MacBook or cheap laptop + Linux
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I am in the market for a new laptop, as my company have declared that all personal software be removed from company machines (including iTunes, etc.). Now, I *really* want a MacBook, but they are incredibly expensive (£700 for a basic model) and if I want one with a DVD burner (essential) I have to trade up to one that costs £830! WTF? It appears that the basic model comes with a CDRW/DVD-ROM drive and it cannot be upgraded. Sigh. That really blows. I don't want much - I want to browse, burn DVDs, store music/pictures, sync my iPod, etc. I know a few people with Macs and they seem to think the software is brilliant, the machines reliable and the whole 'experience' painless. Alternatively, I can buy a cheapo laptop (a Fujitsu or an Acer) for around £300, stick Ubuntu on it (Vista doesn't really interest me), and try to find some iTunes-like package so I can keep my music library synced (I have an Apple iPod Hi-Fi, so I don't play music via the computer - but I must be able to manage smart playlists and the like). The Ubuntu route is looking best, obviously - does anyone want to try and talk me out of it? :)
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I am in the market for a new laptop, as my company have declared that all personal software be removed from company machines (including iTunes, etc.). Now, I *really* want a MacBook, but they are incredibly expensive (£700 for a basic model) and if I want one with a DVD burner (essential) I have to trade up to one that costs £830! WTF? It appears that the basic model comes with a CDRW/DVD-ROM drive and it cannot be upgraded. Sigh. That really blows. I don't want much - I want to browse, burn DVDs, store music/pictures, sync my iPod, etc. I know a few people with Macs and they seem to think the software is brilliant, the machines reliable and the whole 'experience' painless. Alternatively, I can buy a cheapo laptop (a Fujitsu or an Acer) for around £300, stick Ubuntu on it (Vista doesn't really interest me), and try to find some iTunes-like package so I can keep my music library synced (I have an Apple iPod Hi-Fi, so I don't play music via the computer - but I must be able to manage smart playlists and the like). The Ubuntu route is looking best, obviously - does anyone want to try and talk me out of it? :)
Not me. I have a 2 year HP laptop that runs OS X and Arch Linux. For windows apps I use cedaga and wine; which is extremely rare. At work/home I it's pretty much the same combination on the desktops except I use VMWare Fusion whenever I need Vista or XP for testing on my Mac Pro. I have a vista boot camp partition on the box but I only use it when I feel like play a game, which is about 2 or 3 times a month.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
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Not me. I have a 2 year HP laptop that runs OS X and Arch Linux. For windows apps I use cedaga and wine; which is extremely rare. At work/home I it's pretty much the same combination on the desktops except I use VMWare Fusion whenever I need Vista or XP for testing on my Mac Pro. I have a vista boot camp partition on the box but I only use it when I feel like play a game, which is about 2 or 3 times a month.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
Chris Austin wrote:
I have a 2 year HP laptop that runs OS X
You're running OS X on non-Apple hardware?
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I am in the market for a new laptop, as my company have declared that all personal software be removed from company machines (including iTunes, etc.). Now, I *really* want a MacBook, but they are incredibly expensive (£700 for a basic model) and if I want one with a DVD burner (essential) I have to trade up to one that costs £830! WTF? It appears that the basic model comes with a CDRW/DVD-ROM drive and it cannot be upgraded. Sigh. That really blows. I don't want much - I want to browse, burn DVDs, store music/pictures, sync my iPod, etc. I know a few people with Macs and they seem to think the software is brilliant, the machines reliable and the whole 'experience' painless. Alternatively, I can buy a cheapo laptop (a Fujitsu or an Acer) for around £300, stick Ubuntu on it (Vista doesn't really interest me), and try to find some iTunes-like package so I can keep my music library synced (I have an Apple iPod Hi-Fi, so I don't play music via the computer - but I must be able to manage smart playlists and the like). The Ubuntu route is looking best, obviously - does anyone want to try and talk me out of it? :)
Go for the Acer/Fujitsu + Ubuntu. (I have a MacBook Pro. Great hardware and Mac OS X is pretty good but my next laptop will be something like a Lenovo X300 and Ubuntu.)
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
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Chris Austin wrote:
I have a 2 year HP laptop that runs OS X
You're running OS X on non-Apple hardware?
It gives Jobs sleepless nights.
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
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I am in the market for a new laptop, as my company have declared that all personal software be removed from company machines (including iTunes, etc.). Now, I *really* want a MacBook, but they are incredibly expensive (£700 for a basic model) and if I want one with a DVD burner (essential) I have to trade up to one that costs £830! WTF? It appears that the basic model comes with a CDRW/DVD-ROM drive and it cannot be upgraded. Sigh. That really blows. I don't want much - I want to browse, burn DVDs, store music/pictures, sync my iPod, etc. I know a few people with Macs and they seem to think the software is brilliant, the machines reliable and the whole 'experience' painless. Alternatively, I can buy a cheapo laptop (a Fujitsu or an Acer) for around £300, stick Ubuntu on it (Vista doesn't really interest me), and try to find some iTunes-like package so I can keep my music library synced (I have an Apple iPod Hi-Fi, so I don't play music via the computer - but I must be able to manage smart playlists and the like). The Ubuntu route is looking best, obviously - does anyone want to try and talk me out of it? :)
cheap laptop (i can recommend an ibm t41p in particular) and ubuntu ... i use it to talk to my nano 3g ipod with no problems ... you might need to recompile libgpod and gtkpod if you have one of the latest ipods (it sounds wayyyyyyyyyy harder than it is) and i would recommend gpodder (for podcasts) ... email me if you should need any help ;)
"mostly watching the human race is like watching dogs watch tv ... they see the pictures move but the meaning escapes them"
modified on Sunday, May 25, 2008 8:22 PM
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cheap laptop (i can recommend an ibm t41p in particular) and ubuntu ... i use it to talk to my nano 3g ipod with no problems ... you might need to recompile libgpod and gtkpod if you have one of the latest ipods (it sounds wayyyyyyyyyy harder than it is) and i would recommend gpodder (for podcasts) ... email me if you should need any help ;)
"mostly watching the human race is like watching dogs watch tv ... they see the pictures move but the meaning escapes them"
modified on Sunday, May 25, 2008 8:22 PM
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What app(s) in Ubuntu do you prefer for iPod syncing? I'm currently running Ubuntu 8.04 and syncing with my old Dell DJ but I have a strange feeling that the DJ's days are numbered.
gtkpod works very well for music and gpodder for podcasts the version of libgpod in the repos doesn't support the 3g nano's and the newest regular ipods but grab the latest source code and compile (./configure ... make ... sudo make install) and it all works :)
"mostly watching the human race is like watching dogs watch tv ... they see the pictures move but the meaning escapes them"
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Go for the Acer/Fujitsu + Ubuntu. (I have a MacBook Pro. Great hardware and Mac OS X is pretty good but my next laptop will be something like a Lenovo X300 and Ubuntu.)
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
-
I am in the market for a new laptop, as my company have declared that all personal software be removed from company machines (including iTunes, etc.). Now, I *really* want a MacBook, but they are incredibly expensive (£700 for a basic model) and if I want one with a DVD burner (essential) I have to trade up to one that costs £830! WTF? It appears that the basic model comes with a CDRW/DVD-ROM drive and it cannot be upgraded. Sigh. That really blows. I don't want much - I want to browse, burn DVDs, store music/pictures, sync my iPod, etc. I know a few people with Macs and they seem to think the software is brilliant, the machines reliable and the whole 'experience' painless. Alternatively, I can buy a cheapo laptop (a Fujitsu or an Acer) for around £300, stick Ubuntu on it (Vista doesn't really interest me), and try to find some iTunes-like package so I can keep my music library synced (I have an Apple iPod Hi-Fi, so I don't play music via the computer - but I must be able to manage smart playlists and the like). The Ubuntu route is looking best, obviously - does anyone want to try and talk me out of it? :)
My wife and son both have MacBook Pros & both use BootCamp with Vista. Colin spends the majority of time in Vista and Ginny spends most of hers in OS X. I run Ubuntu on a 3 year old Dell Dimension at home and XP on a clone at work. I spend a fair amount of time using all 4 operating systems and various apps among them. Vista is my least favorite but I'll admit that Microsoft has pissed me off of late so I'm biased. XP, Ubuntu & OS X all have different strengths and weaknesses. Can't really say I prefer any one exclusively. It's REALLY nice to have access to all 3. Given your post (planned usage and pricing) I'd say go with the cheap laptop and give Ubuntu a try.
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I am in the market for a new laptop, as my company have declared that all personal software be removed from company machines (including iTunes, etc.). Now, I *really* want a MacBook, but they are incredibly expensive (£700 for a basic model) and if I want one with a DVD burner (essential) I have to trade up to one that costs £830! WTF? It appears that the basic model comes with a CDRW/DVD-ROM drive and it cannot be upgraded. Sigh. That really blows. I don't want much - I want to browse, burn DVDs, store music/pictures, sync my iPod, etc. I know a few people with Macs and they seem to think the software is brilliant, the machines reliable and the whole 'experience' painless. Alternatively, I can buy a cheapo laptop (a Fujitsu or an Acer) for around £300, stick Ubuntu on it (Vista doesn't really interest me), and try to find some iTunes-like package so I can keep my music library synced (I have an Apple iPod Hi-Fi, so I don't play music via the computer - but I must be able to manage smart playlists and the like). The Ubuntu route is looking best, obviously - does anyone want to try and talk me out of it? :)
Just keep in mind the old saying: "You get what you pay for".
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Chris Austin wrote:
I have a 2 year HP laptop that runs OS X
You're running OS X on non-Apple hardware?
Graham Bradshaw wrote:
You're running OS X on non-Apple hardware?
It's really not that difficult and I have a license for everything I use.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
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Go for the Acer/Fujitsu + Ubuntu. (I have a MacBook Pro. Great hardware and Mac OS X is pretty good but my next laptop will be something like a Lenovo X300 and Ubuntu.)
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
Paul Watson wrote:
(I have a MacBook Pro. Great hardware and Mac OS X is pretty good but my next laptop will be something like a Lenovo X300 and Ubuntu.)
I'm leaning that way these days as well. Except I don't care for Ubuntu's performance compared to Arch (Although I love how Ubuntu has raised the quality and usability bar as an entry into linux).
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
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Graham Bradshaw wrote:
You're running OS X on non-Apple hardware?
It's really not that difficult and I have a license for everything I use.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
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Chris Austin wrote:
and I have a license for everything I use.
If you have a license for OS X, you should probably read it. Apple's Mac OS X end-user license states the operating system is only licensed for use on Apple-branded hardware...
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Some question it... http://www.psystar.com/psystar_openmac_osx86_reinventing_the_wheel.html[^]
-- Jarek Andrzejewski
Who knows better than the manufacturer? We can download the license at http://www.apple.com/legal/sla/[^] Concerning OS X: 2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions. A. Single Use. This License allows you to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time. Thus, basically, it is not allow to install OS X on a non-Apple-labeled computer... You may also be interested in this patent http://www.google.com/patents?id=Gt-XAAAAEBAJ&dq=RUN-TIME+CODE+INJECTION+TO+PERFORM+CHECKS[^]
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Paul Watson wrote:
my next laptop will be something like a Lenovo X300 and Ubuntu
I'm truly stunned. :omg: Care to explain why you'd leave the Apple ship?
Mike Mullikin wrote:
Care to explain why you'd leave the Apple ship?
Strangely enough there is very little reason for the change. Apart from some reliability concerns* I have about Apple laptops I like the MacBook Pro a lot. But it could be lighter and have a smaller footprint. The MacBook Air is lovely but the Lenovo X300 is very nicely done too. The WWAN and the GPS in the X300 though tip it into my favour. A removable battery and being able to put a second battery in place of the optical drive is handy too. OS wise, I am a web-developer so OS choice isn't hugely important. I like OS X but it doesn't do anything that I can't do on Ubuntu. Most of my code runs on Ubuntu servers. Deployment is less error prone when you develop close to what you deploy on. I am also a bit weary of Apple's tactics. They are no saints. I'd rather support Ubuntu and an "open" manufacturer like Lenovo/IBM. For non-tech users I'd still recommend OS X and the iMac or MacBook line. But for web-developers who can handle some of the rough edges of Ubuntu I'd go with that on generic Intel hardware. I will still have access to OS X via a Mac Mini just as I have some Windows boxes lying about for testing purposes. At the end of the day not a whole lot is going to change when I swap. * My MacBook Pro HD died after 1.5 years. A co-worker's MacBook Pro HD died after 2 years. Another co-workers MacBook Pro isn't booting up. My girlfriend's MacBook HD died after 6 months. All of them were the known-to-be-faulty Seagate 7.1 drives. But Apple have been poor in responding to this problem, they replace them but don't admit much fault.
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
-
I am in the market for a new laptop, as my company have declared that all personal software be removed from company machines (including iTunes, etc.). Now, I *really* want a MacBook, but they are incredibly expensive (£700 for a basic model) and if I want one with a DVD burner (essential) I have to trade up to one that costs £830! WTF? It appears that the basic model comes with a CDRW/DVD-ROM drive and it cannot be upgraded. Sigh. That really blows. I don't want much - I want to browse, burn DVDs, store music/pictures, sync my iPod, etc. I know a few people with Macs and they seem to think the software is brilliant, the machines reliable and the whole 'experience' painless. Alternatively, I can buy a cheapo laptop (a Fujitsu or an Acer) for around £300, stick Ubuntu on it (Vista doesn't really interest me), and try to find some iTunes-like package so I can keep my music library synced (I have an Apple iPod Hi-Fi, so I don't play music via the computer - but I must be able to manage smart playlists and the like). The Ubuntu route is looking best, obviously - does anyone want to try and talk me out of it? :)
I run Mythbuntu on the HTPC and am setting my main PC to dual boot XP and Mythbuntu for development purposes (and keep it in sync with the HTPC). Ubuntu is definitely the best Linux distro around! Oop - talk you out of it? :-O
Visit http://www.notreadytogiveup.com/[^] and do something special today.
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Who knows better than the manufacturer? We can download the license at http://www.apple.com/legal/sla/[^] Concerning OS X: 2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions. A. Single Use. This License allows you to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time. Thus, basically, it is not allow to install OS X on a non-Apple-labeled computer... You may also be interested in this patent http://www.google.com/patents?id=Gt-XAAAAEBAJ&dq=RUN-TIME+CODE+INJECTION+TO+PERFORM+CHECKS[^]
The interesting thing is the Apple aren't bothering about the small people, just those trying to operate on a large scale which is fair enough, it would erode their market.
Visit http://www.notreadytogiveup.com/[^] and do something special today.
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Who knows better than the manufacturer? We can download the license at http://www.apple.com/legal/sla/[^] Concerning OS X: 2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions. A. Single Use. This License allows you to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time. Thus, basically, it is not allow to install OS X on a non-Apple-labeled computer... You may also be interested in this patent http://www.google.com/patents?id=Gt-XAAAAEBAJ&dq=RUN-TIME+CODE+INJECTION+TO+PERFORM+CHECKS[^]
I know the Apple SLA, but it is questioned by Psystar. I found: There is quite a clear decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (with a writ of certiorari denied by the Supreme Court, so it's pretty strong decision) in DATA GENERAL CORP. v. DIGIDYNE CORP. , 473 U.S. 908 (1985) which prohibits forcing someone to run a software on a specific piece of hardware. Since Apple sells Leopard as a separate piece of software (not as part of a machine) the EULA seems just to blow smoke to scare people away. That's why Psystar includes a shrink-wrapped copy of Leopard with each machine. And also: http://1stedition.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/apple-inc-vs-psystar-corp-apples-achilles-heel/[^] So this is what I meant writing "questioned".
-- Jarek Andrzejewski