New Computer

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:57 pm

So I spilt red cordial on my computer a week ago. Thought it was fine until last night when it would not start. Took it in today and I have lost everything. I have backed up some, but there is a lot I have not. Just a reminder to all, back it up. I never thought to back up my outlook contact list etc. So 6 years of contacts have been lost.
Worst was that I had creative suite on that computer, bought by my X employer, so i dont have the discs myself so have lost those programs. Major problem!!

The question is now, I have no files, no contact lists, no music files etc that are aligned to Windows any more, and I am thinking Mac.

My questions - I do use word processers a lot, a lot of my work is based around writing documents etc. What does a Mac use for this? How does it translate for the public who I work with you are using word?

What about data bases, what is the standard email centre and contact lists kept in on a Mac, excuse my ignorance but I have never used email on a Mac besides on the web.

And then, what are the Mac laptops I should be looking at and the rough prices that I should expect?

Post by **breaksRbest** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:00 pm

you can get Word (and Excel, Powerpoint etc) for Mac, it works exactly the same as on a PC

I think I'll be buying a Mac when I upgrade

Jinx · Post by **Jinx** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:03 pm

Yep microsoft office comes for mac now they are intel based

andy_hoffman · Post by **andy_hoffman** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:05 pm

You can run windows on the new macbook pro laptops. Probably can on the desktop macs too! I just got a laptop but didn't get a mac just based on price and the toshiba one i got has lots of good features and specs.

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:05 pm

If you're only using Office etc, why do you need a Mac?

Sure, Mac's are great - but they're not cheap.

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:52 pm

If you get a Mac you also get plus 10 to any rolls on productivity.

obliveus · Post by **obliveus** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:02 pm

Damn, man. I feel for you...especially as I've just finished backing up my entire laptop to my new external hard drive. I just signed up for a new mac book from my school, primarily for musical purposes. Dude next to me in the office has one and it looks the goods and makes my IBM laptop seem like a dinosaur (it's only 3 years old, too). I hope it all works out for you D.

almax · Post by **almax** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:12 pm

once you go Mac, you never go back, love my macbook pro, never had an issue, everything just works, plug it in and it works, no fucking around, so simple. Price may be an issue though given your recent circumstance, but i'll be able to hook you up with a discount, ill give you a buzz tonight.
Geez man i gotta say, hasnt been a great year for you and your gadgets, first your iriver and CDs, now your computer, man you must not have any music left! perhaps we need to all get together and burn up a bunch of CDs for you.

Post by **system** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:29 pm

Direktor wrote:If you're only using Office etc, why do you need a Mac?

Sure, Mac's are great - but they're not cheap.

why do you need windows either? (openoffice plug.)

guerillabass · Post by **guerillabass** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:55 pm

Love the mac but its good to have one with the Texas Instruments Firewire Chipset...

kronz · Post by **kronz** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:50 pm

Mac=Wak

nic · Post by **nic** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:51 pm

system wrote:
Direktor wrote:If you're only using Office etc, why do you need a Mac?

Sure, Mac's are great - but they're not cheap.
why do you need windows either? (openoffice plug.)

yep open office is pretty good esp for free, studio i work at uses it for everything no problems.

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:33 pm

maybe suggest the kind of software you will need to be running, see whats out there

(im not rubbing it in but) hearing this story makes me so glad i backup - carbon copy cloner on mac is good stuff.

mizuhodai · Post by **mizuhodai** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:56 pm

kronz wrote:Mac=Wak

darn and i just bought a 24inch imac....should i return it???

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:08 am

get a mac!!

even a second hand one...

you can pick up a 1st gen macbook on ebay for <$1K as almax said, you turn them on and they just "work"

:better:

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:19 am

deviant wrote:get a mac!!

even a second hand one...

you can pick up a 1st gen macbook on ebay for <$1K as almax said, you turn them on and they just "work"

:better:

Hang on, I thought something was wrong with yours?

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:48 am

^^^ only due to previous owner's mal-treatment....

not a fault of the machine.

Needs a new battery too (show me any lappy that wouldn't need a new battery after almost two years)... (only $120 to replace anyways)

mrj · Post by **mrj** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:40 pm

jbs wrote:If you get a Mac you also get plus 10 to any rolls on productivity.

lol

+3 CH for you Jimmy

-2 DXT tho

Post by **lynt** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:44 pm

deviant wrote:^^^ only due to previous owner's mal-treatment.... not a fault of the machine.

Needs a new battery too (show me any lappy that wouldn't need a new battery after almost two years)... (only $120 to replace anyways)

I'll show you mine. Mine, I will show you.

spiral · Post by **spiral** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:49 pm

if you're thinking about getting mac
have a look at the refurbished ones on apple store
you'll save a bit and be able to get applecare too

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:12 pm

lynt wrote:
deviant wrote:^^^ only due to previous owner's mal-treatment.... not a fault of the machine.

Needs a new battery too (show me any lappy that wouldn't need a new battery after almost two years)... (only $120 to replace anyways)

I'll show you mine. Mine, I will show you.

out of interest, which model, and how long does it last before charging?

Post by **lynt** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:30 pm

deviant wrote:
lynt wrote:
deviant wrote:^^^ only due to previous owner's mal-treatment.... not a fault of the machine.

Needs a new battery too (show me any lappy that wouldn't need a new battery after almost two years)... (only $120 to replace anyways)

I'll show you mine. Mine, I will show you.
out of interest, which model, and how long does it last before charging?

Macbook (Black)

Last Saturday I clocked over 6 hours on battery, but I know a few tips for battery lastability such as turning off Bluetooth, Wifi and dulling the monitor as dull as possible, mute sound etc.

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:32 pm

lynt wrote:
Macbook (Black)

Last Saturday I clocked over 6 hours on battery, but I know a few tips for battery lastability such as turning off Bluetooth, Wifi and dulling the monitor as dull as possible, mute sound etc.

Black ones also stay powered for longer as they absorb more power from the sun.

Post by **lynt** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:36 pm

jbs wrote:
lynt wrote:
Macbook (Black)

Last Saturday I clocked over 6 hours on battery, but I know a few tips for battery lastability such as turning off Bluetooth, Wifi and dulling the monitor as dull as possible, mute sound etc.

Black ones also stay powered for longer as they absorb more power from the sun.

It's the Pharaoh of Macs.

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:37 pm

almax wrote:once you go Mac, you never go back, love my macbook pro, never had an issue, everything just works, plug it in and it works, no fucking around, so simple. .

man knows.

lol @ jbs.
do the black ones still cost like $500 more than white?

they is sexy but i just couldnt fork out so much extra for teh coolness of bleeeekkkkk

Blueprint · Post by **Blueprint** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:02 pm

You've got to hand it to apple, they've build an awesome brand, people just want one, I want one. But as direktor says, it's a pretty expensive alternative if word processing is your main priority. On a like for like PC's will do what you want just as well, cheaper and there'll be 0 learning curve for you.

I love macs as much as the next, but on a cost vs return, based on what you want to do, it is really a tough argument for mac.

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:19 pm

^^ not when you go 2nd hand

cheers for the tips Karl, mine only get's about 30mins at the moment

Post by **lynt** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:21 pm

30mins is retarded.

I can watch DVD's up to 2 hours or so on mine. Was watching DiVX on the plane recently for around 2.5/3 hours, but again, the monitor brightness was dull enough for us to still enjoy.

Shadowgames · Post by **Shadowgames** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:23 pm

i have a new unopened black macbook battery for sale if anyone wants it?

sorry for the hijack...

Jinx · Post by **Jinx** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:24 pm

I only get about 30min out of my blackbook aswell Deviant but I have hammered it for 2years so I can't complain much.

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:16 pm

yer, mine's 2 years old too...

will get new battery soon

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:19 pm

I used creative suite on the laptop more than anytthing else.
But for upcoming projects I will need excel or a database program as well.

Really leaning towards getting a Mac at this point, hell get an iPhone too if i coulf afford and would be set. But yeah Almax your right, given my year of loosing/fuking up just about everything probably not smart

But that said, which of the PC brands are the most reliable? and what to stear clear off?

How long is the expected (realistically) lifespan of a Laptop / Macbook?

spiral · Post by **spiral** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:17 am

DBoy wrote: How long is the expected (realistically) lifespan of a Laptop / Macbook?

I reckon prolly 3 years

my thinkpad lasted 3 years then got nicked, a ram and bigger 7200rpm HD boost gave it an extra lease of life

my powerbook is over 3 years old, and runs well, and is still pretty reliable, in terms of speed sometimes it chugs compared to MBP I have at work but its not unusable

bassfreak · Post by **bassfreak** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:40 pm

If ya gonna go for a desktop, buy it in parts from MSY (www.msy.com.au) They have the cheapest parts in melbs. Either put it together yourself/get a geek friend to help or you can pay them $70 to assemble it for you.
I just purchased the parts for my super computer from them:
Which included:

intel quadcore 6600 processor
2gig Ram
Kick ass graphics card
660 Gig hardrive
Super smooth shiney pimpn and silent case
Samsung 22inch widescreen LCD monitor
Other bits n pieces

For about $1200

But you could build a pretty nice PC for $500 but I splashed out and made it a super PC!

Post by **Friday** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:17 pm

So I'm looking at getting a Mac. Haven't had one before but have been becoming convinced after the minefield of problems I've had with my current computer.

Can anyone tell me though whether external hardware is generally compatible or will I have to change that out too? I'm referring to my printer/scanner (a Brother) and my Western Digital external hard drive.

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:25 pm

if they are usb I reckon they will work.... check the manufactures website for drivers for mac

Post by **Friday** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:27 pm

ahhhh cool - yep both are usb. will check it out

nic · Post by **nic** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:38 pm

jbs wrote:get a mac

wilks · Post by **wilks** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:13 pm

deviant wrote:Needs a new battery too (show me any lappy that wouldn't need a new battery after almost two years)... (only $120 to replace anyways)

meh...IBM Thinkpad T60 2.5 years old and still runs for 2 hours on battery without turning off wifi and bluetooth. And for the second year running it has been proven Mac is the easiest OS to hack...

friggin mac fanboys

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:27 am

well, I don't know what the previous owner did, but draining the battery fully before charging all the time will reduce the life of the battery. Also using it for too long on power which causes excess heat can damage the battery life too.

batteries are batteries mac or otherwise

on that point, a few years ago, toshiba and dell both had problems with there batteries exploding

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:49 pm

well my little ibook has been through hell and back for three years and the battery is fine.
maybe two hours or more...

however, my screen has these wierd green tinges, like hypercolour, and its not gonig away! sucks for design work/phot viewing etc

i use it every day for work so have not taken it into mac shop, plus they will charge a mint and apple care has long expired...

any ideas mac heads? lynt ?

i have newer macbook @ home....but want to use old shitty one for leaving @ lounge!

also to those thinking of getting mac > get the longest apple care protection plan you can afford, i think its three years for $300. worth it!

spiral · Post by **spiral** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:56 pm

buy a cheap LCD and plug it in at work

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:29 pm

is that really the best option?

i carry it around with me, have meetings across town etc etc...

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:49 pm

http://www.macfixit.com.au

are cheap and good... but you aren't viewing photos or doing design work at meetings are you? just leave the LCD at work for that stuff

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:51 pm

yes i am.

photos and design work is about a third of what i do every day.

ill check em out...

thanks!

Post by **system** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:16 pm

wilks wrote:for the second year running it has been proven Mac is the easiest OS to hack...

i'd say that's more about webkit and browser exploits than the os itself. being able to escalate privileges through a browser backdoor is traditionally a windows enclave anyway.

not sticking up particularly for apple or mac os x, but the amount of silly loopholes that appear in new browser 'features' these days is ridonkidonk.

Post by **system** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:18 pm

ghetto kitty wrote:my screen has these wierd green tinges, like hypercolour, and its not gonig away! sucks for design work/phot viewing etc

i use it every day for work so have not taken it into mac shop, plus they will charge a mint and apple care has long expired...

that'll be your display card from the sound of it, hopefully shouldn't be too much to repair/replace.

ghetto kitty wrote:also to those thinking of getting mac > get the longest apple care protection plan you can afford, i think its three years for $300. worth it!

if you get swift (and free) service + parts, then god speed.

spiral · Post by **spiral** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:15 pm

new macbooks maybe on sept 9th

ghetto kitty · Post by **ghetto kitty** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:28 pm

system wrote:
ghetto kitty wrote:my screen has these wierd green tinges, like hypercolour, and its not gonig away! sucks for design work/phot viewing etc

i use it every day for work so have not taken it into mac shop, plus they will charge a mint and apple care has long expired...
that'll be your display card from the sound of it, hopefully shouldn't be too much to repair/replace.

okay thanks, will take it in soon and cross fingers....

Post by **fooishbar** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:07 pm

system wrote:
ghetto kitty wrote:my screen has these wierd green tinges, like hypercolour, and its not gonig away! sucks for design work/phot viewing etc

i use it every day for work so have not taken it into mac shop, plus they will charge a mint and apple care has long expired...
that'll be your display card from the sound of it, hopefully shouldn't be too much to repair/replace.

erm, it's going to be the display itself rather than the gpu.