Laptop Buying Tips - Page 8 - MacInsiders - Student-run McMaster University Help Forum

PTGregD · 07-06-2009 at 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

I've tried to like open office, but it feels like it's just not quite there yet.

I feel the same way.

goodnews.inc · 07-06-2009 at 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTGregD

Just wash your hands before using the computer.

Or more specifically, don't go from eating food with your hands to using the computer right after without washing first.

After finishing half a bag of Ms. Vicky's Kettle Cooked chips with 3 varieties of packet ketchup, I remembered to wash my hands.

And then I wet a towel and wiped my fingers down just in case.

Marlowe · 07-06-2009 at 12:46 AM

I kindof agree with the Open Office sentiments. Its certainly not as stylish as MS Office. Although it does have some very nice features that Office doesn't. But the price is the best thing about it

I tend to just use Google Docs now. I love being able to access all my documents from any computer, after some terrible experiences of not being able to get to a document in time. If I need to save something in .doc I just copy and paste it out of there.

However, this is all just looking at word processors. Open Office Calc (their spreadsheet program) is WAY behind Excel. Thats where they should be spending their efforts.

jhan523 · 07-06-2009 at 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.Marlowe

I kindof agree with the Open Office sentiments. Its certainly not as stylish as MS Office. Although it does have some very nice features that Office doesn't. But the price is the best thing about it

I tend to just use Google Docs now. I love being able to access all my documents from any computer, after some terrible experiences of not being able to get to a document in time. If I need to save something in .doc I just copy and paste it out of there.

However, this is all just looking at word processors. Open Office Calc (their spreadsheet program) is WAY behind Excel. Thats where they should be spending their efforts.

You can synchronize Google Docs, Open Office and MS Office:

http://lifehacker.com/335540/sync-of...with-docsyncer

kanishka · 07-06-2009 at 11:18 AM

someone give me their final verdict on this...Will a macbook pro be a problem for engineering studentS OR NOT??

PilotMal · 07-06-2009 at 12:45 PM

Another really great open-source Office program is NeoOffice, which is basically a Mac version of Open Office. I've been using it for quite a while now, and I love it.

Also, the 13" MacBook has a great screen; I watch movies on it all the time. lol

Marlowe · 07-06-2009 at 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhan523

You can synchronize Google Docs, Open Office and MS Office:

http://lifehacker.com/335540/sync-of...with-docsyncer

That's a pretty nifty trick, but I'd probably just do that manually if I really needed it. I don't mind the utilitarian feel of Google Docs, so I've pretty much stopped typing in OO.

I wish I could help you goelk, but I don't know any engineers who've used a Mac as they're primary computer. If worst comes to worst you could just duel boot Windows though. Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

Ownaginatios · 07-06-2009 at 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goelk

someone give me their final verdict on this...Will a macbook pro be a problem for engineering studentS OR NOT??

No. There are other cheaper solutions though, as mentioned by others. Having a mac in engineering basically labels you a computer nub though

.

kanishka · 07-06-2009 at 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

Having a mac in engineering basically labels you a computer nub though

.

why?because of its incompatibility with the softwares used in engineering??

Ownaginatios · 07-06-2009 at 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goelk

Why? Is it because of its incompatibility with the software used in engineering?

That and mostly because there aren't any real engineers that use OS X due to it's over simplicity and lack of configurability. :p

kanishka · 07-06-2009 at 01:12 PM

k thnx..

stressedspec · 07-06-2009 at 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

That and mostly because there aren't any real engineers that use OS X due to it's over simplicity and lack of configurability. :p

Simplicity in an operating system is a bad thing and how does it lack in configurability?

Ownaginatios · 07-06-2009 at 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressedspec

Simplicity in an operating system is a bad thing and how does it lack in configurability?

Have you ever tried configuring the file sharing, ftp or web services in OS X? Apple literally gives you the options of on or off, and that's it.

I know most people probably never touch this stuff, but it makes it really frustrating when trying to do anything complicated with OS X...

stressedspec · 07-06-2009 at 01:50 PM

yes i actually prefer it if i want to file share i simply turn it on where on windows it requires a few more steps but its essentially the same thing. Both OS's have there strengths and weaknesses. I enjoy using both of them so thats why i have a mac. If the above poster wants a light laptop with a good dedicated card then the macbook pro using bootcamp to boot with both Vista and OS X seems like a feasible solution

stevennn · 07-06-2009 at 01:52 PM

One thing I always liked about the newer aluminum MacBook/Pros is how sturdy and solid they feel. It seems like most laptops today, especially in the lower price ranges, are built like toys with a cheap plastic case that creaks and bends when it's picked up. It feels like they can break at any second.