Laptop Recommedations please?

[ukdesigner]

I'm an avid Apple user and run Parallels with windows XP and find it runs like a dream. All those odd programs that you can't get for Apple can run very smoothly on it.

I have several websites for work that are only for PC (bad / lazy designers) and I have no trouble accessing them or running those strange programs.

I have also owned PC's in the past and just find that they lock up, do silly things and are also vulnerable to viruses, spyware and hacking. Macs have a good firewall built in, there are no malicious viruses for them and spyware wont work on them.

However... I do have one word of warning. If you do buy a mac and install windows on it you will still have to have anti-virus, spyware and a firewall on it. If you don't you will be vulnerable to all of those like if you were on a normal pc.

Once you go Mac.. you never go back. Trust me I've owned them for 10 years now!

Oh yes... new operating system is out in October by the way and it looks awesome!!

[Plavt]

I'm an avid Apple user and run Parallels with windows XP and find it runs like a dream.

Very interesting, despite what I said in my previous post, I have never been entirely certain since what one reads in reviews is not always the truth. My own experience is the technical support staff often are not particularly well informed and sometimes not even trained to configure Apple's own products (should have seen the clowning around trying to configure an airport extreme - when I found out how it took a mere ten minutes ).

Some of the disappointment stems from users trying to install Windows without reading or properly comprehending the instructions. As mentioned find some knowledgeable guy in a local store seems the best option if you are short on info.

I agree they are better machines than anything else I have owned.

[ukdesigner]

I used to use Virtual PC before on the Mac and that worse than pulling teeth!! It was slow (like 10 minutes to start internet explorer) slow and I was a bit sceptical aswell about Parallels.

i did massive amounts of research and it installed no problem. Very simple, very easy etc etc. The longest time was actually installing windows, which always takes ages anyway.

I'm quite a nerd when it comes to Apple so would be more than happy to help out. Like I said I've owned them for years from G4's, to G5's, ibooks, imacs, mac minis and now a macbook pro. I've converted many friends to them and they love them. Yes you do pay extra but as I always say... the software and hardware by Apple is designed to work together. yes the parts come from different companies but Apple makes the software and Apple makes the hardware. Its not all bolt-ons like PC's which is why you rarely get system problems. yes they do happen, but normally its just a reboot and off you go again. I had one machine that wasn't turned off or rebooted for a year! It just went to sleep at night and carried on when i got to the office the next day.

There's a good shop at funan I found which is a dedicated mac shop (thats their name by the way) and have found them to be helpful. There's another one at Wheelock Place aswell which i think is the proper Authorised Apple Reseller.

[jason_sg]

hi, you can buy from NUS. it is 500 dollars to 1000 dollars cheaper than outside. SMS me 91998686

[Plavt]

Its not all bolt-ons like PC's

In the words of Mark Minasi ([http://www.minasi.com) shrug and pray - said in reference to some of the available hardware and software for Windows.

[solitude]

so....apple seems to be the ideal choice..but I don't wanna be those who carry macbooks just for show-offs..hmm, has anyone got to say any more things about acer?

[beach_bum]

i'm a system administrator for Windows and basically still a Mac newbie (just got my first Macbook five months ago), but i gotta tell you that although Windows is a good OS and i can probably troubleshoot it with my eyes closed (and Tiger OS can, at times, remain a complete mystery to me), Mac would still win my vote over Windows anytime. it's not without bugs, but it's still an amazing system. i love, love, LOVE it! <3 <3 <3

I don't wanna be those who carry macbooks just for show-offs

i kinda used to feel the same way, but now i know why those people acted that way...it's because owning a Mac is really something to be proud of.

I have worried about not being able to run Windows programs on my Mac, especially since there's tons of freeware out there that only work for Windows...but most of the time I find a complete alternative for Mac, so I don't really feel like I'm missing out. My favorite programs like VLC and Firefox are also available on Mac.

but if you really, really have to buy a Microsoft system, IBM, Asus, and Toshiba are probably your best bet (my colleagues (who are Windows gurus) would also agree). But these brands can be pricey. Acer is okay, but as the previous posts have mentioned, the parts are sub-par, so be sure to get really good, comprehensive warranty. Oh, and most of the people I know who got Vista downgraded back to XP. Guess Microsoft released it too early.

[solitude]

hmm i kinda think that window vista is abit too "incomplete" with something, though not knowing what exactly is "that thing", but i would like to give mac os a try, however i also heard from people that we can actually run window in mac book? im not too sure....

[ukdesigner]

however i also heard from people that we can actually run window in mac book? im not too sure....

I can tell you that yes you can run windows on a mac. You have several options.

1. You can use Apple's Bootcamp which basically means that you have 2 operating systems to boot into. Tjis is ideal if you want say a dedicated windows machine and a dedicated mac. However the downside is that you can't run them at the same time.

2. You can install Parallels or Fusion (a new one) that will allow you to run Mac OSX and also run windows at the same time. I use paralells as my accounts software is PC only and its just like running a normal program. Click on parallels, it launches, click to run windows and the launch my program. Dead easy. You can also share files between the 2 systems and access the internet through windows and install those odd programs that we all seem to gather over time and can't live without.

However as I mentioned in an earlier post, if you have windows on any machine (Macs included) you must have anti-virus and firewall software. Even the mac can't protect your windows operating system from those pesky viruses.

I run windows XP myself. Its solid now, reliable and doesn't crash so I can't comment on vista.

If you wanna know more just PM me and I'll gladly help you out.

PS. There's reason why we mac users gloat. No viruses. No keyloggers to worry about. Built-in solid firewall. Very few crashes. They look cool. They are cool and we have the most up-to-date operating system. Where do you think Microsoft got its ideas from? Compare Mac OSX and Vista... very similar aren't they!!

PPS. Gotta go now... going to play PC games on my MAC!!

[Plavt]

1. You can use Apple's Bootcamp which basically means that you have 2 operating systems to boot into. Tjis is ideal if you want say a dedicated windows machine and a dedicated mac. However the downside is that you can't run them at the same time.

Just how did you do that? I installed bootcamp but for some reason was unable to install windows XP. No good asking tech support they simply aren't interested as they don't support Windows and keep recommending waiting until Leopard comes out.

[solitude]

oh no i'm confused with choices again. The mac book is very tempting but it cost 2000+ and i dun think they allow hire purchase..i thought of two other acer model because they allow hire purchase and they simply cost cheaper.
the 1st model is Acer TravelMate 6292..
specs are:
Intel Centrino Duo Processor Technology
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7300
(2GHz, 4MB Level 2 Cache, 800MHz FSB);
1GB DDR2 667 RAM (one slot left);
Intel GM965 Express Chipset;
160GB SATA Hard Disk with Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection);
DVD Super Multi Double-Layer Drive (DVD+/-RW) ;
12.1" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite TFT LCD [Wide Screen] (1280 x 800);
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100 with up to 358MB of Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0 (8MB of dedicated system memory, up to 358MB of shared system memory), supporting Microsoft DirectX 9 and DirectX 10;
Integrated Acer CrystalEye 0.3 Megapixel webcam supporting enhanced Acer PrimaLite technology;
PC Card Slot (Type II);
USB 2.0 x 3;
IEEE 1394;
Fast infrared (FIR) port;
S-video/TV-out (NTSC/PAL) Port;
Built-in V.92 modem;
Built-in 10/100/1000Mbps LAN;
Built-in Intel Pro/Wireless 4965AGN;
Built-in BlueTooth 2.0+EDR;
5-in-1 card reader, supporting Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS-Pro), xD-Picture Card;
Integrated Acer Bio-Protection Fingerprint Reader;
Touchpad;
Intel High Definition Audio Support;
Two built-in Acer 3DSonic stereo speakers;
Acer PureZone technology with two built-in stereo microphones;
Windows Vista Business;
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium;
Microsoft Office 2007 Standard;
Notebook Carrying Case, Wireless Optical Mouse.
2.1 kg (with 6-cell battery and optical drive).
Up to 4 hours depending on usage;
[3 years On-Campus Warranty (include parts and labor) and 1-year International Travellers Warranty (carry-in only)]
the 2nd model is TravelMate 3044WTMi..
specs are:
Intel® Centrino® Duo mobile technology
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T5600 (1.83GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache), supporting Intel® Extended Memory 64 Technology (Intel® EM64T)
Intel® 945GM Express chipset
System Memory 2GB DDR II RAM (2 x 1GB DDR II RAM), upgradeable to 4GB using dual soDIMM modules
Display/Graphics 12.1" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite™ colour TFT LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, 16:10 viewing ratio, 16.7 million colors, supporting simultaneous multi-window viewing via Acer GridVista™
Intel® 945GM integrated 3D graphics, featuring Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 with up to 224 MB of shared memory, supporting Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 and PCI Express®
Dual independent display support
MPEG-2/DVD hardware-assisted capability
Storage Subsystem 120GB S-ATA HDD with Acer Disk Anti-Shock Protection
5-in-1 card reader, supporting Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick® (MS), Memory Stick PRO™ (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card™ (xD)
Media Drive DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive (DVD+/-RW, External)
Dimensions & Weight 297.5 (W) x 210 (D) x 24.5/32.4 (H) mm
1.5kg with 3-cell battery pack
1.65kg with 6-cell battery pack
Power Subsystem ACPI 2.0 CPU power management standard: supports Standby and Hibernation power-saving modes
53W 4800 mAh Li-ion battery pack (6-cell)
22W 2000 mAh Li-ion battery pack (3-cell)
5.5-hour battery life with second battery pack (Subject to user usage)
Acer QuicCharge™ technology: 80% charge in 1 hour, 2-hour rapid charge system-off, 2.5-hour charge-in-use
3-pin 65W AC adapter
Keyboard and Pointing Device 84-/85-key keyboard with inverted "T" cursor layout; 2.5 mm (minimum) key travel
Built-in touchpad with 4-way scroll button
12 function keys, four cursor keys, two Windows® keys, hotkey controls, embedded numeric keypad, international language support
4 easy-launch buttons: Empowering Key, email, Internet, user-programmable button
2 front-access LED-buttons: WLAN and Bluetooth®
Audio Intel® high-definition audio support
S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) support for digital speakers
Audio system with 2 built-in speakers
Sound Blaster Pro™ and MS-Sound compatible
Built-in microphone
Communication Interface Acer Video Conference featuring Voice and Video over Internet Protocol (WoIP) support via Acer OrbiCam™ and optional Acer Bluetooth® VoIP phone
Acer OrbiCam™ integrated 1.3 megapixel CMOS camera featuring:
- 225o ergonomic rotation
- Acer VisageON™ technology
- Acer PrimaLite™ technology
Modem: 56K ITU V.92 modem with PTT approval; Wake-on-Ring ready
LAN: Gigabit Ethernet; Wake-on-LAN ready
WLAN: Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection (dual-band tri-mode 802.11a+b+g) Wi-Fi CERTIFIEDTM solution, supporting Acer SignalUp™ wireless technology
WPAN: Bluetooth® 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
I/O Interface 3 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x 124-pin Acer ezDock port
1 x PC Card slot (one Type II)
1 x 5-in-1 card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)
1 x IEEE 1394 port (6-pin)
1 x Fast infrared (FIR) port
1 x External display VGA port
1 x Headphones/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support
1 x Microphone/line-in jack
1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port
1 x RJ-11 Modem port
1 x DC-in jack for AC adapter
OS Preload Genuine Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Business
Software Acer Empowering Technology (Acer eDataSecurity / eLock / ePerformance / eRecovery5 / eSettings / eNet / ePower / ePresentation Management)
Acer GridVista™
Acer Launch Manager
Norton AntiVirus™ *
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®
Cyberlink® PowerDVD™
NTI CD-Maker™
System Compliance Cisco Compatible Extension (CCX)
Wi-Fi®
ACPI 2.0
Mobile PC 2002
DMI 2.0
Warranty 3 Year Local Onsite Warranty and 1st Year International Traveller's Warranty (Carry-in)
well..it seems, one is within my budget and the other, is light enough for my liking..i'm like confused now..can anyone help???

[dan133]

how much is the retail price for above specs??

[solitude]

the 1st model is ard 1.6k plus, but not exceeding 1.7k. the 2nd model is 2.3k .. but hire purchase allowed, so i dun have to churn out so much money at one time..