Should I get a MAC?

So heres the deal...

I have a 4 year old DELL XPS laptop... still runs great but is starting to show its age.

I also have an iPad 2 with ios 5 now.

I'm trying to figure out if it would be beneficial to buy a MAC computer to replace my DELL or just go all iPad... with PC backup

I bought a Macbook Air for my girlfriend a few months back and she loves it.

So I'm trying to figure out which Mac would be best for me if ANY at all.

Here's what I do with computers...

1. I bullshit on Tacomaworld or facebook 60% of the time.
2. I watch a ton of movies and TV shows from iTunes
3. I rarely play any games on the computer (consoles is where its at)
4. I've been getting into photography a little bit over the past few years and would like to get more into that.
5. I do a lot of excel spreadsheets

I am deployed all the damn time so it would need to be very mobile, pack decent power, and not constantly need to be connected to the internet....
- now that point, I have an iPad that I could take to sea with me if needed (probably will) and it would probably do about 90% of everything I need... except for the storage capacity for movies and music (but I heard they make external HD for it now)

When I get home I do intend to build a new network for my house with a backup dump drive and a central media HD (I might get an appleTV and timecapsule for that)

Just trying to get opinions and advice... my main fear is that I will get a Mac that I will never use and end up utilizing the iPad more and more without ever touching my expensive Mac.

 

I'm with you on this one, I need a new laptop. I have an Dell Studio I got 4 years ago but its about to see its last day. I think I'm done with Dell cause had a lot of probs with mine (CD Drive, blue screens, structurally weak) and a friend did too. Cheaply made?....But I like the XPS.

A friend told me he loves his mac and he has no problems since he can run Windows 7 on it no problem. I have an iphone, and want an ipad soon too, so I can see how it'd be cool to have all three of them work together/have same interface....

Another friend just got the new XPS and says Mac is the same now cause it uses the same Intel processors. I do pics, some video editing and want to get back into audio recording. Windows always seems like the easiest way to run these kind of software, but now you can have both? As good?

Can't figure out if I should make the leap to Mac too!...lol...

 

Sounds to me like you stick with what you've already got. You can do everything media related on your ipad, and all your excel stuff on the Dell. Right? Why buy a 2nd expensive Mac device?

 

i have had a 24" Imac since 09, and my mom has a Macbook Pro, Love them both. they will take some getting use too but it is well worth it! My computer is going on 3 years old and hasnt slowed down one bit. I got my Imac for school purposes (graphic and web design) but I use it for many more things than that. You will spend more money on a Mac but it is well worth it because of the speed and dependability. Also, the Imac is an all-in-one design which means the only thing that you have to hook up is the power supply chord, mouse, and keyboard.

 

for your use, a MAC will be the best bet. Expensive? yes but it will last forever trouble free and you'll love the OS.

Go for a macbook pro if you can afford it.

 

Mac's are awesome! I say if you got the cash then go for it. I edit video's from my gopro on mine and i get on here and BS too. I'm not into gaming either. So they are good machine's for what i need them for.

 

i know there is gonna be some huge debate... but i say yes. I've had mine since 09 and not one prob. (my friend had a minor prob with his mac though and they sent him a brand new one) I love it and wouldn't go back. syncs great with iPhone and apple includes things in their design that seems so simple sometimes but other brands don't do. Customer service is great and individualized. yes you pay more money up front... but you get what you pay for.

 

Ive had my macbook since '08 and racked up almost all of my 9k posts on that bad boy

Still running great on the original battery too.

my roomate has had his since '06 but he had the hard drive die in '10. Luckily they were able to recover everything and it still runs great to this day.

 

Oh I don't doubt that a Mac is a decent device... But for my use and already having an iPad im just not sure if I'll use it... The price doesn't concern me so much just whether or not it would be waste of money if it just sits there while I spend all my time with the iPad... Basically is the iPad effective enough to be a stand alone computing device?

 

yes you should

 

ye!!!!

Mac book Pro for the win


no games on mine, i use consoles.

the macs are great for photography, very capable, i like mine a lot better for Lightroom (and photoshop on my mom's) thatn on a PC

 

I say sell the ipad and get a macbook pro!

 

I don't want this to turn into a pc vs Mac debate... What this really is is a iPad vs iMac/MacBook basically for a light computer user... Photos, Internet, spreadsheets, and media (a lot of media)

 

I'd still want a computer around if you're a heavy Excel user. Other than that you could probably make due with your ipad. I can't see replacing a computer myself with a tablet, but that's just me.

 

another thing, if you go with just ipad, how will you download pics to computer/ipad

i realize that you can do it with your dell now.

if you plan on getting into photography more, i would definately go with a mac

 

No, it's not effective enough to be stand alone. In fact if you want to use the full functionality of iCloud, you'll need a Mac running Lion. If the money isn't a problem, it would be a waste to spend it on a PC. My MacBook Pro is great, and the unibody aluminum case makes it exceptional for deployments. Also, great for photo editing. I'd recommend a 13 inch for portability if you intend on deploying with it.

 

I have a MacBook Pro!

Porn= no virus

lol. This thing is amazing. I havent had one problem with it. It comes with all the programs you need. Movie editing software. Garage band! Witch both are great if your just learning.

In my honest opinion, you cant get better than apple products. Haters gonna hate but Apple is running the game!

 

x2

Sell the iPad and use the money towards the MP. I don't see the point in owning a tablet. They are more of a novelty piece IMO.

 

Camera connection kit

 

Oh I don't intend on getting another pc... It would be stick with what I have or get a Mac