MacBook Pros: Convince me that they're worth it.

[GoldenI]

I am starting university in September, and I need a laptop for taking notes (I really don't feel like carrying binders around). I am concerned as to whether or not I should get a MacBook. From what I hear, they are...

- Durable
- Exceptional with their displays.
- Great with battery life
- Designed by a brand that has excellent customer service (from what I hear, anyway)

What will I be using my laptop for?

- Note taking
- Occasional gaming (Counter Strike: Global Offensive)
- Programming (I have been teaching myself C over the past couple of weeks).
- Potential media production.
- Web browsing
- Watching movies

Price is somewhat of an issue for me, but I will be willing to shell out the extra cash for a company that I -KNOW- will not completely screw me over. I know that being screwed over occurs within any company, however, I would prefer to be with a company that is highly reputable, and takes customer service very seriously. I saw that Apple was rated EXTREMELY high in terms of their customer service, so I am leaning towards a MacBook. The only deterrent is the price tag.

Here is another laptop that I have been eye-balling...

HP Pavilion 15.6" AMD Quad-Core A10-4600M Accelerated Laptop

http/www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/hewlett-packard-hp-pavilion-15-6-amd-quad-core-a10-4600m-accelerated-laptop-m6-1084ca-black-m6-1084ca/10208017.aspx?path=9d7981a9dcd0ae36e2d557187246fd5fen02

 

[hella-d]

Again..... Lenovo.....

1. Dosent use ass-backwards, limited, OS-X thats cutsie-gay
2. Bloatware can be gotten rid of, brand-new OEM machine should alwayse get a fresh re-install anyway
3. Lenovos (as well as other decent OEMs) can be had with IPS displays, and ive seen and used some of the older non-retina apples (the scrrens are just as crappy)
4. PCs are MUCH cheaper

 

[naf]

Again..... Lenovo.....

1. Dosent use ass-backwards, limited, OS-X thats cutsie-gay
2. Bloatware can be gotten rid of, brand-new OEM machine should alwayse get a fresh re-install anyway
3. Lenovos (as well as other decent OEMs) can be had with IPS displays, and ive seen and used some of the older non-retina apples (the scrrens are just as crappy)
4. PCs are MUCH cheaper

- With powerful scripting options, a bash shell, a more robust background for color management/audio/video, extremely cheap updates, etc., OS X is hardly any more ass-backwards than any other OS at the moment. Certainly not "cutsie-gay", unless by that you mean just fine for regular and power users alike. That said, I find it's lack of configurability annoying enough to not use it anymore.
- Once you configure a Lenovo with comparable options to the macbook pro (add "premium" display, add bluetooth, add a bigger battery, add webcam, add warranty, etc), the cost difference disappear fast. It will probably end up cheaper in the end, especially with their awesome sale prices, but it's not as huge as people make it out to be.

I'm not saying it's right for you or the OP, just that the famous "apple tax" is becoming a thing of the past and there's a lot of BS about the platform being spewed.

 

[hella-d]

yeah thats what i mean, and it dosent seem as logical, if you want those unix features of OS-X, there are several very practical and easy to use linux distros that have all that and is compltely free and full featured.

 

[Pinhedd]

yeah thats what i mean, and it dosent seem as logical, if you want those unix features of OS-X, there are several very practical and easy to use linux distros that have all that and is compltely free and full featured.

Linux also virtualizes like a champ. OSX virtualizes like an unruly child who wants chocolate milk

 

[hella-d]

Agreed

 

[naf]

yeah thats what i mean, and it dosent seem as logical, if you want those unix features of OS-X, there are several very practical and easy to use linux distros that have all that and is compltely free and full featured.

Agreed, I think anyone who doesn't game or require software from Adobe should be using one of the million full-featured, powerful, stable, *free* Linux distros. But for many people, maybe including the OP, an Apple laptop actually makes a decent amount of sense. Especially considering the resale value, like I mentioned originally.