Five Things to Consider When Buying A Laptop-4
Choosing an operating system (OS) -- essentially the tech term for Windows, Mac OSX, or Linux -- for your laptop can be a tough decision. Macs are sexy and cool, but can you run all the applications you need on them? Windows is the industry standard, but can be a security nightmare, and Vista is bloated and slow. Then there is the dark horse Linux, which is quick on its feet and infinitely customizable, but could give non-geeks migraines if anything stops working as Linux is known for being difficult to use.
Windows: The wealth of applications available for Windows makes it very alluring, but the wealth of viruses and spyware that target the OS can make it terrifying. Windows is the operating system for games, most of the most popular titles, 'Halo,' 'Bioshock,' and 'Crysis' aren't available on Mac or Linux. uTorrent (the best BitTorrent client out there in our subjective opinion) is also Windows only but the software gap between Windows and OS X has all but disappeared outside of the gaming world. If you've decided you need access to the most applications and hardware then you've still got to decide between Vista or XP. If you're planning on picking up one of those low-power ultra-portables, or a more budget conscious PC with limited resources, opt for XP, which is faster than Vista and much easier on your battery. The average user should be fine with Vista Home Premium. While XP may have it's benefits, Vista is the way of the future, and hoping on board now will save you some trouble when Microsoft stops supporting XP in a couple of years.
Mac OSX: After years of being overshadowed by Windows-based computers, notebooks (iBooks and MacBooks) that use the Mac OSX (also known as Leopard, in its latest incarnation) are gaining more acceptance. Third-party developers are building a substantial library of software to supplement the already impressive stable of Mac-exclusive applications, such as iTunes, iLife, and Garage Band, that are shipped with every Mac. Macs excel at creative tasks, such as music creation, photo editing, and video production. They're also more or less free of the viruses and spyware that plague Windows users (though it's a matter of debate whether this security will last or not). Sadly, you'll still encounter some compatibility issues with peripherals, such as printers, cell phones, back-up drives, and 3G wireless broadband cards (also, known as WAN cards, more on that later). And unless you're in publishing or graphic design, the corporate world doesn't appear to be embracing Macs any time soon.
Linux: If you're adventurous, or a tinkerer, you can always opt for Linux. Linux comes in many flavors called distributions. Dell sells PCs with the Ubuntu Linux distribution -- which is the Linux operating system plus a collection of useful software programs -- pre-installed. Ubuntu features useful apps including a Web browser, as well as presentation, document, spreadsheet, and instant-messaging software, and is the particular brand we would recommend, as it is the most user friendly and has one of the largest libraries of available software. Linux has many of the same pros (near invulnerability to viruses and spyware) and cons (lack of games and compatibility issues) as Mac OS X, but has an incredible library of solid free software like Tomboy, a note-taking application, Photoshop replacement GIMP, and the Open Office suite. These aren't perfect programs, by any means, but they certainly get the job done, and on the cheap (meaning, free). Plus, opting for a Linux-based laptop lets you take a stand against Steve Jobs and/or Bill Gates. The downside is that even basic troubleshooting may be a bit much for the novice computer user. Dell will sell technical support, and there is a large community of users out there who are very willing to help you solve your problems if you visit the Ubuntu forums, however solving issues in Linux can often involve complex command line operations or editing cryptic text files buried in hard to find places. If you have to ask what those terms mean, then you probably shouldn't be getting Linux.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joseph said 3:03PM on 2-05-2008
The games mentioned for only working on Windows are all available and playable with Macs. Get your facts straight.
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izzyamar said 3:13PM on 2-05-2008
Good call, Joseph - all of those games, plus a lot more, are available for the Mac. I hate it when people who know nothing about the Mac talk about it like they're experts.
Anything you could want to do on a PC, you can do on a Mac, and most of it with the built-in software. These people try to make it sound like you won't be able to do anything. Losers.
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Michael said 3:19PM on 2-05-2008
I'm with Joseph. I own a mac and play all of the above mentioned games, most of all World of warcraft. As far as apps go, the new os for Mac comes with boot camp, a software solution for those that NEED to run windows apps. It allows you to duel boot to windows without all the security holes found in dos based systems. Add to that the fact Microsoft office is available in Mac format and you get the picture....... And no, I don't work for Apple.
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christina said 4:08PM on 2-05-2008
This article is just about worthless. All the games, including many of the versions of The Sims, are available on Mac! Also, Mac universally embraces ALL printers, phones and many other external devices. If it is one of the exceptional devices that does not work, there are ways around formatting and also you can just boot up in Windows and everything still works fine.
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steve said 4:22PM on 2-05-2008
Ummmm.. my Dell A964 all in one printer doesnt shake hands with my iMac. What to do?
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Rich Duffy said 5:12PM on 2-05-2008
I just changed over to MAc and it's the best! We use Final Cut for edit at my job and I'm going to push my whole department into MAc so we have everything at our desks. I was a PC guy since my IBM 2088 and now I'm free!
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Tawnya said 5:46PM on 2-05-2008
I was told my 1 person at Dell, 1 person at HP, and 1 person at Gateway that Microsoft is discontinuing XP support in JUNE OF THIS YEAR!!!So if you are comfortabel with no tech support, get XP, otherwise you will need to move over to Vista.
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Michael said 6:51PM on 4-15-2008
That's not true. Microsoft plans to discontinue SELLING XP in June 2008. They continue to support their OS's for several years past when they stop selling them.
If you do some research (http://www.news.com/2100-1016_3-6152952.html) you'll find that some form of support until 2014.
Tom said 6:06PM on 2-05-2008
I have two laptops.. one an IBM ultraportable is 6 years old and has never needed repair.. the other a full size Dell is about 3 years old.. it hasn't needed repair yet but the IBM is far superior.
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Bill Love said 6:08PM on 2-05-2008
So let me get this straight-Vista is bloated, slow, and resource hungry, but Microsoft is going to stop support for XP, which actually works. The arrogance here just boggles the mind, eh?
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john bennis said 6:24PM on 2-05-2008
All of my windows progams run better on my mac than on my PC- faster and no problems.
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Ed said 6:36PM on 2-05-2008
Our new iMac 24 has both OS 10.5 (Leopard) and XP home OS. Partitioned hard drive (220GB mac & 100GB XP)
A program called "Boot Camp" runs both very efficiently.
All "online" work is done with the Mac. No viruses! XP has my Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and FSX simulator.
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neiliii3 said 5:59PM on 2-06-2008
listen all of you. The best opporating system out there now is MAC OSX Leopard and plus apple has the WORLD'S THINNEST NOTEBOOK!!!!! On top of that you have your iPhone the Mac pro is the best computer they made and you all know that so just shut up to the people who are try'n to give apple a bad name BECAUSE MAC just work!! I also have to say ipods they are thin better than zune and better than any one so just to give you a tip who ever wrote this article you should know that mac is the best!
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undrgrndgirl said 9:38PM on 2-06-2008
i recently had to replace my desktop - since the early 1990s i have built my own pcs. this time however i went with a laptop and sadly a name brand (hp) with VISTA...i simply could not justify the additional $1,000 for a similar mac...with much less hard drive space. for the record, though, I HATE VISTA and I HATE HP ASSISTANT; nothing is where it ought to be or where it used to be which is quite aggravating and i wish it would quit asking me permission its not as if that is any kind of "safety" its just annoying...and unfortunately i don't know what things i can safely remove (like vongo?)but overall the computer does what i need it to and its portable...
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will said 12:27PM on 2-07-2008
ok, listen. Macs work, yes. They can do things that windows can, yes. But seriously, when asked what I'd rather be using windows is the obvious choice. I don't want to wade through tons of downloads to get a specialized tools. Sure macs can do things that PCs can do...but I think the best analogy is a pocket knife.
Windows is a pocket knife with the works, and while it can be time consuming to find the right tool, when you find it, it works, and well.
Macs? They've got a single dull blade. Ok, it works if you want to cut cheese, but what if I want to do something more complicated? I'm screwed. No pun intended.
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wox42 said 12:27PM on 2-07-2008
Actually, Ubuntu can run many games (including dx10)...more so than macs. All you need to do is install celega and wine. As Joseph said, get your facts straight!
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neiliii3 said 8:25AM on 2-09-2008
ok guys now listen you know how some games are for pc and not mac well i had windows running on my mac and inserted a pc games and it worked.
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littlesister said 10:23PM on 3-17-2008
I've used computers since 1968; got IBMs, Compaqs, Dells, and custom builts. This year I went Macbook and I'm not going back. Sure, there are some things I had to find a new way to do. But I haven't had a single IRQ conflict, blue screen, or freeze. And when I want to do something and don't know how, I can get in the same day to my local Apple Store and they teach me how - no charge. The AC adapter is WAY lighter than any battery charger I've ever seen on any PC laptop.
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Rick said 7:14PM on 3-20-2008
I have(2) One year old HP Pavilion Laptops in service for over a month waiting for back ordered parts ... It's their 3 trip and have been in service almost 3 out of the last 5 months ... meanwhile ... My doughty little 2.2 ghz 4gb ram Macbook /Leopard, Bootcamped Vista Ultimate and Fusion, and chocked full of Mac and PC software ROCKS ON!
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PuertoRockChula4 said 4:34PM on 3-24-2008
So every1's comments got me to want to comment.
I've always had PCS & I've hated them, even brand new ones rebuilt ones all of them. In School I've mainly used MACs & always wanted one since they're more appealing to the eye. Finally getting my mother to switch from her Dell which I refused to use for the last year she bought a new MacBook awesome computer. she disliked it at first but after looking at the PROs she purchased one of those about 2 months later. I also got my father to purchase a DeskTop mac & my sister to purchase a MacBook too...
So within a year my house hold has purchased 4 MACs & all are AWESOME!!!! would NEVER buy a regular PC again & will never go back to a Windows format...
One note to the wise in purchasing, Best Buy is the Way to go when buyin your MAC they have a WAY better extended warranty its kinda pricey at around 380 but is the way to go, if you drop run over spill water anything they will replace it without having to pay for extra parts or anything!
Purchased two at Best Buy & Two at the Apple store itself & if Best Buy would have had the MACs earlier that would of been the way I went!
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