 1 year of warranty free on everything, and you have the option within that first one year to buy an additional 2 years coverage. Its not just a gimmick and can actually save your ass.

Go try out a macbook and see what you think and then make your decision after that, but they do tend to speak for themselves!

[In_MODeration]

Thanks for feedback renthal. Is the apple warranty on a seperate piece of paper showing the starting and ending dates?

[roastpuff]

Thanks for feedback renthal. Is the apple warranty on a seperate piece of paper showing the starting and ending dates?
You can check online using the Macbook's serial number here: https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do

[In_MODeration]

Thanks u guys been really helpful. One last question this is probably the most noobiest of them all but how do you find all the info on the specs of the MacBook? Do you click on the apple above top left and click about or do you click+crtl the hard drive, then info?

[roastpuff]

Easiest way is click on the Apple, then About, the in the About box click More Info. It'll bring up System Profiler which gives you the nitty-gritty.

[!Aznboi128]

just go down town to the apple store

talk to an apple genius they will help you thru

[underscore]

what I've gotten from your reasoning to buy a Mac, is that they have fewer problems. That is a lie. Mac's are more vulnerable to viruses, and if you end up wanting to use some speciality software for school, you're usually hooped.

Like someone said, if you honestly want OSX for whatever reason, get a laptop and get OSX dualbooted with XP or Vista. IMO anyone buying a Macbook is just being a drone trying to "look cool," or they've gotten tricked by Apples B/S marketing.

[.Renn.Sport]

its not easy to install OSX to any other laptop....

but installing windows is a lot easier on a mac

[roastpuff]

what I've gotten from your reasoning to buy a Mac, is that they have fewer problems. That is a lie. Mac's are more vulnerable to viruses, and if you end up wanting to use some speciality software for school, you're usually hooped.

Like someone said, if you honestly want OSX for whatever reason, get a laptop and get OSX dualbooted with XP or Vista. IMO anyone buying a Macbook is just being a drone trying to "look cool," or they've gotten tricked by Apples B/S marketing.

How are Macs more vulnerable to viruses? There are under half-a-dozen identified viruses for OS X that are known, compared to a few gajillion for Windows. If the user is smart and runs an antiviral software in the background, he or she ought to be fairly protected.

For the specialty software part, the reverse is true - what if you're taking a Visual Arts Course and you have to use Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro etc? No actual Windows counterpart there, though you can find a substitute - it goes both ways.

[underscore]

I'm not gonna go through the details, but it has been proven that Mac's are significantly more vulnerable. This is increased even more when the user has a false sense of the Mac's security, it is as vulnerable as any other computer and precautions still have to be taken.

and the OP never meantioned anything about needing a Macbook for school, just that they wanted one. So I'm gonna go out on a limb (sarcasm) and guess that they don't actually need a Mac.

[woob]

If the user is smart and runs an antiviral software in the background, he or she ought to be fairly protected.

Same deal for PC users.

[dink]

Test the harddrive using a program called "HD TUNE"
its good, it scans ur drive and slows bad/problem sectors.

[Manic!]

How are Macs more vulnerable to viruses? There are under half-a-dozen identified viruses for OS X that are known, compared to a few gajillion for Windows. If the user is smart and runs an antiviral software in the background, he or she ought to be fairly protected.

For the specialty software part, the reverse is true - what if you're taking a Visual Arts Course and you have to use Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro etc? No actual Windows counterpart there, though you can find a substitute - it goes both ways.

Adobe premier, Nuendo and Cubase come to mind. I know fthe FX for the original X men movie were done on a PC. You have way more options for software on a PC.

[hi-revs]

I bought the new MacBook Pro after using PC for as long as i can remember, and its honestly better. Ive just been using it for basic things right now, and its just faster and smoother and more user friendly in every way.
Sure, i may have paid a little more compared other laptops, or could have gotten something better in a PC for the same price.


.....but in the end, its just COOLER to be working on a Mac!

[Iceman_2K]

I have a dell m1210 running mac osx and i would not go back to vista or xp. The ease of use, the interface, the speed of boot up: i would not trade back. My dell m1210 with 4 gigs of ram and a 7200rpm drive boot in half the time it would take xp or vista to boot up. The dell is my 7th laptop, and having pcs since the 486 dx2 days, i would say that mac OSX is way better to use than windows is. Ubuntu is a close second....a very very close second, since it boots up just as fast if not faster.

[trd2343]

Me and my dad are planning to get a Mac for my brother as a graduation gift. He will have finished a civil engineering degree and plans to do further studies related to interior design/architecture, as that is his main interest for career. Does that warrant a good enough reason to get a Mac? Or do I need a Mac at all (as a necessity for design related work?) ?

The reason I thought of getting a Mac because people I know who do artistic/design related work (photography, design, drawing, etc.) use/prefer Mac. I don't know if this is stereotyping, but that's generally the feeling I am getting.

[goo3]

^ Find out what SW he specifically needs to use to decide between Mac or PC. Both platforms will do the things most ppl need to do on a computer. When it gets down to specialty SW, you need to do some research. The Mac world is a lot smaller than the PC world.

Apple did a fine job on the Macbook (I can only talk about the new one). Those who call it just a fashion item obviously have never used one to do any real work. That said, a PC will get the job done fine, no frills. And you can find hacked apps a lot easier on a PC. The mac is expensive, so ppl should really try it out to see whether it's worth more to them. It is a nicer toy so that could be all that's needed for some.

IMO, as a packaged deal, Macbook Pro > PC Laptop.

For example:

Bootup: I close the lid and it goes to sleep. I need to use it: I open the lid and it wakes up the way I left it. It's quiet and there's no boot up time. I haven't shut that sucker down in ages.

Battery: It's officially a 7-hour battery. You'll probably get 5 for normal work (not videos, etc). It means I don't carry a charger around with me and hunt for an outlet like I did with my Thinkpad.

And so on.. there's other good and bad.

[roastpuff]

Hey OP, want to buy my well-taken care of Macbook Pro 17"?

[Jmac]

I have a macbook and have no complaints, it runs really well, doesnt get viruses, comes with software such as iweb - web site building, iphoto, imovie, iDVD, garage band, and ichat which once you do the math, still puts a loaded up pc in the same price range as an entry level macbook.

In terms of a buying a used macbook, see if u can find one with the apple care warranty still remaining. When you buy a macbook brand new it comes with 1 year of warranty free on everything, and you have the option within that first one year to buy an additional 2 years coverage. Its not just a gimmick and can actually save your ass.

Go try out a macbook and see what you think and then make your decision after that, but they do tend to speak for themselves! You're kidding, right ?

First of all, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, and iChat equivalents either come with Windows Vista or are free to download for XP (Windows Live suite). All you're missing is an iWeb and Garage Band equivalents, neither of which your average person needs or even wants, but cost about $60 each if they did, which puts it nowhere close to the price of a Mac.

Second, you have the option of extended warranty on just about anything these days and AppleCare is no better than a lot of others. In fact, our experience with AppleCare has been significantly worse than the service my GF got on her previous Acer. Not only was the service better, but it was cheaper from Acer on a more expensive laptop ($221 on a $1499 unit vs. $299 on a $1449 unit), covered accidents, and was valid internationally instead of just North America.

Third, he clearly has no idea what he's doing and all he's said is that he's "using it for simple stuff." Is the software and hardware that he wants to use compatible with Macs ? Is he aware Macs have just as many problems as PCs (Hell, I've had more problems with our 2 Macs over the past 2 years than I've had with ANY of my PCs over the last 9 years) ?

Mac lovers - living in a dream world, as usual.

[underscore]

For example:

Bootup: I close the lid and it goes to sleep. I need to use it: I open the lid and it wakes up the way I left it. It's quiet and there's no boot up time. I haven't shut that sucker down in ages.

you *do* know that PC's can do that too right... sleeping is nothing new.

[wasabisashimi]

why is it that all the recent movies, in a scene where a guy is sitting in front of a computer , this is always done in front of a MAC book pro (silver). I never recalled someone sitting in front of a PC

[woob]

Two and a half men; everyone uses old Dell laptops.

[Noir]

Third, he clearly has no idea what he's doing and all he's said is that he's "using it for simple stuff." Is the software and hardware that he wants to use compatible with Macs ? Is he aware Macs have just as many problems as PCs (Hell, I've had more problems with our 2 Macs over the past 2 years than I've had with ANY of my PCs over the last 9 years) ?

Mac lovers - living in a dream world, as usual.

Werd, this is what I don't get either from a lot of the Mac users I know. Why spend top-end money for basic activity/simple usage?

If by simple stuff people mean media keeping (pics/docs/vids), internet surfing, and basic word processing, even your cheap ass $300 - $700 notebooks is more than capable of those tasks. No need to shell close to $2000.

[AsBannedAsItGets]

Werd, this is what I don't get either from a lot of the Mac users I know. Why spend top-end money for basic activity/simple usage?

If by simple stuff people mean media keeping (pics/docs/vids), internet surfing, and basic word processing, even your cheap ass $300 - $700 notebooks is more than capable of those tasks. No need to shell close to $2000.

A) Macbook = the 'in' thing
B) Gotta jump on the macbook bandwagon
C) People care more on looks than performance/specs
D) Nobody can deny that Macs are overpriced. At the end of the day its all personal preference. The crazy buzz is for macbooks, just cause... :rolleyes:

[In_MODeration]

Hey OP, want to buy my well-taken care of Macbook Pro 17"?

you should of told me earlier roastpuff, i ended up buying a 1 week old macbook off craigslist for $800.