iBook G4

[Metros Striker10]

I know that there's a lot of Mac users here, so I figured this would be a good place to ask this question. Is it worth it for a CIS student to switch from the PC world to the Mac world? The iBook looks like a really neat notebook to use. It's small, pretty fast, nice memory space, Bluetooth, etc. But is it a good idea for a CIS student? Are there any problems with software compatibility? From what I've seen, Mac has everything you need.

I was skeptical about this before, but the new OS X is real nice OS. I like how it's fast and simple (the feel is nicer). 12.1" iBook I think, is perfect. I'm looking at a 1.2 GHz, 512 SDRAM, 60 Gig HD...so I think the speed situation isn't a problem.

[peruytu]

I wouln't recommend this to a CIS student. I would go for a better made laptop at a cheaper price (dell?). You can get all that and more. And many more flavors of Linux distros are compatible with PC than PPC. Anyways before making this purchase I would suggest you go to other forums that especialize more in this.
But it looks like you already made up your mind so just go for it I guess.

[Metros Striker10]

I haven't really. It's just that I've been impressed by Mac. All the hype towards it has me second guessing. Thanks for the comment though.

[kerpow]

Go for the 14". With the student discount the extra screen size will be beneficial.

If you can wait a few months you'll get Tiger, OSX 10.4, with it. If you like the Panther you won't be dissapointed with all the new GUI stuf in it.

I'm thinking that a decent CIS department will have Citrix servers so compatibility is a non-issue. Failing that, get MS Virtual PC 7.0

[kerpow]

You can get all that and more. And many more flavors of Linux distros are compatible with PC than PPC.

Err...technically OSX is a Linux distro, just not free. Built around the Linux kernel, full Terminal access, X Windows.

There are other distros available for PPC but I'm not sure I'd want to put a third party OS on a Mac when the OS shipped is native to the entire system.

[peruytu]

Err...technically OSX is a Linux distro, just not free. Built around the Linux kernel, full Terminal access, X Windows.

There are other distros available for PPC but I'm not sure I'd want to put a third party OS on a Mac when the OS shipped is native to the entire system.

No, OSX is not technically a Linux distro. OSX's kernel is based on Darwin, a BSD distro thats based on FreeBSD. BSD is not Linux.
The only reason I suggested PC was because its not as picky with software as PPC is. And the Linux distros that do distribute PPC version are always lagging behind version of PCs.
Don't get me wrong, Apple/OSX/PPC are useful.... but IMHO, just not to a CIS student.

[microbrew]

What do you need to do on the laptop?

From my point of view (BS in Electrical Engineering, working on a Masters in Computer Engineering), a Mac is very suitable. It's a commerical Unix-like system.

You get Apple development tools (http://developer.apple.com/tools/macosxtools.html)for full development environment (IDE, gcc compiler, etc.), and you're good to go.

If you're doing specialized stuff (say programming DSPs or embedded processors), PC might be better, since many of the specialized tools for that don't exist for OSX.

[Metros Striker10]

I plan on using the laptop as my every day computer and for note taking and stuff like that in the classroom. From what I understand about OS X, it pretty much does a good job at providing its user with everything they need on a general basis, which wasn't the case in previous editions. My concern that a major in CIS will demand things that only a PC can offer (I would like to have the comfort of being able to work on projects outside of the classroom). All of the programming and networking classes that I have already taken in school use PCs, so I am unaware of how it performs in the IT fields. Most of my Mac usage were in the art/media classes with really, really old Macs. The one in the "Top 10" thread looks like it. But then again, not many of them are ever updated, so it lagged and prompted error messages. I've used an eMac for for some basic Internet surfing...worked real nicely. I like the way it runs so smoothly and quick. iTunes is also another cool application. It's so easy and simple. Everything is right there. A lot better then WMP.

So yeah, I have very little experience with Apple. Thanks for all the help so far!

[peruytu]

Most of my Mac usage were in the art/media classes with really, really old Macs.

Bingo!! :)

[lurking]

I wouldnt recommend a Mac for a technical user, simply because of the lock in. They tie you pretty heavily into their stuff, and do not encourage alternative vendors. Repair on warranty stuff is pretty much only through their service shops, and that can take a bit. Software options are also somewhat limited.

Id probably recommend getting a pc machine, and pick a linux distro. With a dual boot partition you get the convenience of windows software and compatibility with other windows boxes, while still having the *nix base available. Probably for less money overall.

But I am not a mac fan.

[Metros Striker10]

Yeah, I'm probably going to stick on a regular Windows based laptop. I really like the OS X GUI and it's quick response when you do things, but it simply doesn't match with a regular laptop. I mean, $1100 for a 512MB RAM, 40 GB HD, 1.3 GHz processor compared to a Dell 700m with the same the same specs except for the 1.65 GHz processor for a shade under one grand. Just doesn't seem like it's the best thing when you compare things moneywise.

With that in mind, is the AMD on the same level as the Intel Pentium chip? Or is it like a Celeron chip?

[lurking]

Yeah, I'm probably going to stick on a regular Windows based laptop. I really like the OS X GUI and it's quick response when you do things, but it simply doesn't match with a regular laptop. I mean, $1100 for a 512MB RAM, 40 GB HD, 1.3 GHz processor compared to a Dell 700m with the same the same specs except for the 1.65 GHz processor for a shade under one grand. Just doesn't seem like it's the best thing when you compare things moneywise.

With that in mind, is the AMD on the same level as the Intel Pentium chip? Or is it like a Celeron chip?
I THINK the celeron-M's have less power requirement, but the AMD-M lines have a bit more processing power for less $. I havent looked at the specs myself exactly, but both are viable laptop processors.

[sokol]

Yeah, I'm probably going to stick on a regular Windows based laptop. I really like the OS X GUI and it's quick response when you do things, but it simply doesn't match with a regular laptop. I mean, $1100 for a 512MB RAM, 40 GB HD, 1.3 GHz processor compared to a Dell 700m with the same the same specs except for the 1.65 GHz processor for a shade under one grand. Just doesn't seem like it's the best thing when you compare things moneywise.

With that in mind, is the AMD on the same level as the Intel Pentium chip? Or is it like a Celeron chip?

The hardware side of a mac is more expensive. But the software is so superior that for most general computer users, it makes up the difference. Also, as far as I know you can't compare the 1.65 GHz to the 1.3 Ghz. They are on seperate scales, or so I'm told. The 1.65 may be still be faster but you can't tell merely by looking at the numbers. Anyone know how those speeds compare? Also, you would probably have to spend well over $100 dollars in software for a PC to get what you get with iLife. It comes out about the same. And you don't need anti-virus software with a mac, and really the superiority of Mac OS is worth a lot of money by itself. The only question you really need to be sure of is whether or not you're going to be running software that isn't available for Mac. Most good software is available, but some very specific programs aren't so if you need one of those you don't have a choice.

[prk166]

I know that there's a lot of Mac users here, so I figured this would be a good place to ask this question. Is it worth it for a CIS student to switch from the PC world to the Mac world? The iBook looks like a really neat notebook to use. It's small, pretty fast, nice memory space, Bluetooth, etc. But is it a good idea for a CIS student? Are there any problems with software compatibility? From what I've seen, Mac has everything you need.

I was skeptical about this before, but the new OS X is real nice OS. I like how it's fast and simple (the feel is nicer). 12.1" iBook I think, is perfect. I'm looking at a 1.2 GHz, 512 SDRAM, 60 Gig HD...so I think the speed situation isn't a problem.

A computer's a tool, not a fashion statement. If you don't have money to piss away on a BMW, don't spend the premo you would on a Mac. The market spoke long ago and said that the price diff between the PC and Mac wasn't worth so the so-called Mac features. If you're a CIS student and looking to dump windows, linux is the only way you should go.

[prk166]

I plan on using the laptop as my every day computer and for note taking and stuff like that in the classroom. From what I understand about OS X, it pretty much does a good job at providing its user with everything they need on a general basis, which wasn't the case in previous editions. My concern that a major in CIS will demand things that only a PC can offer (I would like to have the comfort of being able to work on projects outside of the classroom). All of the programming and networking classes that I have already taken in school use PCs, so I am unaware of how it performs in the IT fields. Most of my Mac usage were in the art/media classes with really, really old Macs. The one in the "Top 10" thread looks like it. But then again, not many of them are ever updated, so it lagged and prompted error messages. I've used an eMac for for some basic Internet surfing...worked real nicely. I like the way it runs so smoothly and quick. iTunes is also another cool application. It's so easy and simple. Everything is right there. A lot better then WMP.

So yeah, I have very little experience with Apple. Thanks for all the help so far!


Good point. I just bought a laptop. I'm taking CSci classes. The reason I didn't go with Linux is I still have some pc only software pop up for class. Some things that come out for the Mac happen but it can take a year in some cases. If you don't beleive me, just ask mac owning sim city fans how much fun they had waiting for the Rush Hour pack to come out.

[Metros Striker10]

Good point prk166. Everything comes out for Windows, but you're not always guaranteed a Mac version...especially if it's a freeware product that the course requires. I think the current problem with XP is that most people probably use XP Home. XP Pro, although it looks a lot like XP Home, is a lot more stable and doesn't lag as much. Most manufacturers recommened Pro anyways.

Thanks for the help guys.

[prk166]

Good point prk166. Everything comes out for Windows, but you're not always guaranteed a Mac version...especially if it's a freeware product that the course requires. I think the current problem with XP is that most people probably use XP Home. XP Pro, although it looks a lot like XP Home, is a lot more stable and doesn't lag as much. Most manufacturers recommened Pro anyways.

Thanks for the help guys.

You're welcome. I may be a bit harsh on mac but it's bit cuz I'm just a sceptic and a bit since I sometimes get frustrated with a friend who's got a couple and can't seem to fess up to the various troubles he runs into them. I'm not saying they aren't better in certain regards... just not infallible.