Laptop, IPAD, MacBook.....

[StoopTroup]

If you were gonna spend the dough on one or two of these....what do each of you think?

Wife and I were looking at the IPAD 64G 3G (Wifi + 3G) for $829 and thinking one of those and either a MacBook or another Medium Priced Laptop would be all we need for the 4 of us to be totally geeked out for at least a year or more. We've already got a HP Desktop that is on it's last leg, a 2009 HP Laptop, 2008 Dell Laptop and I've got an IPhone. The Daughter want to be a Architect and I was thinking a MacBook and a Auto-cad Program might get her started or help her decide if that's what she really wants to do. Our though is it's cheaper than finding out she wants to change Majors her Junior year of College. I think I've asked about this before but this time we are about to lay coin down.

Thoughts? Ideas?

TIA

ST

[C O R N * D O G]

Thoughts? Ideas?

be a man and figger it out yerself

[OUthunder]

I would go with the macbook myself. I have an iPad and a macbook, and the macbook seems to fit my needs better. IMHO, the ipad is a bigger version of the iphone without the phone. I'll use my iPad to play on or to read on a plane or trip, but other than that, it sits in my briefcase mainly. Plus the iPhone does a lot of what I want to do on the iPad anyway. My kids use my iPad more than I do.

Good luck.

[sooner59]

My macbook hasn't given me any problems in the 3 1/2 years I have had it. And it still runs as fast as it ever did (even taking into account the type of sites I visit ). Makes me life a lot less stressful. I saw something at Brookstone for the iPad that looked cool. It includes a keyboard so you can use it like a laptop.

Here it is:

http://www.brookstone.com/ipod-accessories_iPad-Accessories_bluetooth-keyboard-portfolio-for-iPad-tablet-accessory.html?bkiid=hmpg|mn_best|topgifts|654186p

[StoopTroup]

be a man and figger it out yerself

I did that but it's gonna cost me $10,000.00.

[StoopTroup]

I would go with the macbook myself. I have an iPad and a macbook, and the macbook seems to fit my needs better. IMHO, the ipad is a bigger version of the iphone without the phone. I'll use my iPad to play on or to read on a plane or trip, but other than that, it sits in my briefcase mainly. Plus the iPhone does a lot of what I want to do on the iPad anyway. My kids use my iPad more than I do.

Good luck.

I was thinking IPAD for when there wasn't a Wifi. Right now the IPhone serves that function but having something bigger would be really cool. I think we're done with laptops until they pull their heads out. Since that might not happen....I think I know the answer. Is your IPAD 3G?

[StoopTroup]

My macbook hasn't given me any problems in the 3 1/2 years I have had it. And it still runs as fast as it ever did (even taking into account the type of sites I visit ). Makes me life a lot less stressful. I saw something at Brookstone for the iPad that looked cool. It includes a keyboard so you can use it like a laptop.

Here it is:

http://www.brookstone.com/ipod-accessories_iPad-Accessories_bluetooth-keyboard-portfolio-for-iPad-tablet-accessory.html?bkiid=hmpg|mn_best|topgifts|654186p

We were looking for ITouch assessories awhile ago and started wondering if there were IPAD stuff out there too. Thanks.

[MR2-Sooner86]

Id say no to the iPad. It's an oversized iPhone that can't make a call, record video, or take photos. For the same price you can get a macbook or two cheap laptops. **** that.

As for a macbook...if you don't mind spending the money. Mine works just fine and is virus free and you're talking to a guy who visits a whole lot of raunchy porn sites. Unless you do a whole lot of computer gaming, there aren't many programs you can't get for it.

[afs]

macbook. Just because it's going to last longer and you won't be frustrated in 6 months when a new model comes out. I'm at 4.5 years on my 1st gen macbook and it is just now starting to show signs of being on the minimal end speed for today's internet and software.

[brian]

While I think you can get revit and autocad on macs, I am not sure you will find many AEs using macs.

[booomer]

We have all 3, and we use the iPad more than the others. (That's the one we have too......64GB 3G.)

[OUthunder]

I was thinking IPAD for when there wasn't a Wifi. Right now the IPhone serves that function but having something bigger would be really cool. I think we're done with laptops until they pull their heads out. Since that might not happen....I think I know the answer. Is your IPAD 3G?

If you do get an ipad, make sure to get it with wi-fi. It's worth the extra cash.

[bluedogok]

AutoCAD was just reintroduced for Mac in the past few months after not being available since 1994 for a Mac based system, Windows only and from the reviews it hasn't been a very good port over to Mac. Also Autocad is quickly losing its grip on the architecture world, BIM is where everything is headed and the dominant software (Autodesk) Revit is Windows only. I worked on Autocad for 18 years (the 3 years prior to that it was Computervision CADDS 4X on Sun workstations) and Revit for the past three and its adoption has been much more rapid than that of Autocad. 3DSMax is a windows only program as well and is the other big program used in schools and the offices, I use both programs and a beta tester for both prgrams. Very few offices run Macs because so little software in the architecture world runs on it, Archicad is one of the few BIM software programs that does and it has a small fraction of the installed seats.

I looked at Macs but could never get over the cost differential between a Mac and Windows computer for price/performance, especially when you have to load Windows on a Mac to run Revit or 3DSMax. With Revit and Max you have to some some bigger horsepower in terms of processor speed, RAM and video. I also have so little trouble with windows anymore that the whole Macitude about Windows is bogus in my mind.

I bought a high powered 16.4" Core i7 Sony laptop over Thanksgiving weekend for $1,299, the Macs can't get close in price and unless you are an Apple devotee there is no reason to buy them, especially not if they won't run your software on their OS. The base 15.4" Core i7 MacBookPro starts at $2,199 and the 17" Core i7 MacBook Pro starts at $2,499. It was just hard for me to justify the cost and technical differences.

While I think you can get revit and autocad on macs, I am not sure you will find many AEs using macs.

There are people who do it but they have to work at getting it to work in a dual-boot configuration which requires more tweaking than Windows by itself, it doesn't seem to work in the windows virtual emulation very well. So in effect all you are doing is running windows on Mac hardware, so what's the point in that?

[StoopTroup]

AutoCAD was just reintroduced for Mac in the past few months after not being available since 1994 for a Mac based system, Windows only and from the reviews it hasn't been a very good port over to Mac. Also Autocad is quickly losing its grip on the architecture world, BIM is where everything is headed and the dominant software (Autodesk) Revit is Windows only. I worked on Autocad for 18 years (the 3 years prior to that it was Computervision CADDS 4X on Sun workstations) and Revit for the past three and its adoption has been much more rapid than that of Autocad. 3DSMax is a windows only program as well and is the other big program used in schools and the offices, I use both programs and a beta tester for both prgrams. Very few offices run Macs because so little software in the architecture world runs on it, Archicad is one of the few BIM software programs that does and it has a small fraction of the installed seats.

I looked at Macs but could never get over the cost differential between a Mac and Windows computer for price/performance, especially when you have to load Windows on a Mac to run Revit or 3DSMax. With Revit and Max you have to some some bigger horsepower in terms of processor speed, RAM and video. I also have so little trouble with windows anymore that the whole Macitude about Windows is bogus in my mind.

I bought a high powered 16.4" Core i7 Sony laptop over Thanksgiving weekend for $1,299, the Macs can't get close in price and unless you are an Apple devotee there is no reason to buy them, especially not if they won't run your software on their OS. The base 15.4" Core i7 MacBookPro starts at $2,199 and the 17" Core i7 MacBook Pro starts at $2,499. It was just hard for me to justify the cost and technical differences.


There are people who do it but they have to work at getting it to work in a dual-boot configuration which requires more tweaking than Windows by itself, it doesn't seem to work in the windows virtual emulation very well. So in effect all you are doing is running windows on Mac hardware, so what's the point in that?

Great info. It's funny you say all that as DataCad and AutoCad is what I used and some friends of ours used to draw with and they all used PCs to do it. I'm not even close to up to speed on Macs and the Architecture World so hearing you say that tells me that all I really need is to find the software she needs to get started as our new HP should be able to handle what she needs and if it doesn't I can always go get another PC that will.

With this info I can focus on deciding whether I want the IPAD 64G 3G and I might wait awhile for the Mac. I think you just saved me a bunch of dough. I know Mac users might disagree but I know what I'm trying to pull off and most of it hung on getting the Daughter some architecture experience ASAP. I might even be interested in it as well.

Thanks everyone.

[Boarder]

New iPad should be out in April, according to rumors, with cameras. All you need is the wifi and then jailbreak your iPhone to add MyFi and the wireless hotspot.

I use a Macbook 17" for doing word processing, and big computer things. The ipad is super handy to do most small tasks such as taking to class, taking notes, reading books, listening to music, light browsing, etc.

So, I'd get a big Macbook and small iPad.

However, if you're wanting the Macbook to run things that mainly only run on Windows, it'd be a bad choice. Wait for the 1 day sale at the OU IT store.

[bluedogok]

I agree, the PC laptop and iPad would probably be the best combination of both worlds for someone needing using non-Mac native software.

I considered the iPad but got to a point where I needed another laptop to do work stuff after my previous laptop was stolen in the home break-in. I now take the laptop to work, so that isn't going to happen again in the house. I may still get an iPad in the future.

[Boarder]

The iPad is great for kids on trips, btw. You can get 2 iPads for less than one OEM installed DVD system if you're buying a new car. Plus, they can do other things on them besides just watching movies.

And, with the aforementioned iPhone jailbreak, they can surf the internet/stream movies while driving.

[yermom]

i'm just not sold on the iPad, especially if there is already an iPhone in the mix

i'd rather just buy one of the Asus dual-core/ION netbooks, or a new 11" Macbook Air and just tether the iPhone. i really have a problem with paying for more than one data connection, but that's me

as for the Macbook Pro, i think the extra cash is worth it, unless you are absolutely married to Windows software. those cheaper PC laptops just don't measure up to me. of course it doesn't help that i really detest using Windows most of the time

[MR2-Sooner86]

I also have so little trouble with windows anymore that the whole Macitude about Windows is bogus in my mind.

I'd have to disagree. OSX blows Windows out of the water.

The base 15.4" Core i7 MacBookPro starts at $2,199 and the 17" Core i7 MacBook Pro starts at $2,499. It was just hard for me to justify the cost and technical differences.

Want you're paying for? The looks, the Apple logo, and the "exclusive" nature of it. Hell I own one and I know you get ripped. I'm just lucky I got a student discount and Christmas sale on mine.

Anyway, speaking of price...

iPad Wi-Fi +3G 64 GB iOS - $829.00

Mac Mini
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB memory
320GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
$699.00

MacBook
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 memory
250GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
Built-in 10-hour battery
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
$999.00

I'm sorry, but I cannot see the price justification of the iPad. It's the same as the computer argument. Go and getter a cheapter tablet that's running Android with the same specs. It just won't be silver with an Apple on the back. Also, tell me how Flash runs on that new iPad

[bluedogok]

I'd have to disagree. OSX blows Windows out of the water.

I started out on Unix and much preferred it to Windows but everything I use runs on Windows and even the Mac heads in my office says that running Revit in emulation mode barely works. Since OSX does nothing I need it to, it is worthless to me. I have very few problems with Windows and most Windows problems that I have had to fix are user originated. I have had to fix OSX boxes as well and people can screw them up as well, if they couldn't I wouldn't see people carrying in Macs all day long at the Apple Store across from my office. They are all computers assembled from parts, there are things that can go wrong with any of them, OSX is not the magical elixir that many claim it to be. If you like OSX fine, if you don't have anything that can't run on it even better.

Want you're paying for? The looks, the Apple logo, and the "exclusive" nature of it. Hell I own one and I know you get ripped. I'm just lucky I got a student discount and Christmas sale on mine.

Anyway, speaking of price...

iPad Wi-Fi +3G 64 GB iOS - $829.00

Mac Mini
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB memory
320GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
$699.00

MacBook
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 memory
250GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
Built-in 10-hour battery
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
$999.00

I'm sorry, but I cannot see the price justification of the iPad. It's the same as the computer argument. Go and getter a cheapter tablet that's running Android with the same specs. It just won't be silver with an Apple on the back. Also, tell me how Flash runs on that new iPad

Those of us 20+ years removed from school don't have those same opportunities for academic pricing, especially since I have no kids. Neither of those laptops will do what I need them to, I had a Core 2 Duo w/ 4GB of Ram and it struggled with some Revit models at times, I couldn't even think of running 3DSMax on it which I can with the new one that I have. My Sony Core i7 laptop has 6GB of RAM and I am going to upgrade it to 8GB for $60.00 and was significantly cheaper than any comparable Apple product, in fact for the price difference I could have both the laptop and the iPad. Since he is looking for something to run software applications for architecture and most do not run on OSX it seems ridiculous to spend extra to buy a Mac for that purpose.

In most cases I would be carrying my laptop I don't need another one to carry, even a MacAir. The iPad would just be something for casual use, I have an older iPhone 3G so I am familiar with the format and it would really just be a preference. The lack of flash is sometimes annoying but then Flash tends to be annoying in any format.

There is absolutely nothing "exclusive" about any Apple product now, that is just a joke....an Apple Lisa may be "exclusive"

StoopTroup - The Autodesk academic software including Revit and 3DSMax can now be had for free via a download in the Autodesk Education Community with a .edu email address. There are also other ways to get access to it but the .edu gets the approval quicker. I know the commercial version of Revit Architecture is around $5,500 and 3DSMax Design (the version that I use) is around $4,500.