Is an apple computer good?
463412
Don't let anyone tell you it's not a good computer.  People that say otherwise are just showing their ignorance... The truth is it really depends on what you want to use your computer for.  Windows-based systems will have greater flexibility and more software options than the Apple will.  However, with that being said, Apple's are notoriously superior machines when it comes to multimedia useage, such as video and sound editing, DVDs, iTunes, graphics editing, such as Adobe Photoshop or Quark.  If you're getting into marketing, design, or any type of production, you can't go wrong with an Apple.\n\nPlus they look so sexy...
991270
I've had a Dell.  They are good but then I was converted to a Mac.  Seriously, they may cost a bit more but are soooo easy to use and have none of the problems pc's have.  A lot of fun, too.  Check 'em out.  I have the iBook G4.
737014
From personal experience. I have been using computers since 1995, went to school and got a degree in computers too. I have used both pc and MAC. I switched over for good to MAC and will never go back to a PC. With a MAC you wont get freeze-ups, crashes, errors, blue screen of death and a zillion viruses. PC-windows cant say that. Plus the quality of a MAC is top notch. I would reccomend a MAC. ;)
768956
If your budget includes both Macs and PC's, then it's up to you to look at all the packages, try out the different operating systems, and get a feel for what you prefer. But I really don't think the Mac is superior just because it's a Mac. I have never found them to be any faster, and I think their operating system looks like it was designed for a child, but that's just my opinion. \n\nAs someone else pointed out, a lot of it has to do with the fact that Macs are always very expensive- Apple don't make cheaper ones because they want to protect their brand image. And they don't keep selling their older models- the only ones you can buy are very up to date. They do make a lot of cheap PC's though- the new and expensive ones are just as good as the new and expensive Macs, but people just don't always go for those when faced with a much cheaper option that has all the same superficial features.\n\nIf this is the only computer you will be exposed to then it doesn't much matter, but if you use PC's at work I would really recommend you get one for home as well. I sometimes borrow my flatmate's Mac, after a day at work using a PC, and it's really annoying because everything is a bit different and it goes against what I'm used to. For example I'm always going to press the "delete" button but it's not there, they only have a backspace. If you use computers a lot it becomes very instinctive, you don't have to think about what you're doing- so don't confuse yourself by having different systems for work and home, it will slow YOU down regardless of the computer's speed!
100597
Mac is better: no threat of viruses, well organized, easy usablility, and almost everything else. They are just a little more expensive though.
949474
*smiles at Apple reference*\nwhen I was looking around before buying this laptop, i did wander into an apple store out of curiosity\n\nwalked out again about five minutes later and didn't seriously consider an ibook in any of my further reckoning :-)\n\nFor the uses you've specified, you'd be as well to buy second hand if money is an issue - anything you can get these days --- for all of Intel's hard sell TV adverts --- is about 3 or 4 times more powerful than you really need for any of that. But, if you can afford it, you may as well get a nicely specified machine; unlike getting a 4x more powerful car, you won't be spending a fortune on fuel or insurance, or suffering from cripplingly heavy handling or go deaf. A well made modern machine will burn up no more, or possibly less power than a much, much slower one from a few years ago, and weigh less / be quieter too.\n\nFirst question - what are your priorities re: portability vs capability? Will you be carrying it around a lot all day, doing a lot of work off the battery and mainly with lightweight files kept on the hard disc, or will it be mostly sat at home on a desk, plugged in, doing a fair bit of media work, playing DVDs etc? That's the main tradeoff these days, as there's an awful lot of choice in terms of form-factor. Used to be that a laptop was a known quantity in terms of size - like two letter writing pads stacked on each other. Not any more.\n\nPersonally I went for the lightweight portable route, as I needed to do a fair bit of wordprocessing and other office stuff on the road (well, the train, and around all manner of random places) and needed something a bit thinner, but no more spread out than that old 2-pad electronic jalopy (£40, used, with a good battery - bargain!) I'd been using before, as my arms were tired but the available work spaces were tight as rubber gloves on wet hands. A modern thin-bordered 12" screen offers a lot more working area (almost to the level of a once-common 14" tube monitor) than an older laptop, in the same size case - it's easily enough for me, and has the same resolution (same conceptual desktop space for windows etc) as my mother's heavier 14". Besides, if you're typing, you're only looking at a tiny, tiny part of it at a time; the old one had about half the pixel resolution of this and was still OK for writing lengthy reports!\n\nI've sacrificed a bit of potential screen area, a bit of hard drive space and CPU speed, one speaker (internal mono's not an issue if you rarely use it without (stereo) headphones) and an internal DVD drive in order to get something sleek and lightweight with a phenomenal battery runtime without paying over the odds; but with a little research and in-store testing, made sure the actual performance wasn't suffering much (quick HD even if "small", large and fast memory, current-generation albeit lower speed CPU, good graphics chip, good solid typist's keyboard, standard width screen to maximise the "useful" WP space). Plus it's a tablet PC... I can sign my name in documents, or flip it over and hold it like an actual paper pad and use the pen as a mouse... and as I waited for the easter sales, I got a cracking bundle deal with an (nice, but very bulky and therefore stay-at-home) external dual layer DVD writer, TV tuner card, etc.\n\nAlternatively, you may want to watch DVDs or not have brilliant sight, and particularly burn a lot of discs... an internal drive and a large screen will be particular boons here, and you'll likely get an even better keyboard into the bargain, with massive battery life or pen functions being minor concerns. They can go all the way up to 17" widescreen, with high quality integrated speakers etc, and what is more or less a full sized desktop keyboard attached --- becoming basically portable desktop PCs, in the same way that a 14" TV with a pop-out handle at the to
823579
Yes. I am a technology coordinator and I deal with both Apples and PCs everyday. They are not the same. Putting anti-virus software on a PC is not the same as getting a Macbook. The new Macbooks start at $1000 and are lightweight and compact, great for traveling. Compared to the smallest PC laptops, the Macbook is very affordable. \nYou will not have to worry about getting any viruses or spyware with the Macbook, and the glossy screen and long battery life make it great for watching movies while traveling.
694557
I like Macintosh Computers because:\n\n1. They are very stable. Windows-powered computers are usually very unstable due to driver problems and what not. With the Mac, though, everything is already handled by Apple so you don't have to worry about it.\n2. Plug-in-play, without the drivers. You can use most any piece of hardware that you want, without having to install drivers.\n3. No viruses. People don't target the Macintosh computer with viruses.\n4. Great multimedia power. Mac OS X works great with Photoshop, Bryce and a few other programs.\n5. Run Windows alongside Mac OS X. Now you can partition your drive with Boot Camp.\n6. Macs do Office too. Apples have their own version of Microsoft Office.
1001655
As others have said, it depends on what you want to use it for.\n\nAlienware makes nice gaming computers that are well priced in comparison to their competitors. Their style is what attracts some and repels others; funky colors, plastic all around in roundish shapes, blue, red , alien green, etc. They are very nice Windows Machines.\n\nMacs aren't very suited to gaming due to the fact that they are a small minority. The "Apple Tax", as some like to call it, is the increase in cost to get something with the Mac tag on it. Some say it's a worthless premium; others say it's the price of quality.\n\nMac OS X is stable and has a lot of great apps (i.e. GarageBand and iMovie). It, as a minority (and more securely designed to boot) is less susceptible to infection. People have tried with little success.\n\nSo, which is better?\n\nAlienware is better (by a huge shot) for gaming. It is among the top of the line Windows PCs, very powerful. If you prefer Windows, I'd say Alienware. You get better value too.\n\nNow, if you want a computer that doesn't get viruses, works well, and looks sleek doing it, look no further than a Mac. Less maintence with some really  cool apps and easy to use.\n\nHope this helps!
181231
Get the best Apple computer you can afford. Easy access to their iTunes music store, great software included, terrific warranty, and easy to use. A music lover's dream machine.
1150843
I would suggest getting somthing used.  Mac's tend to be quite a bit more expensive than Windows PC's, and because of their inginutity and design they don't really have a 'cheap' model.  Look in the papers and perhaps online...maybe ebay, for something used.
582401
I have a business that repair's and maintains computers. I own iMac's and powerbooks and use them as my choice of computer. Buy a PC so I can keep working. I have a steady customer base as long as microsoft keeps putting out their stuff. Apple updates their computers every quarter,or so it seems. you wait till fall for their new OS upgrade and then the next quarter a hardware change take your pick, jump on any time and remember no virus yet. I dont think they will change the macbook anytime soon but who knows. I recommend Mac's to all my family and freinds. Have fun.
1160475
Yes, they are worth it, and you can get great Mac's for not too much money.
21731
buy it now if you need it now. (i'm an 12" iBook owner). its unrealistic to expect the new Intel based macs to be a lot cheaper, and essentially, all new apps written in new xCode can be run in both PowerPC based and Intel based macs.\n\nalso, Apple says it is going to support the PowerPC macs for a very long period of time and will release at least two of its future Mac OS X in PowerPC version.\n\nif you want to have the perfect computer, you really need to wait forever.
429483
Very good. I enjoy them ^^. They Run Windows Xp Pretty Fast too. Mac os X is nice on it too. Only thing to complain upon is the retail software support thas it!
850686
apple dual core, 2 operating systems for the price of one, has many cool features. handles high end design programs without a hitch.
494661
I use a Mac, I used to use a PC but I found Macs to better cater to my personal needs. In general Apple is a very self contained company, Mac computers are made by Apple and only Apple so they are able to assure the quality and safety of their products. Unlike PCs which are made by a lot of different companies so quality control is often up in the air. Macs are almost (keyword is almost) virus-proof. Lately they have found a few viruses that can cause some issues on a Mac but Apple is determined to search out and find programs that can harm Macs and find ways to protect their product. That being said, many "career types" find Macs useful for all of the new editing programs, overall reliabilty and flexablity compared to PC's. The editing programs (some of them are even built-in) allow you to do some amazing editing of music, images and video feed. They are also converting a lot of the very common programs on PC that users are fimilar with to Mac (especially Microsoft programs in particular, like Microsoft Office.) There is even a new program called Virtual PC which you can install on your newer Macs and you have the power to have Windows on Mac and install "Windows Only" programs on Mac. It even allows you to switch back and forth between Mac and Windows interface when necessary. Its very powerful program with a lot of potential. One of the downsides to Macs is that they are a bit behind in the games department but with the power of Virtual PC that probably shouldn't be a issue for much longer.