notpaddyhopkirk wrote:

>>Clover,
>>I am a SysAdmin by trade and as such I carry a Laptop around wherever I go in the event that I need to connect to one of my sytems. I have my own preferences (Dell) but they are skewed to my particular needs.
>>
>>Personally I feel that although Apple's OS X has made their computers some of the finest systems available, this is still a Windows world. You already have a Windows sytem at home, are you up for learning an entirely new operating sytem? If so, go for it, they are very good.
>>
>>I enjoy exploring operating systems and have Linux, XP, and Win2K Advanced Server running on my home network (I would love to get an OS X machine running at home but can't abide the price), but I find that most of my users have problems with the simple changes brought by program upgrades, not to mention quantum shifts like OS changes.
>>
>>So, if you think you might be up for a big change go down to the local Apple store, talk to a salesman and try one out. If you want something less expensive and more familiar go for a Windows system. Don't worry too much about the Processor (as long as it is AMD or Intel), just find one that has features that you feel are important and a price you can afford. Be sure to try out the keyboards and pointing devices and see if you actually like the way they fall to hand.
>>
>>Good luck, I hope you have a great trip! I look forward to seeing your postings from the road.
>>
>><<


:smile: :smile: :smile:

Hi Eric!

Thanks for your views! I'm heading out to the Apple/PC stores today to give 'em all a test-drive!

 

desertbear wrote:

>>I made a cross country trip last spring - Boston to Tucson. Since you have received plenty of good advice to help you with your laptop decision, I will not go on and on about how much I love my iBook :smile: . Gather up all the good advice, visit both Apple and other stores, then make your own decision.
>>
>>Whatever you decide to get, my advice is, if you can, buy the laptop ahead of time so you can get used to it, tweak out any possible problems, but most of all, get it set up with whatever internet service you will be using.
>>
>>desertbear
>>
>><<

:smile: :smile: :smile:

desertbear,

First of all: welcome to MCO and to our fun MINI-world! Thanks so much for your sage advice! I'll be sure to pick up my laptop well before leaving to work out all the kinks...I am fairly cautious, and when it comes to techy stuff, I'm extremely careful to be sure I know what I'm doing!

Cheers!
Clover

 

There are reasons BEYOND Microsoft's clever and aniti-competitive marketing why Windows computers are #1. Apples are great, I used to be a Mac man myself, but with Windows comes a wide selection of manufacturers (both software and hardware) that Macs just don't offer. Windows computers are simply better overall because of their popularity.
Another plug for Microsoft:
I used this software on a road trip and it was great. No need to connect to the internet to see maps of where you are/where you're going. If you don't have the Nav system it's a must have:
Map Point

Vince

 

>>Personally I feel that although Apple's OS X has made their computers some of the finest systems available, this is still a Windows world. You already have a Windows sytem at home, are you up for learning an entirely new operating sytem? If so, go for it, they are very good.


You could also say that it's a General Motors world.
The entirely new operating system is so intuitive, you'll master it in a day. Or is that mistress it?
But as you are a MINI driver get a new 12'' mac power book. You'll never regret it. "It's mahhvellous dahlink".

 

I'm going to have to politely disagree with you here Vince. That's like saying Cavaliers are simply better becuase of their overall popularity in comparison to MINIs.

Sure MINIs are slightly different than the much more popular choice but once you get in it's really all pretty much the same. And after a couple minutes behind the wheel it becomes clear that the MINI is a much more enjoyable experience.

Substitute Cavalier for PC and MINI for iBook(or any Apple OSX product) and you see my point.

The main thing here is to get behind the wheel of both and see how they feel and what they can actually do *for* you.
And of course the second best thing is to talk to owners of both.

>>There are reasons BEYOND Microsoft's clever and aniti-competitive marketing why Windows computers are #1. Apples are great, I used to be a Mac man myself, but with Windows comes a wide selection of manufacturers (both software and hardware) that Macs just don't offer. Windows computers are simply better overall because of their popularity.

 

>>There are reasons BEYOND Microsoft's clever and aniti-competitive marketing why Windows computers are #1. Apples are great, I used to be a Mac man myself, but with Windows comes a wide selection of manufacturers (both software and hardware) that Macs just don't offer. Windows computers are simply better overall because of their popularity.
>>Another plug for Microsoft:
>>I used this software on a road trip and it was great. No need to connect to the internet to see maps of where you are/where you're going. If you don't have the Nav system it's a must have:
>>Map Point
>>
>>Vince
>><<



Oooh! Thanks for the cool link, Vince! Added to Favorites!

 

sirron wrote:

>>You could also say that it's a General Motors world.
>>The entirely new operating system is so intuitive, you'll master it in a day. Or is that mistress it?
>>But as you are a MINI driver get a new 12'' mac power book. You'll never regret it. "It's mahhvellous dahlink".<<




Cheers!
Clover

 

Gabe wrote:

>>I'm going to have to politely disagree with you here Vince. That's like saying Cavaliers are simply better becuase of their overall popularity in comparison to MINIs.
>>
>>Sure MINIs are slightly different than the much more popular choice but once you get in it's really all pretty much the same. And after a couple minutes behind the wheel it becomes clear that the MINI is a much more enjoyable experience.
>>
>>Substitute Cavalier for PC and MINI for iBook(or any Apple OSX product) and you see my point.
>>
>>The main thing here is to get behind the wheel of both and see how they feel and what they can actually do *for* you.

>>And of course the second best thing is to talk to owners of both.
>><<


:smile:

 

>>Still, I'll test-drive everything and figure out what I can really afford. I love the hunt for new gadgets! FUN!

Cheers!
Clover >>

You may not have been able to really afford your MINI, so I'd advise you to Mac it even if it's a few bucks more. Driving a Mac is just as pleasurable as driving the MINI.

I guess I'm a Minimaniamacaholic.

_________________

LTL YELO

 

Hi Clo, just thought I would post here so your thread can catch those ICWFJC

Go and play with the machines. I think you will find that as far as the hardware is concerned, you really do get what you pay for. BTW, take a close look at the Apple freebies - iPhoto, iTunes and iMovie.

 

More Mac ammo....
Kiplinger's Likes Macs

 

Clover,

Are you still looking for a laptop around the $1000 price range?

If so, I think anyone suggesting anything out of that range should come to terms with your budget and not their ego. Maybe you should restate what the price range is you can afford.

 

Damn, PBNJ! You beat me to the punch. I was just about to add the link for the Kiplinger article to this thread.

I think the article really sums up my feelings on the MAC v. PC debate.

If you do decide to go with an iBook, please consider the iBook with the DVD burning capability. iDVD comes with that iBook for free. iDVD is a wonderful program that, IMHO, offsets the increase in price to get the DVD burner option.

Good luck with your decision, and happy roadtrip! Be sure to take plenty of pictures to share with the rest of us.

-Otto

 

Cheers!
Clover

 

sndwave wrote:

>>Clover,
>>
>>Are you still looking for a laptop around the $1000 price range?
>>
>>If so, I think anyone suggesting anything out of that range should come to terms with your budget and not their ego. Maybe you should restate what the price range is you can afford.<<

 

MINIclo, I'd hold off on the DVD burning for now. It is a great and dense storage medium, but you will not be able to make legitimate backup personal copies of copyrighted material that you have purchased legitimately for yourself, as the software necessary is considered a "no-no" in this country because of the slight risk of some people taking advantage of artists by not paying royalties for distributing the artist's copyrighted work.

For your photos and music (and some limited video, you can probably do just fine with CD-R for now. But make sure that your laptop can play DVD movies, and most on the market seem to have a combo dvd/cd/cd-r drive that should work well for your trip.

Some of the additional accessories and add-on doo-dads you might need are either relatively cheap to begin with, or might even be the sort of things that might be available as gifts from kind-hearted, supportive friends and acquaintences with closets full of no longer needed computer bits and pieces.

I'll look through my computer stuff and see if there is anything that might be of use to you!

 

DVD burning is good for home video...
I would suggest that if this is something you plan to do in the future, it's best to include it in your purchase now. Only because a seperate DVD burning unit will cost you more than one that is pre-installed....

I have barely used mine... but I'm glad it's here for me to use, and plan on using it more in the future.

-Doug

PS when did I shift into 3rd gear? WOOO WOOO

_________________

 

 

Clover-
I have owned 3 laptops in the past 2 years and have two words of advise.

1. Dont, for any reason buy a Compaq. SMACK on my head for that, they break easily, yes they dont cost much, but arent worth much either.

2. Buy a DELL. The 3 year warranty is well worth it if anything were to happen, they take good care of their customers.

Good luck with the computing!

 

:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

Thanks for the recommendation, Chandler! Ugh....I don't like Compaqs! I'll be checking out Dell's website! The 3-year warranty sounds enticing!

Cheers!
Clover

 

Clover,

make sure they thrown in the brooklyn bridge along with that 3 year warranty! Otherwise it is probably NOT a good bargain at any price

 

Yucca Patrol wrote:

>>Clover,
>>
>>make sure they thrown in the brooklyn bridge along with that 3 year warranty! Otherwise it is probably NOT a good bargain at any price

A big raspberry to you, baby!

Cheers!
Clover

 

:smile: :smile: :smile:

Ahem! I have an announcement to make! :smile:

I bought a Toshiba Satellite system loaded with goodies....went WAY over budget, too!

Bought it at Best Buy and purchased the extended 3-year warranty. And, I got a DVD R/RW capability along with the CD R/RW! I'll be able to burn all the pix from the Spring Roadtrip onto a single DVD, I think!

Cheers!
Clover