Hello,
I need some advice. I am considering purchasing a white MacBook (the version before the aluminum one). I own a Dell Inspiron laptop (4 y.o.) that I share with my husband for basic functions but I need my own computer to start and run my business. I was originally considering a Toshiba Satellite laptop from Best Buy but I wanted to see if I could get a Mac. At work I have a 20" iMac desktop and an iBook G4. I have been using Macs for 3 years and I absolutely love them but I am wondering if buying a Mac is the right choice for a VA business? Will I be missing out on software freebies if I go with the Mac? Will I have trouble collaborating with clients who have a PC?
Here a some specs on both laptops:
-MacBook comes with 2GB memory and 160GB hard drive for $949 (with education discount).
-Toshiba comes with 4GB memory and 320GB hard drive for $700
Mac upgrades: 4GB memory-$90, 250GB hard drive-$45, iWork '09 preinstalled-$41.
If I buy the Mac I also get a free iPod touch (which I was going to buy for my son anyway) and $100 off a printer (which I also need for my business). With these upgrades the price is $1125
-MacBook has a 13.3" screen, has bluetooth and weighs 5 lbs.
-Toshiba has a 15.4" screen, no bluetooth and weighs 6 lbs.
Even though I know that the best option would be a MacBook Pro, what I have mentioned above is the most I can afford and I have even gone a little over my budget.
I guess what I am asking is: Mac or PC for a VA business? I can't decide.

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Wendy :daisy:

I am a Mac girl all the way...but unfortunately I'm forced to work on a PC both at work and at home and BOTH suck!! I love working on Macs...I rarely had random shut down issues, it's so much easier to multi-task and everything is just better on the Mac in my opinion..lol..and it's a STRONG one!

Hope you get the Mac, soon as I have enough money I'm getting that PC out of my home and into the trash where it belongs..LMAO!!

Can you tell I like Mac's?

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Nikia
http://nikassistcom.web.officelive.com

The awesome thing about Macs is that you can run Windows on it as well. So basically you get a Mac & a PC. That's what I do with my Mac.

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Stepfanie Bishop
www.AdvantageVA.com

I have a Mac laptop and like Stephanie, I run Windows on it as well through a program called Bootcamp. I have several of my PC programs installed on it like Word & Photoshop. I am then able to use them when I run Windows. I use Mac OS for audio and video and iChat for client video conferencing.

I got an iPod Touch free with my purchase too. Love it.

Don't be afraid to get a Mac.

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

Thank you ladies for your opinions. I think you have convinced me. I am going to order my Mac. I can't wait.

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Wendy :daisy:

Good choice Wendy! I used to have a laptop for my business (with external keyboard to making typing easier) and I bought an iMac 20" desktop. After 20+ years using PC it was a bit of a shock, so you have the advantage of knowing about the Mac. I have Parallels and as Stepfanie and Darlene point out - you have two computers in one which is worth the money to start with! There are plenty of free programs and add-ins for all things Mac and I use Windows for Mac anyway, so I don't have any disadvantage in the work I do for clients - go for it and enjoy! Woohoo!!

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Marie Chandler - your virtual assistant
www.officesupportonline.com.au

I've always been a PC girl, even building my own, and always said that I would NEVER use a MAC.... Well, never say never...

I bought a MacBook Pro about a month and a half ago and LOVE IT!!!!! I've had a couple of friends recently get them and, when I found out that you can load Windows on it and doing my research online, I was sold! I feel that I got a much better computer (and as others have said, basically 2 computers in one) for as much or not much more as I would have spent building any other laptop to my specs (I'm an EQII fanatic and needed something stronger than your average laptop can provide and, on that note, EQ loaded perfectly and runs perfectly with no tweaking from me whatsoever. A first in the 7 or so years that I've been playing the game). So I can really do it all with one computer which I love. Also, the other thing that sold me was that the MacBook Pro is a green machine and has an EnergyStar rating which I think is really important (I'm not a "granola" by any means but I live in a very "granola"-like area of WV and it tends to rub off on you after a while...lol).

It has required a bit of a learning curve to get used to the Mac and I'm no where near close to being a natural yet and most of what I've done so far is on the Windows XP side (both for QuickBooks and my game) but I don't think that I will ever go back to a traditional laptop/PC (although, I may rebuild my desktop PC just for a backup... it's toast at the moment, though). I had iWorks (I think that's right) loaded and haven't used it very much. I am a bit nervous about it because I'm so proficient with MS Office and I'm afraid it'll slow me down but it was a cheap way to at least get something and it is compatible with MS Office products from what I read. I would really like to load MS Office onto the Windows side, though. Also, if you're doing a lot of data entry (and, I gues this goes for any laptop really), I would recommend at least getting a number pad. I have a hard time using the top number keys and it slows me down. I miss my number pad (I'm getting one soon, though).

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

I have owned Macs exclusively since 1990. In almost 20 yrs., I have owned exactly three of them. This is my third machine and it is still going strong. I bought it used off of ebay! I would probably not do that again. I feel I was lucky to get a good machine. I had to quit using my other two machines simply because they could not longer be upgraded. When I stopped using my prior machines, none of them were broken. I am sure there are some Mac owners out there who have lost data because of a hard drive going bad but, thankfully, that has never happened to me.

Granted, Macs are more expensive but they are built to last. Also, you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars buying virus protection. I feel the Mac operating system is light years beyond Windows. Apple had the desktop as we all view them now, both Apple and Windows, ten years prior to Microsoft coming out in 1984 with Windows.

My current machine needs to be upgraded. I can't wait to get my next one with a 24 inch screen!

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Sue
Sue's Virtual Office

We purchased an IMAC last year. It was the best decision ever. When needed, I run Bootcamp so I can access my windows programs. That way you have the best of both worlds.

You can't go wrong with a Mac. They're built to last and are so user friendly. I was able to purchase a year's worth of classes at the Apple Store to sharpen my skills. Great investment and cheap at the price.

Get that Mac and you won't regret it.

-Alice Wilson
http://www.virtualexec-assist.com

OK so I am a major Mac fan. I run my entire business from a Mac mini with OS X Leopard. And for those programs that require Windows, I simply use Parallels to run XP within OS X. I can't tell you how much I love it! I've been using Macs for years now and let me tell you....they are so user friendly and easy to work with! Not only that, but they are capable of so much more that Windows. The convenience factor is off the scale. I'm a computer nerd and a hobby of mine is to build and upgrade them. That said, I would choose a Mac over a PC any day!

Hope this helps with your decision!

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Winston Stewart
PennWin Administrative Services