Apple Notebooks

[Nylah]

Since my hard drive is about to die on my laptop, I have to start planning for a new one. However, I no longer want a Dell/Microsoft anything

I have been eyeing the Macs for a couple of months but have a couple of concerns.

Even though I dont want to deal with a microsoft product I still am not ready to deal with the learning curve of a new OS, so I plan to buy the Windows coverter program (actual name alludes me at the moment).

Are there any concerns when it comes to networking an Apple product with a Windows product (desktop is sill Windows)?

How does the auto backup Apple runs work with the Windows partition tool? Does make sense that it could easily back up the 2 different OS's.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Apple Notebooks


I don't know too much about Macs I have used them in the past at say Kinko’s. I would not buy a converter but I just learn the commands, because in the end that is what you are needing to know if you are going to use a word processor, mail, etc.

If you were going to write programs for a MAC the focus would be different in my estimation.
As for networking...Networking connects computers period so it is not a problem once you have all the devices connected and learn the protocols. Connecting via TCIP should be even easier.

So my short answer learn your way around the Mac Interface using native MAC and learn only how to hook the both systems together on the Network!

Sorry to see you go from WinDoze it is the best system ever!
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">BTW</span> why do you think you hard drive is dying? Is it clicking?

[Nylah]

Re: Apple Notebooks

When I had internet connection issues a month back, my laptop crashed (blue screen etc) when I was trying to fix the problem. I gave my laptop to my IT friend and he was able to restore the data but said that my hard drive was giving him failure msgs when he ran his diagnostic tools.

It clicks on start up but so far is holding up. I just make sure to back up and have moved my important data onto my desktop, so if it crashes again and wont re-boot, I wont be crying about it.

I want the partition thing in the beginning just because I want to take my time learning the new OS. Nothing is worst that learning a new OS when you are trying to get work done. I went thru that with Vista at tax time and I was ready to kill because it slowed me down greatly. I just dont want the same experience. The software is only $100 so it is cost effective for me.

[halfwaytree]

Re: Apple Notebooks

I use a mac G4 PowerBook for work, it runs the OSX Tiger operating system. At home I run a PC.

You will have very few issues in regard to getting use to the new OS. Apple products are very user friendly and for the most part trouble free.

The Spotlight &quot;search&quot; feature is well designed for finding files in mere seconds.

Go for the Mac IMHO!

[ILP]

Re: Apple Notebooks

my lab at work is a MAC lab....
the lab runs with very few problems, the systems are faster, and the kids love it. everything is literally click and drag.

I run into issues when I do something in the lab and then return to say my office (or home) and go to PC.

I like that everything you need to run a MAC come preinstalled from jump, unlike PC where you have to buy each thing.

i am also looking into another laptop....I like the ease of MAC, but they are not everywhere like PC's are....I have some serious options to weigh.

[Nylah]

Re: Apple Notebooks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milo Man*</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a mac G4 PowerBook for work, it runs the OSX Tiger operating system. At home I run a PC.

You will have very few issues in regard to getting use to the new OS. Apple products are very user friendly and for the most part trouble free.

The Spotlight &quot;search&quot; feature is well designed for finding files in mere seconds.

Go for the Mac IMHO! </div></div>

thanks MiloMan! that is great to know

ILP - I was just on the Apple site and it says that the file conversion between Mac and PCs arent an issue anymore. You are able to open a Mac file on a PC and vice versa with the iworks software. This is key for me because all of my customers use Windows based software. So is this what you are eferring to, or is your file issue something else?

[ILP]

Re: Apple Notebooks

i work in a networked school.
Apple and Microsoft &quot;customize&quot; software packages for us.

I have issues with specialized graphic/layout design software that i work with when running back and forth, but dont get me wrong the glitches are not earth shattering or anything. They do get annoying when I have a deadline or something.

when running internet, word, etc. things are just fine.

[Nylah]

Re: Apple Notebooks



ahh. I see what you are saying now.

I think I am just going to take the plunge and purchase a Mac at the end of the month.

Between you guys and my other friends' recommendations, I think I should be okay with it.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Apple Notebooks

To the question of the hard drive I am pretty sure unless you dropped that computer the hard drive is not going to die. What it does need is possible a reformat and repartition. Harder to do on a Laptop because of the custom features in the operating system. Most late 90s Laptop shipped with a recovery disc all you would need to do is to move your data. Nuke the drive and then repartition it. Then reinstall the operating system and viola new or as good as new computer.

What model is it?

[Nylah]

Re: Apple Notebooks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tuff Gong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To the question of the hard drive I am pretty sure unless you dropped that computer the hard drive is not going to die. What it does need is possible a reformat and repartition. Harder to do on a Laptop because of the custom features in the operating system. Most late 90s Laptop shipped with a recovery disc all you would need to do is to move your data. Nuke the drive and then repartition it. Then reinstall the operating system and viola new or as good as new computer.

What model is it?
</div></div>


You know my eyes glazed over at all of this?

It is a Dell Inspiron 700m which I bought about 4 or 5 years ago? Why would it not be possible for my hard drive to die? I have dropped it on many occassions over the years but I never thought it was hard enough to cause major internal damage.

[Nylah]

Re: Apple Notebooks


Tuff, come to think of it Chad said he did have to reformat my hard drive, etc.

He did say that even if in the future, it looks like I have lost everything on my laptop, he is still able to recover it - that there is no such thing as your data being unrecoverable if a tech knows what he/she is doing.

He just recommended that I should replace my laptop b/c it is going to die at some point soon.

It is a bit confusing for me but I am fine with needing to replace it if need be.

After I upgraded the RAM a yr back (with your help ) it has been going fine for the most part except for the occassional crash.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Apple Notebooks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It is a Dell Inspiron 700m which I bought about 4 or 5 years ago? Why would it not be possible for my hard drive to die? I have dropped it on many occassions over the years but I never thought it was hard enough to cause major internal damage. </div></div>
Oh the same one you upgraded the memory on!
Actually the Dell Inspirons were bullet proof I have a 4150 that I got cheap off a guy who dad gave it to him but he had no more use for it since he completed the course he was doing. Pretty slow but bullet proof. I have dropped in a few times, cracked the case in a number of places but like a Timex keeps on ticking.

My theory on the hard drive is since it is the on moving component other than the fan it is very susceptible to shocks. In a laptop you have to assume that it not very well protected but others my disagree and say that the Hard Drive is possibly the most protected item in a relatively thinly armored device, such as the Consume Laptop.

Anyway a drive going that fast will develop life shortening glitches if subjected to shocks, the larger the drive in capacity the more susceptible it will be because of increase in number and /or size of platters.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Apple Notebooks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Tuff, come to think of it Chad said he did have to reformat my hard drive, etc.

He did say that even if in the future, it looks like I have lost everything on my laptop, he is still able to recover it - that there is no such thing as your data being unrecoverable if a tech knows what he/she is doing.

He just recommended that I should replace my laptop b/c it is going to die at some point soon.

It is a bit confusing for me but I am fine with needing to replace it if need be.

After I upgraded the RAM a yr back (with your help ) it has been going fine for the most part except for the occassional crash. </div></div>...sorry I was answering the other question when you posted this. Not just Reformat but repartition and mark the bad spots if any. Anyway, you can always just replace the drive. The Dell Inspirons Drives pulls out, no problem!

[Nylah]

Re: Apple Notebooks



Look man, I am trying to justify a $3K purchase, so dont come chat to me about replacing the hard drive on my old laptop

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Apple Notebooks

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Look man, I am trying to justify a $3K purchase, so dont come chat to me about replacing the hard drive on my old laptop </div></div>...okay far be it from me to try to talk you down from helping the Economic Recovery!