Apple MacBook - Is it what I need?

[PhillF]

After a new laptop. Purely for non work use, just using the net, storing photos, films and music.

I have been thinking about this...

http://www.computerwarehouse.co.uk/detail/0063748/...

Is that a good price and will it meet my needs? I am no expert in the field but have another computer for work so this is just for pleasure.

Is there anything else I need to buy in addition to the above?

Any help/guidance much appreciated.

Thanks

[Leithen]

Same price as the Apple Store.

Only advice would be to consider upping the RAM - go to Crucial or other reputable vendor - not Apple - they like to charge silly prices.... Easy to install yourself - Crucial lists £28 for a 2GB kit.

[TheStoat]

Good advice on the RAM and I'd also have a look at John Lewis. If the price isn't drastically different then go with them for the 2 year standard warranty (assuming your supplier is only offering the usual 1 year of cover)

Andy

[PhillF]

Brilliant. Thanks guys.

I have to advised to ensure that it comes with the latest Leppard operating system.

Is this good advice and will the John Lewis supplied one come with that?

Thanks again.

[robbieduncan]

It is good advise re:Leopard but if the machine does not come with it Apple will provide it for the cost of P&P (£10 iirc).

[PhillF]

Great thanks.

What exactly is Leopard?

As you may have guessed, I have not a single clue about Apple machines!

[TheStoat]

I'd say phone John Lewis. They have the same offerings from one store to the next iirc so you should get a sensible answer. I haven't actually bothered upgrading to Leopard though. Haven't even looked at it. My MBP does all that I want, doesn't run slowly or crash etc so I'm not going to upgrade. Others on here will be better able to tell you if you need Leopard though

[robbieduncan]

PhillF said:

Great thanks.

What exactly is Leopard?

As you may have guessed, I have not a single clue about Apple machines!

It's the code name of the latest Mac OS. It's really OSX 10.5. The prior version was 10.4 (Tiger). So a bit like the difference between Vista and XP (but more people like Leopard than Vista!)

[ashes]

Go for it - I have a mac-mini on loan from a project I am working on and I am converted (IT guy of 25 years and PC thru and thru!). Plug in, and go!

BTW - download clamxav for anti-virus protection. Macs don't usually get attacked but why take the risk?

Enjoy!

[AndyWoodall]

If I didn't get an education discount I'd certainly buy from John Lewis because of the extra warranty cover you have with them.

The MacBook is a fine little machine, perfect for home use.

[PJR]

The John Lewis option is certainly worth serious consideration.. If I am completely honest, I don't think Apple's hardware is quite as bomb proof as it once was. So the peace of mind from the extra warranty will be worth while (Their software and OS on the other hand are 110%). Otherwise I would suggest purchasing AppleCare (3 years cover). But the cost of this is quite hefty at £200 for a laptop, although I believe that Computer Warehouse will do a deal on that.

P,

[Zumbruk]

TheStoat said:

I'd say phone John Lewis. They have the same offerings from one store to the next iirc

Not *entirely* true, I recently discovered. What they will do is price match against other JL stores, but if you don't ask, you don't get. And the same thing can be a different price in different stores.

[cjs]

I have had my MB for about a year now and I can only say it was one of the best decisions I've made. I was in the same position as you, needed a new Laptop and new very little about Macs, the IT bod at work suggested a Mac and I just went for it. The main thing I like is no crashes, no hangs, no known virus (at the moment). It boots up in seconds rather than minutes like my old PC, plus it looks really good.


I went for top of the range Black MB and in hindsight I would have gone for the mid White MB. This has all the same features as the Black, it just has a smaller HD. It is however a hundred £s less.


I just upped my RAM to 2 Gig at www.crucial.com for about £30 so don't pay for extra RAM when you buy the MB.

Edited by cjs on Wednesday 12th December 22:15