Mac vs. PC

[fishpatrol]

I've had my lovely Toshiba Satellite (named Juggie) since I first started university. It has, thus far, withstood the wear and tear of being dragged to classes and libraries. It died once and only once in my first year, but was recovered by a friend, no harm done. I love it like a second brain, but it is slowing down in its old age. I'm looking to get a new laptop as a reward for surviving the past four years of torture school and signing myself up for five more years of torture school.

So, the age old question: should I get a Mac or a PC?

I've never been big on Apple products (I don't like the idea of paying 40% more just for the brand). I've never had major issues with this Toshiba laptop or my previous one -- my main quibble with Toshiba laptops is that their battery life is too short. But I've heard the horror stories of people losing their data from hardware crashes and whatnot and I fear my luck with Toshiba laptops may one day run out. So if it is true that Apple laptops rarely ever crash (assuming that it's not, y'know, the result of reporting bias -- since more people own non-Apple computers, more non-Apple owners will report crashes, thus making it seem as if Apple computers crash less. Also, HP computers are probably driving up the crash rate. :P) and are mostly free from spyware and viruses, then I think it's worth spending the extra couple hundred bucks. I'm hoping to get a model that'll last me until the end of grad school without me having to reformat or, y'know, weep in despair as I lose all my precious data due to a hardware crash.

But on the flip side, there's no right-click button on the laptop. D: I really, really like the right-click function, okay? Also, all of the computers on campus, including the one in my office, are Dells, which raises compatibility issues.

But on the flip flip side, if I buy a Macbook through the school's Apple store, I can get a free iPod Touch -- I don't really like iPods as mp3 players, but the WiFi capability calls to me. XD

So, what kind of laptops do you guys have? And what kind would you suggest I buy?

Comments

[trolleys.livejournal.com]

I've never owned a mac book so I can't vouch for its quality, but if you do decide to go for it make sure to purchase Apple Care. I had my iMac repaired twice - to replace the monitor glass and to replace my HD. I had my computer back in 1-2 days both times, which probably wouln't have been the case under a PC care plan.

Also, if you have an issue with your Mac you can take it to any Apple store and they won't charge you if they resolve the issue on the spot (they won't charge you regardless under Apple Care, but this applies to units out of warranty too).

Basically I think Apple's customer service is better.

[fishpatrol]

I asked my dad if he purchased Apple Care for his Macbook, and he said that if it broke within three years, he'd just buy a new one. XD Since that option isn't available to me, I'd consider Apple Care -- it's three additional years on top of the one year warranty, right?

So if your Mac crashes after the one year warranty and you don't have Apple Care, they'll fix it for you without charge? :O

I don't doubt that Apple's customer service is much better; the one time I had contact with Toshiba's customer service, I decided that I'd never call them again. The tech guy gave me the most ridiculous instructions and didn't even manage to fix the problem. D:

[trolleys.livejournal.com]

It's actually 3 years in total, but still very worth it IMO.

So if your Mac crashes after the one year warranty and you don't have Apple Care, they'll fix it for you without charge?

Yes, if they can fix it then and there. But not if you have to leave it overnight or whatever, in which case I'd assume they'll give you a repair quote.

Gah, PC tech support is a nightmare. A few years ago a Dell technician made me reformat my entire hard drive when all I needed to do was delete adware. And she didn't even know what she was doing until after the fact, and was like "oh whoops".