Laptop or Powerbook?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 496
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From: Norwich, UK
Laptop or Powerbook?
Before I start, just thought i'd say I have read the thread a few below this about a PC user with a Mac (most helpful).
I'm about to invest about £1000-£1200 in a laptop however recently i've thought about a Powerbook with the Mac OS etc way of thinking.
I'm a graphics designer who wants to play high power games online (a Mac you think?), but as an avid PC fan for the last 5 or 6 years am I going to end up on a totally new system that will be too different to grasp? I'm not talking desktops, purely notebooks, how do they compare and with Mac catching up with MS, should i take the leap do people think?
And can I just install my software such as Macromedia and MS Office etc onto a Mac no questions asked?
I'm about to invest about £1000-£1200 in a laptop however recently i've thought about a Powerbook with the Mac OS etc way of thinking.
I'm a graphics designer who wants to play high power games online (a Mac you think?), but as an avid PC fan for the last 5 or 6 years am I going to end up on a totally new system that will be too different to grasp? I'm not talking desktops, purely notebooks, how do they compare and with Mac catching up with MS, should i take the leap do people think?
And can I just install my software such as Macromedia and MS Office etc onto a Mac no questions asked?
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 410
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From: CYYC
What do you mean by high power gaming? If you're talking about Doom3 or Counterstrike Source, then you will need an Alienware or similar high (very high) end laptop. Most graphics cards in laptops can hardly keep up with desktop video cards from a year ago, if that.
My brother does plays America's Army just fine on his iBook, and you can get UT2004 as well. You won't have anywhere near the selection games though as you would on Windows. However if you buy a Mac, an XBox or PS2 would be better for gaming.
As for installing Windows programs, you would need to install VirtualPC to be able to run the Windows version. This will be slower, and is only worth it if you have one very specific program that doesn't have a Mac version. If you are serious about switching, you will need to factor in the cost of buying the Mac versions of your programs. Some companies will let you trade the Windows license for a Mac one for a low cost, but not many. You can get Mac versions of virtually every major graphics program and MS Office.
goates
My brother does plays America's Army just fine on his iBook, and you can get UT2004 as well. You won't have anywhere near the selection games though as you would on Windows. However if you buy a Mac, an XBox or PS2 would be better for gaming.
As for installing Windows programs, you would need to install VirtualPC to be able to run the Windows version. This will be slower, and is only worth it if you have one very specific program that doesn't have a Mac version. If you are serious about switching, you will need to factor in the cost of buying the Mac versions of your programs. Some companies will let you trade the Windows license for a Mac one for a low cost, but not many. You can get Mac versions of virtually every major graphics program and MS Office.
goates
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
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From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
joe2812,
If you are an avid gamer, you have just about ruled out MAC. Usually all the best games are released for PC long before they are ported over to the MAC.
Then again you can get an Athlon64 Notebook with a Radeon Vid Card, that will smoothly play all the new games out in high resolution.
Take Care,
Richard
If you are an avid gamer, you have just about ruled out MAC. Usually all the best games are released for PC long before they are ported over to the MAC.
Then again you can get an Athlon64 Notebook with a Radeon Vid Card, that will smoothly play all the new games out in high resolution.
Take Care,
Richard
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Red Red Back to Bed
Then again you can get an Athlon64 Notebook with a Radeon Vid Card, that will smoothly play all the new games out in high resolution.
Oggin
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 541
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From: Red Red Back to Bed
Just get ready to duck for cover.
Or have I missed the point completely? Probably !!
Oggin.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 410
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From: CYYC
joe2812,
Look for a laptop with a ATI Mobility Radeon 9800 as this is the closest you will get to a desktop in performance.
Mobility Radeon 9800
Oggin Aviator,
He's probably just trying to warn you about fanatical Mac users.
Most Mac users know that you don't buy a Mac to play games, and if you want to play, you buy a PC or a console. On the other hand, if you just want to get work done, Mac laptops compare quite well.
goates
Edited for grammar.
Look for a laptop with a ATI Mobility Radeon 9800 as this is the closest you will get to a desktop in performance.
Mobility Radeon 9800
Oggin Aviator,
He's probably just trying to warn you about fanatical Mac users.
Most Mac users know that you don't buy a Mac to play games, and if you want to play, you buy a PC or a console. On the other hand, if you just want to get work done, Mac laptops compare quite well.
goates
Edited for grammar.
Last edited by goates; 15th October 2004 at 20:01.
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
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From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
Oggin Aviator,
goates nailed. I recommend products here all the time. I would not ever worry about that in this forum. Here we are all together trying to help each other out.
Richard
He's probably just trying to warn about fanatical Mac users.
Richard
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Red Red Back to Bed
Richard
Get it now. Thanks. For any sort of decent gaming at the moment you need a PC, not a Mac. I accept that Macs are great for stability and productivity and were I self employed I would probably have one to run the office. But I'm not so I dont.
Just a note on the Mobile Radeon 9800 - Hasnt Dell got all the rights to this card for a few months therefore you cant get it on another laptop except a Dell one at the moment. Thought I read that on another forum a few weeks ago.
Oggin
Get it now. Thanks. For any sort of decent gaming at the moment you need a PC, not a Mac. I accept that Macs are great for stability and productivity and were I self employed I would probably have one to run the office. But I'm not so I dont.
Just a note on the Mobile Radeon 9800 - Hasnt Dell got all the rights to this card for a few months therefore you cant get it on another laptop except a Dell one at the moment. Thought I read that on another forum a few weeks ago.
Oggin
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 496
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From: Norwich, UK
All, thanks for the recommendations, keep 'em coming
Oggin - thanks for the G3 advice, looks like real value for money. Will see where I stand about getting it over the pond.
Thanks again,
Oggin - thanks for the G3 advice, looks like real value for money. Will see where I stand about getting it over the pond.
Thanks again,
