I am a long time PC user. So I was looking on the apple.com and I am deciding if I want to buy a Mac or not. Well I looked in the refurbished section and I seen a Macbook.
Here are the specs:
Processor: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 1GB (two 512MB SO-DIMMs) of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB
HD: 120GB
OS: Leopard
So would this be a good buy?
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✅ Answers
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Low on memory.. CPU is so so.. Low Memory Speed. Smallish HD.. I have worked on both Macs and PCs and would actually recommend going with another PC. Don’t like windows? Try Linux for free..
PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..
Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn’t as secure as you think..
Don’t believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.
A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&bt… as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,
If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.
Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?
I say: NO… for the following reasons…
ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :
Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.
1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don’t have a legitimate copy of Windows.
2) Supports more devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).
3) More business software/games
4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
5) Used by businesses.
ADVANTAGES LINUX :
1) FREE (most versions are)
2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)
2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE
4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet
5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)
Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-u…
Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_…
SECURITY
Mac OS X was hacked in 26 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 28, and within 10 seconds in 29. In 28, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 29 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.
Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.
Please Note: All OS’s have vulnerabilities.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X…
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-…
http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Research…
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Iro…
VIRUSES
Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think “they are safe”.
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/28/07/m…
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll…
QUALITY/PROBLEMS
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to “lower the price” and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.
Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-120263-17.html
http://www.tuaw.com/28/08/01/apples-quality-dwin…
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-sy…
http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/28/05…
Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.
PRICE
A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)
**(LAPTOP)
Dell Inspiron Laptop Starting Price: $5
Ending Price: $5
15″ Screen
CPU: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [5% slower]
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X45HD [Not as good/fine for general use[
Memory: 3GB DDR2 SDRAM [75% of ram)
Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 54 rpm (same)
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx…
Cybperpower Notebook Xplorer X5-29 Starting Price: $755
Ending Price After upgrades (not including 5% rebate): $860
15″ Screen
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (+$1) [FASTER]
Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 96-GT 512MB [MUCH FASTER/BETTER CARD]
Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM [MORE MEMORY]
Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 54 rpm (+$5) [LARGER HARD DRIVE]
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X5-29…
Macbook Starting laptop Price: $10
Ending Price After Upgrades: $12
13″ Screen (SMALLER)
CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SLOWER)
Graphics: Nvidia GFORCE 94 256MB
Memory: (upgrade to) 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (SAME)
Hard Drive (upgrade to) 320B Serial ATA Drive @ 54 rpm (SAME)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC240LL/A?mco=…
**(DESKTOP)
PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac’s vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $4 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don’t think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.
PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple’s low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac “look different”, if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.
Dell: ($7)
CPU: 2.33 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: 4GB Ram
HARD DRIVE: 5 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 512MB
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx…
The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal… The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.
IMac ($13)
CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: (upgrade to) 4GB Ram (SAME)
HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 320 GB hard Drive (LESS HARD DRIVE)
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 94M (APPROX SAME BUT LESS MEMORY GAPHICS)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB417LL/A?mco=…
Equivalents to ILife
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/270830_ili…
http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518
FREE Windows Stuff
http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html
ANTI-VIRUS
Avira Antivir (FREE) for 29 personal edition is free (there is a paid version) the free version was rated the best by onsumer reports 29 and here http://www.freewaregenius.com/29/04/07/the-best-…
Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/
ANTI-MALWARE
Windows Defender (FREE)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamil…
Malware Bytes (FREE) Limitation – No Realtime protection on free version.
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware…
Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)
http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edi…
LINUX INFO:
Source(s): http://www.kubuntu.org/
http://www.freespire.org/
http://www.pclinuxos.com/
http://xwinman.org/gnome.php
http://xwinman.org/kde.php
http://www.linuxalt.com/
http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbunt…
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbunt…
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/
Sounds Brilliant! 1 suggestion, if you are going to buy a mac, buy Mac OSX 10.6 aka. “Snow Leopard”. It increases the performance of the computer greatly and it frees up some HD space!
My cousin’s re-furbished MacBook is: WICKED and fast.
Our two XPs FRIED their motherboards! lots and lots of cash: $$$$$$
Our Macs have saved us $6,0 over three (3) years.
No tweaks. upgrades, fixes, repairs or upgrades!
Source(s): 2 macs work ALL the time
9 windows work most of the time
That’s the exact same one I have. And I couldn’t be happier with it. So by all means get it!