Best place to buy a Mac

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Calgary Flames

Mac bandwagon.

*laughs uncontrollably*

Not sure why you find that funny. If Microsoft wasn't such a ******* about their own programs and could make an operating system/internet browser/mail client/etc that wasn't full of security holes we probably wouldn't be talking about a Mac bandwagon. Personally I wouldn't even consider going back to PC unless Microsoft does some real fantastic work on their next OS and has a company policy change about forcing people to use their web browser, media player, etc.

I have to assume by your uncontrollable laughter that you are a "PC Fanboy". Not sure if you've actually tried or looked into the alternatives or just blindly assume the one most people use is the best. Or perhaps you're unable to leave behind the world of PC gaming and can't comprehend how anyone else could make a different decision. Please enlighten us as to what you find so funny about people switching from PC's to Macs because your post has left me bewildered as to why you'd have the motivation to tell everyone that you can't help but laugh at the idea of it happening.

[underGRADFlame]

So I went to pick up a Mac Mini for my parents tonight, I figured since Bestbuy has a Buy a Mac get a iPod I'd go there(I get the iPod outta the deal). So I went to Bestbuy in Northland Village stand in front of the Macs for 10 minutes, no one asks if they can help me. Finally I go up to 2 staff and interupt theyre conversation and ask if someone can help me, to which I get a sigh and a eye roll. So now I'm ****ed off. We walk over to the "Mac" section and I ask if they have any Mac Mini Intel Solo Core 1.5.And I get a stare like I asked a question in Uzbekastaini. So after convincing him to check the computer to see if they have any, he tells me and I quote " Uhhhh I don't think we sell Mac Mini's" to which I replied "You have them on the website" to which I got a blank stare. So I am going to Westworld in the morning. I just wanted to rant, I'm all better now.

[underGRADFlame]

Hey Reggie hows the new MacBook Pro doing? I ordered a 15" MBP off apple.ca and am just waiting for it, I hate waiting...

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Not sure why you find that funny. If Microsoft wasn't such a ******* about their own programs and could make an operating system/internet browser/mail client/etc that wasn't full of security holes we probably wouldn't be talking about a Mac bandwagon.

You do know that Macs are probably just as full of holes but that people don't target Mac or linux based O/S's because that's not what a majority of users/corporations are using right? Failure is the best measure of success because it tells you where you need to fix things. You think that hackers couldn't beat the tar out of Macs as much as Windows if they put the effort into it?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by kermitology

You think that hackers couldn't beat the tar out of Macs as much as Windows if they put the effort into it?

ah, but the reality is they DON'T! im sure hackers could get into anything, but the fact that they dont go after Mac's is really what matters to the end user.

Buying a Mac is like living in Canada. If people really tried, im sure they could invade our country and take over, but well....nobody seems to mind us, and just leaves us alone.

You can spout what-if's all you want, but in the end, Macs just work without less hassle than PC's. And until that changes, they will be the better option for a lot of us.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Not sure why you find that funny. If Microsoft wasn't such a ******* about their own programs and could make an operating system/internet browser/mail client/etc that wasn't full of security holes we probably wouldn't be talking about a Mac bandwagon. Personally I wouldn't even consider going back to PC unless Microsoft does some real fantastic work on their next OS and has a company policy change about forcing people to use their web browser, media player, etc.

I have to assume by your uncontrollable laughter that you are a "PC Fanboy". Not sure if you've actually tried or looked into the alternatives or just blindly assume the one most people use is the best. Or perhaps you're unable to leave behind the world of PC gaming and can't comprehend how anyone else could make a different decision. Please enlighten us as to what you find so funny about people switching from PC's to Macs because your post has left me bewildered as to why you'd have the motivation to tell everyone that you can't help but laugh at the idea of it happening.

FDW, if Jordon is against something, it surely must be the right move.

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by Table 5

ah, but the reality is they DON'T! im sure hackers could get into anything, but the fact that they dont go after Mac's is really what matters to the end user.

Buying a Mac is like living in Canada. If people really tried, im sure they could invade our country and take over, but well....nobody seems to mind us, and just leaves us alone.

You can spout what-if's all you want, but in the end, Macs just work without less hassle than PC's. And until that changes, they will be the better option for a lot of us.

I feel a "slow clap" begining.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Table 5

ah, but the reality is they DON'T! im sure hackers could get into anything, but the fact that they dont go after Mac's is really what matters to the end user.

Buying a Mac is like living in Canada. If people really tried, im sure they could invade our country and take over, but well....nobody seems to mind us, and just leaves us alone.

You can spout what-if's all you want, but in the end, Macs just work without less hassle than PC's. And until that changes, they will be the better option for a lot of us.

My point is that it could be done and that Macs aren't impervious. Besides anyone who doesn't practice safe internetting is just asking for trouble no matter the system. I don't go through any real extra effort to protect my computer, but it's not hard. I've never had any security attacks on my computers as long as I've been running them smartly.

[Barnes]

The arguement that Mac's and the flavors of Linux have less viruses, spyware and security because not as many people use them is pure bull ****. Unix and Linux OSes are built around a multi user environment. Network security is part of their foundations. Windows was designed for use at home alone, by itself. There is a hodge podge of technologies that allow it to work on a network but there are factors that make it inheritly not secure.

[c.t.ner]

Hey undergradflame thanks for starting this thread. To everyone else thanks for the information it has been super informative as I'm also looking at picking up one of the 13" MacBooks.

Has anyone heard any rumblings about the second generation of the Intel duo-core macBooks being released? I need to get a MacBook fairly soon, but I'd rather get a second generation version. Any advice or would it be better just to dive in and enjoy my mac.

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

Hey undergradflame thanks for starting this thread. To everyone else thanks for the information it has been super informative as I'm also looking at picking up one of the 13" MacBooks.

Has anyone heard any rumblings about the second generation of the Intel duo-core macBooks being released? I need to get a MacBook fairly soon, but I'd rather get a second generation version. Any advice or would it be better just to dive in and enjoy my mac.

My brother just picked up a 13" MacBook and it ROCKS. I've converted yet another!! Now to work on my parents.....

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

Hey undergradflame thanks for starting this thread. To everyone else thanks for the information it has been super informative as I'm also looking at picking up one of the 13" MacBooks.

Has anyone heard any rumblings about the second generation of the Intel duo-core macBooks being released? I need to get a MacBook fairly soon, but I'd rather get a second generation version. Any advice or would it be better just to dive in and enjoy my mac.

The Core 2 Duo was officially released on Monday. The MacBook Pro and the iMac will see these chips before the MacBook will. I have a MacBook and am loving it. It is the best Mac I have owned to date and is hands down the best laptop I have ever used.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by undergradflame

Hey Reggie hows the new MacBook Pro doing? I ordered a 15" MBP off apple.ca and am just waiting for it, I hate waiting...

I ordered mine on a Saturday and had it by Tuesday.

I'm loving my 17" MacBook Pro. RAMmed 'er to 2 gigs. Logic Express and GarageBand running smoothly (those programs are pigs).

The only problem I've encountered is Windows Media Player running streaming audio (Fan960 in particular). Microsoft isn't supporting their player on Intel-based Macintoshes. There's a third-party (Flip4Mac) patch that converts WMP to QuickTime, but doesn't work with copyright-protected files.

I went out and got Parallels and Windows and can run all manner of programs concurrently. It's awesome.

[greerb]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I ordered mine on a Saturday and had it by Tuesday.

I'm loving my 17" MacBook Pro. RAMmed 'er to 2 gigs. Logic Express and GarageBand running smoothly (those programs are pigs).

The only problem I've encountered is Windows Media Player running streaming audio (Fan960 in particular). Microsoft isn't supporting their player on Intel-based Macintoshes. There's a third-party patch that converts WMP to QuickTime, but doesn't work with copyright-protected files.

I went out and got Parallels and Windows and can run all manner of programs concurrently. It's awesome.

How is your experience with Parallels I have been looking at installing it, so I don't need to use bootcamp anymore. I'm not a big gamer and all I would be using it for is to upload maps on my Garmin.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by undergradflame

So I went to Bestbuy in Northland Village stand in front of the Macs for 10 minutes...

Bestbuy sucks. I went there looking for a Nintendo DS, for my daughter. I go to the nintendo section, didn't see anything. stood there for 10 min, not one single offer to help. so i ask a staff member as he is walking by, he tells me they had none in stock, didn't even stop walking or offer to check in back. So as i'm leaving, i go up to customer service, ask them, tell them i saw them in-stock online. I had one in my hands within minutes. Moral of the story, Best Buy Sucks!!!

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by greerb

How is your experience with Parallels I have been looking at installing it, so I don't need to use bootcamp anymore. I'm not a big gamer and all I would be using it for is to upload maps on my Garmin.

When Leopard comes out, BootCamp should be an integrated component. I went with Parallels in order to run both platforms without rebooting.

Runs smoothly, although I haven't really tested it with an intensive Windows program yet.

Also: I've been running BlueTooth devices under Parallels/Windows (which I had been told was a problem) successfully.

[RedMan12]

anyone want this POS iMac I am using at work?

Its the slowest piece of junk ever. Running Firefox slows the whole thing down.

[sclitheroe]

I recently switched to a Mac Mini Core Solo (upgrade it to one gig of RAM though!!!), and I love it.

I don't think I'd wait too much for anything Core2, from what I've read, it's not THAT much faster than the Core CPU's, and if current Windows laptops are any indication, they consume a lot of power by virtue of their higher clockspeeds.

Also, I will vouch for the Mini's performance, my Core Solo 1.5 ghz, with 1 gig of RAM, feels much smoother and faster in general use than my 2.4 ghz Celeron box with 2 gigs of RAM and faster hard drive.

Whatever you do though, upgrade to at least 1 gig of RAM, it makes a huge difference. The mini isn't hard to open, if anyone wants help dissecting an Intel mini, I opened mine and replaced the RAM with stuff from Memory Express with nary a scratch or problem.

-Scott