Notebook Computers

I am seriously considering the new Macbook Pro. I haven't used a Mac before, but I hear that they are far superior than PC's. So, I guess that I wanted opinions of whether or not I should get a Macbook.

I have a home PC and most of the programs for work are not compatible with Mac. Can I use a Macbook with Windows and OS-X?

Let me hear some opinions and I will post more about my needs later.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 03:55AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

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Aug 21 '07, 10:53 PM

I've been a PC user my entire life. I've been a network administrator for a University and High School, and from time to time in my past like, I did freelance computer consulting. I have spend countless hours repairing PCs. 3 Years ago, I began to transition to Mac and I am not going back. Once my laptop finally dies, I'll be picking up a Mac-book. We run our business on Macs.

I find them to be much more reliable and user-friendly then windows-based systems. Go with the Mac.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 03:55AM

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Aug 21 '07, 11:25 PM

Josh covered the topic pretty well. Let me provide a bit of a tangent concerning some technical details.

Background note: You can click on the LinkedIn button below so that you can see my background if you care. I once worked at NeXT (today's Apple) and have a long history with Unix (co-author of HP's HP-UX OS standard).

With the current Mac hardware you can purchase, install and run Windows any time you want to do so. Hence you can buy Apple hardware and never run the Mac OS if that is your choice. As the hardware is priced at the same level as Dell based on matching specs you are not paying extra for Apple. With a PC you can not run the Mac OS. The Apple solution is a lower risk choice as you can choose to run either OS any time you like.

The Apple OS is fundamentally a Unix based OS with an intelligent user interface on top. It is rather well designed as Josh noted. For a variety of reasons you will have less trouble and are far less exposed to viruses and other things.

Steve Jobs is not a technical person like Bill Gates. He would not put up with bad design just because that is how the engineers built things. For a year Steve was my direct boss so I know what his standards are like.

Bottom line.

If you buy a Mac you pay nothing extra for the hardware and you get a better operating system compared to Windows. Microsoft offers MS Office for a Mac so you can use Word, Excel and Powerpoint if you like. Microsoft is the biggest software vendor for Apple's Macs.

You also get a number of software products for free with the iLife package that is bundled with each Mac. Hence you may spend a lot less to have a system that works given there is less software to buy after the basic hardware.

I am typing this on a Mac Portable. It is something like 3 generations back and it runs the current OS just fine. I expect to get a new machine later this year but I am under no pressure to do so.

Enjoy. If you need some help after getting a Mac get in touch.

John Corey

PS. Over the last year of two some relatives have started using a Mac. One is 72 and she started using a Mac 4 weeks ago. The other two are a couple where one is 65 and the other is 72. Both took to the Mac in short order. Much more so than any of them really used a PC prior.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 03:55AM

Brett Fredrickson

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Aug 22 '07, 01:44 AM

Thanks for the insight, John and Josh.

I think that I have pretty much decided that if I do get a new notebook that it would be a Mac, as long as I am able to use it for work.

So, that leads me to the question about running the two OS's. I have read a little bit about the Mac's ability to run OS-X and Windows. Is it really pretty easy to set up to operate with both platforms? Also, if I am able to run both, Windows will work with my PC at home (share files, share a network, etc...) and with all of the other proprietary software that is used on the PC's in my office?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 03:55AM

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Aug 22 '07, 03:53 AM

You have multiple options. Note that my comments are based on what I know and not on practical experience given I have a G4 machine.

1. You can boot one OS or the other. From that point forward you will not be able to tell what hardware is running the OS. The machine is either full blow Windows machine or it is a Mac OSX machine. The hardware no longer matters.

2. You can run a software package that lets you run both OSs at the same time. There are multiple solutions out there. The WSJ has a review of the two major solutions. Effectively you would be running a virtual machine on the hardware and then running the 2 OSs on the virtual machine. In the extreme you can have applications or windows for each OS running and then cut and paste between them.

Note that when in Windows for either #1 or #2 above you are really running Windows from MS. Unless there is a unique hardware device needed that uses a port not on an Apple computer everything that runs on any other PC will run. It is Windows from MS.

If you want to work with specific packages post to a Mac forum if you want to find people who have already run the same package. Not required before buying but a conservative route.

John Corey

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 03:55AM

Justin Leonor

Real Estate Agent · san antonio, TX

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Oct 01 '07, 09:46 PM

just chiming in...

i have a macbook pro + Parallels and am a realtor. works fine for almost everything [i have to update my supra key from my wifes pc]. I do my searches from Parallels [my MLS doesn't support OSX] and everything else in OSX. I create my listing books from iPhoto and I use the Mail, iCal, and Address Book for my follow ups and organizer.

One thing that works great is the fact that your risk of contracting a virus is reduced to almost nothing! you can search the web as freely as you please. Mac's maintain themselves to a large degree [100 times more than a PC], they're more stable, don't get viruses, hardly freeze, and in my case much faster than any pc I have ever used.

I won't be switching to PC any time soon. In my opinion, JUMP SHIP! :D

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:03AM

Brett Fredrickson

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Oct 01 '07, 11:24 PM

Well, I actually did get a MacBook Pro. I did get the software from VMWare (Fusion), so that I could run XP on a virtual machine. I am still tinkering with getting it set to use all the apps that I need, but I am pretty impressed with the Mac side of the machine.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:03AM

Justin Leonor

Real Estate Agent · san antonio, TX

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Oct 01 '07, 11:52 PM

congrats! i've had a powerbook g4 and now my mbp. can't say i've had any regrets. I did however have to change out my power supply [went bad] and had a recall on the battery--the new battery was there the next day.

I've heard good things about vmware fusion but i went with parallels and it runs well for what i do with it, which is minimal.

let me know if there is anything i can help you with. there are some neat apps out that help me tremendously in keeping me running efficiently. pm me for more info.

enjoy!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:03AM

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Oct 03 '07, 08:15 AM

I love mine but the power supply thing...mmm...no good.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:04AM

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Oct 03 '07, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by "Real Estate Tech Guy"

I love mine but the power supply thing...mmm...no good.

As a RE Tech Guy full us in about your background. Do you work for RE professionals in supporting their technical needs?

Seriously, I am curious.

John Corey

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:04AM

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Oct 05 '07, 03:19 AM

You can try Lenovo T61.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:04AM

Calixto Urdiales

Residential Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, California

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Oct 05 '07, 04:06 AM

What would any of your suggest to get for a new notebook, I have been thinking about it for some time now and i need to get one. thanks for your time and have a wonderful day!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:04AM

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Oct 05 '07, 04:13 AM

Mac, Lenovo, Dells, depends on your needs/budget.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:04AM

Calixto Urdiales

Residential Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, California

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Oct 05 '07, 04:27 AM

Well I love music and I love PC games that take up a major amount of space so i guess my needs are a lot! And as far as my budget goes I can take down whatever you would suggest would be best for me! Thanks galeta for the feed back.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:04AM

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Oct 05 '07, 04:48 PM

I recommend you a Laptop with Core 2 Duo, 15/17 Wide screen, good video card, Nvidia/ATI (not onboard ones). You can start checking this site:

notebookreview [dot] com . They have reviews on many models.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:04AM

Calixto Urdiales

Residential Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, California

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Oct 06 '07, 07:52 AM

Thanks for the advice carlos!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:04AM