O T Lap Top

[luvrbus]

Guys I want a new lap top and the BS with MS I am thinking of buying a Apple any pros and con from you guys on a Apple.
MS has stopped all support for Vista can't even buy support now so I am fed up with MS give me your opinions on Apple no way will I pay MS for the windows 7 to upgrade their screw up.
You guys can move this to another section but I would like some feed back before it is moved thanks



good luck
pissed in Mohave AZ

[artvonne]

  Long as its OT, what about Linux? I keep asking people, no one seems to know much. Kinda sick and tired of all the support programs running in the background that no one has a clue what they are and why you need them. Shouldnt need 2 Gigs of ram just to operate the operating system.

[Dreamscape]

I've never owned or operated an Apple, but from what I hear is that some programs will not work on the Apple machine. They are great for pictures and media files, but lack in other areas. Someone who has one may know different, it's like the Ford Chevy thing.

What is wrong with yours? I have MS Vista Business, and do not have any issues with it. It seems that often upgrades are made that are not needed and really can mess things up. I only download upgrades when I pick them, not what MS says to.

You might try gong back on a Restore Point where you know it was working like you want it.

Most any computer you buy will have issues that the operator needs to work out, it's the nature of technology these days.

Paul

[robertglines1]

don't really think this is off topic..we need to know what will work in our buses or boats..is one system more capable than the other in remote locations.? able to operate direct sat connection? I have no problem with MS..not familiar at all with apple..following this discussion with intrest.

[Dave5Cs]

luvrbus;

Dreamscape speaks the truth. Some people think they have to download everything they want you too. Don't. Only what you need (Custom) Also if you go into all these share friendship sites and everything about yourself sites you will have a lot of problems because there are all kinds of virus, worms Trojan etc that you will suck into your system that will slow it down and freeze it at times or take away some file that you needed to run said program?

I still use XL professional and update when needed. I have very little if any problems. If you do a lot of creative things, Art work ,Picture taking and adjusting or movie making then apple has some really good programs but you have to buy theirs only at their prices.

If you are into business and figures, accounting, writing, publishing, then PC is the way to go but you can get programs from a lot more sources for PC at lower pricing than Apple. Apple claims they have less hacking and viruses but that's because there are less out there that have them, and Hackers don't care.

My wife has "Windows 7", which has had a very few problems and after the 2 updates it as had no problems.It does have some problems with linking up to old programs but only really old ones.FWIW

Dave

[white-eagle]

being a Microsoft Certified System Engineer for the last 10 years (aren't you all impressed!) and a business consultant in the computers and networks area, i feel compelled to weigh in.

Apples are getting better, with more programs, more options and more power supporters than ever.  PC users are usually ok with what they use, but Apple Folks get downright irritable if you make any negative comments.

you need to figure out what you use a computer for.  email and web browsing will work on either Apple or a PC.  specific map and gps programs won't.  adobe pdf's can be read in either type.  both have options for reading books, storing files, writing letters.  Apple does not have the business type software at reasonable prices, but you probably don't care about business anything.  Both will talk on the Internet and have great programs for music, pictures and so on.  apple support is good, if you can find it in a smaller town.  there is almost always a pc expert in every town, usually less expensive than the apple expert.

Don't believe the hype about apples can't be hacked or infected.  right now, there's just not enough of them to make it worthwhile for most hackers.  but they are infectable and hackable if unprotected.
there's also a fair amount of Microsoft under Apple's hood.

some apple person is bound to ask, have you ever worked on Apples.  Yes.  but i don't claim to be an expert.  i do know the trouble my customer had with her 3rd apple system, her upgrade, her training problems.  but she is still very happy with an apple and just bought an iphone, then newest one.  and she's 75 or so.

in my opinion, Vista upgrades to Win7 should be free as an apology from Microsoft for selling Vista in the first place.  i still like xp because it does everythign i need, and i don't need an upgrade to do anything i do better on Win7.  but i do use windows 7 because i'm expected to know how to support it.

Linux is for computer experts.  yes you can buy a Linux and it will work fine.  for a while.  but if it doesn't you're really scrooged.  for example.  i had an extra Linux based netbook which i gave my son whose very good at computers.  when he set up his wireless and locked it down, the linux wouldn't work.  after researching it for a few weeks and trying various updates, upgrades and suggestions he found on the web, he wiped the disk and loaded XP.  Linux is not for the faint of heart, non-expert.

Everything Dave said is correct and i agree with.  and as he siad about his comments, apply to mine.  they are fwiw.  call me if you need help with the sale persons jargon or you want to discuss what you need before you go to bestbuy or call dell.  then call me after they tell you what they have and i'll give you my opinion on whether you were over or undersold.  sometimes those guys sell you a bus without wheels and you find out later they are extra.  Dell has a habit of leaving off certain Intel features in order to "save money".  they use Intel wireless cards, but you get the cheapo dell software with it. imho.

[Depewtee]

luvrbus,

I have used PCs running the various varieties of Windows for years.  Last year I bought my first Apple - a MacBook.  Since then I have bought two MacBook Pros (one for the wife and one for the eldest child).  I prefer the Apples, but like others have mentioned I view the PC/Mac debate more like the Chevy/Ford or MCI/Prevost debates.  I really do not have any major problems running programs.  I have installed Microsoft Office for Mac on all of the Apples and easily use all Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.  Office for Mac uses Entourage instead of Outlook, but still I have no issues with my e-mail - I use the Apple mail application for my personal e-mail and Entourage for my work e-mail (it synchs better with the work Exchange server).

One area where Mac is superior to Windows is with pictures and videos.  I use the programs that came standard with the machines and do not really need more.

I guess I am a little different when it comes to my computer usage.  In addition to using Macs, I use Google Chrome for my Internet browser.  I do experience issues with Chrome on some sites, but all I have to do is open Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer (in that order of preference - I do not have many issues with Windows XP, but I really, really do not like Explorer).

It does take some time to get used to using a Mac.  If you have specific questions about Apple I would be happy to try to provide you a good answer.

Brian

P.S. - I will be in Tampa next week and I am looking forward to visiting the Apple Store at International Plaza.

[luvrbus]

Tom, I have a old HP with XP that has never been a problem but one time and it was caused by service pack 2 but the HP died and the Toshiba with Vista has been a nightmare with each one blaming the problems on the other and today I just got fed up and told MS and Toshiba were they could stick it.
I am going to order the Mac they cost a little more than a MS based system.
I do know Apple is a very popular lap top in Europe all our friends over there have one and love the Mac.
Me I am just tried of the BS from MS, they should have kept DOS I have a old system with LOTUS 123 in DOS best spread sheet ever made IMHO you can keep MS Excel to me it sucks


good luck and thanks

[Mex-Busnut]

you need to figure out what you use a computer for email and web browsing will work on either Apple or a PC.  specific map and gps programs won't.

[SNIP]

Linux is for computer experts.  yes you can buy a Linux and it will work fine.  for a while.  but if it doesn't you're really scrooged.  for example.  i had an extra Linux based netbook which i gave my son whose very good at computers.

First of all, yes: What are you going to do with your machine? Basic web browsing, edit your bus pictures, listen to MP3's, word processing? Any of the systems will work.

I am NOT a Microsoft-certified engineer: Just a Microsoft very frustrated user. I have worked with Microslop products since MS DOS 2.11, long before Windows existed. I use WindowsXP on both desktop and laptop. Windows Vista was cow extract. Windows 7, a big improvement in some areas and disappointment in others. (I just set up my daughter's Compaq All-In-One with Windows 7.)

I also just set up my wife's Imac with the latest operating system from Apple. She loves it. I hate it. Our son is 100% Apple: He is a musician, and they prefer Apples for their work.

As far as Linux goes, in the past, it was for the geeks. Not any more. I especially like Ubuntu Linux (See http://www.ubuntu.com/. And no: You do NOT buy it: It is legally free. The forums are awesome. Every once in a while you get a hiccup (as you do with ANY operating system). Post your problem on the forums, and usually within hours you have a solution. Try that with Windows! You can download Ubuntu for free and run it off a Live CD or a USB drive on your current system without changing anything.

I use Ubuntu 10.04 on my Acer Aspire One mini-laptop, my desktop and our home file server. I love it! You never have to worry about buying an anti-virus program. You can have a fully-working laptop or desktop system without spending a penny. You can install Ubuntu on your present messed-up laptop.

Also, many people don't know about the legally FREE MS Office substitute called www.OpenOffice.org. It is available for all the operating systems we mention here for free download.

Hope you get some ideas from all of us crazy busnuts!

[Dave5Cs]

luvrbus;

Mine is a Toshiba Satellite L-25 with XP Pro on it and it is wonderful.
Thats the problem; You have Vista on it.
Wipe the disk clean, re-format and find a copy of XP Professional and load it and then update it and Wa-La the perfect system.

Hey White Eagle High Five I knew we could draw the Apple Guys out in the open. LOL

Dave

[luvrbus]

Tom and Dave where do get the software to change from Vista I understand  at least I think I do you cannot upgrade Vista with windows 7 ? one shop wanted 300 bucks for the change over I am not going to spend that for a MS mistake or a Toshiba who's ever problem it is both have customers service reps that are jerks and don't speak English.
I would try the upgrade but not for 300 bucks maybe 100 bucks.  


good luck

[Len Silva]

I consider myself very fortunate to have gone from XP to Win7, completely skipping over Vista.  I am very pleased with 7.

At about the same time as I bought my new machine, my wife bought a MAC (for about twice as much money). It works fine but there are some issues and I think she will soon replace it again with a PC.

She was sold a bill of goods by the Apple sales people that the Mac word processor and spreadsheet programs were fully compatible with MS.

They will indeed open Word and Excel programs but they are saved as Mac.  If you send them to a MS user, they cannot be opened.  You have the option to save as Word or Excel, but the next time you open the program, it reverts to Mac.

Very embarrassing if you are sending a resume or sales proposal and forget to "save as" every time.  I know you can buy Office for Mac, but the sales guy was misleading or simply didn't know.

Additionally, there are hundreds, if not thousands of programs, especially the smaller, cheaper stuff, that is not available for Mac.  Some websites will not work with the Mac browser and I had to install Firefox for her to use them.  Particularly anything that uses Adobe Flash.

I think that if it were not for the very big hit you take on a used computer, she would trade today for a PC.

[John316]

Clifford,

You asked for advice on Apples, so I will give it. I would say GO FOR IT!!!!!

Personally I think you will love it. The operating system is a bit different. However, the biggest advantage that I see, is they are much more of a "clean" feeling. They are more streamlined. In my family, we use both. Those that have Apples, swear that they will die with their Apples. Those that have regular old PC's, then they are just maybe OK with them, not happy.

Apple has one of the best support I have ever seen and spoken with. They have excellent classes to get you started on the Apples.

I would recommend a MacBook pro. A regular Macbook has a plastic case. I like the pro, because it has a metal case, and is a tougher computer.

MS 7 is okay, but again it still doesn't feel clean. It is better then Vista.

The bottom line? If you don't like MS go with Apple. I think you will love it (once you figure it out a little bit). Those who I know that have gone to Apple have never looked back. Go down to the Apple store, find somebody down there that you like working with (some are better then others, so find one that just wants to get you set up right), and play with the laptops. Play with them for a couple of hours. Go to this bus board. Post. Try out the computers. See what you think.

You decide.

God bless,

John

[jackhartjr]

I would steer clear of Gateway!  Bought one and paid $400.00 for a 4 years exclusive warranty.  Hard drive went out at 3 1/2 years.  Guest what, they had sold the warranty to anther company that would not anser the phone.  I was very clear when I asked the person at Gateway, "Let's be clear, you sold me a 4 year warranty, sold it to someone else who won't fix it, you won't fix it, but you would gladly sell me another Gateway?"

[Sam 4106]

Hi luvrbus,
We have a Dell lap top at home with Vista and it has been a piece of crap since new, 2 years. When my wife took a new job in a different school district, she is a speech pathologist, they gave her a new Apple lap top. She likes it so much that she ordered a new Mac Book Pro last week for home use. She is the computer person in the family so I can't offer any other information.
Good luck, Sam MC8