New Laptop advice

[PaulST]

Do you use any Windows specific programs at all? I was concerned about the same thing coming from 10yrs on windows. It took me 2 weeks to be comfortably productive.

If.ylurnkust using MS office then no problems at all.

Not that Im aware of. I just dislike the idea of being locked in to Apple stuff.

And Im far too computer-ignorant to safely run Windows on a Mac too.

 

[docjames]

I made the switch. I am no fanboy of either apple or PC.

I found the switch (Dell Inspiron 2005 --> Macbook Pro 2013) easy after about two weeks (as hummel suggests) although it has it's own foibles, they are easier to live with than PC. Running Apple OS rather than windows.

 

[djfuzz]

Not that Im aware of. I just dislike the idea of being locked in to Apple stuff.

And Im far too computer-ignorant to safely run Windows on a Mac too.

You're only as locked into using Apple stuff as you currently are now on Windows.

I'm genuinely curious about this impression you have of being 'locked in'. On a Mac, if you wish you can choose only to install apps from the Mac App Store (again, open to all developers, not just Apple) which are sandboxed for security reasons (and so wouldn't be vulnerable to the 'wirelurker' malware reported today); but you can just as easily install apps from any third party developer. It's iOS which can only use the App Store (assuming you don't jailbreak) and that is also hardly 'locked' in only to Apple apps.

Sure, you can't use apps for iOS or Mac on Windows or Android (and vice versa) but that should go without saying right? And many popular apps generate files with cross-platform compatibility at least.

As for the latter, it's no more complicated than pressing a button on startup - but the sentiment kind of suggests you might find a Mac easier to use in any case.

 

[opusman]

As for the latter, it's no more complicated than pressing a button on startup

It's not even that - once set to boot up in Windows it keeps booting up in Windows forever unless you change it. You literally wouldn't know it was a Mac except for the glowing apple on the back of the lid.

but the sentiment kind of suggests you might find a Mac easier to use in any case.

A similar thought went through my mind too

 

[PaulST]

Hmmm you may be right.
I went into JBHIFI before and while I couldn't get any attention from any salespeople, I quite liked the size of the 13inch Mac Book Air.
I'm keen to get the 512SSD HD so I'll definitely get that option but I'm unsure about the other options:
1.4GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
or
1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz [Add A$180.00]

and

4GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
or
8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM [Add A$120.00]

I'm already pushing my budget so is it worth getting either or both of the above upgrades? Most of usage is just internet browsing and editing photos and HD video (personal use, not professional).
My current computer has 4GB RAM and Intel i5-2467M @ 1.60GHz which is OK (so I don't think my standards are particularly high)

 

[hummel]

Hmmm you may be right.
I went into JBHIFI before and while I couldn't get any attention from any salespeople, I quite liked the size of the 13inch Mac Book Air.
I'm keen to get the 512SSD HD so I'll definitely get that option but I'm unsure about the other options:
1.4GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
or
1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz [Add A$180.00]

and

4GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
or
8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM [Add A$120.00]

I'm already pushing my budget so is it worth getting either or both of the above upgrades? Most of usage is just internet browsing and editing photos and HD video (personal use, not professional).
My current computer has 4GB RAM and Intel i5-2467M @ 1.60GHz which is OK (so I don't think my standards are particularly high)

If your doing HD video I'd be inclined to go the Macbook Pro. It's not *that* much bigger.

I've heard (own a MBA) that the pro's are reasonably good for video editing considering it's a laptop at the end of the day.

 

[PaulST]

I like the thickness and weight of the Air. How much better would the running gear be in the Pro?

 

[JessicaTam]

Hmmm you may be right.
I went into JBHIFI before and while I couldn't get any attention from any salespeople, I quite liked the size of the 13inch Mac Book Air.
I'm keen to get the 512SSD HD so I'll definitely get that option but I'm unsure about the other options:
1.4GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
or
1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz [Add A$180.00]

and

4GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
or
8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM [Add A$120.00]

I'm already pushing my budget so is it worth getting either or both of the above upgrades? Most of usage is just internet browsing and editing photos and HD video (personal use, not professional).
My current computer has 4GB RAM and Intel i5-2467M @ 1.60GHz which is OK (so I don't think my standards are particularly high)

You can't add memory to a MBA after purchase, so I would suggest getting as much as you can afford (even at the expense of the CPU) if you decide on one.

 

[ozkid]

@OP
Buzzard mentioned start8. Yes, get it. Makes the windows experience so much better (or what W8 should have been)

Just to mention a couple more Win8 laptops that I have used:
1. Sony Vaio Pro. Can get 11 or 13inch version. Battery life is impressively long, more so if you get the slice battery (think 16-28hrs) but obviously defeats the purpose of a Ultrabook. Touchscreen. Gorgeous HD panel. Beats a Mac for svelte and sex.

2. Lenovo X240. On the opposite end of svelte, but it's all business and productivity. Love the keyboard. Love the red nipple too, better sensitivity than any touchpad. Drop it and it won't break.

3. Surface Pro 3. It is a seriously nice laptop/slate thingy. The keyboard is simply not up to it if you do a lot of typing. It's also too big a screen for slate use. However, using it for a couple of hours at a time to do some productivity, watch a movie, use it to write notes with the stylus - it's pretty good.

 

[djfuzz]

If it's for personal use and on a budget, I'd say not to worry about any of the upgrades except perhaps the RAM for the reasons stated by JessicaTam above. Processor upgrade is not going to make a huge difference and rather than getting a larger SSD I'd suggest sticking with the 256gb and getting a 1tb USB3 drive and a Nifty Mini Drive or PNY Storedge for a bit of extra local storage.

You'll still be able to do everything you want to (edit photos and HD video) but the marginal increase in speed probably isn't worth the extra cost IMHO, but that equation varies from person to person.

If going to JB don't pay any more than 10% off RRP - they regularly discount that much and when you've got Dick Smith going as far as 14% every so often there's definitely pressure to match or beat that pricing.

 

[Paddy55]

MacBook Air - can't beat it for travel
VMWare Fusion + Win 7 for a couple of bits of legacy stuff

Pig in proverbial

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for all of the replies.
I'm probably leaning towards the Macbook Air 13inch with the 512SSD and upgrading to 8gb of RAM whilst keeping the i5 processor.
I have a question about OS (as I've only ever really used Microsoft). I"ll probably have to buy Microsoft Office but can I make, open and edit .doc and .docx? I assume I can open Adobe PDFs?
Years ago I recall friends who had Macs weren't able to view certain website and couldn't remove files from USBs after being transferred from PCs. Is this still the case?

Sorry if this questions are a little silly but I'm keen to double check if I'm about to spend $2K and possibly change the next few decades to Apple IOS.

Thanks!

 

[docjames]

Nil issues swapping between work (pc) and Mac, and our work pcs are ancient......

 

[opusman]

Sorry if this questions are a little silly but I'm keen to double check if I'm about to spend $2K and possibly change the next few decades to Apple IOS.Thanks!

Curious why you keep asking questions when you're not interested in the replies...

 

[PaulST]

Curious why you keep asking questions when you're not interested in the replies...

I've been reading the replies and taking them into consideration... You may note that I've thanked everyone several times...

I've been doing some research and talking to people (not just on this forum) and am probably leaning towards the MacBook Air. I've checked out the PC laptops recommended and none are jumping out at me as of yet.

 

[PLANT]

So those following this thread... What is the best spec.... Money no object..... Travel laptop? I have a Sony VAIO Z2.... Direct from HK with battery sleeve... 2011
It was $3k+...... What now beats for Weight/power/battery life/keyboard/speed/graphics....Not to hijack thread.... But those that may have the knowledge seem to be on here!

 

[JessicaTam]

So those following this thread... What is the best spec.... Money no object..... Travel laptop? I have a Sony VAIO Z2.... Direct from HK with battery sleeve... 2011
It was $3k+...... What now beats for Weight/power/battery life/keyboard/speed/graphics....Not to hijack thread.... But those that may have the knowledge seem to be on here!

In the Mac world, maybe a Mac Book Pro Retina. Certainly for weight/battery/graphics.

 

[RooFlyer]

So those following this thread... What is the best spec.... Money no object..... Travel laptop? I have a Sony VAIO Z2.... Direct from HK with battery sleeve... 2011
It was $3k+...... What now beats for Weight/power/battery life/keyboard/speed/graphics....Not to hijack thread.... But those that may have the knowledge seem to be on here!

I think (hope) the OP is satisfied with the response .. As mentioned above, as a backup to my Sony (SVS13A2APX) I would have loved to get another Sony but the whackers dropped the market, as you know.

So my choice, (PC only), travelling 6 months of the year, was Toshiba Portege R30 (check out specs at the link). Everything that opens and shuts; unfortunately only 256GB SSD (rather than the 512GB my Sony has). Abt $2.8K (and comes with Windows 7 loaded ). Good alternative would be the Portege Z30, as mentioned by some-one else; lighter at 1.2kg, but without the optical drive.

 

[PaulST]

For those following the thread, I've decided to get a Mac Book Air with the following specs:
1.4 i5 processor (standard one), 8gb of RAM ($120 more than the standard 4gb) and a 512GB SSD for an extra $350. In total, it'll cost $1869 for the 13inch model.
I'm coming from only ever having used PCs (but have iPhones and iPads) so this is quite a bit step for me. What finally pushed me into the Apple fan club was:
1) I couldn't get those specs on a PC for cheaper (esp the 512gb SSD which was a big thing for me as I have a lot of files and carrying an external HD isn't all that practical). Alternatively I could have got a much larger PC with great specs, but I'm keen to get something compact.
2) The battery life on the MBA is great and I'm often using my laptop away from power points.
3) The MBA is also a beautiful design, thin and light. Superficial, I know, but it's the best looking computer out there.

I've played with a Lenovo Yugo 3 Pro and the 512gb version was going to cost >$3-400 more. But importantly, it just felt brittle. The plastic flexes and the connection between the screen and the keyboard/body very quite unpleasant. The flex may be built into it (Dreamliner's wing? ) but it just felt weird.

And as I said above, I've got a iPad and iPhone so I figure I might as well become a proper Apple fan boy and go the whole way with them.

 

[PaulST]

If going to JB don't pay any more than 10% off RRP - they regularly discount that much and when you've got Dick Smith going as far as 14% every so often there's definitely pressure to match or beat that pricing.

My current plan was to get 10000 QFF points by shopping at the Qantas Mall, but I'll check out those other two. Thanks.