Choose : Toshiba or Apple?

[notEworthy27]

Planning to get either an Apple iBookG4 or Toshiba A50 - S135. I'm still quite confused on which to get. Purpose for the laptop: programming, photo editing, video composition; in short power user. I partially inclined to the ibook especially with the wireless features. But then whats holding me back is the availability of programs. Since Apple uses Mac OSx which is linux based, I'm not really sure whether there are freeware programs that are downloadable through the net. I know I know. Maraming pirated. But then I don't plan to install pirated programs in an iBook. So I'm torn between the two. I'd like to know your comments or suggestions on this.

[OTO]

If you're going to do Windows-specific programing then I'd stick with the Toshi.

If you're into games I'd stick with the Toshi.

If you love Windows User Interface I'd stick with the Toshi.

OS X is UNIX-based not Linux-based or UNIX-like.

Macs in general have come a long way since OS 9 (OS X is said as "OS Ten" X is the roman numeral for 10).

If you're gonna get an iBook G4 drop benedict_bueno*yahoo.com a line. He can hook you up with an iBook G4 for as low as P52,000 w/ a year's worth of international warranty. P52,000 gets you the the current $999 iBook G4 on the Apple Store.

If you have any concerns visit http://www.apple.com/switch/ It has all the info you may need in making the switch or being a dual user.

For freeware Mac apps go to http://www.download.com/2001-2003_4-0.html?tag=dir and http://www.versiontracker.com/macos/

And before anyone tries to use this to dissaude you, Apple is moving to Pentium processors. The transition will start mid-2006 and will end at the end of 2007. The transition will take 1.5 years and Mac apps are expected to have "Universal Binaries" (link goes to Wikipedia to provide a more unbiased & more balanced view on it) that will allow any Mac app to run both on IBM or Intel processors. So all apps within the next decade will probably have "Universal Binaries" (link goes to Apple's Universal Binary Programming Guidelines in .PDF format). As far as Apple is concerned the typical upgrade cycle for a Mac user is about every 5 years. So if the last IBM processor Mac is sold at the end of 2007 (with straggler units still being offered a year or two more) then your purchase on the iBook G4 will not be useless until 2012-2014.

Be aware though that the more memory you have the better your Mac will run. I personally advocate maxing out of memory if budget allows. I think iBook G4s accept 1GB SODIMM memory modules.

Also be aware that Macs are the only personal computer that gets faster after every OS upgrade or update.

My only complaint Apple laptops is the inclusion of a one button trackpad. Dont worry though as OS X supports multibutton pens, mouse & trackballs.

Pressed about security by Mr. Mossberg, Mr. Otellini (Intel's CEO) had a startling confession: He spends an hour a weekend removing spyware from his daughter's computer. And when further pressed about whether a mainstream computer user in search of immediate safety from security woes ought to buy Apple Computer Inc.'s Macintosh instead of a Wintel PC, he said, "If you want to fix it tomorrow, maybe you should buy something else."

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,,SB...ff_main_tff_top

[mantoy]

i say go for the iBook if you'll be working on photo images.

[artpogi]

iBook or PowerBook

[1D4LV]

imho, mas ok ang software and hardware support ng toshiba.

[need4speed]

the only hindrance I see in your requirements is programming. what language?

I've partially switched to Apple for my needs. The only thing I need a PC for is for games and nothing much else (other than it being my main income to pay the bills). Go for an iBook or PBook if you can afford it. Apple support is way better than most PC Laptop manufacturers.

Yes there are a lot of freeware applications readily available online just as someone has already mentioned. What kind of applications do you need that are causing you to think twice? Photo editing and Video Editing is already bundled with any Mac computer - iLife 05 (iPhoto, Garageband, iDVD, iTunes, iMovie). You can get MS Office 2004 for the Mac or use the free alternative like Open Office. If you need a more professional grade photo editor/movie editor then there's Adobe CS2 and Final Cut Pro/Studio/Express in HD (High-Def) too.

Ever since the advent of Mac OS X, I've never heard of a dissatisfied Mac user. As they say, once you go Mac you'll never go back.

On another note, any other Mac users on the board? Any muggers perhaps?

[BlueBimmer]

toshiba definitely.

[need4speed]

Oh yeah, I know Benedict personally. Good person to get stuff from. I don't know though if that promo with that price is still available. I used to sell the iBook for about as much as what he's selling for as well. My supplier said the promo has ended. So I don't know if Benedict can still get some at that price today.

By the way Benedict is from HK too...

[66bunny]

I'm a Mac user for the last 7 years. Before that, I was a PC geek for 3 years.

I never looked back.

File sharing is a breeze. High resolution image editing is fast. Just upgrade your RAM to the max as OTO stated. It will help a lot. Software upgrades are usually on the net. It will ask you if you want a new browser updates and all you have to do is click on the button. No additional payments or what. Plus I love the interface, it's so friendly and the mouse and keyboard don't stuck up in case you're a heavy typer. And it hardly crash.

A lot of switchers were disappointed with Macs the first time around. Why? Because Macs were not built for gamers. If you want games, go PC. Macs are built for professionals who works. There will be great games once in a while but leave it to the PC. It's a workhorse.

I love iTunes and iPod working together from end to end.

Also, the resale value is a lot higher.

[Karding]

Yun pala ang gamit ng Mac. Ginagamit ko lang ang G4 17" Powerbook ko sa pag internet eh :bwahaha: Sa bahay eto ang gamit ko pero sa work Windows. Mahirap talaga kapag baguhan sa Mac, lalo na yung mga hotkeys.

My only complain? PowerBooks get hot easily.

ever since the advent of Mac OS X, I've never heard of a dissatisfied Mac user.

the users dont complain because all they do is pass it down to the techs. luckily, I dont have to deal with software issues. however, most of their issues are hardware failure. They ran so fast that their hardware fails. But noteworthy, if your usage is not as much as, say the scientist in NASA, then you shouldnt have any problems, I hope. Hardware failure in apple is as much as PCs.

Im using my PB for 45 mins now and the case is hotter than a typical PC.

all of these are based on my own experience. In no way Im a MAC expert...hehehe

another look at switching to MAC (viewable only on PC)
http://apple.com/switchthis

[Bogeyman]

Partial ako sa Mac. Tama si 66bunny, a PC has an advantage over a Macintosh in terms of gaming. But in my 6 years of using Macs in the office, not once were they infected by viruses. And easier to use, considering that I had used PCs half my life.

In a year, we may be able to see a new generation of Apple computers running on Intel processors, which will enable a PC to run Mac OS.

[5Speed]

mac is good....

the only thing that keeps me from getting one is.... my line of work uses a lot of Cad and other related software which is not recognized by mac.... like for example....we use Autodesk software 90% of the time and as of this time I dont know if this software can be use in mac OS as well....

other than that, I like mac..... it looks good as well...

[Tifosi]

I was about to switch to a Mac when I was shopping for a notebook nung January. I opted for the PC for the meantime (Compaq B3807). Kelangan ko kasi ng PC because of a number of things that won't work on Macs like I can't synch my PPC (need to get Missing Synch pa, though I hardly use my PPC these days), for Nokia PC suite, tsaka Chikka hehe (free text to folks back home) and of course games.

But for my next computer, I'm definitely getting a Mac. Next year ko na pagiisipan yun. Naiinggit ako sa Mac kasi ang dali lang gamitin. Setup is a breeze, hardly any malware or spyware gets to it, and it LOOKS GOOD
Since I do a little photo and music editing (more of a hobby), I can switch these stuff, which I'm currently doing on my PC, to the Mac. That Power Mac is really tempting hehehe

[Karding]

First time I used the mac and hooked up a printer, naghintay ako ng prompt gaya ng windows na "found new hardware, please wait while we load the necessary drivers"

sa mac, on OSX at least, seamless ang installation.

[need4speed]

just a little heads up,

you can use Missing Sync and Pocket Mac Pro for the Pocket PC. Right now I'm using Pocket Mac Pro 3.5 since I'm using Tiger. Missing Sync for Pocket PC no longer works for Tiger. They're coming up with Missing Sync for Windows Mobile which is Mac OSX Tiger compatible.

You can also use Chikka on the Mac. Although, a Java version which is on the site.
You'd have to click on the link to launch the Java version. With regards to the Nokia Suite, the only way to do that would probably be virtual pc but that would be slow. No other way to do it just yet. No idea why Nokia doesn't bother to support Mac's. A good majority of Mac users who used to use Nokia have switched over to SE phones or Treo 600/650's. Or even the O2 line (but you need the aforementioned programs). There are a number of new games which you can play on the Mac (i.e. I'm playing World of Warcraft on it among other things), but not as much as the PC still.

But I'd think, once the switch to the Intel platform pushes through, more people would be porting over their stuff to it and hopefully, games would flourish.

[notEworthy27]

thanks sa mga comments and opinions! some cad softwares too. hmm...this is going to be a tough decision. heat problems are resolved with the notebook pad which has a fan for additional cooling. I just forget what they called that.I do work with a Toshiba right now. So I guess I'll have the best of both worlds. As for gaming, well, I've got the desktop PC at home to deal with that along with the 5.1 surround. hehe :D

how do you compare two of a different kind? this is the hardest part of choosing between them.where will there be more value for money?

OTO , my bad, Unix based nga pala. I'll try to get in touch with benedict of HK.

need4speed , c programming lang naman for now.

OT: if only alienware notebooks were sold here in the Philippines....hehe

[Tifosi]

^^Ngayon ko lang nabalitaan yang Missing Sync not working on Tiger. Although ngayon nakatambak na lang yung PPC ko kasi napaltan na ng communicator. Ang pinagtataka ko talaga sa Nokia eh kung baket wala silang Mac support. I mean, it would be good business for them if they would support Mac users. Can't wait for Apple's switch to Intel.

^Ang ganda nga ng Alienware na yan! Naglalaway ako dun sa gaming notebook nila (forgot the model name though). Si kumander nagpapabili sa akin nun haha!

[need4speed]

with regards to using c/c++

http://www.google.com.hk/search?q=ho...en-US:official
http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/...hp?topic=43348

the only thing now is how to address the CAD problem...

[5Speed]

am waiting for the Mac to support cad operations.....

until then, sa windows based laptop muna ako.....

[OTO]

First time I used the mac and hooked up a printer, naghintay ako ng prompt gaya ng windows na "found new hardware, please wait while we load the necessary drivers"

sa mac, on OSX at least, seamless ang installation.

It just works ika nga. ;) Almost all the time it is like plugging a DVD player to a TV set. No more waiting or annoying prompts.