I feel terrible!

[Messiah33]

Hey [H], I feel terrible about my most recent decison. It sounds good but its not making me happy, here is whats up. When I graduated my parents told me that the would buy me a new computer once I settled on a decsion... q6600, 8800gt the works for a near-top of the line gaming rig. With my new computer I decided to get some other stuff, 22" monitor, Speakers, keyboard and mouse. So the total at the end is around $2,400CDN I was happy with it and told my parents and they said we can order it soon. Here is where it all falls apart, I got my hands on a macbook. Them things are really nice, I really wanted one after I got to play around with it. So I was thinking of getting one and a nice 24" UltraSharp 2407WFP-HC monitor to use with my xbox 360 and as a big screen for the mac. This is bad for me for 2 reasons, 1, I have always been a PC fanboy and never really liked macs, and 2, I'm PC "gaming" fanboy and the xbox 360 isnt my preference.. did my world flip upside down or somthing, wth!! The reason why this new "idea" is attractive is because my old computer hasnt been able to play any new games and its dieing. So I thought 'well I could probably wait a year or 2 to get a new computer for gaming since I'm doing fine without it and I'm ok with just my 360'. Its making me feel bad that I'm ditching what I have grown to love. Please [H]... counsel me!

 

[wopsang]

Ummm... whaaaaa? You're lucky your parents got you so much stuff for graduating. (I'm guessing a high school graduation) I got $20 and a "good for you" for my graduation from my parents. (university is also being paid by me...)

Macs can dual boot so you'll have the best of both worlds. You aren't missing out on anything but gaming. And the 2407wfp-hc is a nice monitor if you use it with programs that require a lot of work space, otherwise I have to say the ghosting is horrible in gaming. I have one and it ghosts a lot.

You're one lucky bastard...

 

[AaronP]

eh work with what you got.

 

[Messiah33]

I guess I'm luckier then some, I have to pay half though. Is that monitor really that bad? what monitor would you recommend for gaming at around the same price-range?

 

[veritas7]

I'm surprised people still buy that monitor... the inverse ghosting drove me insane.

 

[brom42]

Well if you want to be cool like me and wopsang, you need to buy the PC desktop and the Macbook for your laptop. Its the only way to go.

 

[st4rk]

Are you getting the Macbook with Windows on it? If so, that's okay. Mobile gaming is pretty cool. But when I got a decked out gaming laptop, after a couple months I wound up selling it, because it just didn't have the power of a gaming desktop. But it was kinda nice playing WoW on my couch while watching tv, albeit slightly uncomfortable after an hour or so.

But if it's the Macbook with Leopord on it, may God have mercy on your soul, and may you never return to these forums.

Xbox 360 is cool though, can't go wrong there!

 

[Messiah33]

Well if you want to be cool like me and wopsang, you need to buy the PC desktop and the Macbook for your laptop. Its the only way to go.

I can't get both atm, Only one then the other later. I was thinking laptop first just because I feel like im doing ok with just my 360 and I feel like I can wait a year or two to get my gaming desktop.

 

[Messiah33]

Are you getting the Macbook with Windows on it? If so, that's okay. Mobile gaming is pretty cool. But when I got a decked out gaming laptop, after a couple months I wound up selling it, because it just didn't have the power of a gaming desktop. But it was kinda nice playing WoW on my couch while watching tv, albeit slightly uncomfortable after an hour or so.

But if it's the Macbook with Leopord on it, may God have mercy on your soul, and may you never return to these forums.

Xbox 360 is cool though, can't go wrong there!

I was thinking of getting a 13" black macbook, now don't strike me down for this but I want leopard on it. Thing is I can't totally ditch windows so I'm going to look into dual-boot (don't know how possible it is), for some gaming but not much and not new games at all.

Edit: I slept on my new idea and I still kinda like it.

 

[Phrozt]

wish I had all day to dream up how to spend other peoples' money.

Consider yourself lucky and stop being such a princess about it.

Pick something and stick with it.

 

[theDreamer]

wish I had all day to dream up how to spend other peoples' money.

Consider yourself lucky and stop being such a princess about it.

Pick something and stick with it.

This comment plus others in this thread are really pissing me off.
So what that his parents are paying for him to have something better in his life, he came looking for advice on what would be better use overall for him and you guys are giving him a hard time because he gets to have a choice.

My advice:
~It sounds like you are happy with your 360 currently, and since you have not been PC gaming much you feel you can wait. If you feel the mobile Macbook (with dual boot) will benefit you more then I would jump on it, but think hard about how much you will be mobile and need it. When I bought my laptop I thought I would be on the go all the time, which I am, but I am to busy to really get my laptop out and use it. Though I bought a 15" laptop so I have the ability to have light gaming, with the Macbook you will be much more limited in your gaming use. It might be best overall to pick up or build your gaming system and when you are settled in and see if you need a mobile laptop (Macbook).

 

[sabregen]

i'd say do not neglect your roots. if you're a PC gamer from a long ago, do not sell yourself short on entertainment bliss that a new gaming rig can provide. I too am impressed by mac laptops (the aesthetic design, the sleek chassis...the ease of use of the programs), but I could never see myself using one regularly. They're neat. If I had the $, I'd definately get one, but I'd also have to get a PC laptop.

Anyways, got off track there. You have a 360, that's great! How much do you play it, versus PC gaming? Do you think that you play one or the other more (360 vs PC) because the platform is newer, or the games are better? If you play the 360 more because it has exclusive titles, that's fine. You need to properly weigh your preferences. I detect that you are having a hard time justifying a new PC gaming rig, when you already have one, that is still working, so you're ready to jump from stable ground to uncharted waters (the Macbook) just because you don't have that toy (macbook) yet.

I've made those kinds of purchases, and you know what...you regret is later. I have a Wii that I can't bring myself to play or sell, and a 360 that's in about the same position. In retrospect, I'd probably have been more happy with a new video card, and CPU upgrade...live and learn. Make sure you give appropriate weight to you current preferences, and also weigh the "new toy" factor as well. The "new toy" factor works liek this:

1.) Unfair advantage to the "new toy" for the first 3 months. It gets used, while the rest of the toys go neglected, collecting dust
2.) The "shiny" wears off of the "new toy"
3.) You go back to doing what you've always done, or what you dis most, before the "new toy"
4.) "New Toy" becomes "dust collector"

Good luck. I'd stick with the tried and true if it were me.

 

[Markyip1]

As the above poster mentioned, the real evaluation should be made on the basis of laptop vs desktop. This is far more important today than Mac vs PC, since all Macs can run Windows quite well.

Macs are not gaming machines, but a Macbook Pro can pull some weight with it's midrange mobile Direct X-10 video card. Even though they can run Windows, a Macbook or Macbook Pro isn't going to provide the gaming experience found on a high-end gaming desktop, especially if you try to game with the resolution of a 24 inch monitor. But then again, what laptop will?

Given that, I am of the opinion that Apple makes the best laptops money can buy. There are many reasons to recommend a Mac, from it's superior hardware and software design, to superior software compatibility, with the ability to run every OS designed for x86 hardware + 1, to the elegance of the user experience. They are by no means perfect of course. They're still just computers just like all others... their hardware is subject to design and manufacturing issues, and their software has bugs, just like Windows and its software. There are still trade-offs when buying an Apple over a Windows PC. The ecosystem of compatible third party hardware is far smaller (at least for hardware that works with OS X,) and dollar for dollar Mac hardware is more expensive than Windows (although there is the argument that you are paying for the OS.) However, if you are any bit of a computer enthusiast, I think you'll enjoy delving into the OS X world. Mac OS X is technically and architecturally a very elegant OS and I find that for non gaming tasks, I'll often prefer the Mac to the PC. (although as far as main stream software goes, Office 2004 for the Mac is severely lacking compared to the Windows version.)

Overall I say go for the Mac, if you decide you rather have a laptop and its associated benefits and trade-offs.

Mark.

P.S. My signature only describes my gaming machine, but most of the posts I make to [H] are done from my Core Duo Macbook Pro.

 

[Phrozt]

This comment plus others in this thread are really pissing me off.
So what that his parents are paying for him to have something better in his life, he came looking for advice on what would be better use overall for him and you guys are giving him a hard time because he gets to have a choice.

Not really.. he's asking a question based on his feelings for a system. That's retarded. Get something based on what you're going to use it for.. not so you can brag about how much your parents will spend on you, or how you "feel" about a system or another.

He's being emo about different gaming systems... I mean come on. If you play more 360, cater to the 360. If you do more w/desktop gaming, go that route. Pretty simple. He's not asking about features, pros/cons of each system.. He's asking you how YOU think HE should FEEL about a system.

Consider my last sentence and you'll see how ridiculous this thread is.

 

[theDreamer]

Phrozt:

The reason why this new "idea" is attractive is because my old computer hasnt been able to play any new games and its dieing. So I thought 'well I could probably wait a year or 2 to get a new computer for gaming since I'm doing fine without it and I'm ok with just my 360'

That is directly from him, he has been out of the PC game world for while because of an old system. He wants to know is it worth building a nice gaming rig or better to just pick up a laptop because he also has a 360 he can use. This is not about emotion or flaunting money around.

The couple posts after mine are good reads about what the OP should consider into his equation before making a decision.

 

[brom42]

I was thinking of getting a 13" black macbook, now don't strike me down for this but I want leopard on it. Thing is I can't totally ditch windows so I'm going to look into dual-boot (don't know how possible it is), for some gaming but not much and not new games at all.

Edit: I slept on my new idea and I still kinda like it.

You never listed the stats of your original computer. Is getting the MacBook and a new video card for you existing computer + the monitor an option? You also never mentioned what type of games you are in to. I am a console gamer, but there are just some games that only work well on PCs, like RTS games.

 

[magoo]

Get off the fence and make a decision.
What do you NEED the most?

 

[Messiah33]

Phrozt, if you dont have anything worthwhile to say please refrain from making immature comments thx.

As for the other comments your really making me think, and its helping. My current system is a lost cause its a computer that I got like 5 years ago from dell, and it was pretty much outdated at least a year ago due to not being able to run game without it shutting down 5 minuts in or not being able to handle the graphics. So I have relied on my 360 to serve me my daily chow of gaming. The laptop would be cool cause I browse the net a tonne and if I can do it from anywhere in the house or all around the college campus it would be awesome.

 

[crfracer290]

I feel. for you dude. Making decisions like this are always very tough. I have been in pretty much the exact situation awhile back...I was going to college and my parents said they would spend a pretty decent chunk of change for a new computer for me. It came down to either a nice new gaming rig, or a macbook pro, even though the two are very different in their purpose, I still had a hard time deciding...I ended up going for the macbook pro for the portability and I wanted to try out Mac OS X...I am currently in the process of building a new desktop because I miss having a nice custom computer, however I am also going to keep my macbook pro because I like it alot.

Anyways, my advice is just take some time to decide and do not stress out. Maybe get a piece of paper and wright down the pros and cons of each to help yourself decide...but in the end, you will know what you want more and choose that. Good luck

 

[RogerTheEngineer]

The problem with the plain old macbook: it can't game. Not at all. It's horrible. My MBP can do WoW great, and I can boot into Windows for some decent gaming... but I still have my desktop, and I couldn't image life without it. The Intel graphics in the MB won't get you that far. If you have any plans on ever gaming again, get an MBP. Skip the monitor if you need to, the screen in the book is fine.

 

[wopsang]

Well if you want to be cool like me and wopsang, you need to buy the PC desktop and the Macbook for your laptop. Its the only way to go.

*high five*

 

[Concentric]

He's being emo about different gaming systems..

LMAO


Seriously though, just go with the one that suits what you want to do. Don't just get a Mac because their cool or a gaming PC because that's what you've always had.

 

[Markyip1]

It sounds like you're stuck on whether or not you really want to get back into high-end PC gaming. If you're just about to start college, consider the following points in making a decision:

- Does your college provide wireless throughout the entire campus? My University supposedly had the first campus wide 802.11b network in the country (installed in 1999,) and as a result laptops were (and I assume still are) used everywhere. People brought them to class, used them in the University Center, and even under trees in the quad. I remember being able to check my e-mail from the back of a moving U-Haul truck. I originally brought a desktop to school, but got a laptop to supplement it after my first semester. Having campus wide wireless greatly increased my desire to get one and was instrumental in having the laptop be useful.

- How much free time do you think you'll have and how much of it do you plan to spend gaming? This answer is different for everyone, as even though college gives you the freedom to schedule your time (and many people find they have more of it in college than in HS,) it's up to you as to what to do with it. If you don't think you'll be gaming a lot, then there is no need to spend two grand on a gaming computer.

- Have you considered the social aspects of gaming in college? I gamed when I could both on PC and on consoles in college, and when X-Box live came out my junior year, it really changed the entire experience. Getting a few TVs and few 360s for a massive halo tournament is much easier to do in college than it is afterwards. You may very well find yourself spending more time on the consoles than you intend to, especially since more in college people game on consoles than PCs.

EDIT: If you do go the Mac route, consider if you can a Macbook Pro vs a regular MacBook. As your primary computer, you won't regret the added graphics horsepower or the increased resolution. The only plus I can think of in getting a MacBook for a college environment (besides price) is that can be knocked around a bit more, as the shell is made out of a thick acrylic instead of aluminum.

Mark.

 

[Messiah33]

It sounds like you're stuck on whether or not you really want to get back into high-end PC gaming. If you're just about to start college, consider the following points in making a decision:

- Does your college provide wireless throughout the entire campus? My University supposedly had the first campus wide 802.11b network in the country (installed in 1999,) and as a result laptops were (and I assume still are) used everywhere. People brought them to class, used them in the University Center, and even under trees in the quad. I remember being able to check my e-mail from the back of a moving U-Haul truck. I originally brought a desktop to school, but got a laptop to supplement it after my first semester. Having campus wide wireless greatly increased my desire to get one and was instrumental in having the laptop be useful.

- How much free time do you think you'll have and how much of it do you plan to spend gaming? This answer is different for everyone, as even though college gives you the freedom to schedule your time (and many people find they have more of it in college than in HS,) it's up to you as to what to do with it. If you don't think you'll be gaming a lot, then there is no need to spend two grand on a gaming computer.

- Have you considered the social aspects of gaming in college? I gamed when I could both on PC and on consoles in college, and when X-Box live came out my junior year, it really changed the entire experience. Getting a few TVs and few 360s for a massive halo tournament is much easier to do in college than it is afterwards. You may very well find yourself spending more time on the consoles than you intend to, especially since more in college people game on consoles than PCs.

EDIT: If you do go the Mac route, consider if you can a Macbook Pro vs a regular MacBook. As your primary computer, you won't regret the added graphics horsepower or the increased resolution. The only plus I can think of in getting a MacBook for a college environment (besides price) is that can be knocked around a bit more, as the shell is made out of a thick acrylic instead of aluminum.

Mark.

This is the comment the has helped me the most haha, PC gaming is slowly getting smaller and it makes me sad. There is no doubt I would play console much more in college, non of my friends are pc gamers only console . I think im going with the macbook, pro is too much money and I want to get a 24" LCD as well for xbox/TV and for the future gaming computer. BenQ FP241W 24IN Widescreen LCD Monitor Is what im gona get along with a macbook. Thanks all who have commented, most of them has made me think about something that I overlooked.

Edit: One more thing, is VGA or component better for high-def gaming on a xbox 360?

 

[theDreamer]

This is the comment the has helped me the most haha, PC gaming is slowly getting smaller and it makes me sad. There is no doubt I would play console much more in college, non of my friends are pc gamers only console . I think im going with the macbook, pro is too much money and I want to get a 24" LCD as well for xbox/TV and for the future gaming computer. BenQ FP241W 24IN Widescreen LCD Monitor Is what im gona get along with a macbook. Thanks all who have commented, most of them has made me think about something that I overlooked.

Edit: One more thing, is VGA or component better for high-def gaming on a xbox 360?

Quick thing to not, if you want.
Look at the Sharp 32" 1080P Gaming LCD HDTV, great price for a 1080P setup in a small package. It will bump up your price on a screen, but it will look very good and you will get to have full 1080P plus a nice resolution to go along side it.

 

[st4rk]

PC Gaming is certainly NOT getting smaller, no way jose.

I would go ahead with the 13" macbook. Use the 360 for gaming, and get the new monitor, or perhaps HDTV.

Sounds like you're not that serious of a pcgamer, and since you're in college the macbook would be really nice to have.

Edit: One more thing, is VGA or component better for high-def gaming on a xbox 360?

Either or is fine, they're the same quality.

 

[Messiah33]

PC Gaming is certainly NOT getting smaller, no way jose.

I would go ahead with the 13" macbook. Use the 360 for gaming, and get the new monitor, or perhaps HDTV.

Sounds like you're not that serious of a pcgamer, and since you're in college the macbook would be really nice to have.

Not anymore sadly, PC gaming used to own my soul.hehe

Compared to the console market, you have to admit PC gaming has definatly slowed down at least. I hate to contribute to that but soon I shall return! XD