Need Apple Mac Laptop Buying Help

[Flangenimblick]

My cousin wants to do fine art and graphic design and she wants to get the appropriate laptop for it, I recommended Apple Mac but I have no idea which one...anyone here got any knowledge?

I found these: http://www.pricecheck.co.za/categories/420/Mac+Laptops/l/0/o.price/ASC/

[senorblinky]

You want help? Advice?
Here's some for you: Don't buy a Mac...

[Flangenimblick]

Usually I would agree completely, but I'm not buying the mac...and I hear they're good for art stuffs...

[senorblinky]

That's still debatable, i have a few friends in the graphic design industry, and half of them says PCs are just as good as mac, some even say it's a bit faster and it doesn't overheat.

Anyway, i know nothing about macs, just thought i should share.

[Flangenimblick]

Thanks, that does actually help, I'll look at PC's as well then.

[TG]

PC may be cheaper, considering you have to factor in the cost of the software as well.

[senorblinky]

Not to mention more versatile.
People acting like PCs have small monitors and can't run photoshop et al.
Frink abort it!

[SlappY]

If you are considering a Mac, then I am afraid, there is no one who can help you... all is lost.

I believe I wrote a thread on this before expressing my distain for Apple users.

[Hoss]

Help him with some info on pc's then you nay sayers! :D

[senorblinky]

(but he knows!)

[SlappY]

From my experince Fujitsu Siemans from Mackro are the best value for money.
But if your serious about the artsy stuff, then I am afraid you just kidding yourself with a laptop. Has to be a desktop.

[doobiwan]

I'm unfortunately going to add my agreement here. Apples look nice and are great fashion accessories, but all the necessary software is available for windows and PC's are a lot cheaper.

Mac Panthers will shout about the "Simple UI" and how well integrated everything is, personally I find it bland, and dumbed down. Like "Computers for dummies"

[Flangenimblick]

I'm personally against any Apple products of any kind, I'm just considering all options here.

I'm not 100% sure on what exactly she needs it for, but for now we'll assume stuff along the lines of Photoshop.

So basically let's say we're looking for a Laptop or PC that can adequately support some Photoshopping, preferably a Laptop/Notebook.

Budget is anywhere from R12k - R20k.

[WingNut]

holy crap you can buy an AWESOME laptop for R12K - R20K!

[doobiwan]

100%

Jeepers! For 20k you could get something that absolutely slaughters those MacBooks!

I've always been partial to Acer Notebooks Myself. My preference list goes something like this:

Acer
Fujitsu Siemens
HP / IBM /Lenova (IBMs were always well built but ugly and a bit more expensive)
Dell (Great for corporates, sucks for consumers)

Incredibles notebooks prices are usually surprisingly competitive, but check here first: http://www.notebookdirect.co.za/

[rainy]

Fujitsu Siemens is way down on my list of preference. So is HP for that matter.

Acer and Lenovo are my first considerations when going for a laptop. Macs are unfortunately overpriced. I agree with Doobi that while Incredible is usually a rip-off on other things, their laptop prices are well worth considering. For graphics and photoshopping you preferrably want lots of RAM, minimum 2GB, and a big HDD. CPU power is usually adequate on current models.

[WondaWoman]

Macs are a problem with regards to supply and availablity in SA, however my hubby is a graphic designer and it is THE computer for designers. He told me why one day...I've forgotten the reasons. But he has a mac purely for work (he hogs my pc to play bf2 - I'm working on a plan to budget in a new PC for myself :psycho: he can have my old one *i'm SO generous*) and he is also going to be buying a mac laptop soon because of the need to work with battery power.

However they are EXTREMELY pricey, and no-one around here really offers support for them. However nearly all the designers use them for the reasons I"ve forgotten. :shrug:

[doobiwan]

Because designers can't figure out what to do with the second mouse button? ;)

/me runs and hides

[SlappY]

Fujitsu Siemens is way down on my list of preference. So is HP for that matter.

Acer and Lenovo are my first considerations when going for a laptop. Macs are unfortunately overpriced. I agree with Doobi that while Incredible is usually a rip-off on other things, their laptop prices are well worth considering. For graphics and photoshopping you preferrably want lots of RAM, minimum 2GB, and a big HDD. CPU power is usually adequate on current models.

I doubt you will find any better value for money PC that a Fujitsu Siemans.
Picked up a new on the other day:

System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manufacturer FUJITSU SIEMENS
Model AMILO Pi 2512
Total amount of system memory 1.99 GB RAM
System type 32-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 2
64-bit capable Yes

Storage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total size of hard disk(s) 214 GB
Disk partition (C:) 83 GB Free (143 GB Total)
Disk partition (D:) 40 GB Free (71 GB Total)
Media drive (E:) CD/DVD

Graphics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter type Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Total available graphics memory 358 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 0 MB
Dedicated system memory 128 MB
Shared system memory 230 MB
Display adapter driver version 7.14.10.1437
Primary monitor resolution 1280x800
DirectX version DirectX 9.0 or better


All for R7000. Not bad I think

[WondaWoman]

My hubby says it can handle more process-intensive multi-tasking. My hubby also says a mac mouse has more buttons than a pc mouse. :ras:

[rainy]

I think it's more of a traditional thing. Goes back to the days when Macs were lightyears ahead with their GUI and therefore very attractive for designers and layouters. But the Pc platform has caught up, and I am not even sure if I believe that Macs can handle multitasking better.

[SlappY]

My hubby says it can handle more process-intensive multi-tasking. My hubby also says a mac mouse has more buttons than a pc mouse. :ras:

You sure he isnt comparing a Mac Keyboard to a PC mouse?

[WondaWoman]

You are teh Ghei suxxors. Do you use that tone with your momma?

[Hoss]

Why are you the same age as his momma? :snicker:

[SlappY]

You are teh Ghei suxxors. Do you use that tone with your momma?

Well you never know... these Mac user are a different breed altogether.
Infact your kids are prolly gonna be Linux users. *shiver*