new apple powerbook: good or bad for medical school?

[-Goose-]

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Hey all.

http://www.wap.org/events/dppowerbook.html

computer ****** here, but i found this website and was wondering... would this thing be a good laptop for medschool? it seems like it would do away with the compatibility issues of the past (?) and still offer the stable platform of a mac.

my only concern is that it reportedly weighs ~2x the old powerbooks... that would probably suck to tote around, eh?

just thought that some of you computer-savvy people could shed some light/opinions on this.

 

[ahumdinger]

Hey all.

http://www.wap.org/events/dppowerbook.html

computer ****** here, but i found this website and was wondering... would this thing be a good laptop for medschool? it seems like it would do away with the compatibility issues of the past (?) and still offer the stable platform of a mac.

my only concern is that it reportedly weighs ~2x the old powerbooks... that would probably suck to tote around, eh?

just thought that some of you computer-savvy people could shed some light/opinions on this.

 

[MarzMD]

Powerbooks and OS X are way better than Windows products. The only problem is that it might not be approved by your med school if they have a required laptop.

 

[mustangsally65]

I think the new Macs with the ability to run Windows might just change the world. . . again. 😀

I've used Macs exclusively since 1995 when my family got its first home computer. I even made it through 4.5 years of undergrad without buying Microsoft Office, and was able to convert files and send them to be Windows-friendly. Compatibility wasn't much of an issue for the Macs before they decided to go with the Intel processors, so I don't think it will be an issue now.

Check out the Technology/PC/Mac etc. forums, there's a new mod there named southerndoc and he's the premier SDN Mac afficionado. He can probably answer your questions better than I can.

the weight issue might be a problem, but not as much for a guy than it would be for a girl like me. I have a 12 inch PowerBook now just because the 15 inch is kind of big for me to take to school. But I don't think it's much different than the big textbooks we lug around anyway. 😉

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

The new powerbooks have a HUGE wasted space from keyboard to the end of the laptop with a giant touchpad. It basically forces you to have about 6 inches of your arms on the laptop while typing. I hate it. Ibooks are much nicer from that perspective.

 

[LaDoctorFutura]

get the 12" powerbook. compatibility is no issue, and so very reliable.

 

[diosa428]

I wonder if the ibooks/powerbooks that are out now will drop in price once these new ones come out? I hope they don't disappear completely - when apple brought out the ipod nano, the mini just disappeared.

 

[thegenius]

Hey all.

http://www.wap.org/events/dppowerbook.html

computer ****** here, but i found this website and was wondering... would this thing be a good laptop for medschool? it seems like it would do away with the compatibility issues of the past (?) and still offer the stable platform of a mac.

my only concern is that it reportedly weighs ~2x the old powerbooks... that would probably suck to tote around, eh?

just thought that some of you computer-savvy people could shed some light/opinions on this.

What is a dual mouse? That sounds like a completely dumb idea. That URL looks like it's incredulous. Why would Apple be testing this at a secret location in Washington DC?

Anyway, I'm a software engineer so I should know a little about this stuff...

1. You don't need a dual processor laptop. Unless you intend on writing complex enterprise software while in med school. It's like buying a Formula 1 racecar to drive in San Francisco where there are thousands of stop signs.
2. You don't need the extra weight. You'll get sick of it VERY quickly.
3. You shouldn't pay a ton for your laptop. You won't be doing much with it besides email, word processing (on occassion) maybe using an anatomy application here and there. So don't pay 2K+ for your laptop. And a problem with Mac's are they are more expensive than their PC counterparts.

I've used both of them and I used to get into heated arguments of Mac vs. PC and they are almost all religous arguments. I really get sick of those Mac apologists who think they are the best thing since sliced bread. If they were, then they would not be losing market share to PC's. It's not all about the marketing.

I would go with an affordable laptop and make sure you can install Microsoft Office on it. 90% of the documents you'll receive will be Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents. The software is more important than the hardware.

 

[businessguy]

My advice would be to buy something fairly affordable. Don't spend 3+ grand on a laptop. You WILL regret it. Buy one now and then another in 2-3 years when things have changed. If you're just an average JOE, you won't notice a big difference.

2 Laptops @ 1500 = better than 1 Laptop @ 3000.

 

[eejakyule8]

Hey all.

http://www.wap.org/events/dppowerbook.html

computer ****** here, but i found this website and was wondering... would this thing be a good laptop for medschool? it seems like it would do away with the compatibility issues of the past (?) and still offer the stable platform of a mac.

my only concern is that it reportedly weighs ~2x the old powerbooks... that would probably suck to tote around, eh?

just thought that some of you computer-savvy people could shed some light/opinions on this.

Bad. Medschools are PC friendly.

 

[badlydrawnvik]

i plan on replacing my laptop with a powerbook this summer. i actually heard something about powerbook prices dropping when intel processors are introduced because they are cheaper than the current chips apple uses. that's just heresay though so i could be wrong.

 

[anon-y-mouse]

 

[63768]

i have tried to like the new apple powerbooks but i'm going ot have to stay loyal to PCs. my optimal choice would be using linux but when i last used it, it was tough to use the programs my university wanted to use. in my opinion, the "crashing" and "viruses" that people cite as problems with windows, i've never experienced.

i'm going to have to say if you're going to spend money on a laptop, don't spend it on useless fluff and markup that apple has. dell has reliability and support issues. i'm personally going to go with a toshiba qosmio or ibm thinkpad.

 

[gary5]

Get something light and get a laptop backpack. Mine has a zipper in the side for the laptop - I love it.

 

[ND2005]

Hey all.

http://www.wap.org/events/dppowerbook.html

computer ****** here, but i found this website and was wondering... would this thing be a good laptop for medschool? it seems like it would do away with the compatibility issues of the past (?) and still offer the stable platform of a mac.

my only concern is that it reportedly weighs ~2x the old powerbooks... that would probably suck to tote around, eh?

just thought that some of you computer-savvy people could shed some light/opinions on this.

That website is not legit.

Notice, among other things, that every feature of that "new" powerbook is in fact quite old. They phased out the black keyboard, and the black mouse, years ago.

 

[myodana]

unless your school has specific requirements regarding mac vs. pc (mine doesn't), get what you LIKE and don't spend too much. ibooks are totally reasonable and great little computers. mine is a year old and running like a champ. get something PORTABLE so you can bring it to class and lab. you may need it in histo lab for example, and you may want to take notes on it in class (i started that recently, and had never done it in undergrad, so i'm gladd my 14" ibook is light and portable).

 

[doctorFred]

the link was a joke. i can't believe how many of you followed up with serious comments. good lord.

 

[ND2005]

the link was a joke. i can't believe how many of you followed up with serious comments. good lord.

Wow...I really needed to scroll to the bottom of the picture. I just saw the old keyboard and closed the link...

 

[blee]

Psssst....it's dated April 01, 2003. 🙂

 

[-Goose-]

LOL... sorry about the link... I just googled 'new mac dual processor' and that was the link I found... hahaha.
i was referring to the new powerbook that is supposed to be released soon.

i really think i'm going to get a gateway laptop. my ugrad bookstore has a great deal on a lightweight one and i can plop in some new memory to make it perform better.

 

[Joseph]

I have a dell right now, and I would think twice before buying another. Their customer support isn't friendly or helpful. The computer itself is OK.

What really irked me about dell is that some of the software that supposedly came with the computer turned out to be basically time limited sample software - certain features got turned off after so many days unless I purchased a subscription. I bought the computer online, and it didn't mention anywhere that some of the software would shut down after time elapsed. 🙁

 

[anon-y-mouse]

i really think i'm going to get a gateway laptop. my ugrad bookstore has a great deal on a lightweight one and i can plop in some new memory to make it perform better.

gateways aren't built well! they are so flimsy... i mean, the specs are amazing on some of them, but you can feel the cheap build. get an IBM/Lenovo T-series laptop, best money you ever spent! you can get that for a great educational discount through your school bookstore, so check it out. the new mac (ibook) is supposedly coming out next week, so why don't you wait for that to check it out. i had an ibook for a number of years, and it was excellent, never broke down.

 

[jebus]

I had a Dell laptop for years (I still have it; now I use it for stealing music, etc.). It was/is a piece o' turd. A 9 pound turd. The only good thing about it is they are easy - and I often had to - upgrade and replace parts. Hard Drives, sound cards, RAM, CD/DVD drives, network cards. I had to fix a lot of stuff. I think that sort of thing intimidates a lot of casual computer users. So, if that's you, don't get a Dell.
My Powerbook is solid. I have no qualms recommending them. It works great, it's stable, it's beautiful, it's powerful (but you pay out the nose), and it breathes when I put it to sleep. (It's got an LED on the display latch that pulsates when it's asleep. It's a nice design touch but it's totally uneccessary.) But they are really hard to take apart and upgrade. Apple has a nice "planned obsolescence" built in. Yes, they are works of art, but just like the venus de milo, you can't add the arms back on and make a frankenvenus.
So, if your schtick is taking things apart: don't get a mac. My second choice would be the lenovo suggestion. They make great powerful computers. They look like ass but that just means fewer people will want to steal it the way they will want to steal your powerbook.

 

[blee]

I bought a 15" Powerbook almost two years ago, my first laptop but something like my third or fourth Mac. Upgrading RAM was a five-minute affair. It's not as easy to switch hard drives, but by the time I need a new one, the computer will probably be old enough to warrant replacement.

There aren't any dual processor Apple laptops in the near future. Apple's committed to using Intel chips in their next generation of computers, which should be coming out over the course of this year. There are some dual-core chips that would probably make it in, though.

If you really want a Windows machine, I would second the Lenovo idea. Lenovo bought IBM's desktop and laptop business last year, and I would buy a Thinkpad before any other Windows machine.

 

[oldman]

one option is using virtual PC. it's a PC emulator for mac. i haven't not purchased it. a person at the apple store said it would run about the speed of a pentium III, which would function for basic PC software. at my school, that software is distributed for free by download or for a 5-10 dollar fee the installer CDs.

 

[TerdFerguson]

i would figure as long as your school's IT dept can support it, you can't go wrong

 

[chicklett1]

I have to say, once you go to a tablet, you'll never go back to anything else. Having the option of either typing notes or writing with the stylus is really really nice, especially with lectures that have powerpoint slides. 👍

 

[mln]

Which computers have a stylus?

Also, I would highly advise anyone against buying a Toshiba laptop. Both my brother and I own one, and will never buy another Toshiba product again. They have a problem with overheating and shutting down. It takes my Toshiba laptop 45 minutes to boot up, and with it overheating, it takes forever to load internet pages. I can't even play music or short videos on it because it'll shut down. Instead of paying a lot of money to try to have it fixed (it worked for only two weeks after), I should have put it towards a new computer.

 

[gary5]

I think the new Macs with the ability to run Windows might just change the world. . . again. 😀

A mac that runs Windows? Why? If you want Windows, buy a PC!