Questions regarding MAC Laptops...for a Noob.

I have never even clicked a mouse on a MAC before. I am a PC technician and I support Windows 95+. I have knowledge in COMPUTERS in general, but no knowledge about MACs.

I am looking to get a MAC, something above a "G3" that I can play with, mess around and break so I can fix and learn more about MACs. I want something I can use for internet browsing, and as a regular PC on a day to day basis. I mainly visit car forums and check my mail and bank accounts, and visit alot of PORN sites (LoL, I'm just kidding!! ) (or am I? ). I play games like Starcraft, but I won't be using my MAC for any visual purposes or gaming. I am buying a PC that will run me just short of 1500 when Starcraft II comes out, so I just want a Laptop to play with for now.

What "G" should I be looking for? Some people tell me the Intel Duo Core is a good chipset, but others tell me I will only need a G4, something wtih more then 1.5 Ghz and I don't download alot of music or files, so a 60GB HD will be fine for me.

I would rather not spend an arm and a leg on a MAC, somewhere around 1k or less, obviously less being better.

Also are there any places that you all know about such as MACofAllTrades.com that I can find cheap deals for MACs?

Thanks for all your support in advance everyone...

I'm gunna nuke your Command Center if you have any affiliation with the Zerg Swarm.

For around 1k, I think you can get the regular MacBook (white). They start at 1100 though. I have one, and I used to be straight up pc guy. It's probably the best money I've spent on anything other than my 2 wheels.

http://store.apple.com/us

I use it for school, so I got the Microsoft office on it and Safari is at least three times better than explorer. However, I use firefox. The only complain I have is that I can't run some of the programs I use often like AutoCad. I use that either at the school computers or at home on my desktop. I'm not even sure if they have a Mac version of that software.

Good luck.

Remus6 said:

For around 1k, I think you can get the regular MacBook (white). They start at 1100 though. I have one, and I used to be straight up pc guy. It's probably the best money I've spent on anything other than my 2 wheels.

http://store.apple.com/us

I use it for school, so I got the Microsoft office on it and Safari is at least three times better than explorer. However, I use firefox. The only complain I have is that I can't run some of the programs I use often like AutoCad. I use that either at the school computers or at home on my desktop. I'm not even sure if they have a Mac version of that software.

Good luck.

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Look up BootCamp for the Macs. :thumbsup:

Before the flaming steps in. Don't buy a g anything apple.

They've been switched over to intel long enough now that if you want to go used a core duo should be easy to find at a good price.

You can get brand new core 2 duo macbooks with the integrated graphics for around $1k (give or take) new if i remember right.

Basically either look into a used macbook pro (mine is one of the first ones from the intel switch, still runs fine, but getting a little slow). Or look into a refurbished laptop from the apple store site.

Also, supposedly there will be an update to the apple laptops sometime in october, which is something to keep in mind. New stuff to buy, and cheaper old stuff.

FaLLeNAn9eL said:

Look up BootCamp for the Macs. :thumbsup:

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Yeah, my friend runs that on his Mac but it takes up a huge space on his hard drive. I thought about running it, but I keep a lot of my pics and vacation vids in my MacBook so opted against it because I didn't want to cary an external drive around. I try to be very mobile because sometimes I go to school on two wheels. :biggrin:

utekineir said:

Before the flaming steps in. Don't buy a g anything apple.

They've been switched over to intel long enough now that if you want to go used a core duo should be easy to find at a good price.

You can get brand new core 2 duo macbooks with the integrated graphics for around $1k (give or take) new if i remember right.

Basically either look into a used macbook pro (mine is one of the first ones from the intel switch, still runs fine, but getting a little slow). Or look into a refurbished laptop from the apple store site.

Also, supposedly there will be an update to the apple laptops sometime in october, which is something to keep in mind. New stuff to buy, and cheaper old stuff.

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That's great advice. :thumbsup:

One thing I noticed is that Mac owners are like the hard core dubbers. They really take care of and baby their Macs.

TurbO_Lag said:

I am a zerg player, and Overlord's are going to be your demise if you think your getting in my base with a ghost...:biggrin:

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Science Vessels + Irradiate = Overloard 'splode.

TurbO_Lag said:

Scourge PWN. It only takes 2. addle: and if your using Irradiate on Overlords, your wasting your energy...:bellyroll:

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Battle Cruisers shoot your Scourges down like flies then Yamato Gun your Spire.

Apple refurbished online store

Personally i'd wait till the new things come out. You'll see the replaced apple laptops on clearance at best buy and also the refurb store usually gets a bunch of new listings at solid prices.

Even just for web surfing, email etc my laptop is feeling its age, its the 1.6 or so core duo from when the mac laptops first switched to intel.

Considering that the intel chips were a signifigant step forward on the apple machines and that they have been around for over 2.5 or so years now on various laptops you should be able to find a used core duo in the price range you want to pay.

Os wise get 10.4 or 10.5 which is the latest if i remember right.

Unless you are a die hard mac zealot that refuses to give up on power pc chips don't buy a g4 laptop. Or a g5 desktop. Maybe for a retardedly cheap price, but certainly not for 650 or so.

TurbO_Lag said:

*P.S. I'm loving this...I'm a huge SC player*

If you have BC's I will either have 24 scorge, or a nice stack of 12 devourer's waiting for ur ass, and its hard to fire once every 2 seconds when you have spores on you...Yamato Cannon is hard to combat tho, I guess I'l have to scorge you before you get to me...:clap: :bow:

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I sneak in another set of Science Vessels to Irridiate your drones. Now you're broke! HA!

Do you think I would leave my base unprotected? C'mon man! I can emp your Defiliers then pop your lings with tanks then roll into your base and blow it to bits.

http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_MK

You're welcome. Upgrade it to at least OS X 10.4.11.

TurbO_Lag said:

Scourge PWN. It only takes 2. addle: and if your using Irradiate on Overlords, your wasting your energy...:bellyroll:

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HAHA you are both mistaken it's all about the toss... High Templars and Psionic storms would rape those lords..

To stay on topic, I was a hardcore pc dude. Made a switch to the mac, not because I wanted to be hip and cool. Vista just blows in my opinion. I've been overall satisfied. From your description either the entry level or medium level macbooks sound right up your alley.

I can't wait for SCII :happyanim: