“In years past, I’d suppress my inner Mac booster and point out that you should weigh the school’s operating system suggestions (which typically means Microsoft Windows) in your deliberations, and I’d note in fairness that a Windows laptop can be better suited for some people,” Jeff Carlson writes for The Seattle Times.
“Boy, am I glad I don’t have to do that anymore,” Carlson writes. “Get a MacBook.”
“If your school requires you to use some Windows-only software, you can simply launch Parallels and run Windows within a separate window in your Mac OS X environment, or restart the machine from Windows using Boot Camp,” Carlson reports.
Carlson reports, “To me, of course, the most compelling argument for taking a Mac to school is the enormous headache you’ll avoid by not having to worry about viruses or spyware. This Windows plague is still not an issue under Mac OS X, a point that I think many virus-weary Windows users have a hard time believing.”
“The only choice you might have to make is whether to buy a MacBook or the better-performing MacBook Pro. Although the processor speeds are fairly close (1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz for the MacBook vs. 2.0 GHz or 2.16 GHz for the MacBook Pro), the aluminum-encased pro offers larger screen sizes and better graphics processing. Other niceties include a backlit keyboard (great for taking notes in dark lecture halls), audio-in and -out ports, and an ExpressCard slot; devices for the latter are just starting to appear, such as memory card readers or FireWire 800 adapters,” Carlson reports.
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “LinuxGuy and Mac Prodigal Son” for the heads up.]
Related MacDailyNews articles:
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Apple 13-Inch MacBook benchmarked: it’s fast – July 24, 2006
Washington Times: If you want a stylish, great, capable portable, buy an Apple MacBook – July 18, 2006
AP: Apple’s MacBook should give makers of Windows-only notebooks nightmares – July 07, 2006
Survey shows big jump in consumer interest in buying Apple Mac; Dell takes steep slide – July 06, 2006
Boston Herald: Apple MacBook superior to iBook predecessor in every way – July 03, 2006
Report: Apple MacBook shipments stronger than expected; 15-inch MacBook (not Pro) model planned? – July 03, 2006
MSNBC’s Krakow: Apple’s MacBook ‘the best notebook computer I’ve ever used’ – June 28, 2006
The Washington Times: Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook ‘is one powerful, affordable Mac portable’ – June 23, 2006
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Review: Tom Bihn ‘Smart Alec’ backpack for Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro models – June 19, 2006
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Washington Post: Apple MacBook leaves iBook in the dust – June 11, 2006
Mossberg: Apple’s new MacBook surprisingly inexpensive, offers vastly superior Mac OS X – June 08, 2006
Time Magazine on Apple’s 13-inch MacBook: ‘Dell and HP should be very worried’ – June 07, 2006
Thurrott: Look at Apple’s MacBook and ‘you might just find your perfect notebook’ – May 31, 2006
Personal Computer World review: Apple MacBook – May 22, 2006
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Ars Technica reviews Apple MacBook – May 19, 2006
iTWire’s Beer: My next notebook is an Apple MacBook – May 18, 2006
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should read “best laptop for anyone”
f1rst
New Mac Books are coming soon, tho, right?
I will be buying a new MacBook Pro. Hopefully, new models with Intel’s latest will be coming out soon. Any comments on battery life from current MBP owners?
I just hope folks don’t expect to run Windows on a MacBook and remain virus free…. never underestimate the level of stupidity in the world…
“never underestimate the level of stupidity in the world…”
That’s the message on a huge sign in the Microsoft boardroom. Every meeting begins with the board members reading that aloud in unison. Then, the members roll around on the floor giggling and tickling each other for about an hour. Some of them just take a quick nap. There’s probably a video of this on YouTube.
Had to buy a macbook immediately last week, so couldn’t wait for the up grade. It’s great right now. It’s extremely quiet, which surprised me after reading reports of lots of fan noise. Plus I got a 30 gig ipod for $100.
What surprises me is no one has mentioned that this is the Seattle Times saying this. Redmond, the home of Microsoft, is just up the road.
“And the first one now will later be last, for the Times… they are a-changin’ “
MW: It’s morning in Seattle again…
MacBooks have audio in and out ports.
Why does he say they don’t?
Mac Yak,
Actually I did just that when I sent the story to MDN. In fact, the title I suggested was “From the home territory of Microsoft.”
I don’t care if the majority of Windows users continue to use Windows on Macs, they are only funding development of my favorite OS. Then again, some of the folks will dump Windows for OS X, fine with me, too. I hope that Apple can meet the demand for its hardware.
Ampar; my MBP 1.8mghz does a bit under 3 hours, that’s using Airport the entire time.
When I start with a full battery the remaing time states 3 hours 35 minutes remaing with Airport on. With Airport off, it tells me there is 4 hours 45 minutes remaing. It does come down pretty fast to 3 hours 20 though!
I just read the article in the actual paper-based paper. It should be noted that there is another bigger article on the same page that pits back-to-school laptops together (hp dv2000, gateway nx260, dell e1405, thinkpad z61t, toshiba m105-s3064(!)). The Macbook won on price, speed (everyday tasks), builtin camera, software bundle, weight, battery life, size. The only thing it lost on was pcmcia and a bad phone call to support. The verdict was clear- MACBOOK! It’s in the freakin seattle paper!
LinuxGuy and Mac Prodigal Son
So you “submitted this with a better headline”? Hmmm… I wonder where I’ve seen that one before?
“I work for Microsoft, so I’m getting a kick out of these replies…”
LOLerskates!
Thanks, Macaday! I’m guessing that I’ll need to keep a spare charged battery handy.
With an article like this in The Seattle Times, they should also include a warning for people to be on the lookout for flying chairs.
Peace.
winky-one-eye: I just read the article in the actual paper-based paper.
This one?
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Putting laptops to the test
^ping. That’s the one. It takes up the entire back of the Saturday Business (Technology) section. No doubt Ballmer regurgitated his starbucks this morning.
Why Are The Mac Book Prices in this Website So Low?
http://www.rosofstore.com/index.php
If they’d come out with a 12-inch MacBook, I’d be all over that one…I’m heading back to college and last I saw, they still had those postage-sized desks. Even my 14-in iBook is going to be a tight squeeze if I decide to use that for taking notes in class (or playing Burning Monkey Solitare in class, as the case may be)…
My wife can’t stop raving about her MacBook. That thing seems faster than our 2.1 GHz G5 iMac.
Eric 24601: because rosofstore is based in Indonesia and isn’t quoting in U.S. dollars.
How about reading the “about Us ” link at the bottom of the page.
Why is it some people think the internet is only in the US of A?
Or its a scam. They quote a lot of extras and have different currncies as well. Best to think twice.
“Why is it some people think the internet is only in the US of A?”
WHAT? It isn’t?
Eric24601
Why are they so cheap? Well, the country code of the telephone number on their web page is for Indonesia.
I’ll let you form your own suspicions.
gee, thanks guys! i knew i can always count on y’all to do all the hard work, like reading.