$40 or so for a complete operating system is a great deal, and as a student, I think that Windows is a better OS for school, at least for now. OneNote and the extra physical security features of PC's (fingerprint readers, etc.) make life a little easier. Windows Media Center pretty much justifies the price of Windows, if you ask me.
I would disagree, especially considering the education market is where Mac market share is the highest. Sleeping and waking a Mac is quicker than with a PC, which is important on the go. The Macs light weight (for the screen size) is great for your back. Expose is great for multitasking, and magsafe for could save your laptop if your power cord is spanning a fairly large gap to reach the only available power outlet. Ambient light sensors with back lit keyboards and auto dimming screens help too.
If you want to talk security features, that fingerprint reader may protect your data from your roommates prying eyes (a password will do the same against most roommates), but it doesn't do you much good if someone snatches your laptop. On the other hand, the accelerometers for the hard drive drop sensor in mac let allow for alarm programs that go off the moment movement is detected... they can even snap and email pics from the built in isight, although that is really a gimmick since the first thing a thief will do is close the lid. I wouldn't really tout a fingerprint reader or the accelerometers as a reason to buy a pc or a mac. The best security you can have is not leaving your laptop unattended and getting a roommate you can trust.
On top of it, I don't personally like windows media center either, lots of features, clunky to use. $30 - $40 for an OS is a great deal though, wish it was available to me.
Comments
$40 or so for a complete operating system is a great deal, and as a student, I think that Windows is a better OS for school, at least for now. OneNote and the extra physical security features of PC's (fingerprint readers, etc.) make life a little easier. Windows Media Center pretty much justifies the price of Windows, if you ask me.
I would disagree, especially considering the education market is where Mac market share is the highest. Sleeping and waking a Mac is quicker than with a PC, which is important on the go. The Macs light weight (for the screen size) is great for your back. Expose is great for multitasking, and magsafe for could save your laptop if your power cord is spanning a fairly large gap to reach the only available power outlet. Ambient light sensors with back lit keyboards and auto dimming screens help too.
If you want to talk security features, that fingerprint reader may protect your data from your roommates prying eyes (a password will do the same against most roommates), but it doesn't do you much good if someone snatches your laptop. On the other hand, the accelerometers for the hard drive drop sensor in mac let allow for alarm programs that go off the moment movement is detected... they can even snap and email pics from the built in isight, although that is really a gimmick since the first thing a thief will do is close the lid. I wouldn't really tout a fingerprint reader or the accelerometers as a reason to buy a pc or a mac. The best security you can have is not leaving your laptop unattended and getting a roommate you can trust.
On top of it, I don't personally like windows media center either, lots of features, clunky to use. $30 - $40 for an OS is a great deal though, wish it was available to me.