Greetings,
I am currently in a mode to get a new notebook. My current predicament is the choices between a Mac or Non-Mac device. I would appreciate mac users to give feedback based on the attributes i'm listing down

--> I'm currently studying in Melbourne. The price of a Macbook is nearly the same once converted, its AUD$1,449 student price, which equates to RM4,151.00.

--> If i'm coming back to Malaysia, will it be better to get it in Australia or Malaysia?

--> I am a computer scientist, that needs the apple terminal feature for programming purposes

--> I am not a hardcore gamer, but i would love to be able to play games on my future machine. Etc Dota, NFS, GTA.

--> I am not a real fan of Windows, but a lot of softwares are based on that platform, would the Macbook be able to sustain duo OS, not parallel, but rebootable version of duo OS


I think the programming thing is the only main reason why an apple would be the best. But i'm not limited by just that. I can use Microsoft Visual C++ or any of that sort. But i really love to give apple a try. My worries would be inclusive of the price, which a lot my friend says getting a mid/top range notebook like HP would give me a similar or better processor, adding the fact that HP has better graphics @ that price.

I dont own a MacBook, so i dont know how it fares graphics wise. I am programming openGL, which requires certain graphic power, i know Mac can support. But like i say, i'm torn in between. Would getting a mac dampen my chances of playing games? lol

1. I think it should be beter to get it in Australia since you aid it's RM4151 but in Malaysia it's RM4199. I also am not sure whether the two countries have the same MacBooks with the same specs.
2. So you're a computer scientist and need the Apple Terminal, okay.
3. You should be able to play this games at medium settings. Don't expect to play it at high settings.
4. Yes, the MacBook can dual-boot XP, Vista, Linux, Apple. Dual-boot means reboot and enter the other OS not in Parallels or VMWare (Virtualisation). You should be able to use Visual C++ in Windows XP of you have it installed. It's true that some Apple products are more expensive btu they can run Macintosh legally with Windows or Linux. If you buy other brands such as the Dell laptop. You will have better processors and graphics for a cheaper price. I recommend that you get the lowest range MacBook Pro. Because MacBooks have intergrated graphics.

First of all, is MacBook Pro totally out of the question?

At that price you mentioned you're talking about the lowest spec MacBook which has a Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with only 64MB on board so you know gaming is gonna suck on that machine, whether you're running OS X or XP or Vista.

Yes, you can dual boot Windows and OS X or even Linux or run them all parallel. It's up to you, and of course, how much RAM you got.

Now I don't know what kind of mid/top range HP laptop AUD1500 is gonna get you but if you absolutely want to play games and MacBook Pro is not in your budget then maybe you want to consider other PC alternatives. Because like I said, you don't want to play games on your MacBook.

If I were you I'd get the MacBook and play games on Wii/X360/PS3/PSP/NDS, it'll benefit you much more getting a Mac and learn to code on both platforms.

And no, there's no difference buying it in Australia or Malaysia, you get international warranty with the MacBook.

*Tips* Buy the Mac one week before you come back to Malaysia and claim the GST at the airport. Further discount.

Thanks mate. I have considered Dell, but i have a gut feeling on going apple, just needed opinions whether it will fare badly or its ok

Erm, i do know that with that integrated graphics i can't do much, but i am not really going for quality games, aiming for rendering that goes beyond belief,i just want things to move, to render, and to project out on the screen without any much of a lag. Game preference includes GTA, DOTA and NFS....
The prices of notebook is the same as the ones in Malaysia....HP AUD1500 can easily get me any of those RM4000-5000 HP pavillion offered in Malaysia

forget NFS dude...
DOTA should be OK..
forget GTA as well...

I have a MacBook Pro and those games don't even run smooth on my machine. Seriously man, forget about gaming if you want to get the MacBook.

Anyway, if you make up your mind and decide to go for Mac, stop by the Apple store in Chadstone, or any other CompNow store (there's one in Malvern, one on Chapel St). Great service. DON'T go to Next Byte. I hate 'em. They really don't know what they're selling.

Crapola haha


The dealers can't give you much here for apple products aye?

Oww..i've been using some old classical desktop/notebook for programming thus i've not been playing games for quite some time. It would be great if i can juggle between those two.

I dont want a PS2/ PSP/ XBox although i can get it cheaply here. Last thing i want is a console to get me hooked on.

So coming from those using macbook pro..i guess...my choices with apple is only limited me to Computer Graphics and programming..thats kinda ...sad...

u could run games if u were using bootcamp to run windows....
but on osx...the only hting i played that was smooth is warcraft 3...so i guess dota is fine...bout the rest....i juz dun feel like playing it on my mbp...
=)

You can run most games through BootCamp in MacBook Pro highest specs, I think.

When you say those games do not run smoothly on your machine, did you boot it up on Windows or Mac? I know that my friend's crappy comp running on 2 GHz single processor, no graphic cards being able to play games like Fifa, GTA Vice City, 256 ram. I dont find it too laggy.
The macbook is on 2.16 Intel Core Duo, with 1 Gig ram, and i do know that it won't run smoothly, but will it be laggy? I cant expect everything to be smooth interpolated or running on openGL of any sort. I dont mind pixelated games, as long as its bearable lol

Yea, i'm talking about games on windows, definitely. Mac OS is for programming, or surfing the net, or computer graphics

I dont play those crazy games that requires at least a firecross graphic cards 1 gig ram . I usually play simulation games, the sims, sports game..those sorts.


I need to know...if i can use the normal notebook rams on the mac machine? 1 gig ram might not be sufficient, and knowingly there are only 2 slots for Macbook, i might be interested in upping up to 4 gig (2 x 2 Gig). How much does it cost if i 'm getting the mac ram. What would be the main difference?



This post has been edited by -Jonathan-: Aug 27 2007, 05:03 PM

DOTA is fine on Windows (thru BootCamp)
Online MMORPG (9 Dragons, JX2 , some tennis blablabla)

Those work fine for me too .... never tried GTA or others..... I guess it should be fine. Probably on lowest setting

Are you on MacBook 2.16 GHz?

I dont mind low settings, like i say, i'm not after smooth renderation, more like understanding how the graphic system works + enjoying myself

when you are on DOTA, does it by any chance has spikes when the game starts, or anything? (rule out games on internet, LAN games, AI mode)

It doesn't really matter for the processor when you dealing with games. For games, graphic display first, then processor and ram. Macbook is equiped with GMA 950, so you know la.. I doubt you can feel any different in gaming if you using 2Ghz compare to 2.16Ghz provided both machine using same ram and graphic display.

Look let me tell you this

GMA 950 has OpenGL 2.0 (aka DX 9.0 stuff) , so it supports all the cool looking crap. But then it lacks of Vertex shaders. It uses the CPU to do the calculations and not all games allow to do perform this action {Since you're into this kind of stuff , I'm sure you're really aware of that}


I got few screenshots that I've gotten several games like GTA:VC , Star Wars KoTor series to run on top of OSX (without any reboot or so)..It just runs as an application. If you want it , I'll upload it for you...Now thats the beauty of MacOS X..

Honestly you ask me ?. Is it worth it ?..Yes , its because the OSX core itself kicks ass. Plus Apple makes use (empathise on that) of OpenGL , SSE3 , SSSE3 and even EM64T.

Somehow or rather, to me graphics important, but i'm not a freak for graphics in games. I just want to enjoy the game as it is, odd but true haha

Woot, someone that speaks my language

I didn't do any research on GMA 950, and i'm pretty lagging in terms of hardware for notebook/desktop this past couple of years. I dont really mind the vertex shaders. It just adds some special effect. OpenGL 2.0 means that the vertex shader model should be the lowest among all intel GMA graphics. Of course having that 8600M GT Graphics Card is good, but that being said, the price steeps up a few notch. My friend using a macbook says its a good investment, but i might have problem raising that type of fund here in Auz since im not working ..yet.

Ever since Apple started using intel chips, the accesibilty of SSSE3 and EM64T has tempted me off AMD chipset computers.

If you can upload some of those screen shots, that will really help make up my mind. What machine are you on when you did that screenshot..i'm looking at your sig and i can't find macbook/macbook pro (or i might have missed it)

You guys have been really helpful ;-) I wish all apple sales consultant can provide me with such info haha

This post has been edited by -Jonathan-: Aug 27 2007, 09:38 PM

No spikes, no lag (even on Internet game)
It is ... just smoooooth (well, we all know that W3/DOTA requirement ain't high at all )

Haha
i think i'm going to get a mac, but i'm checking out the specs for notebook around the price. Most probably HP Pavillion. I'm still quite turned off with mac's way of garnering $$$ sometimes. Aaron..you mentioned about tax rebate thingy..how does it work?

personally think tat if u like to play games, depends heavily on windows-based softwares, normal pc is easier, even during sharing games or software with friends. Personally mac really sucks in game.. at least now...

mac is definitely a better choice if u need a second computer (since u alr hav a windows laptop or desktop).

if i have the choice, mayb i wont buy my ibook so soon (man, this product is out of date). i rather buy a normal laptop then pump my money to buy a cool imac...

it's too late... T_T

I dont quite comprehend what you say

BUt with my current notebook, i can't play any games. Its running on a PIII system and has only a 128 mb ram

I know other notebooks are better when it comes to gaming, but i'd like to give Mac OCX a try

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4366

Bro, 2 pieces of 2GB each?! So damn hard to find 2GB Stick DDR2 667MHz, la.

Not sure about that bro, but i am just considering all the avaialble options.

Thanks aaron

My lecturers are running on a top end macbook pro and his graphics power really shows. Not the best, but for notebook, i'd say it was one of the best i've seen in a long time.

Just worried with Macbook thats all

@-Jonathan-
I will join Machines soon so if you wanna get Mac's products, you can drop by and find me

Sorry to tell you that MacBook only supports up to 2GB of RAM. Get the MBP if you can.

A good place to get your memory would be streetwise.com.au, or you can stop by their store in Hawthorn. Cheers.

babyk,

Any special discounts for LYN members =p ?

hmm..i'll see what i can do ok?
If i can give discounts, I will definitely give out discounts for you guys

What do you mean you joining Machines?

I'm in Australia.......

Macbook supports only up to 2 Gig ?
Even if two pieces of 2gig is put up it doesn't work out?

http://www.machines.com.my
Malaysia's largest Apple Store and a Premium Reseller


MacBook supports up to 3GB memory, if you plug in 2x2GB RAM, it will run max at 3GB and another 1GB is redundant

Just 2GB is more than enough for most applications even if your'e running Vista.

go for macbookpro
i own both mac and pc base laptop, for me i still prefer mac

No-no... If you're running Vista, it should be more than 2Gb.. Seriously. 2Gb is kinda a min in vista.

I second that.

Erm i'm in Australia, how does it help the cause?

Thats a very helpful statement.

I think i've nearly made up my mind going for mac

The only Notebook i was considering was a HP-Pavillion, but prices here in Auz is put in a way,t hat Mac stands out...
I would love a macbook pro..but money no easy come

This post has been edited by -Jonathan-: Aug 31 2007, 12:47 AM

See bold

If you get it from Malaysia then find me loh...as easy as ABC

The cool thing about getting non-Mac is hardware upgradeability, especially for gaming BUT for a lot of NOTEBOOKS, it is nearly impossible to play good games on them and upgrading is also impossible, since there are next to none of the major graphic cards are made for notebooks.

So I say getting a Macbook is a smart choice to experience the user friendly Apple experience. Productivity is definitely higher on Macs. Duo OS is already standard on Macs anyway, I don't know why this is still an issue.

I have a Windows notebook and what I want to do is throw it out a window on the plus highway.

Why dont u throw it at my house ? I'll pay for ur petrol

you're absolutely right, they suck, expecially the one on the elizabeth street.

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Added on September 2, 2007, 2:30 pmi keep my windows laptop just for the sake of downloading dramas.
that's the only benefit i found from it.

This post has been edited by btris: Sep 2 2007, 02:30 PM

Any perks ar


I'm getting a mac..no questions ask, just finding the best deal

go for apple!

I'm in Australia, and now the deal in MacStudio seems to be so darn attractive, i just so wanna get my hand on an apple, but that "free" iPOD that comes with it lurks my heart out

Don't be fooled by the so called Students Promotion by MacStudio
you can't get student's price with just a walk-in with your student ID/card

the procedure:
1. fill up a form by MacStudio
2. bring your relevant letter (formal letter of where you studying and stamped by your uni/college HR)
3. if you are eligible for that student's promo/student's price they will call you up in 4 weeks time


so it's just a marketing tactic to attract student to buy Macs

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Added on September 3, 2007, 5:41 pmwhat are the Mac you interested to purchase?
list out the model and specs you looking for so I see what i can do

This post has been edited by babyk: Sep 3 2007, 05:41 PM

since when u need to do those things ?

FYI, i just got my macbook from macstudio yesterday with the student rebate, and all they asked was fill in a form, my student card and IC. No letter watsoever. And i got it on the same day

Well munky didn't seem to go on with the procedure, and i cant get it on my own, so i think i will have to get my friend to do it for me.

I'm going for the lowest spec macbook, 2.0 GHz, thats about $1,449 in Australia, and RM4,199 in Malaysia. I am interested in upping my ram to 2 GB. But by the looks of it, i might want to get a macbook from Malaysia, where my friend will buy it and bring it over, he's coming on the 12th, i'm just weighing the options.

What perks can be given


I'll ask my friend to confirm this hopefully

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Added on September 4, 2007, 10:09 pmAnyone has any idea if the custom will do any incurrence of costs if my friend buys a macbook and brings it over to Australia? I mean its like bring a notebook along, but i just wanna ensure that there's no extra charges involved in this procedure.

This post has been edited by -Jonathan-: Sep 4 2007, 10:09 PM