Jarvik7 Wrote:It's probably easier to just put two cameras on it than some sort of clumsy fragile rotating bit. It's a safe bet that the next iPad will have cameras.

I thought it already had a camera, but on the back. Granted I'm going off word of mouth. As to which is easier/cheaper, well, that's for the design guys to justify. Two cameras seem better as it allows for the solid design. Just wonder if it'll have the "indicator" to tell others you're recording them.

No camera on the iPad.

MacBook Pros are available with matte displays! And international warranties. And it's easy to switch languages. And a 7-hour battery. And it will do everything you've mentioned here, time and again, that you want to do. And it's harder to mess up, so you might not need your friend to log-in and do weekly maintenance on your computer the next time you download malware.

Stop me if I've said this already, but buy a Mac.

Do you know any maker that provides international warranty.
I heard ASUS does if you buy in Japan, but how about outside of Japan, especially on the European market!
I'd especially love to hear about Fujitsu, HP and DELL.
All I could find on the German HP website was the they offer warranty for "a few countries" and there's a possible upgrade if you pay more. I tried, but couldn't find out which countries are included.
Most makers don't state anything specific about warranty on their websites it seems. Is there any other way to find out more?

Yes, its called Apple, one post above you.

Actually by now I'm seriously thinking about buying a Macbook Pro (the matte display 15'' one!), but some drawbacks are:

- it's getting very hot!
- the edges of the laptop are sharp, so when typing you hurt your wrists!
- no Blu-Ray, HDMI, etc.
- all ports are on the left side only
- only 2 USB ports (and 2.0 not 3.0!)
- the HDD is rather slow so it slows down the fast processor
_ it's hella expensive!!!


-____-;

Doesn't really convince me yet!

Fujitsu US has an international warranty on their PCs. I couldn't find any mention of an international warranty on the Japanese site, but it might be the same. I'd suggest calling them.

http://solutions.us.fujitsu.com/www/cont..._terms.php

chochajin Wrote:- it's getting very hot!

This is only because the INCREDIBLY AWESOME MEDIA PROCESSING POWER Apples use when displaying Youtube videos. This also explains why it sounds like a jet engine taking off.

Quote:- no Blu-Ray, HDMI, etc.
- only 2 USB ports (and 2.0 not 3.0!)
- the HDD is rather slow so it slows down the fast processor

Real state of the art stuff they're putting out for their top dollar prices, huh?

The warranty's not too impressive (6 month send back warranty), but my friend just bought a Vaio with English Windows 7 off of Amazon Japan for 113,400, and he was pretty thrilled.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/English-VPC-CW21...948&sr=8-3

My MacBook pro is completely silent..

They get hot because the case is made of metal and act like a heatsinks. The CPU/gpu are no hotter than any other computer. Mine only gets warm on the upper left corner, but I suppose there can be a comfort issue for some.

When I was pricing out computers for a friend a few months ago the MacBook was literally the cheapest computer available that wasn't a netbook. The MacBook pro was the same price or cheaper than similarly specced machines.

A 7200rpm hdd is a build to order option. The extra heat and power consumption of such a disk makes a 5400rpm disk preferable for the majority.

Hdmi support exists using a displayport dongle.

2 USB ports have always been enough for me. If you have a lot of devices wouldn't you want to use a hub anyways to reduce how much plugging you do when you move the laptop? All ports on the left side is actually a pro in my opinion, as it reduces cord clutter. Maybe it's a problem for people mousing with their left hand.

No bluray is a concern if it's something you want. Are you really going to watch HD movies on your laptop though? I believe there are ways to add one with a third party provider if you wanted.

The sharp metal edges would only matter if you are typing from a very odd angle such as if the computer is much higher than it should be (high desk / low chair)

I just came back from 2 local electronic stores. How unlucky can you be?
One didn't have Macs at all and the other one told me that they just sold their last Macbook Pro a minute before I arrived, so I couldn't play around with it to see if I'd like it or not.

When I just came home now, my laptop was bitchy again, so I did a restart. Then, BLUE SCREEN: Hardware mistake, (something about the memory whatever I was so shocked, that I actually didn't read it ....) *heart attack*
I plugged it out, started in save mode, it was okay, started in normal mode, and here I'm back again.
The laptop has been acting strange lately which is why I wanted to buy a new one in the first place, but it seems my decision to observe the Japanese market some time longer and wait for prices go down, was not so good.
It seems like I don't have much time anymore.

As I live alone here in Japan, I don't have anybody that could help me out once my laptop is dead - means I'd be completely cut off the internet and everything until I get a new one. Of course I could ask if I could order a new laptop using a computer at work.

There's no Apple store nearby and like I said the 2 local stores don't have Macbooks. I sometimes hate living in a 田舎 *sigh*


It's just .... 2000$++++ for a notebook?????
(I'd take a matte display and the i7, of course - you always should get the fastes processor currently available, right? - then again, I'm not a gamer at all ...)

Hmmmm.

JimmySeal Wrote:The warranty's not too impressive (6 month send back warranty), but my friend just bought a Vaio with English Windows 7 off of Amazon Japan for 113,400, and he was pretty thrilled.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/English-VPC-CW21...948&sr=8-3

I heard a lot of negative things about Sony (and Acer), plus the one in the link is only 14'' and has i3-processor. Not what I'm looking for. Furthermore I'll only buy a non-glossy display notebook!

Always buying the absolute fastest CPU is a waste of money, even if you're a gamer (in which case you shouldn't be getting a laptop anyways). You are fine with an i5 or even core2.

Personally im expecting my next machine to be an iMac desktop. Since I graduated university my computer never leaves my apartment. You can get a much faster desktop machine for less than an Mbp. Maybe by the time I buy ipads will be more useful for bed or couch computing, but if not I can just keep using this 2009 model mbp.

No, I definitely want a laptop. I don't know how much longer I'll stay in Japan.
It's sooo easy to bring back home a laptop, but a desktop with keyboard, screen etc.?? No!
Furthermore, I also use my laptop to watch videos and that's when I move the laptop over to the couch, so no desktop for now

I saw that Toshiba Germany offers an international warranty, but I'm not sure if I want a Toshiba again (my current one is a Toshiba). But that would mean waiting until August when somebody comes visiting me and could bring the notebook to Japan. Am not sure if my old one will last that long.

I'm still considering the Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad T510 which campaign ended yesterday, but they alrealdy run a new one until the beginning of July.
The Lenovo would be cheaper than the Macbook Pro (around 500$ cheaper), offers the same options, plus HDMI, eSATA, more USB ports etc. etc.
It's Windows vs. Mac and one of the ugliest designs ever vs. one of the coolest.
I've never used a Mac before, so I don't even know if I'd like to have a Mac OS.

Btw. my current laptop is a Toshiba Sattelite with the following hardware:
Intel ® Pentium® M processor 1.60GHz, 1,00GB RAM

Yeah, it's old. Bought in 2005.

Toshibas are garbage. Even if you want a pc, get something else. Lenovo are pretty solid though less fancy since they are primarily business machines.

Well, I have to go for a business machine anyways as those are pretty much the only notebooks that still come with a non-glossy/matte display nowadays.

I played around with a Lenovo ThinkPad (different series, though) in a store and liked it. Yes, it looks like the first laptop that was ever build, but it looks solid and does what it should and that's important, no?

I'm also confused about Windows 7.
If I get a Windows notebook again, then should I get the 32-bit or the 64-bit version? *confused*

Yeah, I'm female and I know not much about computers, I admit it (^-^')> ....

And don't say Toshiba is garbage. Mine lastet for 5 years after using it like WOAH every single day!!
I did have some minor issues with it, though.

It's something of a minor miracle for a Toshiba to last more than two years without becoming extremely unreliable. Many people I know have had theirs fail after less than a year with no mistreatment. My sister had warranty work performed on hers five times in the first year, and it never left her desk other than to take it in for repairs.

They are probably the #1 most unreliable manufacturer.

So what maker would you recommend then?
I heard the same about Acer from a loooooooooooot of people, so I won't touch Acer. Some people also complained about Sony.
What about Fujitsu, Lenovo or ASUS?
Hp doesn't really have interesting notebooks IN JAPAN!
I'd love to get my hands on one of those HP Probooks they sell in Germany, though. But they don't offer international warranty.

I'll just add my voice to the billions of others saying "Apple!"

Though my MacBook seemingly has a vendetta against me: its favorite hobby is attempting to sear the flesh off my lap. It can be quite miserable to use lately since it's so naturally warm from summer too :\

I heard that Mac-users tend to have something similar to the "Stockholm Syndrome". They love their mac so much that they list all the negative things, but don't even notice that it's really negative.
I read tons of reivews were people were ranting about negative stuff and then they said they love Mac and it's the best computer/notebook they ever had and gave it the highest ranking possible XDDD *fg*


I just checked. The closes Apple Shop is in Fukuoka and that's still far far away. I don't think it's worth the money I'd had to spend just to GO there to see a Macbook.

Anybody knows if it's possible to send back a product after trying it out if you didn't like it? In Germany we can do so within 14 days after purchasing it. Anybody knows more about Japanese laws?

Are Macbooks seriously the same price or cheaper than other brand laptops in Japan? If that's the case, then I don't see why one wouldn't get a Macbook.

Here in the States, a similarly specced (and often superior) Dell, Lenovo, Asus and so forth will run you about half as much as a Mac, so I'm a little surprised to hear that Macs are similar in price over yonder. If it weren't for the ridiculous price difference (and Apple's Fort Knox "lock that shit down" mentality, ahem), I'd definitely own a Macbook. Until then, I'ma brew me up another refreshing pitcher of Haterade!

Quote:I'm also confused about Windows 7.
If I get a Windows notebook again, then should I get the 32-bit or the 64-bit version? *confused*

64-bit would be preferable if your machine has 4GB of RAM or more (which it probably should) - really not much reason to go 32-bit these days. Windows used to have some issues with 64-bit versions (mostly driver related), but they've mostly been ironed out. I've been rocking Windows 7 x64 for several months now with absolutely no issues.

The Macbook is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more expensive!!!

The Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad I consider buying is about 132.000yen (with i5 processor) or 153.000yen (with a i7 processor) whereas the Macbook Pro would be 183.000yen (with a i5 processor) and freaking 223.000yen (with i7 processor). So there is a huge difference in price, but the other way round!!!!

I'm mentioning the Levono, because that's my alternative!

Edit: I fail at using English today -_-

Burritolingus Wrote:64-bit would be preferable if your machine has 4GB of RAM or more (which it probably should) - really not much reason to go 32-bit these days. Windows used to have some issues with 64-bit versions (mostly driver related), but they've mostly been ironed out. I've been rocking Windows 7 x64 for several months now with absolutely no issues.

Concerning that. I heard that the RAM Lenovo's ThinkPads are using, aren't very fast/good. They use DDR3 (PC3-8500 <- no idea what that means).
I heard that you might have problems if you want to use older software that only can run on 32-bit. Is it possible to switch between 64- and 32-bit?

chochajin Wrote:The Macbook is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more expensive!!!

MacBooks aren't the same machines as MacBook pros. The MacBook starts under 90,000yen iirc.

The refresh cycle is pretty much once a year and is predictable, so the best time to get value for your money is on-release. Apple doesn't drop prices as a model ages so at times they are a bad deal.

You must really be in the inaka if there is no yodobashi camera or bic camera near you.

Re lockdown, I have no idea what you're talking about. Apple computers are not iPods. Windows is filled with MUCH more lockdown stuff like WGA.

Re: Stockholm syndrome. I have no problems on my mac that I didn't have in my decades of pc use before I switched. The only thing I miss is assembling new highend machines, but having a well integrated compact machine is more important now.

I went to Bic Camera. They just sold their last Macbook and didn't have any in stock. It's an inaka Bic Camera after all ... ;o;

Sorry, I was talking about the Macbook Pro, or course. :/

That's really interesting information! So, *if* I get a Mac, I should get it now because waiting wouldn't drop the price?
I wanted to wait until they improve their current model and get the next generation, but like I said, I doubt my laptop will survive much longer. I don't wanna risk it!

Thanks a lot for your advice

chochajin Wrote:Concerning that. I heard that the RAM Lenovo's ThinkPads are using, aren't very fast/good. They use DDR3 (PC3-8500 <- no idea what that means).
I heard that you might have problems if you want to use older software that only can run on 32-bit. Is it possible to switch between 64- and 32-bit?

PC3-8500 isn't so bad. It's a step down from that of the memory a Macbook Pro uses, but the difference in performance in real life situations wouldn't be all that great.

As for older 32-bit software, Windows should be able to run them still in most cases. There are some programs that may not work, though. Supposedly, Share has problems under Windows 7 64-bit, but it worked last time I tried it. Your mileage may vary!