new computer

[Rare Bird]

Hi Andre

I disagree, I am a self employed IT consultant and support engineer, I support repair and set up networks and PC's for companies and individuals.

I use a MacBook Pro as does my business partner and my GF.

I am really glad that the majority of people think the same way as you as if they didn't I would be out of a job.

Nick

both companies that make products to use with there own components/software & no one elses! Sounds the same to me..

[webby]

both companies that make products to use with there own components/software & no one elses! Sounds the same to me..

I see your point, but with computers, I feel, that's what makes them better.

Anyway, macs work with tons of 3rd party software.

[Themis]

Macs are perfect for everyday use.
They are just about 3 times the price of another laptop with the same CPU/HD/GPU.

[Alex_UK]

You won't go wrong with a Vaio - or a Lenovo (Previously IBM) laptop, and Windows 7 - though for home use, I haven't had a problem with Vista (*Home Premium)

[Griffster]

Ahhh, let the rabid Mac vs. Windows mud-slinging begin....... It's always the same when somebody mentions they use a Mac, somebody else says they're rubbish (or the other way round, to be fair). The best way to cut through the BS is to ask the ones slinging the mud when was the last time they actually spent any time using a Mac? 99% of the time they haven't!

I use PC's during the day for work, I learned to use PC's, y'know, from DOS 5, 6, Windows 3.11, 95, 98, 2k, XP. Through choice I carry a Mac, and have done for the 6 years. So I'm actually, officially, a Switcher. During that time all my family and many friends have also switched to using Macs. None of them need any real technical support, none of them have any problems (except my other half's HDD crash, and I had some problems with my old 17", but it had taken a hammering!) and all of them are smitten with their machines.

At the end of the day it's horses for courses, if you want a PC then buy one, if you want a Mac, then that's cool too. Just have fun and be productive with it.

There's plenty of deals around for PC's, but remember, as with all things, you get what you pay for. If you want a decent PC, I'd agree that you won't go wrong with a Lenovo.

[NickB]

HI John

Check out this site which I use from time to time http://www.laptopshop.co.uk/

Nick

[chris@panteg]

Its a shame there is not many alternative's to using Window's ' i was talking to the techie at work the other day ' he hates Window's with a passion and uses a version of Linux .

[lovejoy]

Vista was an absolute dogs dinner. The original project for Vista was called 'Longhorn' and promised loads of very nice touches, the vast majority of which got dropped because the developers were way behind with the release, so the whole thing just ended up being a cobbled together mess which ran dog slow even on the fastest hardware and was nothing but trouble.

I'm still struggling to see what it is in Windows 7 which is better than XP. 7 is a BIG improvement on Vista but to my eyes it looks like Vista's shiny interface with XP's internals. Still, it seems to have worked considering the amount of people who are saying that Windows 7 is amazing - They seem to have completely forgotten XP, and just what is it they could do with 7 that they couldn't do with XP? I have used all three of these OSs in a media centre PC and I stuck with XP in the end as it run faster and had less driver issues with my hardware.

Macs are not expensive. Cost of purchase may be more expensive, but cost of ownership is a much fairer measure. I've owned Macs for almost 4 years now and they're all working as well as the day they were bought. The PCs on the other hand have come and gone - failed, run dog slow, needed re-installing, sucked up hours of my time over something piffling and frustrating, had unsupported hardware after OS 'upgrades', made too much noise (even for a so called 'quiet' PC), run too hot, crashed to the point of being on the verge of being thrown out of the window. The list is endless.

Just don't get me started on building a 'Media Centre PC'. The only conclusion is: Buy a Mac.

[Themis]

Windows 7 uses Vista internals...

[REM]

Recently my, Vista, laptop stopped charging, still in warranty (just) so sent it off for repair. While away for a week went back to old XP lappy, bloody marvelous by comparison so bought the upgrade to 7 on return of new computer. It's a total PITA having to spend an extra £60 just to get back to where you were at so to speak but well worth it in performance terms. Wouldn't it be nice if MS made Win 7 free for all existing Vista users just to compensate for selling everyone one a pup in the first place, fat chance.