Pcs Specialty

Macbook or PC for college?

I am taking classes at Skidmore college next year (I will technically be a high school senior), and I want to choose a computer to use.
Which is better suited for a college freshman, a Macbook or a PC? I was thinking the Dell Studio 17?
I will not be taking any specialty computer classes, just Greek/Roman Culture and Lit, and I think some kind of government and englishn100-level classes.

I would go with the PC (in your case the Dell although I might recommend a Toshiba L305 instead)… Dell is good for desktops, not as good on the laptops as the Toshiba..
I would avoid the mac for the following (and don’t just trust anyone’s answer without facts, people can pretend to be anything and say anything)

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&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ 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 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 eitjher 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=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-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech

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-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm

SECURITY
Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 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-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html

http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml

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://infosecurity.us/?p=4005

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/

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_3-10020263-17.html

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/

http://www.appledefects.com/

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html

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 $849 dropped to $799
15″ Screen
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) – WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks

Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224
13″ Screen (SMALLER)
CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)
Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)
Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)
Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) – (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~857204&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Duo&a=55103~0~857204

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB402LL/B?mco=MTkzOTI0Nw

**(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 $400 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: (At The Moment) Specs Below costs $809
CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: 3GB Ram
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

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 ($1400)
CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)
HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~861680&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Extreme&a=55103~0~861680,55103~0~861681,55103~0~857204&page=1

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB323LL/A?mco=NzMyNjMy

Equivalents to ILife

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html

http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518

LINUX INFO:

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.ubuntu.com/

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/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/

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Specialty Computer Parts and Accessories

There are multiple exciting and unique parts and accessories to expand the usefulness of your computer. Here are a few examples:

USB to RJ45 Converter – Share One USB Device  p/n: C5343

This is a palm-sized Networking USB 2.0 sharing device that enables an external hard drive, flash drive, memory card reader, USB webcam, USB speaker, or USB Multi-Function Printer (MFP) to be shared on a network. Connect to a wireless router and the device can be accessed wirelessly.

Super-slim mini USB keyboard p/n:CEKB-2188

1. 93 keys in standard key arrangement and a mini size of 11.1″ wide, 6.1″ deep,  ½ ” high.   The keys are standard buttons along with windows key. There are  LED’s for numlock, scroll lock, and caps lock.  Super slim, professionally designed appearance with a 4 ft. USB cord.

6 Rotating Outlet Surge Protected Power Strip p/n: CPI-S9P81C6T1

A total of 6 Rotating outlets plus 2 fixed outlets with a power pushbutton 15A overload resettable circuit breaker.  A 6 ft Heavy Duty power cord w/ TEL/Fax/Modem Protection is attached..

Universal Notebook Power Adapter  p/n: CNB-2450-LED

This is a compact 120 Watt universal notebook power adapter with integrated (USB Port) and equipped with 8 different notebook connectors and selectable power output. Compatible with most notebook models as Acer, Asus, Compaq, HP, IBM, Sony, Toshiba.  Switchable 15/16/18/19/20/22/24 Volt DC notebook power output up to 6 Amps. Protected against overload, short circuit and overheating.

IDE & SATA Hard Disk to USB Converter  p/n: CUSB-SATA-IDE

This special cable allows interfacing between IDE or SATA hard disk drives and USB controllers. Any IDE or SATA hard drive can be accessed through a USB port. Useable on both PCs and MACs.

RJ45 Jack Dust Cover p/n: CHC-RJ45F

Push-in dust cover for RJ45 jacks. Protect contacts of RJ45 and 8p8c jacks with these dust covers. Made of PVC

CAT-6 Tool-less Keystone Jack p/n: CKJ2-C6-US

The special tool-less design facilitates quick, easy, and efficient operation. Made From the highest quality synthetic and metallic materials, these keystone jacks are durable, fireproof, and ideal for the most operationally intensive data transmission applications. Available in various colors.

USB to DVI,VGA and HDMI Converter p/n: CUSB-DVIVGAHDM

The revolutionary USB to DVI external video card offers virtually perfect video quality and turns your USB port into a true DVI-I port. These USB graphics adapters connect to an USB port for plug-n-play audio functionality. Using these graphics adapters, you can enjoy brilliant pictures and stunningly realistic video that only superior graphics adapters can deliver.

There are but a few of unique and special computer parts and accessories available for computer enthusiasts.  Check out computerpartsplus.com for these and other add-ons for your computer.

About the Author

Donald Daugherty is owner of computerpartsplus.com, an Internet supplier of low cost computer parts and accessories. Quantity discounts are offered on all items.