Laptop conundrum - Mac or Windows

[REBECCAV]

I need to buy a new laptop for work and I really would like a Mac PowerBook. I work in advertising and Mac is more graphics and video friendly.

However, I am also a motorcycle rider and the Garmin Mapsource software for my GPS cannot run on an Mac. I'm not 100% sure, but I've heard that S&T cannot be run on a Mac either. I have a really old (Windows) laptop right now that I take on trips with me, but I'd love to replace it - it seems silly to have two laptops.

So what's a gal to do? Are there any other Mac users here? What is your solution? Or am I forever doomed to Windows? TIA.

 

[jdiaz]

Computers suck.

Keep the beater Windoze laptop and get a 12" PowerBook for fun??

 

[MacMhny]

I need to buy a new laptop for work and I really would like a Mac PowerBook. I work in advertising and Mac is more graphics and video friendly.

However, I am also a motorcycle rider and the Garmin Mapsource software for my GPS cannot run on an Mac. I'm not 100% sure, but I've heard that S&T cannot be run on a Mac either. I have a really old (Windows) laptop right now that I take on trips with me, but I'd love to replace it - it seems silly to have two laptops.

So what's a gal to do? Are there any other Mac users here? What is your solution? Or am I forever doomed to Windows? TIA.

Not forever...just until later this year. Mapsource is coming to OS X
http://www.garmin.com/pressroom/corporate/011006.html

 

[visian]

Rebecca - there was a point in time where I never thought I'd say this, but I'd go with the mac for a notebook.

I use a Mac G4 Powerbook... it's small, and the wireless eliminates the bulk of the connectivity problems.

As mentioned above, Garmin is FINALLY coming out with versions of their code for OSX.

And the new Intel-based Powerbooks are screamers.

Plus, chicks dig it.

Oh... wait, that don't work for you. Well.... never mind. You look "cool" when you use it.

Ian

 

[USERNAME]

BG,

what's your budget?

tricking out a laptop gets pricey. you might conisder buying a used PC for MC apps and travel - you;ll be less depressed if it is stolen or trashed somehow. a used wondows laptop with the horsepower needed for email, web access, GPS SW and S&T will only cost a couple hundred dollars. (or just keep your old one.)

having a slick new mac will make you even cooler, which might extend winter!

having more than one computer is cool.

 

[jmerlino]

Not forever...just until later this year. Mapsource is coming to OS X
http://www.garmin.com/pressroom/corporate/011006.html

That's the best news I've heard in weeks.

 

[visian]

I work in advertising ...

On the account or creative side?

If account, buy PC or you'll be looked down upon.

If creative, buy Mac, or you'll be looked down upon.



Ian

 

[RTRandy]

I think owning a Mac is like owning a BMW. When you have one you know it's right. I would guess that most BMW riders don't trade for a Harley even though they're the most popular bikes on the planet. We always hear how cruiser riders come over to BMW and can't believe how long they went without a BMW, but it's more rare the other way around.

Ask any Mac owner what they prefer and they will tell you a Mac. Once you go Mac, you never go back. ( I just made that up). The operating system is super stable, intuitive, and has some very cool things you can do with it.

The notion that Macs are not that adept in the business world is a bunch of Hooey. Microsoft Office is far more lively and FAR more stable on a MAC.

I have the same situation you mentioned about owning a GPS. I have a Mac, and when I bought my Garmin 276C, I had to borrow a friends laptop to load my maps. My friends lap top kept crashing so he removed every application off of it and ended up giving me his old laptop while the only application on it now is MapSource. I just got lucky.

If you get the Mac, you won't be sorry. For sure!

 

[SNC1923]

Mac.

 

[kbasa]

Mac. Get an old beater PC laptop, yank everything except MapSource off of it and use it for GPS stuff. It'll probably be stable at that point.

 

[cjack]

I need to buy a new laptop for work and I really would like a Mac PowerBook. I work in advertising and Mac is more graphics and video friendly.

However, I am also a motorcycle rider and the Garmin Mapsource software for my GPS cannot run on an Mac. I'm not 100% sure, but I've heard that S&T cannot be run on a Mac either. I have a really old (Windows) laptop right now that I take on trips with me, but I'd love to replace it - it seems silly to have two laptops.

So what's a gal to do? Are there any other Mac users here? What is your solution? Or am I forever doomed to Windows? TIA.

I've been a PC person since before time began and I am considering buying a Mac something. I guess the open architecture of the pc, ease of interfacing them to instrumentation in science, software written for them and not Mac, all added to my addiction to the PC. However, my daughter in law, who is in the graphic arts, and son use Powerbooks, etc. and I am amazed at how friendly they are for most of what I now do on a computer. Stuff just works. I'm thinking, actually, of an iBook G4 that will fit into my K12S saddle bag just to do the email on a trip, etc. I guess I'll find out what I can't do, but I don't think it'll be much.
By the way, I noticed that the iBook has a lot more sensitivity with the wireless router than the Powerbook. We actually tried it after reading somewhere that it was because the iBook was mostly plastic. Don't know, but it's true.
I'm not abandoning the pc you understand...but a vacation weekend or month on the bike along with a vacation from Windows, might be just the thing.

 

[darencs]

PC emulator?

I worked with a guy 2-3 years ago that had a Mac with PC emulator software (Virtual PC for Mac I think) that he swore would run any PC software faster and more stable than any PC he'd ever used. If you go with the Mac you might see if they'll throw in an emulator for free, or at least a discount.

 

[kbasa]

I got a Mac a couple months ago to manage my personal info. Photos, videos, email, browsers and some light document stuff all work really well with the tools that come with a Mac. iLife manages most of the things I do with a Mac really well.

I'm pretty excited that they're building an OS X MapSource (at long last!)

 

[SNC1923]

I'm pretty excited that they're building an OS X MapSource (at long last!)

Now I can get a GPS.

 

[RevWillie]

Mac is the way to go. I got fed-up with Windows/DOS machines way back in the 70's and jumped to Mac's back around OS 2 something (that would be about '84 or about). They are easier to use, easier to track problems down, and the virus problem is pretty small. The Airport wireless setup is really good and easy. Customer service is excellent (and the operators are NOT located in Cheapistan), and the Mac owners groups are a great source of info and software.

I have a cheapie IBM just for my Garmin, and I will jump on the Mapsource for OS X when it comes out. Bill Gates doesn't need any of my money and I like the Apple products so much more.

 

[tessler]

Rebecca,
Get a Mac.

 

[PAULBACH]

Mac or PC?

Would rather discuss cartoons in the Middle East than get in the middle of a Mac vs PC discussion

Go with what you have at work. At least there might be a tax deduct.

 

[visian]

Would rather discuss cartoons in the Middle East than get in the middle of a Mac vs PC discussion

Go with what you have at work. At least there might be a tax deduct.

Best advice yet as he wrestles with a programmer that loves PCs, COM objects, streaming media, etc. and a Flash programmer/graphics wizard that loves Macs but wouldn't know how to decode xml streams if they came up and bit him on the arse.... while both carp about the limitations of the others' platform

Ian

 

[tessler]

Best advice yet as he wrestles with a programmer that loves PCs and COM objects and a Flash programmer that loves Macs and wouldn't know how to decode xml streams if they came up and bit him on the arse.... and both are carping about the limitations of the others' platformIan

Not all Flash Programmers use Macs believe it or not. Some of my best freelancersÔÇöguys who write Actionscript that looks like a Rachmaninoff concertoÔÇöare all PC-based. Same holds true for good web developers (I just recently hired two new onesÔÇöboth PC maestros).

Most folks who are visual designers, at least those that I know in Web, Editorial and/or Advertising, are hardcore Mac heads. Myself included.

 

[robdogg]

pssssst!, haven't you guys heard?

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/