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Got a new job ... and I need a new computer! Help!

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Got a new job ... and I need a new computer! Help!
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:00 PM
Just got a new job, which I am thrilled about, so in 3 weeks (my official last day at my current job) I have to turn in my Dell laptop, which was issued by the company.

This new job enables me to work from my home office, which was a huge factor in my decision. That being said, I need a computer! Was leaning toward a Macbook Pro (instead of a PC), but I would love to hear your feedback, recommendations, etc. What should I buy?

I am not a big game player or artistic guy, although my wife is quite creative. I am now a publisher, so the majority of the use will be budget spreadsheets, client CRM (like Salesforce.com), contracts, etc, but also visual stuff like PowerPoints, media kits, proposals, etc. Thanks in advance!
Jun 25, 2011 5:00pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Jun 25, 2011 5:04 PM
If you're going to be dealing with spreadsheets all day, there is absolutely no reason you should get a Macbook Pro. Way too expensive to be doing basic stuff like that.

Also, Office for Mac sucks dick.

Lenovo Thinkpads are good, durable machines.
Jun 25, 2011 5:04pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:05 PM
dlazz;813650 wrote: Also, Office for Mac sucks ****.
+1000

Do not get a Mac for any business use.
Jun 25, 2011 5:05pm
wes_mantooth's avatar

wes_mantooth

Tomfoolery & shenanigans

17,977 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:06 PM
I have bought two Asus sandy bridge computers in the last couple of months...no complaints at all. They can be had for around $600
Jun 25, 2011 5:06pm
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:08 PM
dlazz;813650 wrote: Also, Office for Mac sucks ****.
sleeper;813653 wrote:+1000

Do not get a Mac for any business use.

This is great feedback ... thanks. Just curious, why does Office suck for the Mac? Compatibility reasons? Functionality?
Jun 25, 2011 5:08pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Jun 25, 2011 5:10 PM
BigAppleBuckeye;813659 wrote:This is great feedback ... thanks. Just curious, why does Office suck for the Mac? Compatibility reasons? Functionality?

It's just a buggy pile of shit. I've seen Office for Mac do some absolutely ridiculous things, including but not limited to, typing right to left for no reason.

Edit: Give me a price-range and I can do some hunting for you.

http://newegg.com is a great place to start.
Jun 25, 2011 5:10pm
like_that's avatar

like_that

1st Team All-PWN

26,625 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:13 PM
BigAppleBuckeye;813647 wrote:
This new job enables me to work from my home office, which was a huge factor in my decision. That being said, I need a computer! Was leaning toward a Macbook Pro (instead of a PC), but I would love to hear your feedback, recommendations, etc. What should I buy?

Don't over think it, get the Macbook Pro, you won't regret it, I promise.

Also, I a don't have my degree in computer science, but I completely disagree with sleeper and dlazz. Office on the Mac is pretty much completely identical to what office is on a PC.

Edit: I have never had problems with Office Mac, and I use it all the time.
Jun 25, 2011 5:13pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:15 PM
BigAppleBuckeye;813659 wrote:This is great feedback ... thanks. Just curious, why does Office suck for the Mac? Compatibility reasons? Functionality?

Its a little buggy and its a pain when you send stuff to people via email and it ends up not opening or is incompatible with the Windows version(it is, but the user on the receiving end has to know what they are doing and most do not). The worst is Excel, it feels like a child's version of the real thing and I hate using it.
Jun 25, 2011 5:15pm
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:15 PM
Thanks dlazz ... while price is a factor, I am not too worried about the cost, looking for something that will be long-lasting and present the fewest issues (less viruses and spyware, less technical issues, etc)
Jun 25, 2011 5:15pm
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:20 PM
like_that;813667 wrote:Don't over think it, get the Macbook Pro, you won't regret it, I promise.

Also, I a don't have my degree in computer science, but I completely disagree with sleeper and dlazz. Office on the Mac is pretty much completely identical to what office is on a PC.

Edit: I have never had problems with Office Mac, and I use it all the time.

Thanks like_that. You noted that you use Office Mac, which is helpful -- do you also send attachments via Office Mac to people with PCs? That will be a common practice by me, very curious about this
Jun 25, 2011 5:20pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Jun 25, 2011 5:20 PM
Viruses and spyware is strictly by the operator. You have to keep Java, Flash, Adobe Reader, Windows, AV all up to date, otherwise you're putting yourself in harms way.

If that's too much for you, then get the regular Macbook and dual boot it so you can put Windows on it to use Office.

Also, I've used Office Mac and it's atrocious. Microsoft takes a "we'll fix it on Mac last" approach to their Office suite. You might run into compatibility issues when going from Mac office to a PC, especially if you're doing edits and saving on each system.
Jun 25, 2011 5:20pm
wes_mantooth's avatar

wes_mantooth

Tomfoolery & shenanigans

17,977 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:21 PM
I don't really think viruses are much of a factor on pc....I have never had any issues anyhow. To me the biggest difference is that Mac OS has a little more user friendly interface. I would never buy a mac, but only because i can buy a hell of a powerful pc for the same price I could buy an entry level mac.
Jun 25, 2011 5:21pm
like_that's avatar

like_that

1st Team All-PWN

26,625 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:26 PM
BigAppleBuckeye;813671 wrote:Thanks like_that. You noted that you use Office Mac, which is helpful -- do you also send attachments via Office Mac to people with PCs? That will be a common practice by me, very curious about this

Yes I do. Never had any problems with sending or receiving attachments.
Jun 25, 2011 5:26pm
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Jun 25, 2011 5:40 PM
like_that;813679 wrote:Yes I do. Never had any problems with sending or receiving attachments.

Sorry, I just reread my question, which was kindof confusing ... what I meant was, when you send emails with attachments (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc), does the person you send it to have any issues with the documents? Is everything formatted correctly, easy to open, etc?
Jun 25, 2011 5:40pm
like_that's avatar

like_that

1st Team All-PWN

26,625 posts
Jun 25, 2011 6:04 PM
BigAppleBuckeye;813684 wrote:Sorry, I just reread my question, which was kindof confusing ... what I meant was, when you send emails with attachments (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc), does the person you send it to have any issues with the documents? Is everything formatted correctly, easy to open, etc?

Yeah I knew what you meant. No one has any problems when I send attachments to them. Format and everything else you mentioned is good to go. Same if I receive attachments from PC's.
Jun 25, 2011 6:04pm
C

cbus4life

Ignorant

2,849 posts
Jun 25, 2011 6:54 PM
I love Lenovo Thinkpads.
Jun 25, 2011 6:54pm
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

Senior Member

15,696 posts
Jun 26, 2011 12:09 AM
I'm also a heavy Office for Mac user and I've never had issues. I transfer my work from PC's to Mac's with no problem at all.
Jun 26, 2011 12:09am
Pick6's avatar

Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
Jun 26, 2011 12:15 AM
wes_mantooth;813656 wrote:I have bought two Asus sandy bridge computers in the last couple of months...no complaints at all. They can be had for around $600

bought me and ASUS laptop for college 2 years ago for 6-700 dollars. Never had a single problem with it. Love it as a matter of fact.
Jun 26, 2011 12:15am
M

MontyBrunswick

Jun 26, 2011 12:22 AM
Asus makes very good stuff. The motherboard in my computer is made by them and have been pleased by it's stability
Jun 26, 2011 12:22am
A

Anna-Town

Member

77 posts
Jun 26, 2011 12:30 PM
hoops23;814062 wrote:I'm also a heavy Office for Mac user and I've never had issues. I transfer my work from PC's to Mac's with no problem at all.

This.

I've used office for Mac exclusively for over 2 years.

Never had one problem with bugs or compatibility.

Office '09 was quite different than the Windows version so there was a little learning curve but '11 is almost identical to the Windows version.

Get the MBP, you won't regret it.
Jun 26, 2011 12:30pm
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

Senior Member

14,632 posts
Jun 26, 2011 12:47 PM
Go for the Mac. Office works fine. I have a Windows 7 PC at work and a 5 year old Macbook for home. I also use them both and use files from both machines. No problems at all.

Don't let these broke asses sway you. Got Mac for a laptop and don't look back.
Jun 26, 2011 12:47pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 26, 2011 1:23 PM
like_that;813667 wrote:Don't over think it, get the Macbook Pro, you won't regret it, I promise.

Also, I a don't have my degree in computer science, but I completely disagree with sleeper and dlazz. Office on the Mac is pretty much completely identical to what office is on a PC.

Edit: I have never had problems with Office Mac, and I use it all the time.

I do have a degree in computer science and I'm with you. The old office for mac sucked. The new version is good.
Jun 26, 2011 1:23pm
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Jun 26, 2011 1:35 PM
Great stuff, thanks again everyone, this is really helpful. Going to do some more research, but I will let you know when I decide (will probably buy it next weekend, or the following weekend the very latest).
Jun 26, 2011 1:35pm