Best mac for parents - home use?

M

muffin1973

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Hi all,

Just looking for opinions - I have a MacBook which I bought last year for Eur899 in the 02 Experience Store. My parents want to now buy one having had lots of virus problems with their PC. Also, my sister lives abroad, has a Mac and they want to be able to use the ichat to talk to her as I do. I had intended to bring them in to the O2 Experience Store at the weekend to buy their Mac but went in today, to be told that the white MacBook I bought last year is no longer being sold there. So, the next one up is for Eur1049 and seems to be the same as my MacBook but black.

At the same time, my mother is keen to get the most up to date version, so she's looking at the AirMac (or whatever it's called) but it's Eur1699 which I think is a bit overpriced for what they need it for.

My question is, given they need it to ichat, do a bit of general surfing and they'll probably get Microsoft Office installed, is there any point shelling out for the Air mac?? Also, why would 02 have stopped selling the MacBook that I have?

Thanks

M
 
muffin1973 said:
Hi all,

Just looking for opinions - I have a MacBook which I bought last year for Eur899 in the 02 Experience Store. My parents want to now buy one having had lots of virus problems with their PC. Also, my sister lives abroad, has a Mac and they want to be able to use the ichat to talk to her as I do. I had intended to bring them in to the O2 Experience Store at the weekend to buy their Mac but went in today, to be told that the white MacBook I bought last year is no longer being sold there. So, the next one up is for Eur1049 and seems to be the same as my MacBook but black.

At the same time, my mother is keen to get the most up to date version, so she's looking at the AirMac (or whatever it's called) but it's Eur1699 which I think is a bit overpriced for what they need it for.

My question is, given they need it to ichat, do a bit of general surfing and they'll probably get Microsoft Office installed, is there any point shelling out for the Air mac?? Also, why would 02 have stopped selling the MacBook that I have?

Thanks

M
Click to expand...

The Mac Air has no cd/dvd drive and only has 1 usb port. The HD is static and if going through an airport security can raise a question or 2 as the normal HD is a spinning disc. I used it in the states and it lovely......to look at, but if you need a dvd drive you'll have to get an external one and connect it via usb.....the only usb of course.

I think a mac book is perfect, i'm here using mine now !!!

Have a look at www.apple.ie

You could always get a mac mini and a web cam for it. Use the monitor you have and your sorted ( mouse & keyboard needed too )

But whatever you do a mac is the way to go. I moved from PC about 18 months ago and have never looked back !!!
 
Hi Ron

thanks for that - I'm here using my MacBook as well and I love it :) Have a PC in work and was a bit against getting a mac initially cos I'd always used PCs but love my Mac now!

Didn't know the AirMac didn't have a DVD drive - am amazed!

M
 
I would love the mac air but will wait til the price goes down.I wouldn't worry about it not having a hard drive as downloads are the future.

Would your parents consider an imac as a replacement for their pc or are they adamant they want a laptop? Might be more practical if it is their only computer.
 
muffin1973 said:
...My question is, given they need it to ichat, do a bit of general surfing and they'll probably get Microsoft Office installed, is there any point shelling out for the Air mac??...
Click to expand...
IMHO the AirMac is targeted at the "road warrior" type and I would plump for the current, cheaper equivalent to your Mac Book in whatever colour is available.
muffin1973 said:
... Also, why would 02 have stopped selling the MacBook that I have?...
Click to expand...
Its been superceded, technology advances, new horizons, built-in obsolescence, no components left in the factory in China, take your pick.

I'm using my MacMini wired into my Samsung telly / home-cinema setup with a wireless keyboard and mouse on the coffee table. No web-cam though as the household staff are on holiday and the living-room is in a right old state. :rolleyes:

BTW, keep an eye on the re-furbished section of the Applestore for bargains that seem to go very quickly.
 
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mathepac said:
IMHO the AirMac is targeted at the "road warrior" type and I would plump for the current, cheaper equivalent to your Mac Book in whatever colour is available.

Its been superceded, technology advances, new horizons, built-in obsolescence, no components left in the factory in China, take your pick.

I'm using my MacMini wired into my Samsung telly / home-cinema setup with a wireless keyboard and mouse on the coffee table. No web-cam though as the household staff are on holiday and the living-room is in a right old state. :rolleyes:

BTW, keep an eye on the re-furbished section of the Applestore for bargains that seem to go very quickly.
Click to expand...

i know how you feel:D

Macmini is great and gonna upgrade the memory to 2GB !!

Someone else said downloads are the future......true, when we have a decent broadband set up in the country, which is a long way off i think.
 
As they already have a keyboard, mouse and monitor, I would get the lower spec mini, max out the ram and away they go! I thinkit would be perfect for what they need.
 
Would your parents be interested in the iMac or do they prefer the size and portability of the MacBook?

There's only e200 in the difference between the 20" iMac (e1199) and MacBook (e999) base models, although you could definitely do with buying some extra ram for the iMac (but never from Apple, their memory prices are astounding!).

I have the iMac and it's an absolutely beautiful machine, it would also double as a DVD and music player for your parents, if that's of any interest to them. This video on YouTube will give them a good idea of how it looks and works. The neatness of it might appeal to them too, it has no tower, it's just that screen (like a monster laptop!).

Not sure why you couldn't get the MacBook in the store but it's been updated recently so maybe they were just waiting for new stock?

Also, before you buy anything make sure you check the [broken link removed] section on the Apple site, you can find excellent deals there on MacBooks and iMacs (eg they have a 24" iMac for sale tonight for e1439, reduced by e310).

And finally.....just my opinion, but I think the MacBook Air is a ferocious waste of money (mainly for the reasons listed above)! It looks pretty, but that's about it - if you're looking for a Mac laptop then the MacBook is a much better deal (and the MacBook Pro is the stuff of dreams!).
 
Westie123 said:
As they already have a keyboard, mouse and monitor, I would get the lower spec mini, max out the ram and away they go! I thinkit would be perfect for what they need.
Click to expand...

muffin1973 said:
...My parents want to now buy one having had lots of virus problems with their PC...
Click to expand...
Their existing monitor should work with the adapter that comes with the MacMini; their keyboard and mouse probably wont.
 
Thanks everyone - Blueberry I think they like the idea of being able to bring a laptop into different rooms etc. although obviously they're going to have to switch to wireless broadband (at the mo they have wired broadband through eircom) to be able to do that. Think they've been talked out of getting the air mac though, it's too expensive for what they want...

M
 
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