Dell vs Mac for Poker/Business

SunOfBeach · #1 07-26-2007, 05:28 PM

Hi,

We're buying a new laptop for our business, and choosing which to buy, I'm trying to consider not only biz-related issues, but poker-related issues as well.

For our work, I really need 2gb (expandable to 4gb) of RAM, and 2.33GhZ or so.

Thus, I've narrowed down to the MacBook Pro or the top-notch Dell, both of which are about 2900 with the best 17" glossy screen, etc.

There are a couple of things I just can't resolve, though - and everyone is giving me different information:

1. Just for purposes of not getting viruses, isn't a Mac a better deal than an equivalently priced PC?

2. I prefer BoDog to the Mac-able sites such as Full Tilt. Someone at CompUSA is trying to tell me that "the new Mac is like a PC too, you can run anything by running it in 'PC format'". Is this true? Can I thus play on BoDog on a Mac?

3. Does doing (2), if it exists, open the Mac to those viruses that I thought I was immune from (in 1)?

Also, if anyone knows of a cheaper way to get the speed/power I'd like (I really only care about 2gb+, expandable to 4gb, 2.33MhZ+, etc... I dont need any other funky features) - I'd love to hear suggestions.

Thanks.

PC

Beavis68 · #2 07-26-2007, 05:58 PM

I dont know what "PC format" is, but you can run a Windows OS on the Macs using either Boot Camp or Parallels. I have heard that Boot Camp is the best way to go. I think on Parallels it actually runs inside of the mac os, where in boot camp they run seperately, but I am not sure.

TomHimself · #3 07-26-2007, 06:06 PM

google.com

you set up a partition for windows and you boot up each time you want to play or you can use virutalization which means it runs combined with OS X. windows can still get viruses but OS X will not. so just use windows for poker and thats it

Beavis68 · #4 07-26-2007, 07:22 PM

if you want to do the virtuallization route, that is what paralles is for. I think it costs money though. I beleive you can download bootcamp for free from Apple.

With parallels both OSs share all resources and run at the same time. You can reboot one and still work in the other. With boot camp you use one at a time and will have better performance since you are not sharing resources.

TomHimself · #5 07-26-2007, 11:44 PM

yes it costs will build up because you will have to buy a new XP/Vista most likely because the disks that come with dells only work with dells

kerowo · #6 07-27-2007, 12:15 AM

Parallels is 80 bucks and will let you run Windows software on the Mac while still running Mac stuff. This doesn't apply to super graphics intensive stuff which most poker sites aren't.

XP is another 130ish bucks and Vista is about twice that so if you go the mac route you are well over 3 grand just to turn it on unless you have a copy that isn't licensed to a particular machine and can use that.

Unless you have a big reason to move your bidness to a Mac you are probably better off staying Windows.

a nonymous · #7 07-27-2007, 01:29 AM

Is a $210 difference when buying a $3000 computer really the deciding factor?

It would be a good idea to do some research about Dell's hardware quality vs. Apple's hardware quality, as this is really / should be your deciding decision if you're primarily going to use Windows. If you think you'd like to use the Mac operating system for some activities, I don't see how anyone would justify saving a little money to get an entirely inferior system.

The Dell is ugly and heavy. The Apple looks better than any laptop on the market and is significantly thinner/lighter.

I think spending $3000 on a Dell laptop instead of an Apple would be a horrible decision, but, if you do it, at least make sure you do it for the right reasons. If not paying for a copy of XP is your only concern, then I guess the Dell is the clear choice.

EDIT: Also, to answer original questions:

1. Just for purposes of not getting viruses, isn't a Mac a better deal than an equivalently priced PC?

-Yes, and it's not even close.

2. I prefer BoDog to the Mac-able sites such as Full Tilt. Someone at CompUSA is trying to tell me that "the new Mac is like a PC too, you can run anything by running it in 'PC format'". Is this true? Can I thus play on BoDog on a Mac?

-You can run the Windows operating system as well as you can on a Dell.

3. Does doing (2), if it exists, open the Mac to those viruses that I thought I was immune from (in 1)?

-Your Windows system will be just as vulnerable to viruses as a Windows system running on a Dell. Your Mac system will not be. They're separate systems so you shouldn't have viruses "carry over." (Though it may technically be possible, this really isn't your main concern. Google for more on this.) It's important to note that Macs can get viruses, so you're not technically "immune." You're just much, much safer than you are inside a Windows system.

Freakin · #8 07-27-2007, 05:46 AM

Before answering anything else, are you sure you need it to be a laptop?

Ray Zee · #9 07-28-2007, 04:39 PM

as cheap as computers are do you really want to use your business computer for gambling on the web.
why risk compromising personal and business data just so you can use the same computer. it just takes once to mess up and you will regret it.

Shoe Lace · #10 07-29-2007, 12:18 AM

Keep in mind that if you want 4 GB of ram you need a 64 bit operating system. You can have 4 GB with a 32 bit OS but you won't be allowed to use all of it.

The downside to a 64 bit OS is that the driver support is a fair bit worse. It'll be hit/miss for the most part. Double check each (google) piece of hardware to make sure the drivers aren't in bad shape or non-existent.