Budget mac recommendations?

[nojmaster]

Something I'm thinking about for uni. I have a desktop PC, but a lot of the things I'm working on are Mac based. That's ok because I have plenty of access to the Macs at uni, but I would really like the option of being able to work at my flat, as well as perhaps (if the laptop option is a viable one) when I go home for holidays and down to my girlfriend on random occassions. What kind of options are there for cheap Macs? I'd go research at apple.com but it's all US price based and I want real opinions from you people who've used them. Also keep in mind any software they might come with; I'll need to use Photoshop, Dreamweaver and various word processing/office type apps, and if there are Macs that come with that kind of stuff, all the better. Also I'd prefer to buy new.

[siddy]

the problem is 'budget mac' is a bit of a oxymoron.

However, some of the smaller macbooks are a decentish price, also I'd maybe take a peek at the referbished section of the mac store online.

[Noirceur]

Something I'm thinking about for uni. I have a desktop PC, but a lot of the things I'm working on are Mac based. That's ok because I have plenty of access to the Macs at uni, but I would really like the option of being able to work at my flat, as well as perhaps (if the laptop option is a viable one) when I go home for holidays and down to my girlfriend on random occassions. What kind of options are there for cheap Macs? I'd go research at apple.com but it's all US price based and I want real opinions from you people who've used them. Also keep in mind any software they might come with; I'll need to use Photoshop, Dreamweaver and various word processing/office type apps, and if there are Macs that come with that kind of stuff, all the better. Also I'd prefer to buy new.
Budget mac, huh?
This one should fit your price range.

[DunNa]

I'll need to use Photoshop, Dreamweaver and various word processing/office type apps, and if there are Macs that come with that kind of stuff, all the better.

You have yet to name one reason why you need a mac besides thats what the school has. Also in general the only rather valid reason imo to buy a mac is if you need it for something only it can do such as say final cut pro, and for that kinda stuff you really don't want to skimp and go budget.

That said there really isn't a budget mac and whatever you buy will be obsolete in afew years, so unless you have something that you truely need a mac for I would say buy a normal computer and leave the macs to filthy rich people without any sense, yuppies, and people that actually need one for whatever they are doing.

Also your not going to get a mac laptop for anything less than 1k (US) new. About your best bet would be a mini mac for pricing and its also rather small.

[Rob_F]

Budget mac, huh?
This one should fit your price range.

That's an Apple II, not a Mac...

[Noirceur]

I'm aware, point being a budget mac is, as mentioned before, an oxymoron, at least if you want new, which he does. And by new I assume he means from a store or Apple itself, not ebay.<insert obligatory sign your -rep pussies comment>, don't worry, I don't -rep people back out of spite.

[Enforcer]

That's an Apple II, not a Mac...

wtf is this minimalist shit?


A good mac would be the G4 Quicksilver, you can still get them off ebay for like $400.

Or just steal one from the school.

[DunNa]

A good mac would be the G4 Quicksilver, you can still get them off ebay for like $400.

Or just steal one from the school.

If you bother to read what he said... he ask for "new".

[Enforcer]

If you bother to read what he said... he ask for "new".

I did read what he said and I was giving him my honest opinion. There is no new budget mac. It's an impossibility.

[nojmaster]

I don't mean new as in latest model, I'd just prefer not to buy second hand.

[Maddog]

buying from the apple refurbished section and using the student discount can get you a decent discount on a mac. And you get warrenties and stuff on it.

[Enforcer]

I don't mean new as in latest model, I'd just prefer not to buy second hand.

You'd be suprised that sometimes second hand is better than new. There's no possibility of receiving a factory DOA product and it's probably stress tested so you know it's good.