Which new laptop-Apple or PC ?

Vlad_Dracul · 23-01-2006, 09:41

Hi, i am considering buying a new laptop rather than repairing my old one as altough its a solid piece of kit (toughbook cf27) it is old technology. A friend just bought the new little G4 I book and swears by it. He has previously owned pc's but wouldnt use one now as he says this does all he needs and does it well and easier!.

So then is it this

http://www.johnlewis.com/Computing/C...5/Product.aspx

or this
http://www.johnlewis.com/Computing/C...8/Product.aspx

The reviews on the Ibook look very promising. I'm a little put off as ive had two recent experiences of nano's with problems but then i suppose theyve been making Macs a lot longer than mp3 players

any thoughts?

ta

joe

**Derek** · 23-01-2006, 09:43

I suppose it all depends what you want to do with it.

You would get more computer for your money with a PC but personally I prefer the Apple notebooks for their looks and the OS.

danielf · 23-01-2006, 09:50

Bear in mind that the Apple only has a 12" screen, and the Toshiba a 14" screen. Perhaps you are after a small screen, but 12" appears very small to me.

handyman · 23-01-2006, 10:17

We have a laptop with a 12" screen and coz its like a 1280*768 (memory) screen its way too high a resolution for my liking.

The best thing is to try one out, go to pcworld and have a play with it because a laptop is not very customisable like a pc so your going to be stuck with the spec you buy for the duration.

**Graham M** · 23-01-2006, 10:25

If you get an Apple, id recommend going for the new Intel ones as the G4 is now getting on a bit

kfridge · 23-01-2006, 10:28

if you want to go for the apple, and if you can afford one, then i would wait until the new macbook pro's are released in February - they are based on the new Intel Core-Duo chips and are 3-4x faster than the current crop of G4 based laptops.

As for getting more computer for your money with a PC, i'm not sure if this holds true with these new macbooks...you get a webcam built in, the iLife software bundle, Front Row (turns the laptop into a 'media centre' PC - complete with remote), decent graphics, plus all the usual wireless options. More info here

**Graham M** · 23-01-2006, 10:40

Has anyone confirmed one way or another wether or not you can also install XP on these new Intel Macs?

kfridge · 23-01-2006, 11:16

I suppose in theory you should be able to...haven't heard anything to confirm though. The other side of the coin is will Apple recompile OSX for insalling on PC's ??

Bifta · 23-01-2006, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfridge

I suppose in theory you should be able to...haven't heard anything to confirm though. The other side of the coin is will Apple recompile OSX for insalling on PC's ??

It's already installable on PC's, if you know where to look.

**Damien** · 23-01-2006, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bifta

It's already installable on PC's, if you know where to look.

Those were developer edition as are the macs running XP.

At the moment it hasnt been done but it wount be long.

If you get an Apple (I use a Apple Powerbook and it is the best computer I have ever used) then you should either get the new Macbook pros or wait for a intel iBook.

Buy it from apple not john lewis by the way. You can customise and get better support if you buy from apple.com/uk

Ask if there is anything you need to know about macs

Bifta · 23-01-2006, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Those were developer edition as are the macs running XP.

At the moment it hasnt been done but it wount be long.

Whatever edition it is, people have had OSX running on a PC platform

**Damien** · 23-01-2006, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bifta

Whatever edition it is, people have had OSX running on a PC platform

Yeah, but what I am saying is the version was the developers version which did not have the secrity model in place. The new intel macs use EFI instead of bios like the last ones did. In fact the developer kits were practially PC's anyway. They used Intel Penitum 4 as opposed to Intel Core duo

I have no doubt it will be cracked eventually to run on pcs and that windows wiill eventually runs on macs. But some chance to the retail computers and software will make it more difficult.

Vista should install on new macs as it has support for EFI

**Graham M** · 23-01-2006, 12:39

I have OSX Running on my P4 3GHz Hyperthreading Laptop, the graphics aren't supported though so it's a little sluggish. x86 compiled MAC Programs work a lot better than PPC even with Rosetta.

Ive heard that Apple are considering releasing a full PC version of OS X within the Next Year.

**Damien** · 23-01-2006, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

I have OSX Running on my P4 3GHz Hyperthreading Laptop, the graphics aren't supported though so it's a little sluggish. x86 compiled MAC Programs work a lot better than PPC even with Rosetta.

Ive heard that Apple are considering releasing a full PC version of OS X within the Next Year.

I'ld be surprised. I have not heard that anywhere.

Back on topic though, I would definalty wait for a intel ibook or get a macbook pro if was you?

BBKing · 23-01-2006, 13:30

Considering that the switch to Intel has cost Apple a generation of laptops, definitely wait for a MacBook Pro (silly name). G4s are definitely overpriced given the current state of Apple.

This is all a bit hypothetical given that we don't know what the OP wants to do with the machine, but since they're not bothered about the OS and are looking for the 600-800 quid range, it probably isn't gaming, so a cheapish AMD based laptop like an Evesham might fit the bill.

http://www.evesham.com/PCs/Info.asp?...2-E3F3CDD33249

That's ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100 less than the Toshiba, same RAM, HD size, wireless etc. plus it's a 64-bit CPU for those who like 64-bits, 15" screen instead of 14".

I've just recommended one to a friend of my Mum and she's delighted with it, even though she's a complete technophobe and got the wrong one. Mind you, I recommended it partly because she lives near Evesham so tech support is a bit closer than Palo Alto.