AUGD: Laptop Buying Advice anyone?
AUGD: Laptop Buying Advice anyone?
- Subject: AUGD: Laptop Buying Advice anyone?
- From: List Account <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 02:26:31 +0100
I am not sure if asking for advice is allowed on this forum, but my question
loosely relates to my User Group... and most people on this forum have had Macs
for ages longer than me, and may also be wondering about the same issues...
Certainly it's
I'm looking for a Laptop and need some advice.
Minimum Specs
==============
15" screen, 1Gb RAM, fast HDD (100Gb 7200), decent amount of video RAM as a
minimum (is there much difference between 128Mb and 256Mb in performance
terms?). But then comes the difficult bit:
MacBook Pro (Intel) or PowerBook (PPC)? They are almost the same price.
PowerBook
==========
AFAIK only the PowerBook can run Virtual PC which I can order until 31st Jan for
half price as part of MS Office Pro. The PowerBook also has no problems running
any existing programs such as NeoOffice/J which is an essential program for me
(it's spreadsheet allows live links direct to a MySQL server based database,
whereas programs such as MS Excel require an indirect link to be made involving
a two stage process of third party file creation, then linkage to that file
rather than to the live db). Bad points are that little development is now
likely to be carried out on apps for the Power PC - eg NeoOffice/J development
is focussing on a version based on OpenOffice v2.0 for the Intel Mac, not for
the PPC; the processor is slower.
MacBook Pro
=============
OTHO the Intel based MacBook Pro seems slightly faster, and may have a longer
lasting compatibility with future programs. Bad points include the lack of
programs available to run on it natively, including NeoOffice/J on the new Intel
- and this program has features essential for me at work (Excel cannot do some
of the things NeoOffice can do).
Primary Use
=============
My primary use for it will be as a Desktop replacement, but I may also wish to
use it for other uses (eg portable sound studio) but these will be far less
important. It will also be useful as a machine to take to Mac User Group
meetings... and maybe for presentations in the future (we use OHP foils now, I
know, behind the times but I hate Powerpoint and haven't got to grips with
Keynote yet)
Jobs to do
===========
Jobs I will be doing include spreadsheet work, accessing a server based
database, word processing, website administration, internet browsing.
Preferred Programs
===================
Programs I would like to run include Firefox (internet browsing), Thunderbird
(Email), NeoOffice/J (Productivity, connnectivity to in-house designed and
developed database, and report generation), Windows only Lotus Smartsuite (Lotus
Organizer group diary, Productivity - Word Processing, Spreadsheets) and maybe
Fireworks for website image creation without needing to buy another new licence.
Restrictions
=============
Restrictions I have to cope with include fitting this first Mac into a Windows
desktop network running with a Linux server powered by Navaho (a specialist cut
down version of Linux www.navaho.co.uk) as a Samba fileserver and web proxy; a
number of programs that share data in real time with other users on the network;
Virtual PC seems not to be able to cope with Windows 98 which all the other
network users rely on so a new Windows OS licence would be required and I don't
like the idea of XP - nor do I know the difference between the Home and Pro
versions - and would prefer W 2000 probably.
Disappointments with MacBook Pro
==================================
Disappointments I have with the new MacBookPro include the lack of software, and
overwhelmingly the inability to run Windows as a dual boot system, or even in an
emulated environment. But it is quicker and a sign of the future, so my decision
is not easy and I value all help.
There are probably a few more issues I haven't written out here. As far as
budgets are concerned both systems fit in well with what I have available.
I would welcome your ideas, suggestions, recommendations and even some esoteric
observations!
Many thanks in advance...
Cheers,
Nigel MacGeorge
Basel Mac User Group
www.baselmug.ch
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