Do I need a MacBook?

[TalskiddyTreacleMiner]

I'm in the market for a new laptop I think. I say I think because i have an iPad which I use a lot, but I don't find it great for office type stuff - Word, Excel etc.

Over the years we've got through loads of Windows laptops as they seem to slow right down after a couple of years. The current one has got a failed motherboard and isn't worth getting fixed.

So I'm thinking of throwing a bit more quite a lot more money at a new one and am specifically looking at the latest MacBook Air with the M1 chip. Friends who have Macs tell me they last for ages and when I add up how much I've spent on cheapie Windows ones, I could probably have bought a Mac only once in that time.

But do I need one? I want one, but it seems such a lot of money to spend when I already have an iPad. I can afford it due to a recent windfall but I can't seem to justify it. Tell me how great, or not, Macs are!

Have also being toying with the idea of switching to a MacBook.
2 questions though:
1). How was it switching? Was it a total nightmare getting used to using a Mac after years on windows?
2). Where’s a good place to buy a Mac?
Thanks 🙏

We have literally just invested in one after years of trying on iPads. We ended up going for it as we’re using word a lot for homeschooling. It makes this much easier (especially around saving and uploading more sophisticated documents). I would say you need one.

Best thing I ever did.
My MacBook Air is about 6 years old now and works perfectly. When we bought it we bought the highest spec model we could. I also lay £6.99 a month for 2TB iCloud storage, shared between the family and I save most stuff in that as I can then work between my Mac and my iPad, and access stuff via my phone too.

Previously i had windows based laptops. Despite getting expensive models (cost wasn't much of an issue as they came via dh's work) we found that after a couple of years they slowed right down and within 3 years we were needing to replace them.

We've not had this issue at all this time round.

I use windows machines at work (school) and Mac at home. I don't have the Microsoft stuff on my Mac and it's not an issue at all. The only documents I can't open are publisher but that's not something I particularly use. Everything sent from school opens up fine on my Mac with no need to save it any different way. Everything I do at home I can save into a format suitable for my school computers.

I'm currently working from home overseeing our remote learning and the MacBook is making everything much quicker and easier than when I used my school laptop. The voice and screen recordings are clearer and you don't get the white noise issue we get in the ones at school, and iMovie can quickly remove that white noise on the videos my colleagues are sending over to me,

18y Dd has a Mac desktop,computer for university and that's fab too.

I'm definitely a Mac convert, though have loved apple products for longer anyway.

Apple sell like new refurbished (most likely returns!) ones on their website for cheaper than you might normally pay. Also Amazon warehouse often cheaper than apple refurbs. Both guaranteed like a normal laptop. Suggest you get one from there as you will save a fortune. I'm a professional and always get refurbs from official places (Apple or Amazon) and never had an issue. Always like new and perfect.

I never understand why people compare a crappy £300 laptop to a MacBook.

I wasn't comparing that way.
The windows based laptops I was buying and having to replace much more frequently were expensive models with high specs. They still slowed down quickly and needed replacing more frequently.
In my experience anyway.

1). How was it switching? Was it a total nightmare getting used to using a Mac after years on windows?

I think the switchover is fairly easy. Basically the apple key on a mac is the same as the CTRL key on a PC for shortcuts etc.

The interface is userfriendly and you can find everything you need in the System Preferences panel (clocks, keyboard prefs, etc etc).

The only thing to be aware of is the accessories if you want or need from Apple (new mouse, keyboard, etc) are extortionate!!! Often third party hardware is just as good although buy a reputable brand rather than any old one.

I love our ipad for internet and games and we have an imac for the last ten years that is my everything but after both our laptops broke myself and dh shared a macbook and I have to say I found it too fiddly for me. I always craved something a bit more heavy set. Got a Lenovo in the last 2 years and ADORE it! (For reference am a writer and use for writing and formatting, social media and doing simple social media graphics) Dh adores it though and was glad when we could finally get me off it!!

I liked my iPhone and had an iPad I loved. Was very happy with my
HP windows laptop but it died. Had a Mac air as replacement and didn’t like it to start with at all. 6 years on I am using same Air and love it now esp as first time using in a work situation. Just quicker all round.

For professional use, I've got a MB Pro and they always last 6-7 years (and usually suffer a broken screen or spillage rather than needing replacement at this stage). I do think compared to all my friends with PCs who get viruses they are a workhorse of a machine that last and last. That said I have not had a MB Air, I know the spec is lower so they are less likely to be future proof - go for as high spec as you can afford if you plan on using it for photo editing or professional design etc. There are some apple practices that I am not keen on, such as charging a fortune for replacement parts, repairs etc. Also the RAM tends to be very expensive and not upgradable (grrr!!) to higher ram unlike PCs - if you think you will be using intensive programmes, please ensure to get the max Ram you can. (It is not cheap though!!).

She also found that the files she sent to school when she was in 6th form couldn't be opened because she didn't always remember to save them as a Word document.

That's one of the things I find really annoying with windows based laptops. They can't open different formats very well.

I love that my Mac will open most formats. I don't have to ask colleagues to save stuff in special ways. My MacBook just opens it.

To me that is a fault of the windows machines. They are the one that can't open other formats. I'm so used to the issue at school that I always save in the right format anyway.

Almost all of DD's university stuff is done via online software that the university use, so she doesn't really have that issue these days anyway. Her school was the same.

I love macs & had this dilemma a few months ago. I ended up getting a new iPad with keyboard & Microsoft 365. It was a bit cheaper & seems to do all I need it to (so far)

I have (had) 1 for about 3 years now and love it. I say "had" as teen DD "borrowed" it last March as her old laptop couldn't handle remote teaching, it started going into school in September "for taking notes" and I had the use of it once (for a couple of hours) since then.

I am actually contemplating getting another that will remain mine - as I can't use Dropbox or gmail on my work device and need both and some other programmes for managing my Cub pack and admin of the Scout Group, especially remotely.

You can get packages to have word, excel etc adapted for apple.

That's one of the things I find really annoying with windows based laptops. They can't open different formats very well.

Windows PCs aren't flexible with that - they're the computing equivalent of the English language: frequently show no regard for the fact that they may not be the only one, but get away with it because of their ubiquity and near-universal reach.

I know that Apple products tend to be brilliantly designed, but it's crazy when everything is all deliberately baked in (doubtless 'for a seamless, optimal user experience') to the point that you can't even replace the battery or upgrade the RAM yourself.

Following with interest.

1. Can you put Microsoft Word/ PowerPoint on it and is it the same?

2. Is a 13 inch screen big enough for watching films etc?

3. Do they take long to set up when you fist get them?

4. How long does the battery last?

Thanks

1. Can you put Microsoft Word/ PowerPoint on it and is it the same? yes, the same

I watched on with horror as open heart surgery was performed on my 9 year old imac to upgrade the sold state hard drive. A few tools bought from eBay and it’s better than new!
I’ve not investigated fully but I’d imagine similar surgery could be performed on a MacBook.

Many saying their MacBooks last 10 years +

Apple will only support the operating systems for around 8 years I believe. This means any macs running an older OS will be vulnerable, as you will no longer get new security patches pushed to your device, leaving you open to hacks, bugs etc. It’ll also mean no updates to existing applications which depending on what you use could be an issue. The actual machines do last a very long time, but will need to be replaced, as with any tech, if you want up-to-date security and software.

Microsoft tend to support Windows OS for a bit longer. But like you say the laptops only last a few years anyway.

MacBooks are great - would 100% recommend.

About 5 ipads and 5 macbooks/macbook pros plus a mac pro tower in this house... at least one is a decade old and still going strong. DS only want's PC's due to gaming... the first laptop lasted 8 weeks...

My laptops have lasted for years. What did your DS do to trash a laptop so quickly @sosotired1?

Op, isn't stormfront a white supremacy site? I didn't know they sold macbooks

Op, isn't stormfront a white supremacy site? I didn't know they sold macbooks

I wondered that, but I just searched for 'stormfront computers' and they are a legitimate seller of Apple products, who just happen to share a name with a nasty race-hate website. Maybe the computer place began before the supremacist website.

The term is relatively neutral in itself - there are probably also a number of door and window manufacturers and weatherproofing suppliers out there with the same or similar names.

As far as I'm aware, the Banque Nationale de Paris never had stated policies of hating foreigners either!

The definitely aren't a white supremacy site, but do share a name. They have a shop in our local city, but are obvs shut at the moment.

I can get the Air for £939 including a 3 year guarantee. Seems they've just had some stock delivered too as their lead time on Friday was 7-10 days but are now delivering next working day.

@Krankie

Many saying their MacBooks last 10 years +

Apple will only support the operating systems for around 8 years I believe. This means any macs running an older OS will be vulnerable, as you will no longer get new security patches pushed to your device, leaving you open to hacks, bugs etc. It’ll also mean no updates to existing applications which depending on what you use could be an issue. The actual machines do last a very long time, but will need to be replaced, as with any tech, if you want up-to-date security and software.

Microsoft tend to support Windows OS for a bit longer. But like you say the laptops only last a few years anyway.

MacBooks are great - would 100% recommend.

You just update it to the newest OS. My 10 year old one is just about to go up to Big Sur (I held off, for testing purposes)

Just ordered! Plumped for getting it direct from Apple in the end. John Lewis still oos, and I looked at Stormfront's Facebook page and the reviews were terrible. Should be here by 9th Feb so will report back.