How to convince daughter she doesn't need a Mac?

zaqwsx3 on 28/11/2016 - 17:05

The school my daughter attends has a "bring your own technology" program. Basically, the students all need to bring their own laptop to school, and of course all kids at that age want an Apple Mac ("because everyone else has one so I need one too, and my friends say its the best one to get, and blah blah"). The only requirements the school has given is it must run Windows 8.1 or above, Max OS X 10.9 or above, support WPA2, between 11-15 inch screen, and weigh under 1.5Kg. Now I could go and buy a Macbook Air 11" for ~$1200 (1.6GHz/4GB/128GB), or I could use that $1200 and presumably get a lot more bang for my buck in some other brand Windows 10 beastie.

So what's a good spec laptop for around the $1200 price range, and any tips on how to convince the daughter she's better off without an Apple product even though all her friends will probably have one?

Computing

Comments

  • Toons on 30/11/2016 - 13:59

    Hi, read this post with interest and firstly let me say i have 4 Macs at home and iPad pro iPhone i everything so i'm undoubtably in the MAC camp there is going to be a "however"

    I think you need to understand what they are going to be using it it for specialised programs or simply getting used to a world of using the machine to record take notes take part in class experiments where they can share slideshows etc. rather than have to write it all down then and there.

    i have always used laptops even at work hate desk top units and hated all laptops beside my Mac until late last year when my work asked me to be part of the trial running surface pro's so i got my surface pro 3 at the time and now i have a surface pro 4 and it's one of those cringing moments when you want to hate something but you can't because it's good I've seen them going for under a 1000 over the last week or so

    unfortunately in a world of business depending on your vocation PC's usually win out because of compatibility with the major operating software they use.

    there are others that happily work on macs, and running bootcamp just plainly sucks why complicate things by running 2 operating systems it's just adding complication and really is quite stupid way to go for a kid at school

    I scribble on my surface all day notes from meetings snap a whiteboard with the brainstorming that might have been done.

    it just for me works the size is good i often just turn the keyboard round and sit it behind it

    you can get some pretty tough cases for it too for drops and knocks

    i know everyone has their opinion and i'm sure most of the mums will be telling you the mac is the best without a whole lot of knowledge behind it. status symbol

    honestly i'm going from a common sense side and using the K.I.S.S system. Keep it simple stupid

    only you and the family can make the decision but the surface actually proved to me that they can produce a sensible usable machine when they want to and i'm happier working on that now than the mac sorry all before i get hate

  • stickyfingers on 30/11/2016 - 14:37
    +1

    What you need to consider is the usability of the laptop for your daughter. Will she enjoy using the Windows machine more than the Mac?
    As a previous commenter said, she won't care about the extra specifications. And as I've said before, specifications aren't everything, it's about the software utilizing them.

    I used both a Windows machine and a Mac for school and the Mac felt like a computer that was ready when I needed it, not the other way around. There is a reason people have such brand loyalty to Apple and it takes using one of their products and going all in, and relying on it to understand why.

    Also, their warranty is seriously second to none. Especially with the 3 year consumer law coverage in Australia.

  • Make it so on 30/11/2016 - 14:48
    +1

    The school my daughter attends seems to use Macbooks as standard, and I am already thinking of talking to the school to ask why such an expensive standard exists. Functionality-wise, they could make do with something less than half the price of a Mac. Some parents must really struggle.

    Although I can see the benefits of Apple products, I do not use them (mostly for cost reasons), and disapprove buying them for reasons of "fashion" or "fitting in". That being said, you can turn this into an opportunity for your daughter to learn about "making sacrifices to get something more fancy than what you really need". Make her chip in, or work for it. Great life lesson to counteract "entitlement" and learn financial prioritisation skills.

  • mightyfes on 30/11/2016 - 14:52

    Get a macbook, it'll be obsolete by the time they graduate and they can make an educated decision about which laptop to buy themselves after having tried both; assuming you have windows laptop/computers around the house.

  • ozbargainer88 on 30/11/2016 - 16:03

    Honestly the only thing Apple have going for them is the lack of bloatware installed out of the box. Your average user won't bother doing anything about it and complain about the performance in 6 months.

    It is less of a problem these days with most notebooks having SSDs and 8gb RAM.

    The Dell XPS13 was a great deal for the same price new and good specs. Also an ultrabook so has the nice slim, lightness that Apple lovers drool over.

    Get a Windows notebook. 99% chance her job after school will have them using Windows and she won't be limited what Apple want you to do. Also, you get ports.

  • giventofly on 30/11/2016 - 16:47

    Tough call.

    Some chump will probably spread cryptolocker throughout the school - it could be less of a pain to get the Mac.

    Not saying they don't get viruses but they're beter than Windows in that regard, that's for sure.

    • Toons on 30/11/2016 - 18:48

      yeah well when most of the advice has spoken about dual booting win and OS X through bootcamp pretty sure that point falls flat on it's face when your using a windows don't believe there is any special magical device that helps in that situation

      might look like a swan but if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck …………. duck

      i think the school need to set some guidelines of what the machine is being used for so parents can make a decent choice FML if it's just basics then who on the planet needs a dual booted mac

      if it's for win software that isn't compatible with mac they should toughen up and say so no point buying the mac because it's cool and having to run both OS that 1200 bucks will increase too

  • blindbarrister on 30/11/2016 - 17:13
    +1

    The best site for news and information on mac products, run by mac entusiasts is macrumors.com.

    They have a comprehensive and up to date "buyer's guide' to assist you which each model including the macbook air.

    Their recommendation is not to buy it because it is essentially a two year old product. Rather than listening to anecdotes I'd suggest giving that site a read. That said, what teenager wants to buy a bit of technology that is outdated and about to be replaced with something new just around the corner.

    Tell her you are not going to buy the two year old piece of garbage macbook air that her friends have but would rather she got something new.

  • asrey1975 on 30/11/2016 - 20:01
    +1

    Back in the 80's if I wanted something 99.9% of the time, dad said NO. If I wanted it bad enough, I had to get a job and make the money to buy it myself. Hand her an abacus and a portable chalkboard and tell her if she wants anything else she needs to get a job and make the money herself.

    BTW computers were based on the abacus :) so you'd be handing her a distant relative of the modern day "laptop" :)

    Summer is coming up so maybe she can run a lemonade stand, take neighbours pets for a walk/wash or something. Maybe start a small business - she would learn more from that than possibly her "laptop" :)

    I know of some parents who don't let their kids near anything "TECH" related including regular TV, iPad, iPhones and they are getting straight "A's" in school and having a blast in their spare time playing music, singing, looking after their animals they keep on their property (they live just out of Fremantle).

    • DeepSea on 30/11/2016 - 20:18

      I agree with the principle of limiting tech, unfortunately it may be required by the curriculum. And you need to be a disciplined parent given the prevalence and digital media, and being absent from it has repercussions. You would need to be highly proactive so you can direct/guide the child to explore other extracurricular interests. Unless that motivation exists in the parent, it's massively difficult because we learn best through example, in the way our parents and peers act. From my own experience, learning from electronic media is probably damaging to the brain. I've felt that for years, and only recently is science backing that up. Test results will continue to decline dramatically every year until electronics are banned from the classroom.

  • incognitoXD on 30/11/2016 - 23:52

    Get your daughter a basic second hand Macbook Air

    I have
    Macbook Air
    Dell XPS 13
    ASUS
    Sony VAIO

    Everything gathers dust or I've broken it already except the Macbook Air. It's indestructible and it just WORKS.

  • OzTightArse on 01/12/2016 - 08:17
    +3

    of course all kids at that age want an Apple Mac ("because everyone else has one so I need one too,
    and my friends say its the best one to get, and blah blah").

    It's a herd mentality so you need to address this for many reasons other than money.

    In my case I start with the specs required, set a budget ( $500-$600 is sufficient for a school kid, really). Then emphasise that as a parent you provide the tool not luxury ("need" not "want").

    Easier too if you set an example before. I always point out that I make six-figure salary but my work laptop is a $250 Thinkpad from 2005 and I run VMs. Surely school work can't be that demanding.

    I did lose the battle on iPhone though. It was the worst feeling to spend money on something so overvalued.

    Good luck.

  • shaybisc on 01/12/2016 - 08:31
    +1

    A child would get far more educational benefit building a computer from parts they find at the tip then running Linux on it. Make that a suggestion at the next P&C meeeting.

  • punkindrublic on 01/12/2016 - 09:40
    +1

    How to convince daughter she doesn't need a Mac?

    I'd have thought the easiest way to do this would be to say "I'm not buying you a Mac, end of story"? If she's got a couple of grand lying around to buy it herself then that's excellent, but if she's relying on you to make the purchase surely you have ultimate veto power over the final product choice?

    That said, Macbooks are nice devices and should last longer when compared to your run-of-the-mill $500 Harvey Norman laptop, so they're not a total ripoff*

    *Am former Macbook Air owner

  • imahapyboy on 01/12/2016 - 10:23
    +2

    give her a big mac! easy

  • malucul on 01/12/2016 - 11:07
    +2

    For gawd's sake, why is this a big deal? You're paying, you get the final say. End of. If she doesn't like that then that's fine, but she then needs to pony up.

    If you want a legitimate reason, think of this: She's at school to learn. The vast, overwhelming majority of the business world runs on Windows. It is senseless to learn a platform that nobody really uses for anything serious. School isn't about what toys mummy and daddy buy you, it's about education for employment. People who don't get that need a serious attitude adjustment, and this is coming from someone under 30.

  • victinini on 01/12/2016 - 11:40
    +1

    Using a Mac isn’t always without merit: http://www.computerworld.com/article/3131906/apple-mac/ibm-s…

  • sillyguy on 01/12/2016 - 14:24
    +1

    Mac or PC is a personal preference.

    I've used PC for 14 years, switched to Mac 4 years ago and never looked back. My MBP retina from 2013 still going strong and serve all my professional and personal needs.

    I got Linux (for legacy DBMS) and Windows 10 VMs running under Parallels.

    I run 3 versions of JVM on my Mac and can switch them in a blink. Dependecy management cannot be easier with mvn, npm, brew etc… on a unix based OS. Setting up any dev env is just a quicker with Docker.

    Alfred 2 is an awesome extra util while Automation is a great built-in tool for savvy power user.

    Little Snitch is a powerful network monito and iStats menu is a great system monitor.

    Working with the retina screen is a joy.

    Can a PC offer me this? Probably but for $1000 more I have a more well built Mac with all the tools I need plus a great post sale service.

    Would you get a Ninja blender or a Vitamix/Blendtech?

    And if it really comes down to prices let's look at the new Surface Book vs new MBP!

    Anyway Ops if you are willing to spend $1200 for your daughter just get her whatever she wants. She is the one using the machine, not you. The MacBook Air is a good machine.

  • xuuj on 01/12/2016 - 16:41

    I find it rather strange that people speak about MacBook Airs like they're overpriced systems.

    You can find even the 13 inch models for $1000 on sale. They have very good build quality, easy to get repairs should something go wrong (just take it to an apple shop not ship it nationally), free OS updates and solid state drive performance with a fast i5 mobile CPU.

    What more can you expect for $1000? The build quality of them imo vastly surpasses most windows systems for similar prices and even then the performance of the computer itself is very strong.

    Whats next assuming she looks after it (maybe get a case?) they have excellent resale.

    I understand some of the newer Macs are difficult with their ports, but a current Air is a very reliable, well built, fast workhorse.

  • mavis30551 on 01/12/2016 - 17:34

    just get her a shit $1200 mac.

    She wont know the difference but she will be happier.

    Just make sre it has an SSD and preferably a little more Ram. She wont know the difference between 1 running an i5 or i7 for school work.

  • joelmuzz on 01/12/2016 - 18:25

    Hand her a secondhand 5 year old Toshiba and a McDonalds job application form.

    But really there is nothing wrong with the Mac. Underpowered for the $ sure. But they do have great battery life, rare virus and other maintinance issues, lightweight, coolest in her peer group, power is perfectly adequate for schoolwork.
    The resale will also be better than any other brand, by far. So long as it doesnt get smashed.

    If you are going to dish out $1200 then the Mac is perfect.
    Remember they usually do student discounts so take her when you buy, and wait for newyear discounts.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/12/2016 - 19:50
    -5

    Unfortunately, Apple it's the shittiest company in terms of transparency. It's the single most locked down company.
    You can't change anything onto your apple products.
    You can't modify the software.
    You have to buy support, pay premium and bang your head against the keyboard when shit hits the fan.

    Get yourself/daughter a LINUX (MINT it's really easy to work with), customize the shit out of it (compiz and fusion) and she'll love it.
    Run the WIN/MAC software in a Virtual Machine or Wine as per your needs and you'r set.

    My whole family (including mother) are on Linux and they don't want to get back on Windows or Mac, so much better, so much safer, so much more productivity.

    Get yourself a copy of the latest Mint https://linuxmint.com/ put it on a USB stick and see what is about.

    This is a 3D desktop for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QokOwvPxrE

    • dbun1 on 02/12/2016 - 14:50
      +1

      You can't change anything onto your apple products.
      You can't modify the software.

      This is absolute rubbish.

      You make it out as if a Macbook is so crippled that how you pull it out of the box is how it stays forever and ever. This is simply not true.

      …and then to suggest that pissing around with WINE or VMs is more productive is laughable. As if a school kid is going to waste time on doing that?!

    • enzioFirenze on 03/12/2016 - 16:17

      these effects are cool for demonstrations but they don't improve your productivity at all. Not to blame unix though, I'm a bit of a *nix guy myself but there are somethings that are just better in Windows and somethings are just better in OSX while some other things are just better in Unix systems. I use all three as I see fit :)

  • chumlee on 01/12/2016 - 20:00
    -1

    Tell her Apple Mac's have boy germs on them.

  • syousef on 01/12/2016 - 22:41

    You need to get her out of that school quick! She's being brainwashed ;-)

  • bugsucher on 01/12/2016 - 23:34

    Bring her to North Sydney Girl's High School. She and you will be told why Apple is the worst choice you can make for her.

    • Daabido on 03/12/2016 - 12:00

      Do tell? Their website espouses their mission to foster critical thinking, which should allow for the acceptance of a range of opinions, such as those who want to build MINT boxes out of spare parts and save on cleansing by growing a straggly beard, or others who legitimately believe in worshipping at the alter of the constantly shape-shifting Spec Whore. There might even be room for people who like Apple products, because the best ideas emerge from the intersection of technology and the humanities.

      http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/steve-jobs-technolog…

      • bugsucher on 05/12/2016 - 22:37

        Oh, Apple products are NOT banned there. In fact, student are allowed to bring in any laptop that meets a certain minimum requirements, so long as they also accept certain inconvenience / limitations.
        The main purpose of a BYOD is to facilitate the daily learning activities at school. Surely some devices fit better for this purpose than others. The school argues that Apple products (MacBook Air / Pro) are the worst choice due to a) the lack of touch screen and therefore pen support, b) less compatible with misc. school systems / apps, and c) less support from the school technicians and longer service time compared with the school's preferred device (Toshiba Portege Z20t), etc.
        OP is trying to convince the daughter. This school has done some good survey and made good arguments. And likely a high school teacher's words are more convincing to a daughter than the parents'.

  • Marcsie on 02/12/2016 - 00:19

    Just tell her if she want a lap top or nothing, be tough :)

  • The Gent on 02/12/2016 - 02:10
    -1

    I have worked in BYOD schools.

    She will be lacking certain software potentially necessary for her classes - EG: the Mac version of office doesn't have publisher, stuff like that.

    Also the IT staff are guaranteed to know less about macs (most IT people worth much in the field don't focus on Macs).

    Otherwise, they're kind of okay. Really fast installs, rarely crashing/"Windows" problems, but yeah…please don't buy one lol

    if it helps, we consider macs "computers for dumb people"…?

    • Daabido on 03/12/2016 - 11:34

      It doesn't help. Only a dumb person would make such a statement.

      • The Gent on 05/12/2016 - 18:44

        I seem to have offended you.

        The point was they allow you to do less, in the name of "simplicity". That's where the general consensus comes from. I'm sorry, but that is how IT people view them, in general.

        The phrase "Designed in California, assembled in China" also comes to mind.

        If you'd care to back up the point you're trying to make with any degree of substance, I'm open to it, but I'd doubt you could.

    • FatBlanket on 03/12/2016 - 18:56

      Then maybe you should buy a Mac,sounds like it would suit you perfectly.

      • The Gent on 05/12/2016 - 18:44

        Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

        Such burn.

  • TailsK on 02/12/2016 - 08:22
    +2

    You don't need to convince her. You just need to tell her. You're the parent.

  • LiamF on 02/12/2016 - 08:32
    +1

    It sounds like you've set a $1,200 budget and you want her involved in the choice; if she wants a Mac and can find one for that much, let her have it. Make sure she knows that you won't be fixing it for her, and that she has to buy Applecare (as part of the budget).

    Otherwise, tell her it's not her decision and she'll get what you provide. Explain your reasons, but remove her from the decision-making process.

    Arguing about Mac vs PC is pointless here (it just gives the Mac fanboys/fangirls a chance to spout off irrelevant points and competely wrong statements). OP's problem isn't choosing between them, it's with OP's daughter disagreeing with their choice.

    • dbun1 on 02/12/2016 - 09:26

      There are fanboys/girls on both sides of the fence.

  • Zetrox2k on 02/12/2016 - 08:51
    +1

    OP, just show her this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njos57IJf-0

    and just remind her, even though she'll rarely get a virus on an Apple, she could still afford a doctor if she bought a normal PC. ¶:Þ

  • itstuan on 02/12/2016 - 09:23
    +1

    she doesnt need a mac, get her a surface pro 4 and she'll thank you later.

  • ghostdom on 02/12/2016 - 10:03
    +2

    just get her a mac. Christmas coming soon anyway.

    For the kids, there are always something they dream of everyday to get. A macbook is quite reasonable, at least better than a tattoo or a motor bike.

  • Narx on 02/12/2016 - 11:04
    -1

    If she really want a macbook, buy a second hand macbook, that could be cheaper.

  • Orpheon on 02/12/2016 - 11:36

    Mac Path: 2nd Hand / Refurbished Macbook

    Windows Path: Surface Pro 2/3/4 + Keyboard Cover

  • orly on 02/12/2016 - 12:05

    In both instances you will be spending $1200 so you are no better off convincing her to go either way. If you were going to teach her a lesson in being savvy with her spending, you could say, "You have a choice of getting a less expensive Windows laptop and I will put the difference between the price of that and a Macbook in your savings account, or you can simply get a Macbook. I'll give you a couple of nights to sleep on it and to make a decision but ultimately, it is in your hands."

    • dbun1 on 02/12/2016 - 13:22
      +1

      Exactly - the budget set by the OP means a MBA can be had, so I don't see the reason for arguing to get something else just because on paper it looks better.

      Save the arguments for when she comes home with a douche bag boyfriend.

  • scratchback on 02/12/2016 - 15:11
    +1

    I don't understand why you care about the best value if the laptop is for her and you are happy to spend 1200, just buy the macbook.

  • DanielR on 02/12/2016 - 15:17

    I got this laptop for my daughter, was ~$830 http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/products/computers/satellite/rad…

    Got a hardcover case, charges it at night and lasts all day, she initially didn't want my Macbook Air 13", now that all the kids have a Macbook she is asking for it now.

    You can look at these deals between $1100 - $1300
    http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/macbook-air…
    http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/macbook-12-…

    Easily upgradeable option
    http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/macbook-pro…

  • ozlab on 02/12/2016 - 15:18

    You might want to wait for $500 Macbook Air deal similar to this one:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/150885

    I'm afraid it's hard to convince people to change mind especially in Apple vs non-Apple product. You can call it brainwashed but that's not going to change anything.

  • shaiguy on 02/12/2016 - 15:40

    To the OP, I am a parent as well and I came across this poem a while back. If she is really insistent on a Mac (I would want to convince my kids as well against it) then just let her have it:

    "Your children are not your children.
    They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
    They come through you but not from you,
    And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

    You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
    For they have their own thoughts.
    You may house their bodies but not their souls,
    For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
    which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
    You may strive to be like them,
    but seek not to make them like you.
    For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday."

  • Hahuh on 02/12/2016 - 15:56

    Why not a refurb from Ebay or something? Reboot It in Melbourne had this
    http://imgur.com/a/SF7mB

    • dbun1 on 02/12/2016 - 16:15

      Why would you bother?

      A refurb from Apple (which would most likely be BNIB 2015 stock) is $1179, which is within the OPs budget already.

      • Hahuh on 06/12/2016 - 18:05

        its called an option

        • dbun1 on 06/12/2016 - 19:00

          A bad one at that

  • mrjames on 02/12/2016 - 17:04

    I work at an independent school and manage the BYOD program so I have a bit of experience with this.

    I recommend buying the previous gen MBP (the one with actual USB ports). This should last the kid at least 3 years if not more. Don't buy the new MBP as the USBC ports will be very frustrating in an educational environment, it will mean you'll be at the mercy of tacky adapters and the school's poor wireless for cloud-based storage.

    We find that many kids who buy windows machines end up buying a mac within 18months due to peer pressure. I'm not an apple fanboy by any means however overall we service far less macs than PCs, so in the long run the macs are better value.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/12/2016 - 17:58
    -1

    My friend is having the same headache.

    His 16yo son is convincing him to get a Macan, in the view that it will become his car once turning 18 and getting the "second hand" car. My mate doesn't know how to justify to the son that the SQ5 is equally good if not better, and more bang for the buck.

    PS… his older brother's classmate only drives a SLK200 to school and it's not good enough.

  • Mysterious Laptop on 02/12/2016 - 18:03

    I would just get my daughter the mac. Have you considered gumtree or second hand? you can bag some really good deals (serious)

  • prinsenhof on 02/12/2016 - 21:13
    +3

    Just remember back when you were a kid. Surely your parents substituted a gift thinking it was the best thing only to let you down.

    My memorable moment was i asked for Leonardo the blue ninja turtle, and mum brought home Shredder because it looked cooler. Shredder was my first figurine.

    Never forgot it. I still cry. My wifes wondering why im pissed off now

    Get the Mac. You cant change her mind overnight, you need to plant the seeds early on. By yourself a laptop and start discreetly upstaging her, saying "sorry you can do that because its a mac". She needs to come to her own conclusion its crap but you can "help" it along.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/12/2016 - 21:24
      +1

      Well said.

  • Martian on 03/12/2016 - 11:01

    My son tried Mac and ipad and stuff.
    He is now using a hp 13-2104TU - keyboard and touch screen input.
    It's fine and cool enough for him.

    • Daabido on 03/12/2016 - 12:03

      I'm glad your son found a technology solution that fits his needs. You would think by now though that computer companies would have moved on from calling their products by names such as 13-2104TU.

  • FatBlanket on 03/12/2016 - 18:48

    I doubt you could convince me to buy a windows laptop so I can't help you convince your daughter she should get a windows laptop instead of the one she actually wants.

  • langitbiru on 03/12/2016 - 21:31

    i used to use windows, but since i bought my own macbook, and since then… i have never look forward to the future to use any windows computer, unless something important change my mind onto it… but in the mean time, i am still with apple.

    look for refurbished apple online store, to find a cheaper macbook.

  • wlz2000 on 04/12/2016 - 00:08
    +1

    Instead of convincing her she does not need a mac, how about get her to think how to afford a mac?

    Having a need is a great thing as inspiration and motivation. Our parents may use it as a great tool to guide them to be financially independent.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/12/2016 - 01:42

    Just get her to get a tough part time job, earn what she needs extra for one with decent specs or show her that all in her price range have very little ports/storage.
    Budgeting is something you don't learn at school, but at home.

    Macbook's 2016 range in your price range also still use Skylake(6th Gen) low voltage duo's not Kaby Lake(7th gen) duo's and their gimmicky touch bar wastes battery.

    If her hearts set on one there is one Macbook Air(5th Gen) for $1199 from officeworks 2014 model.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/12/2016 - 01:47

    MacBook Air 13-inch 1.6GHz 128GB 2014 | Officeworks for $1199 right now. Limited stock clearance item only online as far as I know. No stock in 50km range of Sydney.

  • gorge on 04/12/2016 - 15:24

    The only thing that is going to matter to a girl unless they're a nerd is that its enclosure looks good. No-matter how high spec the CPU,RAM etc are they won't really like it unless it looks good.

  • tyvod on 04/12/2016 - 15:27

    I prefer Mac and I've used Windows in my most of life.
    Just get her a Macbook (I strongly recommend getting one that has retina display). But don't get the Air since it doesn't have a retina display and it does matter (and the cost difference isn't that big). Display/battery is the most important thing than spec when she just uses for secondary school. I'm pretty sure Mac will last until she graduates.
    When buying Macbook, look for a deal on Ozbargain (including AMEX, gift card deals).

    • Nilfunds on 07/12/2016 - 20:28

      why not Air? Air battery is way better than Macbook pro.
      how is retina so important? specially for a kid.

  • biozet on 04/12/2016 - 22:34
    +2

    tell her not to be geek sheep and save your money

    • try2bhelpful on 05/12/2016 - 12:16
      -2

      OMG the sheep comments about Apple are getting incredibly old. At least you didn't use the hackneyed isheep. Personally I don't have an Apple computer, 'cause I'm happy with my windows toy, but please do people the courtesy of accepting that people have different views on what they want in a computer, and that Apple is a valid choice for what some people want.

      • Nilfunds on 07/12/2016 - 20:28

        yea. another tool who has never owned an apple computer and thinks he knows.
        too ingorant to realise that he is the sheep. ha ha

      • try2bhelpful on 08/12/2016 - 11:09

        Oooo, the big bad people have down voted me, how will I ever live with myself? Apparently people don't think others have a right to make their own choices for their own reasons. Bring it on people let's see how many down votes I can get.

        • Nilfunds on 09/12/2016 - 20:23

          because your reason is ignorance.
          deal with it

        • try2bhelpful on 10/12/2016 - 17:19
          -1

          @millusions: My reason isn't based on ignorance, it is based on the fact they may have drawn a different conclusion to you after doing their own research and understanding their own requirements. You deal with that.

  • Nilfunds on 07/12/2016 - 20:27

    have had many laptops over the years, Dell, Sony Vaio, and now Macbook Air.
    yes it was expensive.
    was it worth it? HELL YEA!
    will never go back to a Winblows POS registery scanning, virus updates and forced Windows updates. and wondering why my laptop feels sluggish like every week.
    no way, it's not going to happen.
    used the Mac extensively travelling through Asia with no plans and it's still as good as new.

  • wtmarshall on 08/12/2016 - 00:37

    Ask here to pay with her pocket money.

    • xoom on 08/12/2016 - 17:43

      if my pocket money ever comes close to the price of even a macbook air I would likely have very loaded folks.

  • icecream on 08/12/2016 - 14:57
    +1

    Ask her to explain the difference between "need" and "want".

    • xoom on 08/12/2016 - 16:32

      exactly this. very few people 'need' a mac. yet there are loads that 'want' a mac.

    • DeepSea on 10/12/2016 - 13:42

      Need: Layers of hessian draped over the body, sandles.
      Want: Cotton shirt, jacket, blue jeans, belt, leather shoes.

      Need: Bread, water, lard.
      Want: Meat, vegetables, fruit, grains, coffee and chocolate.

      • xoom on 10/12/2016 - 13:57
        +1

        FTFY

        Need: clothes, shoes, bag
        want: gucci/chanel/armani shirts, Jimmy Choo shoes, louis vuitton/prada bag

        Need: laptop, mobile phone, desktop pc
        Want: alienware gaming laptop/macbook pro 2016, iphone 7 or galaxy s7, imacs, pc with latest and greatest specs.

  • Baghern on 24/12/2016 - 11:41

    Way too late…. But

    A PC is like going to the park… and just walking around anywhere, you can follow the paths or just go your own way. Sure you may trip over by a stray branch but you LEARN… PC teaches, invigorates the young mind.

    A Mac is like going to a park, that is walled off and everything is corridor off, sure you can't get lost and it feels easy and amazing but you're not aware of all that you are missing. This also relates to consoles…

    In a world that requires technology knowledge in almost employment every field. The PC user will continually dominates.

  • cisco on 14/03/2017 - 23:36

    Tell her she needs a Mac.

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