It’s time to buy a new computer. The decision, though, isn’t as clear-cut as I’d like.
The last time I wrote about Apple computers and PCs, it was 2010, and the world was a different place. Smart phones were still relatively new, Windows 7 was everyone’s favorite operating system, and my worst third semester in a row of forced iMac use was just coming to an end. My question was “what do you need it for?” Well, I can safely answer that question now in a variety of ways, and with even more questions.
Macs are starting to fade
It’s been a while since it could be said, but Macs aren’t as cool as they were a few years ago. I think everyone assumes they’ll remain awesome because, well, duh, but I think they were awesome in the first place because of Steve Jobs. And now that he’s gone, they’re right back where they started, except with a lot more money. (This is probably another discussion.) This means less regular mind-blowing updates, slower innovation, boring design, and a growing product line with nothing to set it apart from the rest of the crowd. Sound familiar?
So while a super-powered Macbook Pro with 16GB of RAM and an Intel i7 processor sounds pretty nice, the brand itself is no longer enough to guarantee a good purchase.
I still like Windows, especially Windows 10
It’s true, this operating system is so well-made, I don’t want to leave it. Applications run smoothly, it handles processor-intensive tasks without stuttering and unexpected errors.
I’m going to start heavily editing video soon, and a laptop that stays cool, quiet, and fast is essential. Apple? Sure, the 15″ Macbook with all the best features can satisfy that requirement. Window? Eh, that’s another story. I don’t like the heavy-duty machines that HP and Dell put out. Ugly, loud monsters that require a cooling station to stay on and weigh 30 pounds.
Then there’s Surface Book.
Have you seen this thing? I love it. I need to touch it. I need to own it. I don’t even need half the stuff it does, and it’s still the same price fully tricked out as the MacBook. Detachable screen/tablet? Awesome! “Sleep of Death”? Fixable! Both halves don’t fully meet when closed? Don’t care! Have you SEEN this thing?
Back to square one
Anyway, that’s kind of my dilemma now. It’s not “PC or Mac”, it’s “MacBook or Surface Book”. Both products are due for a refresh this winter, and I can’t wait that long.
Internets…what do?
P.S. For the sake of argument, I’m purposefully leaving out the fact that Macs are capable of booting Windows through Boot Camp.
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