quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lt CHEG:

You might want to take a good look at the refurbished units that Apple offers on their website. They are 100% as good, both functionally and cosmetically, as the new retail stuff, they carry the same warranty from Apple, and the cost is lower.

My last 3 Mac's have been refurb units, each has been 100% reliable and worth the savings.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

Mac vs. Windows? How can there even be a debate? It's not Kenworth vs. Peterbilt, it's a limousine vs. a moped.

LOL

No offense intended, @smschulz. If for no other reason than I respect your opinion. Plus we agree on most things . But, where MS-Windows is concerned: Most people I've known during my career who've had wide exposure to a wide variety of operating systems felt pretty much the same way about MS-Windows.

Can you wait. Mac Rumors rates the M1 MacBook a do not buy... because of the new version coming out this fall, assuming with the M2 chip revision.

It hasn't actually been announced yet.

For what it's worth, I've worked in a number of Engineering companies with mechanical and electronic engineers and technicians and I've never seen a single one of them using a MAC. They all use Windows.

And that includes me, of course.

Where you find the MAC in an Engineering company is with the Directors and VPs.

All my years in IT, beyond linux/unix machines running specific things its pretty well only Microsoft products. Recently decided to roll out ipads at our locations en masse and as such it was best to get macs for device management, enrolling and setup of mobile devices under Apple Business Manager and JAMF - so my first MacBook Pro 13" with the M1 was purchased. Got to say - I'm loving it - that coming from using a Dell Precision laptop which I just got custom ordered last fall and is a beast - but for most of my laptop mobility needs, the Macbook Pro has been exceptional. Still use a desktop in office for my true day to day system. Combined with Office 365 which includes One Drive - I can sync files, folders and use office apps across all platforms seamlessly


//ETA - Also had been using XPS 15's for a few years and what I had before going to a precison laptop - cannot go wrong with any of the XPS series - they are solid laptops - I have two users still wanting to keep their XPS 15's instead of swapping out to precision laptops

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
... where MS-Windows is concerned: Most people I've known during my career who've had wide exposure to a wide variety of operating systems felt pretty much the same way about MS-Windows.

Everyone has their own experiences and environment.
It doesn't make it universal.
Certainly my view is different and that includes my constitutes.

I think you or I could make any environment work if need be.

My education and training started in Business before I got technical.
My view is always in the best interest of my client (or self) first.
I am so grateful and appreciative of the technological advancements over the last 30+ years I have been doing this.
If any of the kids today experienced what we had to over time then maybe their could be a competent discussion.
So when I hear the "debate comparison" denigration I did roll my eyes.
To debate someone like that is like trying to debate a flaming liberal on gun-control - not going to happen.
That is why I let these threads go and try to stay out of any pissing contest.

The OP wants to change then fine, we all have our reasons.
He needs to get one and try it out.

Additionally, threads like these are based from the basic consumer level with none of the requirements I have to deal with.
YMMV

I purchased this late 2013 15" MacBook Pro Retina and it's built like tank. The cat even had it's shot at it knocking it off the dresser about 3' and "took the lickin' and still tick'n". Never a hiccup. My wife is perfectly happy with her 15" XPS laptop and says Apple is too expensive I'm totally satisfied and cat tested!



My MBPr with bluetoof headsets still tickin'

I use a mid-2012 MacBook Pro, and my wife has a mid-2013 MacBook Air. I upgraded my HDD to a 1 TB SSD, and installed a new battery. They just work. With gigabit WiFi they are fast as you need. It is hard to believe that such ancient hardware still works. No, mine won't use the latest OS, and hers just barely is young enough. But, that's the only reason to upgrade.

The interoperability of all Apple hardware is well-established.

The security philosophy of Apple remains the best selling point.

If I ever sell my motorcycle backpack, I'll probably spring for an iPad case with integral keyboard to simulate a laptop. It works well.

I can't think of a reason to go Windows. I have no complaints about my Dell Precision Workstation Laptop with Xeon processor and 32 GB of RAM. But, the number of calls to IT for help on such an expensive machine amaze me.

Thanks for the info so far, I really appreciate it. I’m going to look hard at the refurb units, but so far it doesn’t look like there are very large discounts for refurbs. I’m still technically enrolled as a PhD student, although I’m not taking any classes and don’t know if I will resume classes, but maybe I can qualify for a student discount?

I think if I move sooner than later on a purchase that I will probably sway towards the MacBook Air, as I think performance wise it will be fine and it doesn’t seem like the lack of a cooling fan has been an issue at all. I suppose I could just put the computer in front of a fan or something if I was going to be letting it do something hard for a while like ripping DVDs or similar in order to make me feel good. If I start to feel like I would rather go in the direction of the MacBook Pro then I will probably try to hold out for November. Thanks again for the insights all.

If you're military or a military veteran you can get a 10% discount direct from Apple, too.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
That is why I let these threads go and try to stay out of any pissing contest.

Well, then, posting “lol, ” will generally provoke others, which is the very opposite of steering clear of these types of threads.

quote:

Originally posted by Lt CHEG:

maybe I can qualify for a student discount?

I believe that a .edu email address will do the trick.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Everyone has their own experiences and environment.
It doesn't make it universal.

True, but...

When I wrote "Most people I've known during my career..." I'm talking about more than just a few. Admittedly: That's not to say all.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
I think you or I could make any environment work if need be.

Probably, but if my employer had decided to go with MS-Win at the time I did that study, I'd probably have left for greener pastures.

I really, really dislike MS-Windows. You may regard such an intense dislike as irrational. One of my best friends did. But there it is.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
If any of the kids today experienced what we had to over time then maybe their could be a competent discussion.
So when I hear the "debate comparison" denigration I did roll my eyes.

If you're referring to @architect's comments: When somebody states "about the time MS came out with Windows 3.1", and talks about SunOS and NeXTSTEP, they're hardly "a kid" NeXTSTEP was late 80's and early 90's. SunOS, based on BSD Unix, appeared in late '83. It was superseded by Solaris, based on AT&T System V, Release 4, in '93.

His comments read much like mine might, save I never liked MS-anything (I tried. Once. MS nearly had me with MS-Win NT4.)

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
To debate someone like that is like trying to debate a flaming liberal on gun-control - ...

I liken it more to Ford vs. Chevy or Ginger vs. Mary Anne (And, when you write "liberals," I assume you mean "leftists.")

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Additionally, threads like these are based from the basic consumer level with none of the requirements I have to deal with.
YMMV

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ My home systems and network are really little different from the systems and networks I managed at work. Major differences are I don't have a proxy firewall at home, we didn't have IoT devices at work, I have only one internal customer now, and there will be no MS-Win clients on the home network

I normally purchase refurbished Macs, but when my Intel chip Air battery went tits up while under AppleCare Coverage, Apple wanted it for 3 weeks in the middle of Covid since most of the Apple Stores ere closed.

Apple finally agreed to sell me new M1 Air with 500GB of flash for $683, including a new Apple Care plan. Jumped on it, and after 3 or 4 Macbook Airs, this new M1 chip version rocks! It's fast, and has great battery life.

I’d stick with the MacBook Pro, my kids use the Air from their STEM school and they don’t last long, durability issues. Also stick with an SSD drive, probably standard by now.

I’m running a 2010 MacBook Pro with an 1Tb SSD drive I put in a few years ago. Everything else is stock original and working fine. It’s our daily use home computer and works great. I made the switch 11 years ago and haven’t looked back. I use PCs at work, but that’s it. You just don’t have the same issues with Macs as you do with PCs.

quote:

Originally posted by jcsabolt2:
I’d stick with the MacBook Pro, my kids use the Air from their STEM school and they don’t last long, durability issues.

Could that be in part because kids?

quote:

I really, really dislike MS-Windows . You may regard such an intense dislike as irrational. One of my best friends did. But there it is.

You don't say?
Yes I find it irrational coming from a business point of view and as a Professional in the field.
I dislike Apple a LOT but still respect it for what it is.
Like-dislike on an emotional level has no part in the Professional realm as far as I am concerned.
The what's better Mac or PC is nothing more than business talking point that have taken hold in their intended victims.
Look at it all like a tool from a business model then you see everything has it's place.
That's why I don't say "Apple is shit" on every Apple thread - why should I?
Make your own conclusions based on your own circumstances.
So when I hear all the "talking points" on either side - I roll my eyes.
You can not "like" MS but if you don't respect what it has done or can do then you are irrational.
Having a preference is one thing and maybe it is or is not optimum for a particular situation but I'm not going to take any credence in emotional hyperbole or the conversations that are from that basis.

quote:

If you're referring to @architect's comments:

I was not .. only speaking generally.

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¯\_(ツ)_/¯ My home systems and network are really little different from the systems and networks I managed at work.

Was not talking about you.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
That is why I let these threads go and try to stay out of any pissing contest.

Well, then, posting “lol, ” will generally provoke others, which is the very opposite of steering clear of these types of threads.

True, I said "try" - sometimes you just can't let some things go.
Was not trying to provoke but I understand how it could.
Sorry for that.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
You can not "like" MS but if you don't respect what it has done ...

You misinterpreted what I wrote. This isn't about Microsoft, but Microsoft Windows, specifically. I do not like working with Microsoft Windows. So much so that, as I wrote: If my employer had chosen to switch to MS-Win I would have left their employ.

Anybody watch the Computer Chronicles on youtube?

They all seem to be hawking the same product in a different package. Get what works best for YOU.

Me, I love my I phone and always will. But I run a Win 10 machine(with the occasional Linux)

Do what works for you. Forget the rest. As a paying user, you deserve that.