to suggest to son he gets a windows OS system rather than a Mac....

[menopausemad]

Son, age 15, and knows everything about everything is quite bright. Just finishing some course work before GCSEs which he will complete this summer. Geeky lad, very computer literate.

Laptop died this morning - can't even get stuff off hard drive when used in a other machine. It turned into an expensive brick overnight.

I am sure everyone can imagine the drama but I will stop there! He wants to replace with an (expensive) Macbook. To be fair he has fancied going Apple for a while but I am worried he will make a quick decision that might not be helpful long term (if he goes for Mac it will be purchased over three years so will have to see him through college). College subjects; physics, maths, electronics, computing and chemistry. The college run both OSs and we have a selection of Windows stuff in the house should he need something that cannot run on Mac in Virtual machine/OS.

So AIBU to try and steer him towards windows? Cheaper, less of a commitment and possible, if he does not like it/has more money in the future. someone else in family will take it over?

Votes please! But if possible also points of argument that I can get him to consider....

I am very much biased towards Macs as (IMO) they are far better as is the operating system.

BUT: If you have a hand in paying for it you can set a price limit. If the Mac doesn't fit, tough. If he goes for a Mac and it proves unsuitable long-term, equally tough...he still has to pay for it.

I think a Mac may be a little OTT for a 15 yr old, but they do last.

It looks to me (having been on the College website) that he will be better off sticking with Windows if he wishes to do computing. I will tell him to contact college when he gets in from school to check.

I imagine that how well access/visual studio will run in ?wine will make a difference.

I think those in education can get Apple discounts. My DP is a software developer for a University and has a Macbook through work but I am fairly sure in the past he got a personal Mac with a discount.

store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/education_routing

Thanks - yes and out of interest I can get a better discount using my Higher ed address as opposed to a school/college address. I don't think that is fair at all.

Give me a shout if you want to talk about discount/ prices etc DH sells all things Mac

Once you've had Mac you never go back.

My husband has a Mac I have a windows laptop. My husband is a web developer and so uses alot of the graphicy bits on his which just do not run as well on mine (even though they are supposed to be roughly the same level of computer). His also has never been back to be fixed mine has been 3 times and counting!.

I was going to say that, Alouise

Am seriously hearting the ipad Bof will be handy when Mn pull their fingers out and launch the app!

Oh yes, DP has promised to get me one for my birthday (he's on MacPro), if funds allow. They look brilliant.

I did (go back that is).

Which isn't to say that I'd say no to a Mac if I could afford one, but imo what they offer has converged in the 18 years since I first discovered Apple. A bit like the three major political parties, really

I think the build quality of macs is great, but possibly overkill at times. OTOH the build quality of some machines running Windows is dreadful - but you can at least shop around.

what they and Microsoft* offer

May as well wait for the 3G version now though. If they're cheaper in the States (always) i'll get one there.

I bought a used mac for £500 which is doing the job fabulously. Never any virus crap, I can run music studio software simultaneously and it is just so reliable and fast. I have already saved money as I never keep computer equipment this long! Also, when I cracked it, I took it to the apple store in milton keynes and the repaired it for free despite me explaining that I bought it used on eBay. They said it should not have broken regardless of where I bought it! Can you tell that I love it?

DH converted us to mac about 3-5 yrs ago! It was a tough conversion, but when he eventually got me mac Office I was content. And it works better tan the windows office, so even better!! He got himself a mac book, and while doing the programming he needs to do is not so easy on a mac (most stuff is Microsoft based), he can run parallels as another poser said. Think there is something called bootcamp too. I have NO idea how it works tho. LOL.

My DH got a reconditioned Macbook, and it was exceptional value... PLUS when they messed up the delivery (not apple's fault, it was the courier), they gave DH a laptop bag worth about £30 (we searched online for the cheapest price). So excellent customer service too!

Mibby - does your husband do monthly payments though? If so perhaps we can talk, tbh if he can match the HEd price I can get I would rather see my pennies go into a MN's account!

I'm currently using a netbook with linux loaded onto it. Cheap hardwear, free softwear! Can't complain at that!! The OS looks exactly like windows, but has none of the annoying features such as freezing up, deleting precious files, getting loads of viruses etc! We use ubuntu and if your DS is into computers then he'll have no probs loading it onto the lap top (loads of forums to help) and once loaded on it is bomb-proof!! I can now download anything and everything and it won't mess up the laptop.

I didn't want it at first, but DH has proven me wrong (once again!!) I'm doing a distance learning degree over the internet and I have no problems with compatibility with their windows system. I can open all files and I just make sure I save any of my files to .doc/.xls file.

I'd never go back to windows or fork out for a mac now!

Second the recommendation for Linux and using Open Source software - it's all free!

He has just got a very old desk top out of the loft (0.5M RAM!). It has XP on it but if he can get it working he is going to Linux it. I have played with Linux in the past but got stuck with downloading wireless card drivers - another learning curve me thinks!

Let him have a Mac. My dp writes software and his sis and bil work for Microsoft-they all luuuuurve Macs.

Dp refused to get anything but. We actually have both but I only use my Mac,you can run Windows on it. I'm a total convert. My 6 year old twin boys are geeks now(they switch between both) we have to go in the Apple shop on a Sat morning now(deep shame),dd and I just have to stand and watch all 3 of the men drooling

"I did (go back that is)."

Another one who did go back.

We had loads of hardware issues with the Mac. Built our Windows PC's from scratch though, so they've been fine.

That's another good point, Kaloki. You can't really get under the bonnet as it were of a Mac - the hardware and the OS are inseparable.

OK we are now 90% sure that Linux will go on the very old box and he will use part of allowance for Mac. He is very good and understands it is a three year commitment on his part.

As for it being too good for him, well I agree and am very very ! But, he built his own desktop at 11 and earns some money fixing PCs. He is very computer literate and will, I think, love it. After all, he will be effectively paying for it himself.

Thanks everyone.

Sounds like a plan Linux sounds especially good

Menopausemad message me and I'll give you his number to call direct