Citizen Printer

Buying a Laptop - Mac or PC?....Please Help!?

I am about to start a business and need to buy a laptop as I need it to be portable between work and home. It needs to have the capibilities to use mobile/wireless internet and to be connected to external devices such as POS hardware - recipt printer/cash drawer - if required. The POS software that I need to run my business (Shortcuts) is windows based and needs either Vista Business or XP Pro to run. I would prefer a machine with more grunt rather than less as it will be used not only for the POS during the day, but also for all the background work required in business (word processing, basic accounting, internet, etc) after hours, as well as storing music, photos and other personal stuff. It has been suggested to me that I should not go below Intel Core2duo processor 4GB RAM 250GB HHD Can you suggest whether I am better with a PC or Macbook with bootcamp or fusion and rough prices? I will be renting the equipment for the business, so am thinking around $2,500?

Public Comments

do not do not get a mac it is a pace of shit get a pc it is way better
For Vista, get at least 2 GB RAM / 256MB Video RAM and make sure it’s certified. If you can afford, get 3GB RAM / 384MB VRAM …then Vista should rock your socks. If you learn how to use it, Vista features and technology blows XP away…when it works fast. ;) You want it to last so get 64-bit Vista Home Premium or Ultimate. It’s mega-fast with 64-bit apps as well as lets you upgrade > 4GB TOTAL RAM (system RAM + graphics card + other devices). 64-bit is more secure from viruses. 64-bit also requires “MS approved” (a.k.a. digitally signed) drivers so this “might” help with hardware compatibility, etc. This is MS’s way of trying to get everyone to “move on” if they are able to. http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/06/04/differences-and-advantages-between-32-bit-x86-vs-64-bit-x64-windows-vista/ But if you have old programs, they might not work (esp. with 64-bit version). Google “Vista compatibility list”. Knowing a bit about computers helps getting the old problematic ones to work (Internet has a lot of solutions that smart people share). Ultimate is the best but if you don’t think you need anything that fancy, Home Premium is good too. Get a good video card if you want Aero graphics (at least 256MB 128-bit in the newer cards)… better if you can afford. Vista technology distributes more graphics processing to the video card and relieves the CPU for other things. Therefore, a good video card will make Vista work better. Vista uses extra RAM to store commonly used files in a new activity known as “disk caching” (SuperFetch). The computer uses artificial intelligence to determine which files will be used most and copies it to RAM (where it is much faster than accessing your hard disk). This includes components of the programs you use on a regular basis. When you need more RAM for programs you launch, etc. the computer purges the “least likely used” files from RAM to make room for the new program. That’s why if you look at the performance monitor, Vista always has near zero “free” RAM. So in theory, the more RAM (for disk cache) you have, the faster your computer will operate. This can also be augmented (to a lesser effect) with a flash drive/card with a technology called ReadyBoost. Just stick it in and select “Speed up my system” and leave it there. Google “AnandTech ReadyBoost Performance” for basic test examples. http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=735 High RAM will be especially helpful for those people who like to leave all their windows open and use Vista’s “S3 sleep mode” (2 watts) so they can resume where they left off almost immediately after they turn their computers on. Vista Home Premium and Ultimate has Windows Media Center, where with a TV card/USB adapter (if not integrated) of the type that fits your TV/Cable, acts similar to TiVo. You can play your videos, schedule recordings, etc. You can get a wireless keyboard / mouse or gyro-mouse and it will be sort of like remote control. If you do this, get a big Hard Disk. MS Office productivity software works best on Windows. The Mac version is really nerfed and doesn’t have new features like Office Ribbon interface, Mini Toolbars, and Live Preview, among a large list. There are also less individual titles in the Mac version. Vista supports touch-screens and voice recognition if you’re into note-taking and dictation. A good program to use with this is OneNote, which is included in some Office editions. Deals of America and Tech Bargains catch good deals on HP and Dell’s and sometimes you can get like $500 off! XPBargains has deals and coupons on Tablet PC’s! Unless you are an artist, most Universities (and programs) as well as the rest of the world use Windows. WinMacs are popular but for the price, Macs don’t run Windows as well as other brands, but sometimes it doesn't really matter that much to most users. In addition some just want it for fashion and like them to match their iPods. Here are some statistics to put it into perspective. http://marketshare.hitslink.com/ Note that these “internet traffic statistics” actually miss a lot of Windows PC usage because many are used for work and do not surf the internet much (if at all). Thus the Windows PC’s out there may be even MORE than the representation on the charts! Macs are durable because many have an accelerometer in there that can "increase the chance" of saving your hard drive when you drop it. Like those used in airbags. The power cord is also magnetically attached so it reduces the chance that you yank it off the table. OSXMacs can exclusively install Final Cut Pro (which is good for media work). Adobe Creative Suite is also good and available for Windows but works better on OSX. The Windows version actually looks like an OSX port. Though the nextgen CS4 64-bit will only be available for Windows. Macs will only get CS4 32-bit. :( Hence, many OSX users are artists historically. Emotion workers are generally not as good with computers as logic workers so OSX is good for them. Because OSX is less complicated and harder to mess up, a lot of computer newbies also use Macs and that’s why you see a lot of “Get a Mac! They are so awesome!” without any technical explanation to back up that opinion. ;) Mac Pros: OSX stability OSX is easy to use Dual-bootable to Windows More durable than many brands Trendy Mac Cons: Not as much peripheral support Not as much software support Windows doesn’t run as well Expensive Minority Windows PC Pros: More customizable More choices More styles Cheap hardware Vista has best gaming capability (Direct3D 10) Windows PC Cons: Less stable (unless you are an IT pro) Many are relatively not as fashionable Not as user-friendly Some extra features in Windows requires advanced knowledge to use The extra features require better hardware despite your use of them or not Details of features can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X Some brand statistics: In terms of recent sales, the top 3 manufacturers are HP, Dell, and Acer (Gateway). Apple is #4 in USA. http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2008/04/24/mac-q1-2008-market-share-3-26-percent-worldwide-6-26-percent-in-the-us.aspx Pretty good deal on a powerful laptop: $900 - Gateway M-6851, Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 (1.83GHz), 15.4" Wide XGA, 4GB Memory DDR2 667, 250GB HDD, Dual layer DVD Burner (5xDVD-RAM compatible!), ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 (512MB 128-bit GDDR3 Dedicated Video Memory) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101154 Pretty good deals on mid to powerful Tablet PC’s: $700 - Gateway C-141X / $1100 - Gateway C142XL http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529597319.php?mtr=DCYAONANC&sg=hm&ph1=8667187749
macbooks and macbook pros are fully capable of those specifications, and bootcamp will run those OS's easily. You could buy them both for around 2000 dollars and are capable of running word, excel etc. the macbook pro should have plenty of ports to hook up externals. like the answerer above stated not a lot of people use macs, but that doesnt mean that they're not compatible with windows. I always ask, is microsoft office for mac NOT made by microsoft,? so logically it should work with other microsoft windows and other mac users.
We have vista here, and its nothing but garbage. Seriously, it has so many problems and the networking is atrocious. Look at the forums (wish we did). You are far better going for a mac. The only time you dont use a mac is when you are gaming as everything else is compatible. Once you go Mac, you never go back...
Yeah don't buy a MAC, they're crap, better off buying a HP Pavilion DV6832TX Notebook, they have: Core 2 duo,2.4ghz, 3gb RAM, 250gbhdd, dvd burner, !5.4" screen, Windows vista and home preium. COST bout $1700
I would recommend a MacBook or, if you want a top end laptop, a MacBook Pro. Macs are slightly more expensive than the equivalent speed PC but not by much and what you get for you money is far superior and, of course, both the hardware and software that you get from Apple is always of an extremely high quality. The Mac OS is one of the most advanced (built on UNIX) and is definitely the easiest and most intuitive to use. The real benefit of a Mac is that it just works, you don't need to worry about viruses, incompatible drivers, or any of the other things that plague the Windows world. This leaves you free to just get on with your work rather than worry about the tool that you are using to do it. The only argument that I have ever heard for Windows over Macs that holds any water at all is that there are far more games for Windows. However, this hardly matters if you are after a machine to run your small business and, in any event, you can always run Windows on the Mac if you want to anyway. Prices depend on the country you are in. US prices for a Macbook range from $1099 to $1499 and for a MacBook Pro from $1999 to $2799. You could also get a MacBook Air which is super thin and light ($1799 - $2598) but I wouldn't recommend it as a primary machine die to the lack of an optical drive and several other features. It works well if networked with other Macs but it's not great by itself unless you absolutely must have a very light and small sub-notebook. US$1999 will give you the Base model MacBook Pro (15" widescreen, 2.4Ghz core 2 duo, 2GB RAM, 200GB HD, DVD burner) plus the MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard) and a whole raft of useful applications. US$1499 will get you the top of the line MacBook (13" widescreen, 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 250GB HD, DVD burner) plus MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard) and the same apps. These are Apple's prices. You can probably do slightly better on the street. Of course, all of these specs can be upgraded as required to suit your needs for standard component prices (don't do it through Apple, they'll rob you blind on upgrades). Hope this helps. TV EDIT - @ RADICAL - I'm sorry but your statement that he will not get any windows apps to run on a MacBook is completely and utterly wrong. I can only assume that you are completely ignorant or are intentionally trying to mislead the questioner. Either way, you shouldn't be answering here. There are arguments for PCs over Macs but none of them appear in your post.
Get a PC laptop. Toshiba Sattelitte is the best I've come across. Sony Vaio is also good but whatever you do do not buy a macbook. You will throwing your money away for a piece of absolute junk. Mac hardware is different from pc hardware, and you wont get a single windows application to run on a mac.
Toshiba P300/P01 Meets ALL the requirements. Including the price, looks greats. http://www.isd.toshiba.com.au/retail/resource/pdf/Sat_P300_P01.pdf $2499.90 AUD, cheaper from Harvey Norman/Dick Smith, can talk down to around $2380.