Does anyone have a Mac laptop? I'm thinkin about getting a black macbook or macbook pro for college this fall and I was wonderin what you thought of them. I've used windows all my life so I'm nervous.

I have and iBook G4

I don't have a Mac yet (I keep saying I'll get one eventually), but I use them on campus and a few of my friends have MacBooks. The style is great. I think it's all pretty easy to learn, it doesn't take long to get used to stuff like the dock and menu bar.

You can use most major programs, like Firefox and Microsoft Office, and it's easy to find Mac equivalents for other programs. Plus, you don't have to worry about getting an anti-virus, anti-spyware, or other security programs. I like all the Mac-specific programs like iMovie and iPhoto too.

Also if you find yourself in a situation where you really need to use a Windows-only program, you can install Windows on your Mac and use it just like any other PC.

There's a lot of good info here: http://www.apple.com/getamac/works.html

I've heard bad things about them

The only thing I actually like about Macs are that they have built in cameras that can take pictures in almost every kind of picture, you can make your own video clips with them, and that you don't get spyware/virus problems. Besides that, I think Macs have too much hassle with them. I mean, you need to use a damn finder to get to stuff unless you made a shortcut. I might only think that because I'm used to using Windows, I dunno.

The Finder on the Mac works the same way as Windows' folders. "Finder" is just the name of the program, like "Windows Explorer." You do the same exact thing to open folders and get to files on both Windows and Mac OS X. The only difference is that Mac OS X (and Windows Vista, for that matter) has an instant-search box you can also use if you want.

I'm actually talking about getting to programs. Windows has a start menu on the bottom left corner. I don't think Mac has anything like that and that's what I'm talking about. For Windows, just have the Start Menu pop up and for the Mac, have the Finder pop up.

oh I see what you're talking about. you can make a "Start Menu" on the Mac by dragging the Applications folder into the dock. then just hold down on that icon, and a menu pops up with all your programs in it, just like a start menu.

and of course, you can drag any program's icon into the dock so it's always one click away.

I'm getting a Black Macbook next week

Does Mac reproduce AVI/WMV/MPG?

KEWLZY WEWLZY.

Macs can play WMV using Flip4Mac, which allows QuickTime to play such files. Another essential download might be MPlayer which can play, to name a few, 3ivx, DivX, MPEG, WMA, WMV, MP3 and RealMedia file types.

I see no reason not to switch, since it is not only safer, but in my opinion, easier to figure out. The dock is sort of like quick launch. Also, for programs that may be Windows-only, there are alternatives, such as Mail instead of Outlook.

If you are still afraid to switch, definitely look into more reasons to switch (the link posted in the second reply should help out a lot).

I'm thinking about getting one for my next laptop. I'm waiting for the Leopard to come out in the fall, though.
I still have to do some research this summer. a lot of people said windows vista sucks, but then a lot of people bash macs too so I'm confused.
I just want my computer to be compatible with all things I have to do for school.

Time to reply to everyone...

Awesome.

Mac programs can also create those video formats, just as the Windows programs can do. Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere can export to just about any video format.

Mail is more comparable to Outlook Express or Thunderbird; Microsoft Outlook is matched on the Mac by Microsoft Entourage.

A word of advice: if anyone tells you a specific type of computer won't be compatible with everything you need to do, they're living in the '90s, when "platform wars" actually mattered. In today's world, it doesn't work like that.

Sure, Windows Vista is a worthless upgrade, and people who currently use a computer with XP should probably steer clear of Vista... but if you get Vista pre-installed on a new computer, it'll be fine. You won't run into many issues because the new computer will be made to run Vista.

On the other side, most people who bash Macs probably haven't given them a chance since the mid-'90s, when they actually fell behind Windows. Today, Macs can do everything Windows can do (and run Windows too, giving you the best of both worlds).

All you need to do is sit down for a few hours to learn your way around the subtle differences, and then you're good. People are too quick to be like "this is a bit different from what I'm used to, so it sucks."

I've run into lots of problems not having windows, but if you get a newer mac, you won't have that problem. So I say definitely go for a mac.

Ah, thanks for the correction.

While I am honored, I think you might be mistaking someone else's post with mine? I am not putting myself down here, I just think the others provided better knowledge, and it might be insulting them by pointing our a minor post of mine as to me being smart.

ordering my MBP tomorrow

I would get a white covered one. they're shiny.