Apple MacBook 13"
 

Hi guys
I'm going to buy a new notebook... I'm seeing to a Apple Macbook 13".
Any impressions ?
Any disconts ? :confused:
Extra points for buy an Apple ? :D

Thanks ! ^

My wife and I bought MacBooks last year, soon after they were released.

We switched from PCs and could not be happier.

Since then, there have been upgrades in processors and memory. Both of us have upgraded to 2 GB RAM.

There are educational discounts if you qualify. RIght now, if you buy a MAc, you can also get a free ipod.

Good luck!

fuzz

My GF has always used mostly Windows, but she has to use Macs on one of her jobs. That client just upgraded her iBook to a 13" MacBook. She says it may make her give up her Sony. Coming from her, that's high praise.

Buy the MacBook.

Two Continental OnePass miles for every dollar spent at the Apple Store online.

You need to follow the link from the continental.com site (where you input your OnePass number).

Not sure how many, if any, miles per Euro! :)

Don't even worry about the Windows thing. You can install Windows and boot into Windows on your MacBook. Runs fast too. Although I hardly ever have to do it.

Another vote for the MacBook. 1.5mi/$ on United

Love my MacBook (hence my FT name)
 

First off, I'm not anywhere near a computer expert. I'd put my knowledge at slightly beyond beginner so please take what i have to say for what is is - the experiences of someone who mainly uses her computer for word processing, photos and the Internet.

I'd had a PC for years and finally switched to a MacBook Pro (13" was too small) last August and love it.

There are a couple of things i've noticed with it though. It takes longer to transfer music from CDs to iTunes than it did with my PC - but i think the new MacBooks might be faster. And, I've seen some formatting "tweaks" when opening a word document that was created on a PC in my Mac, but nothing i'd consider to be a deal-breaker.

The wireless connection is great, but beware if you ever have to use a dial-up. You'll need to get this little gadget.

Finally, buy a "user's manual" from a bookstore as the Apple literature isn't of much use. I've been happy with the Missing Manual series, but i'm guessing the computer expert FTers might be able to recommend something better.

I would buy a macbook even if there was no points or discounts.

Apple is awesome. I will tell you that there are rumors that there will be a thinner notebook product from apple by the end of the year. Again rumor but could happen.

one other perk to mention: The Mac Geniuses at any of the US Apple Stores will transfer all the data from your old Windows computer to your new Macintosh for free when you buy it.

Go for it!
 

I've used PC's ever since they first came out, actually my first computer was a Kaypro (that dates me). Just bought my first Macbook a month ago - have had so much fun. Put together my first movie this weekend.

I'm not sorry at all that I've switched.

Try it, you'll love it!

I'm also a switcher...

Went from a Sony Vaio + Alienware home PC to:

- iMac 17" (Core Duo)
- MacBook (Core2 Duo)
- MacPro (Quad Core)

I went from 60% mac apps/40% windows apps when I started (Jan 2006) to now about 90% mac apps/10% windows apps.

I don't have a pure Windows PC in the house now. The Vaio got setup with Ubuntu Linux and the Alienware PC sounded like a lawnmower - ate pwoer like a pig so it got thrown aside.

For the few Windows apps I have I use either VMWare Fusion or Parallels. I only rarely now use Boot Camp. Although in Leopard switching to/from Windows/Mac via BootCamp is fast as each OS is suspended/resumed NOT full booted. Switchover is like 5-10 seconds for Leopard.

For gaming which Windows excelled on - I just find I'm doing more casual games (I must be getting old...) so the Macs graphics and limited gaming applications suffice. I do more games on my PS3 now. For someone who worked at NVIDIA for 7+ years that very much out of character :)

I just like some very simple things:

- Suspend/Resume/Hibernate (Deep Sleep) works [right now I'm on my 50th sleep/resume cycle]
- Fast bootup of OS
- Less crashes than Windows (I was also using Vista prior to March - so even compared to that)... Some Mac apps do crash but most are freeware/open source apps still in development. Very few issues on production applications
- Excellent performance on Bluetooth devices. DUN Bluetooth works great with any phone I use.
- Built in iSight camera
- Solid set of applications for consumer video/photos/music, etc..
- Works very well with my iPod
- Nice TV/HDTV/Capture solution via Elgato EyeTV - All my iPod content comes from this. Shows I want to record. Using the Elgato Turbo.264 gets my mostly 30 minute shows from EyeTV into iTunes directly (no importing/exporting, etc) in around 8 mins after the show finishes.


Some things that need to be improved

- Need a native version of Office (Office Mac is PPC emulated in Rosetta). It works but performance is really not good. I mainly use Keynote now.
- Apple Remote desktop should be FREE for point to point useage... I know VNC works - but it's not as clean as Windows Remote Desktop.

I usually turn to lowendmac.com/deals.shtml for finding Mac deals. The page for Macbooks is lowendmac.com/deals/macbook.html.

There is of course Apple's own deals page: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...m=CertifiedMac

If there is a student in your family you can take advantage of Apple's educational prices, usually $100 less than retail.

Thanks to all for your opinions !
I'm going to see if there is some Amex bonus to buy an Apple.... :cool:

You can get 2% cash back via Fatwallet for Apple.com

If you have your friend setup an associate account with Amazon, they can get $25 for each computer sold using their link. My friends all take turns using our referrals. Unfortunately, you can't use your own link.

As an Apple stockholder, I love to see threads like this!

amazon
 

I have bought all my mac products from amazon.
no taxes, free shipping and on mac products between 50$ and 150$ rebates.

I think the macbook rebates are still 75$?

I got mine in about 30 days.