Is a Mac for me

[DrewJW]

I am wondering should I buy a Mac.

I will have the money in a manner of two month to three perhaps.

I am NOT a photoshop GURU or Audio Creator, I am a gamer who has a Quad Core machine who wants a more reliable quieter system to enjoy while doing forums and email and talking online, and sorting my downloads and media out. Leaving my gaming pc to be tuned to gaming.

What would you guys recommend for me, a Macbook or the I-mac I had my eyes on the 3.06GHZ I-mac 24inch a three month save for myself, but is it too much Mac for the use I will give it?

I really want to get into Mac ownership but I need to justify the cost to myself more.

[rajputwarrior]

you have a pretty good desktop, so i would go for the macbook...

[DrewJW]

you have a pretty good desktop, so i would go for the macbook...

Would you think the basic Macbook is enough? of course with the Apple Care Pack.

[instant.human]

doesnt happen too often that someone really is thinking about if a mac suits their needs instead of just buying one because its cool. :p

id say for you, if you just want to browse the internet, some media, download and stuff, the everyday tasks, a macbook is for you. you could take it to your couch/sofa/bed whatever and enjoy your browsing there... you alreadyhave a killer system so i think a nice little laptop would be a perfect addition.

the macbook is quite powerful, small, quiet, even handles HD video well and with bootcamp you could possibly even have a quick game of whatever you can play "just for fun" while watching some tv or whatever. ;)

as said, with your current system, you want a laptop, you dont need a macbook pro so you can get a macbook. =)

[Cara Veteran]

I am wondering should I buy a Mac.

I will have the money in a manner of two month to three perhaps.

I am NOT a photoshop GURU or Audio Creator, I am a gamer who has a Quad Core machine who wants a more reliable quieter system to enjoy while doing forums and email and talking online, and sorting my downloads and media out. Leaving my gaming pc to be tuned to gaming.

What would you guys recommend for me, a Macbook or the I-mac I had my eyes on the 3.06GHZ I-mac 24inch a three month save for myself, but is it too much Mac for the use I will give it?

I really want to get into Mac ownership but I need to justify the cost to myself more.

Hey Elven,

I see you are in Manchester, here is what you do...

Go to http://www.apple.com/retail/ and select the store closest to you, setup a One-On-One shopping appointment and let Apple do the work for you, let them show you what the Mac can do for you and also which Mac is the best fit for you and your budget. :) Once you are done with the One-On-One associate, come back here and either post or PM me and I'll go over what the sales person told you and help you figure out what is the normal sales fluff versus the real meat of the issue. :)

Seeing and experiencing is believing. :)

[se7en.hu]

the basic one doesnt have a dvd burner, if thats going to be needed the one above that one should be perfect (Y)

[andrew_f]

Well he's in Greater Manchester, England... unless there's a Rochdale in another Manchester, so follow all that Cara said but your local stores will likely be the Trafford Centre or the Arndale Centre - but a list of all retail locations is at http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/

[DrewJW]

doesnt happen too often that someone really is thinking about if a mac suits their needs instead of just buying one because its cool. :p

id say for you, if you just want to browse the internet, some media, download and stuff, the everyday tasks, a macbook is for you. you could take it to your couch/sofa/bed whatever and enjoy your browsing there... you alreadyhave a killer system so i think a nice little laptop would be a perfect addition.

the macbook is quite powerful, small, quiet, even handles HD video well and with bootcamp you could possibly even have a quick game of whatever you can play "just for fun" while watching some tv or whatever. ;)

as said, with your current system, you want a laptop, you dont need a macbook pro so you can get a macbook. =)

Thanks, well yeah I don't see the point in spending at least ?1,000 on a computer to look "cool" this Macbook won't be on show daily and will spend most of the time on the sofa while I relax.

I noticed the basic Macbook lacks a DVDRW? little concern for me, but nothing major as I could possibly wire it into a Wireless HD?

[MulletRobZ]

Even the base MacBook should be good enough for you, since you already have a solid gaming desktop.

[rajputwarrior]

the basic one doesnt have a dvd burner, if thats going to be needed the one above that one should be perfect (Y)

of all the oems thats the thing i hate the most. There are 500 dollar dell and acer laptops that have a dvd burner, you are telling me Apple can't put on in their basic model? I think its just a money grab to force people to go to the next model up...

[Cara Veteran]

of all the oems thats the thing i hate the most. There are 500 dollar dell and acer laptops that have a dvd burner, you are telling me Apple can't put on in their basic model? I think its just a money grab to force people to go to the next model up...

Might surprise you to hear me say this but...

I agree, it's designed to push the Midrange MacBook and a source of contention with many people inside Apple.

[Cormier6083]

I think a Mac is for eveyone... except those swallowed by disgusting Windows culture.

Oh, and to better prepare yourself for the Macinlife, read this insightful blog. :D

[crazzy88ss]

What would you guys recommend for me, a Macbook or the I-mac I had my eyes on the 3.06GHZ I-mac 24inch

That's a HUGE price and hardware difference. Since you already probably have a bad ass desktop, I'd just go w/ a macbook. I currently have an iMac and i'll be getting a macbook soon to compliment the iMac.

[DrewJW]

That's a HUGE price and hardware difference. Since you already probably have a bad ass desktop, I'd just go w/ a macbook. I currently have an iMac and i'll be getting a macbook soon to compliment the iMac.

Thank you for the honest views guys, I am tempted more by the midrange Macbook because of the dvdrw it would suit me better than a cdrw. I have took your advice Cara and booked in for the Arndale centre at 12:00 on Wednesday this week, so will let you know how that goes.

[Cara Veteran]

Thank you for the honest views guys, I am tempted more by the midrange Macbook because of the dvdrw it would suit me better than a cdrw. I have took your advice Cara and booked in for the Arndale centre at 12:00 on Wednesday this week, so will let you know how that goes.

Great! Make them work a bit for it. ;)

I'm the most brutal person in the Apple Store when I go in! Well, I was until they all started to know me by name. ;)

[betasp]

If you can find one, buy a refurb from the online Apple Store and get AppleCare. It will save you a few bucks and give you the same warranty as everyone else. I don't see and downfall to the Apple refurb program.

[Cara Veteran]

If you can find one, buy a refurb from the online Apple Store and get AppleCare. It will save you a few bucks and give you the same warranty as everyone else. I don't see and downfall to the Apple refurb program.

I know that I suggest refurbs to most people, they get more attention to detail than even the new retail products. ;) Each refurb is refurbished to original specs and then hand checked over by a team of two people to insure there are no problems. How can you get better than that?

[se7en.hu]

of all the oems thats the thing i hate the most. There are 500 dollar dell and acer laptops that have a dvd burner, you are telling me Apple can't put on in their basic model? I think its just a money grab to force people to go to the next model up...

yea i know what you mean dude, it sucks. Makes the MB's look cheap till' you realize the basic spec one is pretty much useless, for most people anyway.

[hapbt]

I am wondering should I buy a Mac.

I will have the money in a manner of two month to three perhaps.

I am NOT a photoshop GURU or Audio Creator, I am a gamer who has a Quad Core machine who wants a more reliable quieter system to enjoy while doing forums and email and talking online, and sorting my downloads and media out. Leaving my gaming pc to be tuned to gaming.

What would you guys recommend for me, a Macbook or the I-mac I had my eyes on the 3.06GHZ I-mac 24inch a three month save for myself, but is it too much Mac for the use I will give it?

I really want to get into Mac ownership but I need to justify the cost to myself more.

There is no justification for the higher cost, and knowing that, you should just get one since obviously how the thing looks and how good the commercials are is whats important to you.

[Cara Veteran]

yea i know what you mean dude, it sucks. Makes the MB's look cheap till' you realize the basic spec one is pretty much useless, for most people anyway.

I suppose one could say that how many average home users need a base end laptop with a DVD Burner, but that is one statement I don't agree with myself. Apple prides itself on being 'All Inclusive' so I really do think we need to drop the Combo Drive back into the depths of hell from which it came. ;)

[DrewJW]

Agreed Cara, it would open more options for me in terms of buying, since the base Macbook would suit me nicely with a dvdburner, real shame.

[Cara Veteran]

Agreed Cara, it would open more options for me in terms of buying, since the base Macbook would suit me nicely with a dvdburner, real shame.

I will say though, the 2.4 and another Gig of memory on top of a larger drive and SuperDrive really is worth the $200 extra that Apple Charges, but yes, the base model should have a SuperDrive.

[giga Veteran]

I agree that they should include a SuperDrive in the base MB but I'm gonna honestly say that I've burnt maybe 1 DVD this past year.

[DrewJW]

I've got the mid range Notebook with 2GB and the remote added ;) and Apple Care for a reasonable ?1,100 *rounded up*.

Just sorting the moneyz out, since being disabled I am unable to get finance.. marvelous world of equality eh:DD

[Cara Veteran]

I've got the mid range Notebook with 2GB and the remote added ;) and Apple Care for a reasonable ?1,100 *rounded up*.

Just sorting the moneyz out, since being disabled I am unable to get finance.. marvelous world of equality eh:DD

Sadly Apple doesn't do financing, it is handled through third party vendors to which very little control is possible.