Laptop Ideas?

[Hexis]

Buff clearly you have not had a Mac, because you can run any window manager you want. Aqua (the normal OSX one) is just the default. It's unix, remember? Want something different, compile it and make it work. I have seen Aqua and other window managers running at the same time on a cow-orker's (at the time) iBook. All of the settings are saved in xml files, so you can still tweak Auqa with settings not found in the control pannel.

You are also missing the boat on my security comments, but that's ok, most of the internet would. Windows impliments a flawed model, where you pretty much have to be an admin to run most things. MS also makes temporary elevating your privledges difficult. This contributes to folks being an admin all the time and not using a least-privledge model. OSX has a normal unix model and impliments sudo like features via the gui. it's quite nice, and way ahead of anyhting out there, even any of the other unixes I have used. Apple also is staying ahead of threats before they become a large problem. For example I have yet to hear of a bit of spyware on a OSX machine. However, the new version of Safari (on Tiger) warns you if something you are downloading contains an executable. If winders had done that, perhaps many of the folks out there wouldn't have trojaned themselves.

[maxama10]

Build a computer within your budget and put linux(free and better than MS) on it.....or buy an ibook

[Chipper]

OK, so I decided on the iBook, now, should I buy it straight from Apple? I want the 60 gig 12", and they usually come in 30 gig. Would BestBuy or CompUSA have the 60 gig? Would it be worth it to buy it from there? Should I find an alternate place online?

[Hexis]

Are you a student? If so, make sure you get the student discount. I know you can get it (w/ student discount) from Apple directly, not sure about CompUSA (BestBuy has no Apple computers, just iPods). No matter what, make sure you get AppleCare. Things go wrong on laptops. AppleCare is worth every penny on laptops. I got a new screen for my 15" PowerBook because one pixel was bad, two years after it was purchased. AppleCare, oh yeah.

[Kevmaster]

I got mine off of apple.com. was easiest for me. customized it and ordred it and saved like 200 b/c of the education discount.

i always stay away from extended warranties, as a rule. they may save your *** once, but they'll break your bank the other ten times. there's a reason they sell them...and its not to lose money in case something breaks on your computer

[Hexis]

I tend to stay away from extended warentees in most cases, but lattops are one type of device I love extra protection on. I have gotten three times the cost of the AppleCare on my powerbook back out of it. However I don't think I would get it for a desktop.

[Chipper]

Does it count if I am in high school?

[Python14]

not sure about CompUSA (BestBuy has no Apple computers, just iPods).

I don't recommend buying anything from either of those two places. Buying a computer from CompUsa would be like buying a Mercedes-Benz from a dealership run by former politicians. Bestbuy would be the same thing, but instead of politicians, it's retards. Seriously. Don't buy from either.

When buying a laptop (never buy a desktop, build it instead ), I say buy straight from the company. This way, you don't run into warranty conflicts or arguements. Also, buying from the company means no-retailer add on costs and a better choice on configurations.


So the jist is this.....go buy an Ibook from Apple.com/store and be merry.

[Hexis]

Does it count if I am in high school?

It sure does.

My wife is a student (working on GIA GG degree), she went into pickup MS Office 2004 for our home machines. The apple guy asked "As part of our agreement with Microsoft, Are you now, or have you ever been a student?" Sounds like they are pretty lax with the "Student" requirement. But yes, as a high school student you are the indended meaning of the word "student".

[Chipper]

OK, so I was looking at the order for the iBook and it never asked me if I was a student, I guess they are just telepathic.

And also, would it be worth it to make a trip up to the Apple store, and maybe even order it from there? (Python, as you probably know, there is one in Short Pump, Richmond. Is there one at Patrick Henry?)

[Hexis]

You have to go to the "Education" Store on Apple. Start here:

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/routingpage.html

[Python14]

I went to the one in Short Pump. Unfortunately PH is lacking in an Apple store. PH is actually lacking in alot of things now that I think about it.


But never the less, I'd recommend going to the Apple store if you are willing to make the drive (what? All 45 minutes to Shortpump ).

Oh yeah, go to g5support.com and read the forums there. Lots of tips and tricks for OSX.

Oh yeah, where are you going to school next year?

[Chipper]

Oh yeah, where are you going to school next year?

Lafayette High School, no college yet.

[Python14]

oh ok