One of my new year's resolutions is to get technologically organized. I'd always been a Mac girl, starting from the original 128k in 1984, remember those? My iMac died circa Y2K, & my boyfriend at the time cobbled together a pretty decent though cumbersome PC, the one I am typing on at this moment. I'm looking to upgrade to a laptop, & obviously, one of my top goals is to be able to change all these mini-discs over to CDs. Also, I'd love to start looking into web design, plus I got a digital camera for Christmas, photos from Frankie Kennedy will be posted soon, somewhere, I'll keep you posted.
So what kind of laptop should I get? Mac, PC or is there another choice? What features should I be looking for, esp in light of my interest in the music?
PCs are somewhat cheaper, but if you can afford it, go for a Mac. They rock. Mac OSX is _great_. So much better than window$...
I'm not a Mac user myself, but if I would recommend a computer who doesn't want to run Linux or tamper with the hardware, I'd recommend a Mac. (If it is someone who want to run Linux perhaps I would recommend a Mac anyway...
Cool, pobe, my parents have a G4, it would be nice to come back into the Apple fold, but I still worry about compatibility issues, ie with other PC users. Riding Amtrak from Baltimore to New York a few weeks ago, I sat next to this guy with an iBook, burning CDs while on the train! I was soooooo jealous! My burner is so archaic I have to record everything at 1x (real time) or else it often aborts. :(
For getting a new computer, the Mac vs. PC debate has good arguments on both sides.
For getting a new laptop, though, Mac really trumps the PC in my opinion. A lot of the arguments that apply when debating the merits of the desktop machines (like price) simply don't apply in the laptop arena.
The iBook in particular is now astoudingly good value especially since it was recently upgraded to a G4 processor.
The suite of software you get with a Mac is also a big incentive. If you're planning to anything with media (pictures, movies, sounds) then the iApps (iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes and now Garageband) do a great job without requiring that you digest a thick manual before you doing anything.
It may be an over-generalisation, but it seems to me that Macs are generally better suited to the "creative" area: video editing, music editing, graphic design.
As for transfering minidisks, that is less likely to be a problem of Mac vs. PC file formats but rather whatever format the MD saves files as. I know Sony uses a proprietary file format.
Em, dear, before you decide, you should come up to Denver and take a look at Pete's and my laptops (I'm PC, he's Mac, due to software considerations in my case) and Pete's company is an Apple reseller, so we can probably get something pretty cheap for you...although if you go with Mac or PC Mall, they have some great package deals that it would be hard for anyone to beat...
Hmm, was that an Apple laptop I was typing on in the guest room, or your PC? What about all the Word documents, & emails I'd have to switch over, would that be a problem? I love the fact that you & Pete have a bi-computer household, that's great!
"Patsy" ...hello again ...I use all sony equipment ..laptop ..MD ..and digital cam ...they all work very well and quick together over firewire ports ...I used to be a MAC lad but all the peripheral equipment and sw was too expensive ..with my viao it has onboard sw to do exactly what you want to do... and thanks for all those pictures
if you're wanting to get into web design you may want to skip laptops, I find it very hampering to be restricted to a single small monitor rather than 2 large ones
I would consider what you already have invested in software. Replacing software for a different platform is rather expensive depending. I would also consider your experience in troubleshooting. Both platforms have glitches(extra features ) in them which require "maintenance" on occasion; getting support can be worisome.
If you do decide on a PC laptop, my brother in law just purchased an IBM Thinkpad on the advice of a local PC "mechanic". It appears they are less troublesome than others and the Tech Support is quite good.
i'd second that about the thinkpad. i'm typing this on a thinkpad now; it's my first ever laptop, i use it constantly, and when i did have a problem with it (hard drive died), the service couldn't have been better. plus i really like the "nipple" mouse thingy (now that i'm used to it), and the build quality seems excellent.
Let's see, I think it was my laptop you were using, so probably PC. Pete has the newest Mac laptop, can't remember the one he's got, but it's not the same one as the one you saw last time.
Nice thing about laptops, you can plug 'em into your desktop setup and have TWO monitors to use as one workspace powered by the laptop, but use a full size keyboard and mouse and other peripherals; very useful for graphics and webwork especially as you can keep all your palettes on one monitor and the work window on the other, or your windows with stuff you have to keep an eye on (e-mail, The Session.org, etc.) on one and whatever you're working on open on the other, and so forth. Only problem is it totally spoils you for working with just one monitor later.
First, Windows has come a long way - we've been trashing MS since the clunky 16-bit DOS-based operating system that was obviously an inferior copy of the Mac OS. These days PCs are getting more and more reliable and their OS is just as reliable as Mac's (although now Mac is Unix-based, which makes the techies happier). The only current technologically-accurate bitching about MS is that their web servers (iis) have security flaws. This shouldn't be an issue on a laptop. If you do get into web design, you'll want to get Tomcat anyway - it's free, and it's better than iis.
Things that are better on PCs that you might consider:
* File formats/software are standard. Resumes, articles, reports across the world use the .doc format. PCs of course support plain text formats.
* More software: anything you want you can get 100s of different flavors on PCs. Macs are severely limited to a few (albeit quality) titles.
* Games... Apple is anti-entertainment. They are slowly trying to change this, but if you want games, PCs are the *only* way to go.
So, this has just turned into the the old Mac vs. PC argument.
Put me down on the side of the Macs. I've never had any problems using .doc format files and opening any Microsoft files on mine, even if I am still running system 9 and a half. What I do see on a daily basis is the fear and anguish caused by the mysterious and impenetrable Windows machine that my partner has to use to run Sage accounting Software. And also the constant battle against attacks by viruses and general Internet Bilge that doesn't seem to effect any of the the Macs I have hooked up to the net (Well to be honest, I should substitute 'either of' for 'any' there)....
Sometimes you have to clear the head and let the tunes have time to sink in; besides, I'm still trying to get 100k sims out of poverty in my city... it would be selfish to let them suffer too much.
Get a Mac; maybe if enough people buy them someone will write a new bit of software for it.
Ottery, apologies for the re-hash, but I used to be rabidly Mac, & am wondering how the rest of the world evolved while I was puttering away over here. It doesn't seem to be nearly as vicious as I remember it being, which is nice, none of the Darth Vader vs Luke Skywalker analogies being bandied about. In truth, I hadn't seriously considered getting a Mac again, but I was one of those folks who pre-paid my iMac months in advance before they were barely in production. Maybe I should resurrect those principles, but somehow the Evil Empire doesn't seem quite so Evil anymore. Only mildly sinister. Still crashes like a 3-legged dog on peyote though.... Thanks for all the insights, I am very grateful, & hopefully will make a decision, & a purchase, before April.
Hi Emily, how are things on the Rez, and how are my old friends up in Pinon? I lost my job in Indiana and had to move to Mass (I know, there _is_ lots of music here!). I needed a computer and just got an iBook Mac. It is fine for me as I am a bit of a gearhead, and tire of the poorly maintained network of you-know-what -kind of computers at my high school. (But I suspect a school could under-maintain any kind of computer.) I've been doing file transfers and editing for years across platform with no problem. And even my ten-year-old Microsoft programs still run under Mac System 9. (Try that with Windows) With free patches I can do all the file formats. But those who don't want to get under the hood like I do may need a different choice. Sorta like music and musical instruments.
Well, since I'm suffering from acute post-Ireland depression at the moment, living on the rez is an exquisite form of Hell. Actually, I was joking with some Navajo friends, apart from the rain, the pubs, & the vast expanses of green, the rez is a lot like Ireland in that there are tons of sheep, they speak a dying language & drive on the wrong side of the road, heh. But I'd swap the vast expanses of red rock for greener pastures in a heartbeat, swap dust for mildew like *that*.... I'm looking to relocate in April, also to the East Coast! Thanks for the iBook info, I'm definitely leaning in that direction!!!!!
laptops & mp3's
laptops & mp3's
Hey everyone, Happy New Year!
One of my new year's resolutions is to get technologically organized. I'd always been a Mac girl, starting from the original 128k in 1984, remember those? My iMac died circa Y2K, & my boyfriend at the time cobbled together a pretty decent though cumbersome PC, the one I am typing on at this moment. I'm looking to upgrade to a laptop, & obviously, one of my top goals is to be able to change all these mini-discs over to CDs. Also, I'd love to start looking into web design, plus I got a digital camera for Christmas, photos from Frankie Kennedy will be posted soon, somewhere, I'll keep you posted.
So what kind of laptop should I get? Mac, PC or is there another choice? What features should I be looking for, esp in light of my interest in the music?
Many thanks,
Emily
# Posted on January 10th 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: laptops & mp3's
PCs are somewhat cheaper, but if you can afford it, go for a Mac. They rock. Mac OSX is _great_. So much better than window$...
I'm not a Mac user myself, but if I would recommend a computer who doesn't want to run Linux or tamper with the hardware, I'd recommend a Mac. (If it is someone who want to run Linux perhaps I would recommend a Mac anyway...
# Posted on January 10th 2004 by Pontus Adefjord
Re: laptops & mp3's
Cool, pobe, my parents have a G4, it would be nice to come back into the Apple fold, but I still worry about compatibility issues, ie with other PC users. Riding Amtrak from Baltimore to New York a few weeks ago, I sat next to this guy with an iBook, burning CDs while on the train! I was soooooo jealous! My burner is so archaic I have to record everything at 1x (real time) or else it often aborts. :(
# Posted on January 10th 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: laptops & mp3's
Goodness, all this hi-tech. I haven't progressed from a bodhran which fulfills my dreams much to the chagrin of many.
# Posted on January 10th 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: laptops & mp3's
So nobody else has an opinion of PC vs Mac? I guess I"m surprised, & will assume the silent majority are PC users....
# Posted on January 10th 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: laptops & mp3's
For getting a new computer, the Mac vs. PC debate has good arguments on both sides.
For getting a new laptop, though, Mac really trumps the PC in my opinion. A lot of the arguments that apply when debating the merits of the desktop machines (like price) simply don't apply in the laptop arena.
The iBook in particular is now astoudingly good value especially since it was recently upgraded to a G4 processor.
The suite of software you get with a Mac is also a big incentive. If you're planning to anything with media (pictures, movies, sounds) then the iApps (iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes and now Garageband) do a great job without requiring that you digest a thick manual before you doing anything.
It may be an over-generalisation, but it seems to me that Macs are generally better suited to the "creative" area: video editing, music editing, graphic design.
As for transfering minidisks, that is less likely to be a problem of Mac vs. PC file formats but rather whatever format the MD saves files as. I know Sony uses a proprietary file format.
In any case, if you get one of these:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic
you can transfer from any audio device (minidisc, record player, tape deck) on to a Mac or a PC.
So my advice would be to get a 12" iBook. One tip though: spend a little extra when you're purchasing to get the first memory slot filled to 512K.
# Posted on January 10th 2004 by Jeremy
Re: laptops & mp3's
Wow, Jeremy, thank you!!!!!
# Posted on January 11th 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: laptops & mp3's
Em, dear, before you decide, you should come up to Denver and take a look at Pete's and my laptops (I'm PC, he's Mac, due to software considerations in my case) and Pete's company is an Apple reseller, so we can probably get something pretty cheap for you...although if you go with Mac or PC Mall, they have some great package deals that it would be hard for anyone to beat...
# Posted on January 11th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: laptops & mp3's
Hmm, was that an Apple laptop I was typing on in the guest room, or your PC? What about all the Word documents, & emails I'd have to switch over, would that be a problem? I love the fact that you & Pete have a bi-computer household, that's great!
# Posted on January 11th 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: laptops & mp3's
"Patsy" ...hello again ...I use all sony equipment ..laptop ..MD ..and digital cam ...they all work very well and quick together over firewire ports ...I used to be a MAC lad but all the peripheral equipment and sw was too expensive ..with my viao it has onboard sw to do exactly what you want to do... and thanks for all those pictures
J
# Posted on January 11th 2004 by DeffGoat
Re: laptops & mp3's
if you're wanting to get into web design you may want to skip laptops, I find it very hampering to be restricted to a single small monitor rather than 2 large ones
# Posted on January 11th 2004 by Daffydd ap Llewellyn
Re: laptops & mp3's
Emily, my 2bits worth..
I would consider what you already have invested in software. Replacing software for a different platform is rather expensive depending. I would also consider your experience in troubleshooting. Both platforms have glitches(extra features
) in them which require "maintenance" on occasion; getting support can be worisome.
If you do decide on a PC laptop, my brother in law just purchased an IBM Thinkpad on the advice of a local PC "mechanic". It appears they are less troublesome than others and the Tech Support is quite good.
Deb.
# Posted on January 11th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: laptops & mp3's
i'd second that about the thinkpad. i'm typing this on a thinkpad now; it's my first ever laptop, i use it constantly, and when i did have a problem with it (hard drive died), the service couldn't have been better. plus i really like the "nipple" mouse thingy (now that i'm used to it), and the build quality seems excellent.
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by rog
Re: laptops & mp3's
Let's see, I think it was my laptop you were using, so probably PC. Pete has the newest Mac laptop, can't remember the one he's got, but it's not the same one as the one you saw last time.
Nice thing about laptops, you can plug 'em into your desktop setup and have TWO monitors to use as one workspace powered by the laptop, but use a full size keyboard and mouse and other peripherals; very useful for graphics and webwork especially as you can keep all your palettes on one monitor and the work window on the other, or your windows with stuff you have to keep an eye on (e-mail, The Session.org, etc.) on one and whatever you're working on open on the other, and so forth. Only problem is it totally spoils you for working with just one monitor later.
Eddie, is that you? "DeffGoat"?! *snort*
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: laptops & mp3's
Nah, it's James. ;)
Will peruse all these postings shortly & reply, thank you all for input!!!!!
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: laptops & mp3's
A couple things I didn't see mentioned here.
First, Windows has come a long way - we've been trashing MS since the clunky 16-bit DOS-based operating system that was obviously an inferior copy of the Mac OS. These days PCs are getting more and more reliable and their OS is just as reliable as Mac's (although now Mac is Unix-based, which makes the techies happier). The only current technologically-accurate bitching about MS is that their web servers (iis) have security flaws. This shouldn't be an issue on a laptop. If you do get into web design, you'll want to get Tomcat anyway - it's free, and it's better than iis.
Things that are better on PCs that you might consider:
* File formats/software are standard. Resumes, articles, reports across the world use the .doc format. PCs of course support plain text formats.
* More software: anything you want you can get 100s of different flavors on PCs. Macs are severely limited to a few (albeit quality) titles.
* Games... Apple is anti-entertainment. They are slowly trying to change this, but if you want games, PCs are the *only* way to go.
Just a few thoughts.
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by glenn
Re: laptops & mp3's
So, this has just turned into the the old Mac vs. PC argument.
Put me down on the side of the Macs. I've never had any problems using .doc format files and opening any Microsoft files on mine, even if I am still running system 9 and a half. What I do see on a daily basis is the fear and anguish caused by the mysterious and impenetrable Windows machine that my partner has to use to run Sage accounting Software. And also the constant battle against attacks by viruses and general Internet Bilge that doesn't seem to effect any of the the Macs I have hooked up to the net (Well to be honest, I should substitute 'either of' for 'any' there)....
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by Ottery
Re: laptops & mp3's
And as for games ..... Haven't you got tunes to learn?
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by Ottery
Re: laptops & mp3's
Sometimes you have to clear the head and let the tunes have time to sink in; besides, I'm still trying to get 100k sims out of poverty in my city... it would be selfish to let them suffer too much.
Get a Mac; maybe if enough people buy them someone will write a new bit of software for it.
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by glenn
Re: laptops & mp3's
Ottery, apologies for the re-hash, but I used to be rabidly Mac, & am wondering how the rest of the world evolved while I was puttering away over here. It doesn't seem to be nearly as vicious as I remember it being, which is nice, none of the Darth Vader vs Luke Skywalker analogies being bandied about. In truth, I hadn't seriously considered getting a Mac again, but I was one of those folks who pre-paid my iMac months in advance before they were barely in production. Maybe I should resurrect those principles, but somehow the Evil Empire doesn't seem quite so Evil anymore. Only mildly sinister. Still crashes like a 3-legged dog on peyote though.... Thanks for all the insights, I am very grateful, & hopefully will make a decision, & a purchase, before April.
# Posted on January 12th 2004 by emily_bmore
Re: laptops & mp3's
The Great Satan and his Blue Screen of Death may be wearing a prettier guise, but at heart he is just as evil!
# Posted on January 13th 2004 by Ottery
One approach
Hi Emily, how are things on the Rez, and how are my old friends up in Pinon? I lost my job in Indiana and had to move to Mass (I know, there _is_ lots of music here!). I needed a computer and just got an iBook Mac. It is fine for me as I am a bit of a gearhead, and tire of the poorly maintained network of you-know-what -kind of computers at my high school. (But I suspect a school could under-maintain any kind of computer.) I've been doing file transfers and editing for years across platform with no problem. And even my ten-year-old Microsoft programs still run under Mac System 9. (Try that with Windows) With free patches I can do all the file formats. But those who don't want to get under the hood like I do may need a different choice. Sorta like music and musical instruments.
Ken
# Posted on January 13th 2004 by KenC
Re: laptops & mp3s
Hi Ken, ya'a te'eh!
Well, since I'm suffering from acute post-Ireland depression at the moment, living on the rez is an exquisite form of Hell. Actually, I was joking with some Navajo friends, apart from the rain, the pubs, & the vast expanses of green, the rez is a lot like Ireland in that there are tons of sheep, they speak a dying language & drive on the wrong side of the road, heh. But I'd swap the vast expanses of red rock for greener pastures in a heartbeat, swap dust for mildew like *that*.... I'm looking to relocate in April, also to the East Coast! Thanks for the iBook info, I'm definitely leaning in that direction!!!!!
# Posted on January 13th 2004 by emily_bmore