Need a new Laptop switching from PC to Mac

[ENTHUSIAST]

What is the best Mac laptop out there in the around $500 range?


I just go online and print out basic documents from time to time what should I be looking at do I need to spend more?


Thanks.

[stphnman20]

Just cheapest Macbook is around $1k and that is for the 13" Macbook air. My gf has one and it is awesome for what she does. Youtube, surf the internet, etc. I would look into that or even a used one.

[Mr.Cip]

I also have MacBook Air. Great machine.
You won't be able to get a new MacBook for $500.


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[Rivers]

Keep in mind that unlike some brands, lifespans for Apple products is significantly longer than the industry averages. As an example, I was at my CPA's today discussing some upgrades for one of his iMacs. I looked up which model for this everyday workhorse. Mid-2007 20" iMac! He bought it new and it still looks and runs like new.

[echoThreeOneSix]

for that minor usage you could get a chromebook or a netbook. you don't really even need a full computer for that. do you do anything else? games? graphic design? I can't see paying the insane price of Mac's for internet browsing and printing documents.

...a tablet might work for you?

[ENTHUSIAST]

for that minor usage you could get a chromebook or a netbook. you don't really even need a full computer for that. do you do anything else? games? graphic design? I can't see paying the insane price of Mac's for internet browsing and printing documents.

...a tablet might work for you?

This is what I am thinking after looking at the prices of Macbooks!

Are there any good tablets in the 500 dollar range from Mac?

No Games, No Graphic design. I would like an HDMI port on the side to watch movies on my TV.

[stphnman20]

This is what I am thinking after looking at the prices of Macbooks!

Are there any good tablets in the 500 dollar range from Mac?

No Games, No Graphic design. I would like an HDMI port on the side to watch movies on my TV.

Yea, the iPad or iPad mini. You can print from the iPad also.

[Mr.Cip]

Yea, the iPad or iPad mini. You can print from the iPad also.

My wife has the iPad and have the iPad mini. We probably use them 90% of time instead of our computers...


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[stphnman20]

My wife has the iPad and have the iPad mini. We probably use them 90% of time instead of our computers...


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At home, that is all I use. I use my 15" MBP for work and writing papers.

[e90bmw]

Check refurbished.
Sometimes they are cheaper than this or at least the 11" model is.
Same warranty as new. Actually you can't tell it isn't new.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_air/13

[cesarnono13]

save an extra $100 and get yourself a used, late 2012 Macbook Pro. You have a built in optical drive (DVD Burner) unlike a newer one, and with an intel processor, you can install windows on it with bootcamp.

[redrex]

Keep in mind that unlike some brands, lifespans for Apple products is significantly longer than the industry averages.

You got data on that claim? I'm talking hardware, not OS stability? Apples to apples stuff, no pun intended.

I've been in IT and IT management for 25 years. On top of that most of my friends are IT pros as well. One was an IT manager for Purdue university, over 60% Mac based and another at EA. Ok, less Macs but still quite a few. We have compared data on repair rates and found it to be the same or HIGHER then "comparable" systems. and by comparable I mean premium systems.

Here is what I have found. The OS is way more stable because they control it. Apple says, this is the hardware and that's it. It's a great way to do it. But it means that they can and do over charge for what you get.

Mac is ok and in fact better then ok especially if all you are doing is user level stuff. I find that, as an admin, it gets to be a pain because underneath it you have Unix and that means GD command line crap. Call me lazy, fine.

That said, if you are going to buy a Mac get it from their outlet store. 15% or more off of the regular pice. You can find it HERE.

There are plenty of companies out there that put out laptops that are built just as well if not better then any Mac. But I'm not here to convert you or anyone else, I'm just trying to get all the facts out.

Another option is Hackintosh. Because Apple switched to Intel chips you can now, with the right config, install a Mac OS onto PC's other then Mac. It takes some doing but it's hella cool when done right. At my office, we do video game development, we all run Hackintosh boxes. Mac OS as the base running on top of something called Darwin. Then we use Paralells to open a Windows or Unix environment when needed. 3 OS's, top of the line hardware for 1/3rd the cost of a retail Mac. PM me if you want details.