OT New Laptop

How much fun. I have a new computer in my lab at school, again with all the bells and whistles since it has to last me at least 6-7 years. Haven't seen Vista yet, nor the new Office 2007. I think my learning curve might be huge next Christmas break after my grant money comes through for all new computers in the lab. Yikes.

As far as coupons, another site you might want to visit is hotdealsclub dot com. They have all sorts of coupon codes for everything. It changes daily. I got my dual monitor for almost 60% off.

Enjoy your new toy.

Steve Alaska

I love the larger screen and Vista is just stunning no matter what the critics say! I am having a bit of a problem getting my newsreader to work through Windows Mail (formerly Outlook Express) but I'll figure that out. At least I can use Google for now.

I am going to view a DVD on this tomorrow. I am hoping it will be spectacular since I upgraded my video card.

When I was looking at the reviews for this laptop (a Dell 1705), I found out that there was an "e-coupon" for it. It saved my $525 on this puppy! Paid for most of my upgrades. So, if you are going to make a major purchase, do yourself a favor and check out e-coupon dot com. NAYY.

Ok, I have to figure out what this button does now........

AliceW

This is very interesting to me Alice. I got an IOU for a new laptop for Christmas and I haven't been able to make a choice yet. (And in the meantime, my car, fridge and washing machine have gone on the fritz....laptop has been put on the back burner) I get the emails from Dell for their "specials", but by the time I add in all the upgrades and extras....the price is almost doubled. I'll have to check out the coupon! Thanks!

Howdy!

A Mac will make you a better quilter, Kathyl. I guarantee. ;-)

Ragmop/Sandy

Sandy, you have no idea how close I came to getting a MAC but my job requires Windows based applications as do my websites. There were just too many reasons to stay with Windows for now. I am enjoying my new laptop, Vista notwithstanding, but I have already encountered my first game that won't load due to conflicts with Vista. It worked great under Windows XP.

I would agree with Sandy and recommend a MAC for anyone doing graphical type work - like designing quilts and such.

I will retire just around the time this laptop has to be replaced, so there is hope for me yet!

AliceW

Well, Sandy...I don't object to Mac's. Will they work with my Bernina software, EQ6 and my other programs???? Those are the most important programs I want to use on a laptop. I don't know much about the Mac's with Windows. Do you??

Howdy!

We must have our priorities. I understand, Alice.

Ragmop/Sandy -- computer users who quilt:

Sandy, you have no idea how close I came to getting a MAC but my job

I had the same problem (programs not loading or "not quite right") when I went from 98 to XP. I had a virtual environment put on the PC that allows me to open a 98 environment and run/create files, then use them in XP applications. 98 is not on a separate drive and therefore hasn't "divided" the drives up. So now when I want to run Corel Draw I just click on an icon and go into a 98 environment, export the drawing file and close 98, then open the file in XP. It's like having 98 and XP on different windows at the same time.

PLEASE do not ask me for the technical details! All I know is that I told a tech what I wanted and he made it happen lol

Kathyl, we've been researching mac laptops a lot lately. You can buy a program called parrallell (sp?) or something like that. It will run all your windows programs, without having to boot up in a separate boot like boot camp..... but you do have to have a legal copy of windows as well to use it. I had the guy in the local apple store challenge me that you could find mac software for anything until I started spewing off specialty quilting software and he started sputtering. So there are options, but I've heard some really not flattering things about Vista so .... we're treading water .... because neither is calling my name loudly.... HTH

Jan RCTQ Coffee Diva

It sounds like we're in the same boat Jan. There are certainly a lot of questions I'd have about using a Mac with all these PC programs I need to run on a laptop. I know there would be some who could argue that the EQ program could be duplicated with other graphic drawing programs that would run on a Mac...but I don't want to learn those. I have a program that does what I want it to....EQ...more actually since I have yet to scratch the surface of it capabilities. The Bernina embroidery software cost me big bucks....I'm not ditching that, nor am I willing to get a laptop that won't run it and be forced to only use it on my desktop. Is my Windows program only allowed to be installed on one computer? Don't I have a legal copy on a disc for reinstalling on my desktop?

Of course, the current crop of Macs can run Mac OS *and* Windoze at the same time. :)

I wonder how often each operating system is used when it's equipped with both. I mean does a PC person who switches to a Mac with Windows primarily use the Windows OS? If so, then what's the advantage of having a Mac? Won't whatever shortcomings Windows has still be an issue? I can almost understand the Mac people using both so they can switch when they want to run a Windows based program...but will PC users switch to the Mac OS? It's a bit of a mystery to me. And maybe it's one of the reasons I still haven't purchased a laptop. Mac people say Mac's are easier.....I don't find a PC "hard". I need a tutor!

Ah, Sandy, I couldn't agree with you more! I have a MacBook, and I just love it! I use Quilt Pro on that. With the new Intel processor, I can run my lovely, stable Mac OS, but I can also run Win XP at native speed when I want to use EQ6. It's the best Mac I've ever had, and I've had half a dozen or so.

Kathyl, I'm a different Sandy, but I've had Macs for over 20 years and like to think that I'm at least semi-knowledgeable about them. I have to admit, though, that I don't know anyone who has tried to use the Bernina software with one of the new Macs; I suspect it would work fine. I do know that EQ6 works perfectly, as well as a wide array of other programs. For instance, I run a French-English-French dictionary and my cellphone software in XP on my MacBook, in addition to EQ6.

I think the Bernina software would work fine for a couple of reasons. First, the new Macs all have the Intel processor, the lack of which was a major hurdle in the past. Second, you have the choice of two (more, really, but two major) methods of using your Mac with Win software.

The first is Apple's Bootcamp, which is like having a Windows machine in Apple disguise. You have to reboot into Windows or into the Mac OS when you want to switch (an inconvenience, I'll admit), but the reports I hear are that people can't tell the difference between this and using a "real" Windows machine.

The second major option is Parallels, which I use and really like. This enables me to run Windows and its apps from within the MacOS, but at native speed (or close to it). I find this nicer, since I don't have to reboot each time I want to look at something briefly.

For both BootCamp and Parallels, you do have to have a stand-alone version of Windows to install. There is another company (I've temporarily forgotten the name!) that's making it possible to run Windows apps *without* installing Windows itself, and that's pretty exciting. Unfortunately, it doesn't yet support many different programs, and one that isn't supported for sure is EQ6; I know, because I tried.

Want to come play with my MacBook before you decide? ;)

Many of the "switchers" are people who are required to use Windoze for work purposes but who prefer to use the Mac OS for their personal/home life. Others simply use the Windows environment for whatever can't be duplicated on the Mac; some offices, for example, insist that everyone use MS Office Outlook for email, and that isn't available in the Mac version of Office. But for almost anything else, these people would be able to use a Mac program.

Of course. But less so, since they wouldn't be using Windows as often. As an example (though I'm not a switcher -- I've used a Mac for over

20 years), when I open up Windows, I tend to turn off any possibility for it to access the web -- it's very easy to turn off. That way, since I don't generally need web access from Windows, except for updates to XP, I don't run the risk of something nasty sneaking in. BTW, I choose to use XP, but I've heard that Vista works, too.

Kathyl, if you were to go look at the Apple forums, you'd see that there are *lots* of PC people switching, now that the Mac can run Windoze so efficiently. They're getting the best of both worlds, as they say. :) Of course, the forums are a place where people go to solve problems and get questions answered, but you can also see lots of people helping each other and getting all excited about the capabilities in these new Macs.

HTH!

Thanks Sandy! I sincerely appreciate your insights! It certainly helps me understand some of the differences and advantages/disadvantages. Maybe I should call the Bernina embroidery software techs and get the info straight from them too. My DS got a new Mac last summer...it's beautiful!

Howdy!

I use Microsoft's Entourage program for email and other Office tasks; brings me right to this ng to play with all the beautiful quilters.

Microsoft Entourage:

Apple store: I don't do quilting software (got enough ideas and patterns and artwork to last 3 lifetimes ), but SandyF has given a good lesson on that part. iMac endorsement: this is the way I thought computers *should* work! Apple Quilt Barbara Caldwell R/Sandy

You're welcome, Kathyl! Perhaps your DS could bring the Mac over to your house for a trial run to see if the Bernina software will work? Assuming that it's a laptop, that is. I'm not sure the Bernina people will really know, but I'm wishing you luck. :)

Thanks again! I'll keep all this info in a file for later. I appreciate your help.