[Tee]

Why don't you just upgrade to Windows 8.1. They released it not to long ago and they actually GIVE the option to get rid of the app start screen and bring back the start menu like Windows 7 had and everyone loves.

Because:

1) 8.1 is immature. Example - Windows 8 had a known problem with sometimes not recognising external USB drives again if they were unplugged and reconnected. A hotfix was released to fix it. Windows 8.1 has the same problem but the Windows 8 hotfix doesn't work, and no 8.1 hotfix has yet been released.

2) The 8.1 Start menu is not as functional as StartIsBack. I've installed it and tried it. I went back to 8 with StartIsBack out of preference.

3) For $5 for three licenses, StartIsBack is exactly what I need at an incredibly good price. I'm set up. Why change?

Apple computers are a waste of money that I could be spending on a real computer with real speed.

Fanboyism much? Wind the clock back to January of this year and find me a notebook that was 15", slimline form factor, i7, dedicated graphics, >256GB SSD and high res screen (1920x1080 or higher). And that was advertised as being available in Australia.

At the time there were two - the Asus Zenbook U500 (i7 2.1GHz, 2GB 650GTM, 8GB RAM, 2x256GB SSD, 1920x1080) and the MacBook Pro Retina (i7 2.7GHz, 1GB GT650M, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 2880x1800). I placed a fully paid pre-order for a Zenbook and then waited more than three months beyond the scheduled release date for delivery before I cancelled my order in disgust and bought the MacBook Pro instead.

My MacBook Pro Retina now runs Windows 8 and is a fine machine. The core hardware was at the cutting edge of slimline form factor mobile computing when I bought it, and would still be competitive with current offerings of similar size.

I don't like MacOS either (and have booted into it precisely once, to load Bootcamp drivers) but don't make the mistake of writing off the hardware just because you don't like the OS.

[TechnoProdigy]

Teejay, their hardware is ludicrously overpriced for what it is, you cannot deny this.

[river33]

Why don't you just upgrade to Windows 8.1. They released it not to long ago and they actually GIVE the option to get rid of the app start screen and bring back the start menu like Windows 7 had and everyone loves.

Because:

1) 8.1 is immature. Example - Windows 8 had a known problem with sometimes not recognising external USB drives again if they were unplugged and reconnected. A hotfix was released to fix it. Windows 8.1 has the same problem but the Windows 8 hotfix doesn't work, and no 8.1 hotfix has yet been released.

2) The 8.1 Start menu is not as functional as StartIsBack. I've installed it and tried it. I went back to 8 with StartIsBack out of preference.

3) For $5 for three licenses, StartIsBack is exactly what I need at an incredibly good price. I'm set up. Why change?

Apple computers are a waste of money that I could be spending on a real computer with real speed.

Fanboyism much? Wind the clock back to January of this year and find me a notebook that was 15", slimline form factor, i7, dedicated graphics, >256GB SSD and high res screen (1920x1080 or higher). And that was advertised as being available in Australia.

At the time there were two - the Asus Zenbook U500 (i7 2.1GHz, 2GB 650GTM, 8GB RAM, 2x256GB SSD, 1920x1080) and the MacBook Pro Retina (i7 2.7GHz, 1GB GT650M, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 2880x1800). I placed a fully paid pre-order for a Zenbook and then waited more than three months beyond the scheduled release date for delivery before I cancelled my order in disgust and bought the MacBook Pro instead.

My MacBook Pro Retina now runs Windows 8 and is a fine machine. The core hardware was at the cutting edge of slimline form factor mobile computing when I bought it, and would still be competitive with current offerings of similar size.

I don't like MacOS either (and have booted into it precisely once, to load Bootcamp drivers) but don't make the mistake of writing off the hardware just because you don't like the OS.

So because of the problem of not getting a product, you chose a Mac. Bad decision. I'm not a fan boy, I just know my computers. I respect Apple as said, but they aren't better than a PC.

Windows 7 is better, everyone knows it. Should of just got that on your Mac. Still no reason to have a Mac with Windows on it period. Way overpriced hardware. Lol.

[mwan]

Why don't you just upgrade to Windows 8.1. They released it not to long ago and they actually GIVE the option to get rid of the app start screen and bring back the start menu like Windows 7 had and everyone loves.

Because:

1) 8.1 is immature. Example - Windows 8 had a known problem with sometimes not recognising external USB drives again if they were unplugged and reconnected. A hotfix was released to fix it. Windows 8.1 has the same problem but the Windows 8 hotfix doesn't work, and no 8.1 hotfix has yet been released.

2) The 8.1 Start menu is not as functional as StartIsBack. I've installed it and tried it. I went back to 8 with StartIsBack out of preference.

3) For $5 for three licenses, StartIsBack is exactly what I need at an incredibly good price. I'm set up. Why change?

Apple computers are a waste of money that I could be spending on a real computer with real speed.

Fanboyism much? Wind the clock back to January of this year and find me a notebook that was 15", slimline form factor, i7, dedicated graphics, >256GB SSD and high res screen (1920x1080 or higher). And that was advertised as being available in Australia.

At the time there were two - the Asus Zenbook U500 (i7 2.1GHz, 2GB 650GTM, 8GB RAM, 2x256GB SSD, 1920x1080) and the MacBook Pro Retina (i7 2.7GHz, 1GB GT650M, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 2880x1800). I placed a fully paid pre-order for a Zenbook and then waited more than three months beyond the scheduled release date for delivery before I cancelled my order in disgust and bought the MacBook Pro instead.

My MacBook Pro Retina now runs Windows 8 and is a fine machine. The core hardware was at the cutting edge of slimline form factor mobile computing when I bought it, and would still be competitive with current offerings of similar size.

I don't like MacOS either (and have booted into it precisely once, to load Bootcamp drivers) but don't make the mistake of writing off the hardware just because you don't like the OS.

So because of the problem of not getting a product, you chose a Mac. Bad decision. I'm not a fan boy, I just know my computers. I respect Apple as said, but they aren't better than a Mac.

Windows 7 is better, everyone knows it. Should of just got that on your Mac. Still no reason to have a Mac with Windows on it period. Way overpriced hardware. Lol.

Or you could just buy a Razer blade or Razer blade pro (yes I know it doesn't have a high res screen, but its beautiful)

[mwan]

Ew, Apple PC's.

The only Mac's I like are MacDonalds.

Apple computers are a waste of money that I could be spending on a real computer with real speed.

Tell Maddie that, she wants to get a Mac bookpro (although I'm not entirely against it since I know she would use it for movies and other artsy stuff)

[dlgn]

Windows 8 (Probably will move to 8.1 soon) with ClassicShell/ClassicStart. ClassicStart removes any legitimate complaint you could possibly have with Windows 8.

1. Difficult to directly access system (large impassable cushion)
2. Expensive (for a 16 year old)
3. Closed source
4. Overly complex GUI

In other words, it ain't Linux. It isn't too bad, though. I just wish Microsoft would actually fix their mistakes rather than patching them. I've adjusted to Linux and find Windows to be quite peculiar in many ways, but if MS actually went to the trouble of fixing bugs, rather than focusing on adding mostly pointless new features, it would be a lot more efficient for the end user. Sadly, however, it's exciting new features that make them money, so they aren't likely to change their ways anytime soon. The same isn't true with Linux, but it has its own problems (decentralization of development, with different distros that are mostly self-contained).

EDIT: I've heard that the Macbook Pro is awesome for artistic design and whatnot. It really comes down to what you want in a computer. That, and the fact that if either Microsoft or Apple drives the other out of business, they'll obtain an illegal monopoly that causes some serious issues. The same is true with Apple and Google. And Linux, of course, while not big enough to count legally as a rival, will continue being developed both for savvy end users and servers (because let's be honest, Windows Server sucks).

~dlgn

[Tee]

Teejay, their hardware is ludicrously overpriced for what it is, you cannot deny this.

Agreed. I never denied that their hardware is pricey ... it is. And yet the fact remains that if you have a need for that hardware in a slim form factor notebook, there aren't many options. Plus I bought it through my business to be a mobile work machine, so cost wasn't really an issue.

By way of comparison, the Asus would have cost AUD$2250 ... the MacBook Pro Retina cost AUD$2750.

So because of the problem of not getting a product, you chose a Mac.

Yes, because I had specific requirements and it was the only available product that met them. Seems to me that Apple made some good design decisions, because they sold a premium product at a premium price. The extra cost to my business is miniscule compared to the extra productivity I can achieve with the high-res screen and decent performance specs.

[river33]

Teejay, their hardware is ludicrously overpriced for what it is, you cannot deny this.

Agreed. I never denied that their hardware is pricey ... it is. And yet the fact remains that if you have a need for that hardware in a slim form factor notebook, there aren't many options. Plus I bought it through my business to be a mobile work machine, so cost wasn't really an issue.

By way of comparison, the Asus would have cost AUD$2250 ... the MacBook Pro Retina cost AUD$2750.

So because of the problem of not getting a product, you chose a Mac.

Yes, because I had specific requirements and it was the only available product that met them. Seems to me that Apple made some good design decisions, because they sold a premium product at a premium price. The extra cost to my business is miniscule compared to the extra productivity I can achieve with the high-res screen and decent performance specs.

I have an Asus laptop. Cost me 1200 dollars for I7 3rd gen, 16gb RAM, Nvidia Geforce GT 650m, Blueray drive, 4 USB 3.0 ports, Windows 8, ect...

Seems you didn't look hard enough.

[Ratta237]

Teejay, their hardware is ludicrously overpriced for what it is, you cannot deny this.

Agreed. I never denied that their hardware is pricey ... it is. And yet the fact remains that if you have a need for that hardware in a slim form factor notebook, there aren't many options. Plus I bought it through my business to be a mobile work machine, so cost wasn't really an issue.

By way of comparison, the Asus would have cost AUD$2250 ... the MacBook Pro Retina cost AUD$2750.

So because of the problem of not getting a product, you chose a Mac.

Yes, because I had specific requirements and it was the only available product that met them. Seems to me that Apple made some good design decisions, because they sold a premium product at a premium price. The extra cost to my business is miniscule compared to the extra productivity I can achieve with the high-res screen and decent performance specs.

I have an Asus laptop. Cost me 1200 dollars for I7 3rd gen, 16gb RAM, Nvidia Geforce GT 650m, Blueray drive, 4 USB 3.0 ports, Windows 8, ect...

Seems you didn't look hard enough.

Heh, in Australia things cost more i.e we have a goods and services tax of ten percent plus the fact we're kind of isolated from the rest of the world makes shipping costs expensive. As well as companies charge us more mainly because we can afford it. And then there's the Australian dollar going a little crazy so generally we have to pay more for goods than other countries.

[Tee]

I have an Asus laptop. Cost me 1200 dollars for I7 3rd gen, 16gb RAM, Nvidia Geforce GT 650m, Blueray drive, 4 USB 3.0 ports, Windows 8, ect...

Apart from the local non-availability of many notebooks as mentioned by Ratta, and the fact that Australian pricing is much higher so you can't compare US$ to AUD$ purchases, would you care to post a pic (or link) showing the notebook in question?