Help me pick a new laptop!

[snizzle]

Surface Pro 3. Provided by my employer, but I love it. I had an original Surface RT personally and couldn't recommend that to anyone. Mobility was the main focus while maintaining decent resolution. Duels as a tablet is an added benefit. Core i5, 8G of RAM, and 256GB SSD on this model. 2160x1440 12" screen.

I realize you only specified Mac options. WinOS 8.1 with metro interface is much better with a touchscreen.

[menendez1293]

Originally Posted by lscamaro

I don't know if I have any faith in Windows anymore. That's what they said after Vista, "wait for Windows 7" and it was a decent OS but it definitely had it's problems. Then 8 came along and ruined everything. Another thing that bothers me is the abysmal battery life Windows laptops get

This right here seems like to me like you have not spent enough time with windows in recent years. I have both MAC and Windows and they both work just as intended. Sure Windows 8/8.1 is annoying with its metro apps and crap for a keyboard and mouse but you can avoid all of that.

When working on my desktop at both work and home, I think I see the start screen a total of 3 or 4 times at most in a day. As you get used to it, it really isn't that bad. Windows 8/8.1 actually brought a lot of good into the world of Windows based PCs. It uses a lot less resources than ever in the past. That is the only way it will work on things such as a 150 PC on a stick Intel has. In regards to battery, I can easily get right around the same run time out of a Surface Pro 3 (Which I can not recommend) as I can from my 15inch MacBook.

As for Mac, I have yet to hear of that issue with a "Film" on the Retina Displays. Only problem I have heard of is the dying pixels and video cards early on. My current MacBook is going strong after every day use for the past 5 years. I am planning on buying a 13inch retina in July to replace my current 15inch.

Today, the only reason to go with a Mac is if you want OS X. The underlying hardware for a Windows based laptop and a MacBook are very similar. As a tech person, I like the idea of having both OSs to stay current. That is really my only reason to get another MacBook. I know that I a paying a hefty premium for basically software.

[lscamaro]

Originally Posted by JamesMyBoy

Retina coating? Never heard of that... Retina display refers to the pixel density of the display, not any coating that may or may not be there. At any rate, I've never heard of any peeling problems, ever. I have both a 13" Air and a 15" MBP. I'd suggest the MBP due to more ports, faster processor and bigger HD. I loved the Air while traveling for work, but now that's done, so I gave it to my wife.

I know the Retina refers to the display. What I'm talking about is the coating that Apple uses on the display to reduce glare.

Originally Posted by menendez1293

This right here seems like to me like you have not spent enough time with windows in recent years. I have both MAC and Windows and they both work just as intended. Sure Windows 8/8.1 is annoying with its metro apps and crap for a keyboard and mouse but you can avoid all of that.

When working on my desktop at both work and home, I think I see the start screen a total of 3 or 4 times at most in a day. As you get used to it, it really isn't that bad. Windows 8/8.1 actually brought a lot of good into the world of Windows based PCs. It uses a lot less resources than ever in the past. That is the only way it will work on things such as a 150 PC on a stick Intel has. In regards to battery, I can easily get right around the same run time out of a Surface Pro 3 (Which I can not recommend) as I can from my 15inch MacBook.

As for Mac, I have yet to hear of that issue with a "Film" on the Retina Displays. Only problem I have heard of is the dying pixels and video cards early on. My current MacBook is going strong after every day use for the past 5 years. I am planning on buying a 13inch retina in July to replace my current 15inch.

Today, the only reason to go with a Mac is if you want OS X. The underlying hardware for a Windows based laptop and a MacBook are very similar. As a tech person, I like the idea of having both OSs to stay current. That is really my only reason to get another MacBook. I know that I a paying a hefty premium for basically software.

Heres what I'm talking about with the coating problems: http://www.staingate.org

I'm not going to lie, I haven't spent too much time with windows 8. I have used my sisters laptop that runs it, a friends laptop that runs it, and my uncles laptop as well. I've only used these laptops from time to time and I just feel that Windows 8 is more a tablet OS because its just weird without a touchscreen interface to me. I'm also not really looking for a touchscreen on my laptop. I have my tablets for that.

I haven't used it that much and I've been using my gf Mac and I'm really shocked by how old it is (4 years old) and it runs circles around my sisters laptop (2 years old) and my uncles laptop (6 months old). I know a Mac is real expensive but if it lasts me like my gf laptop, I'd be happy.

I'm definitely happy to entertain any other options though. The buying a lenovo with a SSD and no bloatware does sound intriguing.

[menendez1293]

Originally Posted by lscamaro

I know the Retina refers to the display. What I'm talking about is the coating that Apple uses on the display to reduce glare.



Heres what I'm talking about with the coating problems: http://www.staingate.org

I'm not going to lie, I haven't spent too much time with windows 8. I have used my sisters laptop that runs it, a friends laptop that runs it, and my uncles laptop as well. I've only used these laptops from time to time and I just feel that Windows 8 is more a tablet OS because its just weird without a touchscreen interface to me. I'm also not really looking for a touchscreen on my laptop. I have my tablets for that.

I haven't used it that much and I've been using my gf Mac and I'm really shocked by how old it is (4 years old) and it runs circles around my sisters laptop (2 years old) and my uncles laptop (6 months old). I know a Mac is real expensive but if it lasts me like my gf laptop, I'd be happy.

I'm definitely happy to entertain any other options though. The buying a lenovo with a SSD and no bloatware does sound intriguing.

I will say that a computer running quick for an extended period of time is all relative. Depending on how the user install programs, browsers the internet, treats temp files, etc. will change the way the computer responds years down the road.

Also, you have to take into consideration how expensive your sisters and uncle's laptop were when new. If they were cheaper it is a given that a slightly older MacBook would walk circles around it. Yes, MacBooks are expensive, but if you were to try to buy a comparable Windows laptop, you would only be saving around 400-600 dollars.

Edit: And the staingate issue you are referring to is microscopic in comparison to the amount of screens produced. Currently there are slightly around 500 people that have complained about the issue. Yes, this is a pretty bad one and I would be pissed if it happened to me. But it looks as if this was simply a bad batch. More than likely, Apple will come out and address the situation. Much the same way they did for the iPhone 4, Original Retinas, Bad GPUs from 2011-2013 and the iPhone 6+ bendgate.

[lscamaro]

Originally Posted by menendez1293

I will say that a computer running quick for an extended period of time is all relative. Depending on how the user install programs, browsers the internet, treats temp files, etc. will change the way the computer responds years down the road.

Also, you have to take into consideration how expensive your sisters and uncle's laptop were when new. If they were cheaper it is a given that a slightly older MacBook would walk circles around it. Yes, MacBooks are expensive, but if you were to try to buy a comparable Windows laptop, you would only be saving around 400-600 dollars.

Edit: And the staingate issue you are referring to is microscopic in comparison to the amount of screens produced. Currently there are slightly around 500 people that have complained about the issue. Yes, this is a pretty bad one and I would be pissed if it happened to me. But it looks as if this was simply a bad batch. More than likely, Apple will come out and address the situation. Much the same way they did for the iPhone 4, Original Retinas, Bad GPUs from 2011-2013 and the iPhone 6+ bendgate.

I definitely agree this is likely a small group of people but man it would suck to buy such an expensive laptop and have that happen

[rebelyell22]

My brothers laptop has W8, and I can't stand it. I use 7, and I guess it works fine

[Bizaro]

Give me a break Macs are severely over priced when just a few years back they were selling 2k laptops with cheap shitty 50 dollar HDD inside them. Theres a reason why in IT setting the standard is a good trusty Lenovo laptop extremely good engineering with a fair price. Give me your best shot macbook fanboy hipsters.

[Splitter]

it tech here

tell me what your price limit is and what you'll use the computer for and I'll find you some good deals

[lscamaro]

Originally Posted by Bizaro

Give me a break Macs are severely over priced when just a few years back they were selling 2k laptops with cheap shitty 50 dollar HDD inside them. Theres a reason why in IT setting the standard is a good trusty Lenovo laptop extremely good engineering with a fair price. Give me your best shot macbook fanboy hipsters.

I agree that Macs are expensive but when the main problem of a windows laptop is the os, it doesn't what brand of laptop you buy when the os is trash

Originally Posted by Splitter

it tech here

tell me what your price limit is and what you'll use the computer for and I'll find you some good deals

1500. I'm a student so basic stuff. Writing papers, email, web browsing, Netflix, etc. Macs make my list because I'm looking for good battery and portability. Also if possible something that won't be obsolete in a few months

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by lscamaro

1500. I'm a student so basic stuff. Writing papers, email, web browsing, Netflix, etc. Macs make my list because I'm looking for good battery and portability. Also if possible something that won't be obsolete in a few months

Apple basically is the definition of planned obsolescence, their entire business model is pretty much based around marketing a supposedly new product every year and counting on people to go nuts over it enough to ditch their perfectly good current product for a new one.

I don't know what you're majoring in but I know when I was in college, having a Mac was a royal PITA. Agriculture is heavily Windows-based so running PC DART and other dairy herd management software required me to boot into Windows constantly, which my MacBook sucked at.

At the end of the day, I should've taken that $1300 and spent it on a high end PC. Lesson learned.

[lscamaro]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Apple basically is the definition of planned obsolescence, their entire business model is pretty much based around marketing a supposedly new product every year and counting on people to go nuts over it enough to ditch their perfectly good current product for a new one.

I don't know what you're majoring in but I know when I was in college, having a Mac was a royal PITA. Agriculture is heavily Windows-based so running PC DART and other dairy herd management software required me to boot into Windows constantly, which my MacBook sucked at.

At the end of the day, I should've taken that $1300 and spent it on a high end PC. Lesson learned.

Well I'm about done with school so I won't be running any real intensive programs on the computer. I was waiting for maybe a retina air but after the debut of the new MacBook, I don't see anything really significant happening. And I'd be content with what I buy right now.

[menendez1293]

Originally Posted by lscamaro

I agree that Macs are expensive but when the main problem of a windows laptop is the os, it doesn't what brand of laptop you buy when the os is trash



1500. I'm a student so basic stuff. Writing papers, email, web browsing, Netflix, etc. Macs make my list because I'm looking for good battery and portability. Also if possible something that won't be obsolete in a few months

I am not sure how you are defining as obsolete, but anything you buy in the near future will have an update soon. The Intel Skylake CPUs are maybe another 3-5 months out and with the rise of USB 3.1/Type C we will see changes.

[lscamaro]

Originally Posted by menendez1293

I am not sure how you are defining as obsolete, but anything you buy in the near future will have an update soon. The Intel Skylake CPUs are maybe another 3-5 months out and with the rise of USB 3.1/Type C we will see changes.

Yes, I'm aware of the upcoming Skylake CPUs and I'm trying to see if I can wait a bit to see what happens with them. I know USB C is coming as well as that is what was included in the new MacBook but with only a single port, that's too extreme for me to take on. It also has pretty low specs so I don't really consider that one in my buying decision. USB C is a pretty cool technology but with so much more being done with cloud technologies, I don't think I'll absolutely regret not getting somehing without USB C. I don't think I've even connected anything via USB in maybe a year or a year and a half.

[Bizaro]

TLDR; dont buy Mac buy a PC ditch windows 8 stick with either w7 or Ubuntu or Mint.