Need your inputs

[green]

Hi guys and gals!

I was refered to this forum of yours by CoolLes from the PinoyXbox forums.

Here's my story guys.

I'll be going back to school for my MBA this July. Because of this I'll have to resign from work (it's a full time program) and give up my office issued laptop. To make a long story short, I'm currently looking for a laptop for use in my school work.

I've been to all the computer stores in Metro Manila checking out the various options for my purchase. I never really considered a Mac for my purchase but several people in different forums have suggested I look at it as a viable option.

I have read and re-read the newbie/switcher posts in this forum and still have some questions regarding Macs and if it is really a viable option for my needs.

Basically I'll be using it for word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, email, and surfing most of the time. Maybe as an entertaiment center in between classes and some simple games to while the time away.

I also want something that would be reliable and durable. Buying a laptop is a big investment. I don't want it to conk out on me in two years time because of a bad mother board or something. I'll be out of a job (read: limited to no income whatsoever) so having to bring it to the authorized service centers (i take it that there are very few, if any third part mac repair shops) for costly repairs often would be out of the question for me.

Oh I have a budget of about 80-95K all in. And I would want a brand new rig so it can last me a total of about 4 - 5 years .

Here are my other questions...

- How much is a copy of an MS Office Suite nowadays? I mean local price as I would be making my purchase locally. What stores sell them in Manila? I assume that the files created using this will be transferrable to Windows based Office Apps.

- What rig would you guys suggest for my requirements, budget, and needs? How much would it cost (at least a pricerange)? Local prices sana as I plan to buy it here.

- Does apple have a showroom here in Manila? Where can I check it out and demo it? Plus where do they give good prices (and freebies ) should I decide to purchase a Mac?

- I've been a Windows user all my life. How steep is the learning curve switching from windows to Mac?

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm trying to think my purchase out thoroughly as this is a big chunk of money I'm about to plunk down. Sorry about the long post . I'm just trying to be as clear as possible so you guys can help me effectively .

Cheers!

One more thing. I saw that the rep of one of the local distys (LMK is it?) is a regular poster and that they offer educational discounts. I wonder if that means discounts to schools or to students. If it applies to students, would I be eligible? Hey... no harm in trying, right?

[Edited on 6-16-2004 by green]

[ncarandang]

For MSOffice pricing, try visiting the AppleCenter in Greenbelt. Look for Maleng. And yes, files created are transferrable between Windows Office and Mac Office.

I suggest that you get an iBook or a 12" Powerbook. Applecenter in Greenbelt has a showroom, Ynzal can show you their lineup. I haven't experienced problems with these two companies since I migrated from the PC to the Mac.

Learning curve, not steep. I found it easier to use my Powerbook than my Windows PC. Ynzal is also an educational discount provider. So you might check them out. Look for Bong.

[bagwis]

For your budget, you could get an iBook 12" G4 1ghz. (around P 85K)

Airport Extreme Card - for you to be able to surf, write and retrieve e-mail in Hotspots of your choice. ( P 6,500.00)

Upgrade the RAM to 640MB if you like to open a lot of Apllications all at the same time. (Additional P 6,000.00)

P 97,500.00

[extremyks]

- How much is a copy of an MS Office Suite nowadays? I mean local price as I would be making my purchase locally. What stores sell them in Manila? I assume that the files created using this will be transferrable to Windows based Office Apps.

Yes it is compatible with Windows version. Current Office 2004 sells at US$ 149.95 at Apple Store, it may be around Php 9,000.00 here more or less. You could visit Apple Center in Megamall to check the actual prices.

What rig would you guys suggest for my requirements, budget, and needs? How much would it cost (at least a pricerange)? Local prices sana as I plan to buy it here.

I was hoping you get at least a Powerbook 12", but with a budget and a no job at the moment a 14" 1Ghz iBook would be a good alternative... it's more than enough to meet your needs. You could opt for Airport Extreme for wifi and internal Bluetooh if you want connectivity with your bluetooth devices (mobile phone, PDAs). Plus the 512mb ram upgrade that will make the experience worthwhile.

For prices, I suggest you canvass local current price among different Apple resellers. Visiting Applecenter will give you a price idea.

-Does apple have a showroom here in Manila? Where can I check it out and demo it? Plus where do they give good prices (and freebies ) should I decide to purchase a Mac?

Apple don't have a 'showroom' the closest thing is AppleCenter. Good prices and freebies will depends on your bargaining skills.

- I've been a Windows user all my life. How steep is the learning curve switching from windows to Mac?

I'm also a Windows user until now, the learning curve is easy, more so you have Philmug. You are welcome to attend our meetings to learn some tips and tricks :evil:

...One more thing.

On the one more thing... asking and making 'tawad' is free.

[berniej]

I noticed that you are going back to school for an MBA, maybe you can get an educational discount for your MS Office from your school.

As for the budget of 80 to 95K, you can get an iBook G4 with that and (hopefulle) an Airport Extreme card -- an essential IMHO. I too came from Windows and has only switched July of last year. In terms of learning curve, its not too steep but you'll have to unlearn a lot of Windows-specific things in order to fully appreciate the simplicity and power of the Mac platform.

[green]

Thanks guys for all the replies... stll waiting for some other members to chime in

Some other quetions I have...

- What warranty is bundled with your purchase of an iBook? Is there anyway to extend this warranty?

- I've been canvassing prices on the us websites. It seems that the prices are cheaper overthere. Short of asking a relative or friend to ship one to me, is there any way to buy it and have it shipped here?

Thanks again guys!

Cheers!

[berniej]

Originally posted by green
Thanks guys for all the replies... stll waiting for some other members to chime in

Some other quetions I have...

- What warranty is bundled with your purchase of an iBook? Is there anyway to extend this warranty?

One year warranty, can be extended to three years total with the purchase of AppleCare

- I've been canvassing prices on the us websites. It seems that the prices are cheaper overthere. Short of asking a relative or friend to ship one to me, is there any way to buy it and have it shipped here?

Thanks again guys!

Cheers!

A number of PhilMUGgers swear by Johnny Air Cargo for that purpose

[extremyks]

- What warranty is bundled with your purchase of an iBook? Is there anyway to extend this warranty?

On portables it's a standard 1yr. Before the 1 year expires better to get an
AppleCare

- I've been canvassing prices on the us websites. It seems that the prices are cheaper overthere. Short of asking a relative or friend to ship one to me, is there any way to buy it and have it shipped here?

You may look for previous threads on getting portables abroad here

[Edited on 6-16-2004 by extremyks]

[green]

Whoa! Thanks for the quick responses guys!

[jofab]

Hi green,

I think you have to carefully consider your options. Let me elaborate by telling you MY stroy.

I am also taking my MBA at DLSU RCBC at the moment while working as creative consultant for a governemnt agency and working on several freelance jobs as well.
I use my 17 Powerbook for everything. I'm hooked on Macs and so is my family.

I was also a law student at Ateneo Rockwell last year before I dropped out becasue I couldn't find anymore time to work on projects. All I could do was study.

If I wasn't already a Mac user before I entered these schools I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A PC LAPTOP.
Why?

Because MSOffice is not the only software will be using. I needed to run Virtual PC to use some software for my MBA class or Lex Libris for my Law classes that are Windows-only programs. I don't care what anybody says, but for me, Virtual PC is SLOW and almost unuseable.
(BTW, in case you're not familiar with Virtual PC, It's a Windows Emulator which allows you to install the Windows Operating System within the Mac OS in order to use and install Windows-only programs)

The Wi-Fi network inside Ateneo Rockwell and DLSU RCBC are NOT Mac Compatible. They use Nokia and 3Com Access Points respectively and do not work with the modern Airport cards of Mac portables. It's pretty frustrating to have a powerful computer emasculated due to Wi-Fi incompatibility. The hard part is you will need wi-fi and the internet while taking an MBA becasue there is a lot of group work and research involved.

My Mac is very important to me for work, but for school I would be better off with a PC laptop , a Tosh or a Vaio.

Just check what the environment is like in your school and if they will require you to use windows-only apps or how the wi-fi netwrok is over there. Your decision should come down to what you need diba?

[Edited on 6-16-2004 by jofab]