Re: AUGD: Laptop Buying Advice anyone?
Re: AUGD: Laptop Buying Advice anyone?
- Subject: Re: AUGD: Laptop Buying Advice anyone?
- From: Tudor Vedeanu <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 08:37:35 +0200
Nigel,
If you need the laptop NOW, it looks like the PowerBook it is the
best choice, because it will run natively all the software you need.
I don't think the NeoOffice developers will stop the develpment for
the PPC platform (do you have certain information about that?). It's
certainly not a wise decision because there will be a large base of
PPC machines still in use during the next 3-4 years.
On the other hand, in the future the MacBook will definitely prove be
a better machine, and probably Windows Vista will be able to boot on
it, if you need Windows-only apps running natively. But this will not
happen until the end of 2006. Right now, some of the programs you use
will run slower on MacBook than on a PowerBook, because they don't
have a native Mac/Intel version yet. The speed difference, however,
will not be noticeable for word processing or spreadsheet apps. I
also believe that the next version of Virtual PC will run almost
natively on the MacBook - which means MUCH faster.
I also plan to buy a laptop, but I don't need it right now. I work
with resource-houngry apps like Photoshop and they don't work
properly under emulation, so I'll wait until they become Mac/Intel
native. I don't believe this will happen earlier than 6-9 months from
now.
Hope this helps,
Tudor Vedeanu
------------------------------------
MacUser.ro
email@hidden
------------------------------------
On 30.01.2006, at 03:26, List Account wrote:
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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