| Author | Thread |
|
|
01/09/2009 10:09:02 AM · #26 |
Originally posted by JH:
I changed to OSX last year (iMac) and never looked back. In terms of stability, usability, and of course glitteriness, I love it. For the record, my broken 2yo Thinkpad R60 (dead battery, faulty touchpad and trashed hard disk) is now a door-stop. My 3yo P4 PC is now a handy shelf for my router.
I did install Vista on the old PC the other night, and all I can say is th-
"Windows needs your permission to continue", okay.
..that it's not as bad as peo-
"Windows needs your permission to continue", okay.
..people make it out to be. |
Funny--I had the same experience the other way around. Spent a year on the Mac, found it to be much less reliable than any Windows OS I have ever used. I had many crashes--including the Blue Screen of Death (well, black screen on the Mac). I did really like some of the system features like Quicklook and spotlight which are absent on the PC, but on a two monitor setup, didn't like the single menu and window management compared to windows. And I hated finder itself compared to Vista's explorer, or the many third party explorers I use on the PC. Anyway, everyone's mileage may vary, but my Mac Pro with 5GB memory is now mainly used to help heat my office.
Anyway, the real reason to post this is that I wanted to direct the OP to some real bargains on the HP site. I had replaced my Mac with my first HP computer, and I am really impressed with the brand. I've always bought Dell, and more recently, Gateway convertible (tablet) laptops. But with Gateways downfall, I've been also watching and reading about the HP laptops, and I see some impressive machines. With HPs great pricing as of late, I went to the site yesterday, and configured a killer machine for $1029, including an HD TV tuner (which I have on my desktop now and it's very cool for recording shows and watching at night while I edit).
Here's the link to a fully loaded laptop with the LED lit display option for only $1029...
//www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/load_configuration.do?destination=review&email_id=644134&jumpid=in_r329_emailconfig
Color Onyx
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz)
Display 14.1" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Personalization [For LED Display] Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
HP Color Matching Keyboard
Wireless-G Card with Bluetooth
Integrated 56K Modem
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
Primary battery High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
|
|
|
|
01/09/2009 10:13:01 AM · #27 |
I'm not a fanboi (or whatever they're called) - That was my personal experience. I generally tell people to use whatever hardware or operating system they're happiest with.
After all, I don't have shares in Apple, Microsoft, or Dell, so what difference does it make to me? :) |
|
|
|
01/09/2009 12:54:54 PM · #28 |
gotcha ;)
though a sony vaio would be even cheaper...
Originally posted by zeuszen:
Including duty, it'll still be cheaper than buying German retail. |
|
|
|
|
01/09/2009 03:56:19 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by JH:
I changed to OSX last year (iMac) and never looked back. In terms of stability, usability, and of course glitteriness, I love it. For the record, my broken 2yo Thinkpad R60 (dead battery, faulty touchpad and trashed hard disk) is now a door-stop. My 3yo P4 PC is now a handy shelf for my router.
I did install Vista on the old PC the other night, and all I can say is th-
"Windows needs your permission to continue", okay.
..that it's not as bad as peo-
"Windows needs your permission to continue", okay.
..people make it out to be. |
guide to installing vista:
step 1: install vista
step 2: disable UAC
step 3: enjoy |
|
|
|
01/09/2009 04:06:26 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by soup:
gotcha ;)
though a sony vaio would be even cheaper...
Originally posted by zeuszen:
Including duty, it'll still be cheaper than buying German retail. |
|
Yes, in every sense of the word. |
|
|
|
01/09/2009 05:15:00 PM · #31 |
yeah yeah yeah.... whatever.
|
|
|
|
01/10/2009 02:36:18 PM · #32 |
Originally posted by Fetor:
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
Alienware (really the company is now Dell) are nice if you game and want to spend 1,000 more on the same rig than if you built it yourself or had somebody locally assemble bought parts. |
but you can log in with your finger. thats worth the extra 1000
lol |
I'll admit that fingerprint login is handy. I use it on my ThinkPad.
But, for a desktop, you can buy any of the many external readers for like $40. Or you could get creative, disassemble it and integrate it into your keyboard. wouldn't really be that hard....certainly not $1,000 hard... ;) |
|
|
|
01/10/2009 09:52:50 PM · #33 |
Ah, the age old debate between Mac and PC... I'm so glad that everyone discusses it with such civility!
I own a Toshiba laptop, several off brand laptops (i.e. Everex), and I do a lot of animation and graphic design work on a Mac. I've used pretty much everything from the Sony Vaio to HP Pavillion and beyond. Even so, I'd still say that this thread is a testament to how fickle the laptop market is. Everyone has different tastes and, sadly, lots of computer companies have difficulty maintaining a standard level of quality.
That being said, I have had this Toshiba laptop for over 4 years and it's still going strong. I've had to replace the hard drive once, and the monitor has gotten seriously dim (as will most LCD screens over time), but aside from that I have had no problems with it.
Personally, I am not a big fan of Dell and Compaq computers. I've heard from many people who've had nightmarish experiences with their customer support. But then again, that was over a year ago so who knows... maybe they've cleaned up a bit.
As far as build quality and innards are concerned, it really depends on the model of the computer. Many companies use different manufacturers for different models they're producing. So I'd say the best advice is to get to know what companies you can trust and see what prospective brands are putting into their laptops.
I am still an avid PC user, but I do enjoy using a Mac. I don't own one yet... they're too expensive and I just haven't been able to justify the price to this day... but I hope to own one someday ;)
Like everyone's been saying, just look for price and performance, read plenty of reviews, and finding a laptop for you should be a piece of cake.
The only thing I can think of to recommend staying away from is Intel Celeron processors. They are evil. |
|
|
|
01/10/2009 10:11:20 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by k4ffy:
...- MacBook Pro models use S-PVA screens instead of TN Film screens used by almost all other manufacturers (the the only other computers that use PVA/MVA are Thinkpads, and they are just as expensive). S-PVA screens are a lot more expensive than TN panels, but they are true 8-bit vs. overdriven 6-bit so they produce better color and are easier on the eyes because of reduced distance between pixels... |
Sorry to contradict you, especially when I do not have specific proof of my claim, but from what I understand all 2008 macbooks and thinkpads now use LED backlit TN panels. From what I was able to dig up the last company making laptop sized PVA and IPS panels stopped production in 2007.
Also concerning the 6-bit vs 8-bit, Apple has recently been sued for marketing 6-bit panels as 8-bit and settled out of court. However I have heard they are currently engaged in a second lawsuit for using panels which convert from 8-bit to 6-bit and dither internally.
That said, I have personally seen the new macbook pro displays and while I do not have extensive experience I thought they looked pretty good.
|
|
|
|
01/10/2009 10:22:10 PM · #35 |
I'm a recent convert from PC to Mac. My desktop, running XP was to slow, such a pain and every Windows update seemed to screw something up!
I decided on the Mac Book Pro...as I won't need to upgrade for a long time, and that was key.
Price wise, sure..it's more expensive, but the hardware and parts are top notch, thus more reliable and won't need fixing as often as my HP or my Gateway or my (blast from the past - Packard Bell) constantly did. In three years, I had my desktop in the shop fixing/replacing and upgrading parts. Not due to software, but crappy innards.
Mine is the aluminum unibody w/glass LED screen and as for aluminum getting hot, the new ones vent at the hinge making the thing quite cool on the lap. No need to set it up on something. Love the touchpad as you don't have a scoll pad and extra buttons to push...just use more fingers. As for updates, they take seconds!!!
I can't say enough for my new Mac. Best thing I ever did and I'm certainly not looking back. So far I've been able to find any software I needed, but most of the preloaded software is quite useful. Sometimes we are such creatures of habit that rethinking how we do things makes it unappealing. :) I love, love, love my Mac Book Pro.
Note: Hubby has had two different laptops in the past 5 years and he is constantly having to take it in for one reason or another. First one was Compaq (dead now and we'll have to pay soneone to take the data off of the hard drive as the video board died) and now he has a Gateway running Vista and it has to go in (again) as the newly updates SPYWARE software is giving him the "blue screen of death".
I find my mac very intuitive and quite easy to use. And it just feels much more...more...sturdy...no...I just can't explain it, but even the keyboard rocks! Worth the $$ IMHO. |
|
|
|
01/10/2009 11:27:43 PM · #36 |
I'm on my second HP laptop, and i love it. Comes with some bloatware which can be a pain to clear, but a nice machine after that hassle.
I spent 10+ years in corporate environments using only Dell machines. The desktops are pretty decent, but the laptops have issues. And the customer support blows. And they are bankrupting Ireland. Can't recommend the company or the product.
I love my iMac, until i try to get online with it. It is plagued with connectivity issues, which Apple seems in no hurry to correct. Each "fix" they've put out seems to make the problem worse. I can sit with my HP laptop, my hubby's macbook pro and the iMac in a row, the two laptops will connect and the iMac will search. and search. and search for the airport extreme.
Get what you like and you're comfortable with. all the brands have pros and cons, supporters and detractors. |
|
|
|
01/10/2009 11:39:24 PM · #37 |
+1, vista isn't all that bad... it isn't all that good either but I got it so I could take advantage of some of the 64 bit programs out there. Either way, a lot of the advice here is good. My laptop brand is a lenovo and like some people have said here earlier... they're amazing. I would highly recommend a lenovo!
Evan
Originally posted by k4ffy:
Originally posted by JH:
I changed to OSX last year (iMac) and never looked back. In terms of stability, usability, and of course glitteriness, I love it. For the record, my broken 2yo Thinkpad R60 (dead battery, faulty touchpad and trashed hard disk) is now a door-stop. My 3yo P4 PC is now a handy shelf for my router.
I did install Vista on the old PC the other night, and all I can say is th-
"Windows needs your permission to continue", okay.
..that it's not as bad as peo-
"Windows needs your permission to continue", okay.
..people make it out to be. |
guide to installing vista:
step 1: install vista
step 2: disable UAC
step 3: enjoy |
|
|
|
|
01/10/2009 11:46:51 PM · #38 |
I have owned 2 pc laptops in two years. Each laptop kinda took a dump on me after a year. I noticed my awesome $900 hp laptop start giving me problems a year after I purchased it. The hard drive was going out and i couldnt turn on the wireless, it was frying, and the screen wouldnt work. I finally had enough when I was enroute to my deployment in the desert. I purchased a macbook and tomorrow I will have had it for a whole year. I have been rough with this computer, I take it everywhere, including the desert. Its still running strong and I havent had a single problem with it.
I spent 1100 on this one and it outperforms the two laptops that totaled out to be over 1700.
|
|
|
|
01/11/2009 12:56:15 AM · #39 |
My Apple iBook G4 turned 5 years old this Christmas :-)
Not many people can say that about their laptops! I travel with it pretty regularly and it's even been knocked to the ground a few times. Still going strong and will probably keep going as long as I'd want to keep it.....considering how pretty the new ones look! |
|
|
|
01/11/2009 01:14:59 AM · #40 |
I've had my Toshiba Satellite for 7 years now. They do have over-heating issues (I use a USB powered cooling platform)and had a DVD drive replaced under warranty, otherwise it has been great. Unless my son takes it to college next fall, Ihave no plans to replace it.
(edited for asleep at the keyboard spelling.)
Message edited by author 2009-01-11 01:18:59. |
|
|
|
01/11/2009 08:31:29 AM · #41 |
Dell has been coming out with some slick stuff lately. I'm a fan of my XPS M1530, and the new Studio XPS laptops look sweet with ATI graphics and 16:10 widescreen. Also, if you don't know about Dell Adamo, you need to google it five seconds ago.
+1 for Vista as well :) |
|
|
|
01/11/2009 12:16:59 PM · #42 |
Originally posted by mgarsteck:
I have owned 2 pc laptops in two years. Each laptop kinda took a dump on me after a year. I noticed my awesome $900 hp laptop start giving me problems a year after I purchased it. The hard drive was going out and i couldnt turn on the wireless, it was frying, and the screen wouldnt work. I finally had enough when I was enroute to my deployment in the desert. |
I was having almost the exact same problems after a year of use - lost my wireless and my monitor would flash and flicker. One evening my annoying HP Help and Support (I forgot to remove it) opened up on its own, connected me to the HP website, and reported that there might be a problem with the system board on my machine. There was and, even outside of warranty, they shipped me a box to send it back them in, replaced the system board, and shipped it back to me, all on their dime. With the overnight shipping both ways and the repair, the laptop was gone for seven days, including Christmas.
So, I thought my laptop was dying (I use it about 8 hours a day, 5 days a week) but I got a completely free repair just because an annoying program I was too lazy to remove did its job. It was like a mini xmas present, considering how much I paid for the laptop (I edit on it - 15" screen, TOTL graphics card at the time).
I work on a Dell currently at work, and did at my previous company. The HP blows away all the Dells I've had to endure over the years...
|
|
|
|
01/11/2009 12:24:24 PM · #43 |
| I love my Toshiba..Qosmio. Got it for the screen resolution...I have had a Dell (currently a boat anchor) really it just got to outdated. My daughter has had several HP's laptops...all boat anchors (didn't preform like we thought they should...nor last) they now have a Mac...and are looking to purchase a Windows version...I've had Vista now for over a year...and have had no problems... |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/04/2025 07:05:36 AM EDT.
