Throw away your PC Laptop

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by chugalug, Mar 22, 2008.

  1. Pur48Ted

    Pur48Ted Road Train Member

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    But you STILL need a copy of the Windows OS, hopefully a LEGAL copy. Why anyone would buy a <more expensive> MAC (because they think it is more stable than a PC) and then have to purchase WINDOWS just to run WINDOWS based programs doesn't seem to have a grasp on sound financial principals.
     
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  3. myminpins

    myminpins Road Train Member

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    Yes, you do but some things are best done on WINDOWS so to have both is the best of both worlds. They have yet to find a really good version of Winamp that runs on Mac. Same with a few other programs. This way, you have both. Heck, most people who have had a windows machine and switch to a Mac DO have a legal copy of windows so just throw it in a tiny corner of the mac then can do anything and everything they ever want to no matter if the program is written for windows or mac.
     
  4. ShallowDOF

    ShallowDOF Light Load Member

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    I made the switch to Macs about 2 years ago, a couple weeks before Boot Camp came out. I bought a MacMini to replace my old tower PC. At the time I wanted something small and quiet, the Mini fit the bill perfectly. Before the Mini I had been a Windows user, and DOS before Windows.

    I've played with running windows on it. I've used Boot Camp, Parallels, VM Ware Fusion and Crossover. Each time I've installed XP I wind up just removing a month later because it turns out I don't use it.

    It took a little bit of getting use to and some digging online to find app to replace my PC app but I did find them. So far the only apps I've paid for is iWork '08, everything else has been (legally)free. I've discovered that not only can I do everything I could do on a PC, but I'm actually doing more, and it is easier.

    When I hit the road I gave my Mini to my girlfriend and bought a 17" MacBook Pro. If I use it in a truck stop where people can see the screen people will stop and comment on the quality of the display. The backlit keyboard makes tinkering in a dark sleep a breeze and the MagSafe power connecter has saved my laptop dozens of times.

    I have no regrets about switching and it turns out everything I was worried about has been a non-issue. I find using an XP machine now to be a hassle and and avoid it.

    My girlfriend love the Mini and now wonders why she didn't switch years ago.
     
  5. Markk9

    Markk9 "On your mark"

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    Lumberman, As a driver the one piece of software the I use every day, all day is a mapping program with a GPS. To date I have not found an accurate and current mapping program for OSX. Next piece of software I use is DDL, it will not run under OSX. I have not even heard of a logging program for OSX.

    My other grip about apple is what did that MacBook cost you? close to 2K, way too much for any laptop, IMHO.

    Mark
     
  6. ShallowDOF

    ShallowDOF Light Load Member

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    Thats why I didn't say everyone should switch :)

    If you were wanting to switch I'd say give the Parallels and VM Ware Fusion trials a shot. I know that VM Ware will run XP in a virtual environment without any problems and it wont be slow either. The you could run both DDL and you GPS apps without any issues. VM and Parallels both have access to the whole machine so you can print and have access to your GPS unit within Windows while running OSX at the same time.

    I am thinking about getting a mapping app and running Fusion/XP. I already have a legit copy of XP floating around my home office somewhere anyway, so I'd just have to buy the mapping app.

    As for the cost. A base MacBook with AppleCare is $1348. Should you decide to upgrade in 2-3 years you can turn around and sell it for fair chunk of change.

    Mine was a bit more than $2k. For me, it was worth it. For you? Eh, maybe not so much. Thats for each person to decide.

    But it really comes down to this: If you don't wanna try one then don't! :)
     
  7. Markk9

    Markk9 "On your mark"

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    I have used OSX in the past, I can and do understand how OSX operating system works.

    Apple has, limited hardware upgrades, limited business software, and very few games. If all you need is a machine to do home use stuff and have extra money to spend, it's a neat looking system.

    Mark
     
  8. myminpins

    myminpins Road Train Member

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    My daughter just got the latest MacBook. I played with it for a day. I LOVED it. I installed XP on it for her and it was the EASIEST install of XP I have EVER done!!! And it's NOT a Windows machine!! That says something to me, for sure.

    It's very instinctive and I was able to play around with it and figure everything out very easily. What I couldn't figure out, Google told me in two seconds.

    I want one some day but, for $2,000, no.
     
  9. Pur48Ted

    Pur48Ted Road Train Member

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    Two of the programs I use as well, (mapping w/gps) and DDL. Plus I use other programs that will not work on a MAC and their alternative programs cost several times what a Windows based program cost.
     
  10. Tag

    Tag Light Load Member

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    The bottom line here is that would you rather spend more for something that another can do for less money given the steeper learning curve? Or should you settle for something cheaper that can do the same thing for an expensive counter part, have more hardware options and basically can be built the ground up to suit your specific needs.

    I would rather learn how to use my machine and save money and buy, build something that suits my needs.
     
  11. ShallowDOF

    ShallowDOF Light Load Member

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    I rather the computer get out of my way and let me get my work done :biggrin_25525:
     
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