What are the advantages of MacBooks.

[seawhale]

I am thinking of buying a macbook, I would like to ask about the advantages and disadvantages of MacBooks.

Through my experience and research i have figured out the following:

Advantages:

1. Elegant design and good quality for finishing and materials.
2. Long battery life.
3. Very hard to be infected by viruses or gets hacked.
4. Very light for the macbook air version.

Actually most of these advantages apply also to all other apple devices.

Disadvantages:

1. As most of people usually have all their data and files saved by windows, so usually there will be compatibility issues, specially if you use graphics and drawings applications like auto-cad, photoshop, max....etc

For office, I think there are solutions for the compatibility, but even after converting files, I doubt the format will be ok, sure will be distorted.

2. It is impossible to upgrade a macbook, and for me i do not see it as a major problem as it will serve you several years till you need a hardware upgrade.

3. Do not have a big idea about how much flexible are MacBooks regarding connectivity, as apple are always strict in this point (for example not for count, iPad can connect to only other i-devices via bluetooth).

4. High price, so for that i have to make sure that it really will not bother me, and will serve my needs perfectly, i will not accept to pay this amount in a macbook and then i regret it.

Please if you have comments or clarifications on what i mentioned please advice.

 

[Algus]

As to

1. Many major apps are on both operating systems or share file formats. This can be an issue if you try converting from Pages to Office bit is largely a nonissue. Many companies use custom-built software though and a BYOD situation might frustrate you.

The good news is there are several different solutions for Windows software compatibility: BootCamp, Parallels, etc.

2. Yes this is true for the newest Macbooks. Get not just what you need but what you think you'll need. The good news is that Macs retain their value fairly well so you can certainly sell later on.

3. Macs have excellent compatibility with plug and play peripherals. You do not need Mac-exclusive attachments.

4. Macs ARE competitive in price but you're paying for the bundled software as well as the hardware. If you aren't using the included Apple software, you may not be getting your money's worth. OS X updates for free now and that cam be a good savings over paying for major Windows revisions.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Speedygi]

For me, I feel the Aluminium really makes Macbooks so durable and gives it a classic design.

Plus they are reliable on the software side too, which is a godsend in the land of Laptops.

 

[mulasien]

4. Macs ARE competitive in price but you're paying for the bundled software as well as the hardware. If you aren't using the included Apple software, you may not be getting your money's worth. OS X updates for free now and that cam be a good savings over paying for major Windows revisions.

I'd like to piggy back onto this point and point out that if you spec out a competing Windows laptop with the same specs (not just similar, but as close to the same as you can), then the price is usually about the same. Throw in the software and it actually becomes a better value than the Windows versions.

Usually when someone throws out the "well I can get such and such laptop for much less", 'such and such' laptop usually has worse battery life, a lower resolution screen, is twice as thick and heavy, or some other trade off required to get to that lower price point. Macs are so expensive because they only use high end hardware in their products. The bargain bin Best Buy special that you can get for $300 is priced as such because the components are much inferior to begin with.

 

[Brutal Efficiency]

There are many companies that use Aluminium in their designs. Most look fantastic!

I know Macs are still susceptible to viruses as well.

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[taz323]

There are many companies that use Aluminium in their designs. Most look fantastic!

I know Macs are still susceptible to viruses as well.

Posted via iMore App

i haven't had any issues.

 

[iOS Gravity]

I can give you two good reasons.

1. Apple Tech Support is the best in the market
2. You are getting a lot for those couple thousand dollars that your are spending. Such as, free updates to the latest version of OSX, a premium device, and good customer service.

 

[richard_rsp]

I have been impressed with the reliability of MacBooks. I used to buy non-apple laptops, but noticed they conked out around 2 years of use (Toshiba, then Compaq, then Gateway, then another Gateway, then Toshiba). Yes, I usually had an extended warranty, but it was still a pain. We ended up getting a great deal through my wife's school on a 2010 Macbook Pro for her and decided to give Apple a shot. Well she has had it for four years of hard use and its still running great (knock on wood)! I ended up getting a 2011 iMac - still runs great and speedy today. So far, no issues with either of our Macbook Airs either (they are rather new though). Between the reliability experience and the ability to run both OSX and Windows (bootcamp), I have a hard time justifying buying any other computer!

 

[qbnkelt]

Well my laptop is now two years old and I intend to replace it within the next six months. At that time I will go for a Macbook Pro. 15 inch. Upgraded memory. It will be around twenty five hundred but it will be with me for two years so it's OK. I've already got a two year old iPad, a three year old iPod classic and an iPhone 5s and I have not had one single problem with any of them.

For me, the advantages are durability, reliability, and the outstanding customer service and support that Apple provides. Best in the industry.

 

[phreddyl]

i haven't had any issues.

Me neither

 

[SprSynJn]

If you don't mind me chiming in here, I will tell you that I have had my MacBook for seven years now and have only upgraded the RAM once in that time span. It runs Lion with very little problems, although it is quite slow. I was able to run Snow Leopard just fine though. I cannot express how reliable Mac laptops are. It was my first Mac since I was a child, after two Windows XP laptops and several desktop versions before that. It is the reason I got an iPad, several iPod Nano's, an iPhone, and finally an iMac just two months ago. Although I have a few negative things to say about Mavericks, generally Apple's OS's are very clean cut, easy, yet convenient to use. I would recommend them highly without hesitation to anyone for personal use.

 

[cardfan]

For PC's, it really depends on who you deal with. For customer service, Dell has been the best. Any problems and they overnight a part and send someone to install it if needed. That beats having to deal with hauling stuff in to a crowded Apple store for me. As for support over phone, I wouldn't know. I don't think I've ever called MS, Apple, or anyone for it other than to activate software. As for durability, I've heard enough horror stories from both Mac and PC users.

The real advantage of a Mac is OSX and ecosystem if you have iOS devices. I run windows as well and can install what I need. Apple may include a lot of software but some of it goes unused for me. It's also much easier to sell a used Mac later.

I prefer a desktop PC and a Mac for a laptop. Apple still has work to do to make an iMac compelling enough for me. Retina might do it.

 

[RavenSword]

For PC's, it really depends on who you deal with. For customer service, Dell has been the best. Any problems and they overnight a part and send someone to install it if needed. That beats having to deal with hauling stuff in to a crowded Apple store for me. As for support over phone, I wouldn't know. I don't think I've ever called MS, Apple, or anyone for it other than to activate software. As for durability, I've heard enough horror stories from both Mac and PC users.

The real advantage of a Mac is OSX and ecosystem if you have iOS devices. I run windows as well and can install what I need. Apple may include a lot of software but some of it goes unused for me. It's also much easier to sell a used Mac later.

I prefer a desktop PC and a Mac for a laptop. Apple still has work to do to make an iMac compelling enough for me. Retina might do it.

My main issue with iMacs is upgradability and games support. Upgradability is important on desktop for me because I want to play games on my desktop computer. So being able to swap out and upgrade components is important. If I was using it for only general use, I'd imagine I'd be fine with a iMac.

 

[mikeo007]

OSX is the biggest advantage that no other manufacturer can currently match.

 

[Algus]

If you're into gaming, you'll never be able to match the upgradeability of a custom built system vs a factory built machine (unless you go to a gaming PC specialist, but you're overpaying there. Really...build it yourself it is fun and easy!). iMacs are pretty powerful computers with good options for end-user upgrades but nothing beats being able to pop an old CPU out of your main board and tossing in a faster one that you couldn't afford at the time of purchase but has come down in price considerably after a year or two.

I've said this in another topic or two around here but I am happier gaming on OS X than I was on my fancy PC gaming rig but I don't play a lot of high graphics games, mostly sims and RPGs and the like, and I'm also like "whatever" on maxing graphics...as long as it runs. If you are a big time gamer, there's definitely a give and take with Macs and they might not be your ideal computer. They can all run games pretty well though, although you'll want that RAM upgrade for the Mac Mini...it needs it!

 

[Speedygi]

If you're into gaming, you'll never be able to match the upgradeability of a custom built system vs a factory built machine (unless you go to a gaming PC specialist, but you're overpaying there. Really...build it yourself it is fun and easy!). iMacs are pretty powerful computers with good options for end-user upgrades but nothing beats being able to pop an old CPU out of your main board and tossing in a faster one that you couldn't afford at the time of purchase but has come down in price considerably after a year or two.

I've said this in another topic or two around here but I am happier gaming on OS X than I was on my fancy PC gaming rig but I don't play a lot of high graphics games, mostly sims and RPGs and the like, and I'm also like "whatever" on maxing graphics...as long as it runs. If you are a big time gamer, there's definitely a give and take with Macs and they might not be your ideal computer. They can all run games pretty well though, although you'll want that RAM upgrade for the Mac Mini...it needs it!

I agree. Nothing beats a custom-built PC for gaming

 

[Flow39]

Just the battery life is a huge enough reason to love MacBooks. Add on OS X, free software updates, the entire iWork suite (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) for free, the iLife suite for free, and that's not even the beginning. There are a lot of reasons to like MacBooks

 

[RavenSword]

Just the battery life is a huge enough reason to love MacBooks. Add on OS X, free software updates, the entire iWork suite (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) for free, the iLife suite for free, and that's not even the beginning. There are a lot of reasons to like MacBooks

The issue I have with iWork (pages specifically) is that there's formatting issues when you try and make it a Word.doc

 

[Speedygi]

The issue I have with iWork (pages specifically) is that there's formatting issues when you try and make it a Word.doc

For office documents, always go Microsoft Office. It's not even a comparison...

 

[Speedygi]

Just the battery life is a huge enough reason to love MacBooks. Add on OS X, free software updates, the entire iWork suite (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) for free, the iLife suite for free, and that's not even the beginning. There are a lot of reasons to like MacBooks

Plus if you go the MacBook Air route, you are talking about near full day use. Game changer, if you ask me...