More money to spend

[cjvitek]

Okay, so I just found out that I have about $8,000 more startup funds that I thought I had this semester...which has to get spent by Aug 31 or I lose it.

I was thinking about buying a Mac Book - any thoughts? Is it a good computer to travel with (take to conferences, etc)? I was also thinking about buying a Dell netbook.

Decisions decisions. My question regarding the Mac is will it enable me to do anything with my iPhone that I currently can't do? Enable any additional functionality, syncing options, etc?

Chris

[llofte]

$8000?!?!?! Share the wealth!!!!!! :P

Yes, get a MacBook. I absolutely love mine. It's small, light, and perfect for travel.

The only extra "feature" for your iPhone that I can think of off the top of my head is the ability to sync notes with Apple's mail app when 3.0 is released. I had a dell before my MacBook and I feel like the computer/iPhone relationship is just better with the MacBook. They were designed for each other.

Getting technical help is much nicer with Apple than Dell as well. Although I will say that Dell DID take care of me and replace my motherboard when I had a problem... it just took a lot of phone calls before it happened and wasn't a pleasent experience.

PLUS!! You have $8000!! You can AFFORD a MacBook!! =D

[cjvitek]

Well, I do need to get some other little things for my skeeters...but I was planning on holding off till next year to buy a laptop, and maybe now I won't.

Chris

[Brickman]

Dude! Whatever you do get a Mac Notebook!!! Whether it is a 13" Macbook, a MacBook Air, or the "Beast" 17" Macbook Pro, You WILL NOT be disappointed. I have two of the older Macbooks (Black/mine and White/wife). I would like to upgrade to one of the newer models but even after more than three years they both are still going strong.

Like LL said, nothing syncs as well with an iPhone as the Mac does. Especially if you buy into MoMe. It can take the iPhone to the next level IMVHO.

[jamesus]

You could always give me the leftover to donate to my Macbook Pro purchase!

[cjvitek]

The other thing to consider is that this Macbook wouldn't be my primary computer. I might use it a little at home, or on trips.

Chris

[Justin]

I would get the 13" MacBook. Thats the one I bought since my main computer is still a fast PC I just built a year and a half ago. The 13" is perfect size for travelling. Fits nicely in my backup I carry on planes. Oh, and now you don't have to take it out of it's case, as long as the case has nothing else in it. I just have mine in a sleeve so I just throw that right in the bin.

PS. I hate you ...unless you deposit some of that into my paypal account that is!

[nellybelly333]

I have the black macbook and I love it.

From what I have been told, you can fit a few more songs on your iphone when using a mac, not sure of the exact numbers, but I remember hearing something along the lines of maybe a few dozen?

Also, it could just be in my head, but it seems to sync much faster than my old gateway. I would say if you have the money, you might as well get it. Don't forget you get a student discount through Apple!

[cjvitek]

Are office files cross platform? Can I use a mac to edit office files created on a pc?

[llofte]

Originally Posted by cjvitek

Are office files cross platform? Can I use a mac to edit office files created on a pc?

Yep! You can get Microsoft Word/Excel/Powerpoint on a Mac and can edit files from both OS's.