Dude - I'm gettin a Mac...
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My Dell notebook is dying - one year after I bought it, the screen suddenly became blurry and bad sectors are starting to show up on the hard drive. I’m disappointed since I can usually keep a laptop for about two years, but this is my first Dell - so lesson learned. I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro and using Parallels with it to do my work. I do mostly server-based work using VS, BizTalk, SQL Server, and others like Commerce Server. I could install XP on a separate partition, but Parallels seems to do really well since Mac OS X is not Windows :) and the MacBook provides hardware support for virtualization. I am thinking of going with a MacBook Pro because it’s not a Dell, it is fast, and looks great. I am still undecided. I am on the fence and don’t mind falling on the MacBook side - but I’d like to know of your experience or if you know of someone’s experience with it. Erik
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
Good choice. Just a few things: 1. I ordered my Mac at http://www.macmall.com[^]. No taxes in my area + the prices were good. 2. I ordered RAM at http://www.macsales.com[^]. Upgraded to the full extent possible. 3. VMWare is better than Parallels. Not sure about the latest Parallels though which claims to provided Vista Aero. I bought Mac initially for web development (server on windows and photoshop and other tools on Mac). But I ended up eventually learning Cocoa and I use it mostly for Mac/iPhone development:)
This has been discussed, again and again and again and always we (the denizens of the CP lounge) have come to the conclusion that their method of rating is pure, untouched, unadulterated, genuine, verifiable, refined trash. MIM on TIOBE
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Wow. You say something good about an Apple product on CP and not one reply disses it. How times have changed. I have a MBP. Great laptop. Sadly, I had one of the earlier ones and the HD died within a year. The newer ones apparently use much better HDs. To be brutally honest; consider a similarly specced Lenovo. They aren't as pretty but they are built well. Parallels is good but VMWare Fusion is better IMO. I'd still dual-boot if you are running stuff like BizTalk, Commerce Server and SQL Server though.
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
Thanks Paul - indeed, times are changing :) I'll look into both.
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
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Erik Westermann wrote:
They are still overpriced
Disagree. If you only count CPU cycles and HD space then sure, you can get Dell knock-offs from China for less than a Big Mac burger. But if you count such things as packaging, fit and finish then they aren't over-priced. More to computers than feature counts IMO.
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
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Wow. You say something good about an Apple product on CP and not one reply disses it. How times have changed. I have a MBP. Great laptop. Sadly, I had one of the earlier ones and the HD died within a year. The newer ones apparently use much better HDs. To be brutally honest; consider a similarly specced Lenovo. They aren't as pretty but they are built well. Parallels is good but VMWare Fusion is better IMO. I'd still dual-boot if you are running stuff like BizTalk, Commerce Server and SQL Server though.
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
I'd claim we matured past clubbing baby seals, but the continued existence of the soapbox is a powerful counter argument.
You know, every time I tried to win a bar-bet about being able to count to 1000 using my fingers I always got punched out when I reached 4.... -- El Corazon
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I'd claim we matured past clubbing baby seals, but the continued existence of the soapbox is a powerful counter argument.
You know, every time I tried to win a bar-bet about being able to count to 1000 using my fingers I always got punched out when I reached 4.... -- El Corazon
And VB bashing...
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'd claim we matured past clubbing baby seals, but the continued existence of the soapbox is a powerful counter argument.
You know, every time I tried to win a bar-bet about being able to count to 1000 using my fingers I always got punched out when I reached 4.... -- El Corazon
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My Dell notebook is dying - one year after I bought it, the screen suddenly became blurry and bad sectors are starting to show up on the hard drive. I’m disappointed since I can usually keep a laptop for about two years, but this is my first Dell - so lesson learned. I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro and using Parallels with it to do my work. I do mostly server-based work using VS, BizTalk, SQL Server, and others like Commerce Server. I could install XP on a separate partition, but Parallels seems to do really well since Mac OS X is not Windows :) and the MacBook provides hardware support for virtualization. I am thinking of going with a MacBook Pro because it’s not a Dell, it is fast, and looks great. I am still undecided. I am on the fence and don’t mind falling on the MacBook side - but I’d like to know of your experience or if you know of someone’s experience with it. Erik
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
Erik Westermann wrote:
I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro and using Parallels with it to do my work.
Wouldn't it be cheaper (and more performant) to get a non-Dell laptop, but not necessarily a MacBook? I have nothing against the MacBook, but I must confess I've also never had any problems with Dell hardware. I've been using them (both desktops and laptops) for close to 10 years now at both home and work. Maybe I'm in the minority? /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
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My Dell notebook is dying - one year after I bought it, the screen suddenly became blurry and bad sectors are starting to show up on the hard drive. I’m disappointed since I can usually keep a laptop for about two years, but this is my first Dell - so lesson learned. I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro and using Parallels with it to do my work. I do mostly server-based work using VS, BizTalk, SQL Server, and others like Commerce Server. I could install XP on a separate partition, but Parallels seems to do really well since Mac OS X is not Windows :) and the MacBook provides hardware support for virtualization. I am thinking of going with a MacBook Pro because it’s not a Dell, it is fast, and looks great. I am still undecided. I am on the fence and don’t mind falling on the MacBook side - but I’d like to know of your experience or if you know of someone’s experience with it. Erik
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
Consider also the Toshiba notebooks. A little more expensive but extremely reliable.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word.
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Erik Westermann wrote:
I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro and using Parallels with it to do my work.
Wouldn't it be cheaper (and more performant) to get a non-Dell laptop, but not necessarily a MacBook? I have nothing against the MacBook, but I must confess I've also never had any problems with Dell hardware. I've been using them (both desktops and laptops) for close to 10 years now at both home and work. Maybe I'm in the minority? /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
I haven't had any problems with Dell either. I've had 2 XPS desktops and 2 XPS Laptops that have been and still are fine. Of course, I have a 12" iBook from 2003 that has worked flawlessly since I got it without so much as even one hard drive format. It also still has greater battery life than any of my newer machines that both have the 9 cell battery upgrade. The iBook has been a great machine for when I'm traveling and only need/want internet access or the ability to watch some movies. It's gotten old enough that I don't mind it getting roughed up a bit!
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Erik Westermann wrote:
I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro and using Parallels with it to do my work.
Wouldn't it be cheaper (and more performant) to get a non-Dell laptop, but not necessarily a MacBook? I have nothing against the MacBook, but I must confess I've also never had any problems with Dell hardware. I've been using them (both desktops and laptops) for close to 10 years now at both home and work. Maybe I'm in the minority? /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
Ravi Bhavnani wrote:
Maybe I'm in the minority?
Doubt it.. There are always good running old Dells on ebay all the time. I have two older laptops and they are still ticking right along. I would not have an Apple for one reason, I do not like the company and its culture/sub-culture and since I would not have anything to do with their modified Unix OS, it is just an overpriced (along with accessories) replacement of a Intel PC. -- Long live the right mouse button and scroll wheel! :)
Rocky <>< Blog Post: Sites and Domains for sale! Tech Blog Post: Microsoft Live Writer Plug-ins! Photo Stuff Blog Post: CHDK Motion Detection and other stuff - Quick notes!
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Ravi Bhavnani wrote:
Maybe I'm in the minority?
Doubt it.. There are always good running old Dells on ebay all the time. I have two older laptops and they are still ticking right along. I would not have an Apple for one reason, I do not like the company and its culture/sub-culture and since I would not have anything to do with their modified Unix OS, it is just an overpriced (along with accessories) replacement of a Intel PC. -- Long live the right mouse button and scroll wheel! :)
Rocky <>< Blog Post: Sites and Domains for sale! Tech Blog Post: Microsoft Live Writer Plug-ins! Photo Stuff Blog Post: CHDK Motion Detection and other stuff - Quick notes!
Rocky Moore wrote:
Doubt it..
I agree. Still, I feel bad for Erik. I think I know how he feels. My 15 month old Sharp Aquos just died on me and I've sworn never to buy another Sharp TV. I'm sure they're a good company, but I don't want to risk getting burned again. (I ended up buying a Samsung and love it.). /ravi
My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
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Ravi Bhavnani wrote:
Maybe I'm in the minority?
Doubt it.. There are always good running old Dells on ebay all the time. I have two older laptops and they are still ticking right along. I would not have an Apple for one reason, I do not like the company and its culture/sub-culture and since I would not have anything to do with their modified Unix OS, it is just an overpriced (along with accessories) replacement of a Intel PC. -- Long live the right mouse button and scroll wheel! :)
Rocky <>< Blog Post: Sites and Domains for sale! Tech Blog Post: Microsoft Live Writer Plug-ins! Photo Stuff Blog Post: CHDK Motion Detection and other stuff - Quick notes!
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Mike Mullikin wrote:
ended up dual-booting with Vista instead.
What do you do about the lack of a "right-click" button? Don't Mac laptops only have one button?
Just get a regular mouse and use it with the Mac. It handles right clicks, scroll wheel, etc.
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
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My Dell notebook is dying - one year after I bought it, the screen suddenly became blurry and bad sectors are starting to show up on the hard drive. I’m disappointed since I can usually keep a laptop for about two years, but this is my first Dell - so lesson learned. I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro and using Parallels with it to do my work. I do mostly server-based work using VS, BizTalk, SQL Server, and others like Commerce Server. I could install XP on a separate partition, but Parallels seems to do really well since Mac OS X is not Windows :) and the MacBook provides hardware support for virtualization. I am thinking of going with a MacBook Pro because it’s not a Dell, it is fast, and looks great. I am still undecided. I am on the fence and don’t mind falling on the MacBook side - but I’d like to know of your experience or if you know of someone’s experience with it. Erik
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
If you're going to do just do Windows (or Linux), I wouldn't bother with a Mac - the design *is* nicer, but probably not enough to justify the different keyboard and single button trackpad. If you want to get into OS X (and why wouldn't you?!), then just buy a Mac already. I've got a PowerPC Mac, an iBook, which I only got because I had the chance to buy it cheaply. I used to like Windows before I got it....but now, I really don't intend buying another Windows PC.
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If you're going to do just do Windows (or Linux), I wouldn't bother with a Mac - the design *is* nicer, but probably not enough to justify the different keyboard and single button trackpad. If you want to get into OS X (and why wouldn't you?!), then just buy a Mac already. I've got a PowerPC Mac, an iBook, which I only got because I had the chance to buy it cheaply. I used to like Windows before I got it....but now, I really don't intend buying another Windows PC.
Nice timing...I think I finally clicked Buy as you were posting your reply. Part of my motivation is to expand my horizons, so to speak. I have been living in the Microsoft hemisphere for a long time now, but I have visited the Unix hemisphere - Ubuntu, Kbuntu, and some flavors of Solaris and did not experience any culture shock at all. So, as good as Windows is, I want to regularly use something else - Mac OS X is a great place to start. A little off-topic - I have been using vim instead of notepad (when I am not in a huge rush)..it's nice to get back to something that focuses on keyboard commands rather than adding them as an afterthought. Thanks everyone for your comments...I'll write about my experiences on my site.
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
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My Dell notebook is dying - one year after I bought it, the screen suddenly became blurry and bad sectors are starting to show up on the hard drive. I’m disappointed since I can usually keep a laptop for about two years, but this is my first Dell - so lesson learned. I am thinking of getting a MacBook Pro and using Parallels with it to do my work. I do mostly server-based work using VS, BizTalk, SQL Server, and others like Commerce Server. I could install XP on a separate partition, but Parallels seems to do really well since Mac OS X is not Windows :) and the MacBook provides hardware support for virtualization. I am thinking of going with a MacBook Pro because it’s not a Dell, it is fast, and looks great. I am still undecided. I am on the fence and don’t mind falling on the MacBook side - but I’d like to know of your experience or if you know of someone’s experience with it. Erik
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
I've had a Dell Latitude D800 for the past four years or so that has been very kind to me. Also, several of my clients use Dells exclusivly. Some have nightmare stories, some have nothing but rave reviews. I'm not saying that I necessarily recommend, or even like Dells. Though I do support the fact that anomalies can occur in production that may effect quality, no matter what company. That being said, with the age of my current notebook, I have been looking at new machines and giving serious consideration to Mac's. I was wondering, has anyone (is it even possible?) to run a virutliaztion core such as Xen on a Mac, then run OS X, Windows, BSD, whatever on top? If so, that 8-core Mac Pro looks mighty nice!
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Nice timing...I think I finally clicked Buy as you were posting your reply. Part of my motivation is to expand my horizons, so to speak. I have been living in the Microsoft hemisphere for a long time now, but I have visited the Unix hemisphere - Ubuntu, Kbuntu, and some flavors of Solaris and did not experience any culture shock at all. So, as good as Windows is, I want to regularly use something else - Mac OS X is a great place to start. A little off-topic - I have been using vim instead of notepad (when I am not in a huge rush)..it's nice to get back to something that focuses on keyboard commands rather than adding them as an afterthought. Thanks everyone for your comments...I'll write about my experiences on my site.
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
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I am just going through all of the scenarios...right-click - no problem ... accessing files on NTFS - no problem ... virtualization - no problem. It does not have a card reader for SD cards and the like, has just a few USB ports, and the ports are on both sides (I like to have ports at the back...but take good with the not so good).
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
If it has come down to usb port location your done anyway so go ahead and click the button
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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If it has come down to usb port location your done anyway so go ahead and click the button
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
Mycroft Holmes wrote:
so go ahead and click the button
You..done....my credit card is a lot heavier...hopefuly the lighter MacBook will offset that :)
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
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I've had a Dell Latitude D800 for the past four years or so that has been very kind to me. Also, several of my clients use Dells exclusivly. Some have nightmare stories, some have nothing but rave reviews. I'm not saying that I necessarily recommend, or even like Dells. Though I do support the fact that anomalies can occur in production that may effect quality, no matter what company. That being said, with the age of my current notebook, I have been looking at new machines and giving serious consideration to Mac's. I was wondering, has anyone (is it even possible?) to run a virutliaztion core such as Xen on a Mac, then run OS X, Windows, BSD, whatever on top? If so, that 8-core Mac Pro looks mighty nice!
That's what nice about Dells...the work, or they don't - there is no middle ground. Dell customers are the same - you get the same reactions from them as you do about jazz music...there is no luke-warmness to it. The writing was on the wall when I got it though...I had a minor problem and had to call for support. A number of calls and supervisors later, I bought the part I needed even though it was supposed to come with the system and decided then and there not to deal with Dell until they improved. All of my laptops are HPs and they are great. I tried Toshiba too...nice laptops but had some really strange problems (one of them zapped me once in a while -- turned out that it had a short somewhere). So, this turned out to be an excuse to try something completely different. If it does not work out...lesson learned. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will get along with my new Mac.
Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net
modified on Friday, June 13, 2008 2:27 PM