Thinking about Getting a Macbook Pro

Interesting read:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/technology/personaltech/an-updated-guide-to-la ptop-shopping.html?_r=1&src=dayp

Some of your assumptions are completely off.

Mac's are no more reliable then PCs, they use the exact same hardware, No difference at all.

Will it last for years and years? Maybe but just like everything else it all depends on each individual unit. I have a Dell i8200 notebook that is 10+ years old and still works like the day I got it. Have all Dell i8200s lasted this long, No.

Mac's are not loaded down with software. They come with only 4 or 5 programs and 1 or 2 are built into the OS.

Apple charges more for the hardware because they just do.

The old saying, "Mac's Just Work" is hype. Just read these forums, they don't Just work. They suffer the same hardware and software glitches as PCs. In fact I think Windows 7, and even XP, are as good an OS as Mac OS X. I use both on a daily basis.

Buying a Mac isn't going to stop you from playing games, it will just slow you down a little. And then you'll go to one of your PCs to play or install Windows on your Mac.

Just buy a lower end PC notebook that doesn't have the Graphics for gaming, limited amount of RAM, like 4GBs, and slower HDD, 5400RPM (just like the Mac's come with), and you can save $400-$600. Enough savings to buy another in a year or 2.

Personally I'd seek help with the gaming addiction. Mac's can play games, even the lower end models. Just not as well as a fast PC (especially a desktop).

If you don't do something about the addiction to gaming you will continue. Like an Alcoholic saying "I'm going to stop drinking by not going into bars". Yeah right. That may work for a day or 2 or even a month or a year but eventually they will find a way, reason, to start drinking again. That is a proven fact.

So no matter what computer you own if there are games made to run on the included OS or a way to install an OS for gaming, Boot Camp and Windows, you will go back to it. IMHO.

I build my own desktops also but I don't do games, much, and the one I do play are older, if and when I install them and play them. Been about a year since I played anything other then Angry Birds and don't play that anymore.

So save your money. If you don't NEED a Notebook then don't buy anything and use that money to help you with the gaming problem.

Just my $0.02

Good Luck.

Macs are actually quite reliable, Shootist007 is being inaccurately negative in that regard. Yes, problems can happen with any computer, but Mac users typically have fewer problems. Regarding malware, there really isn't much out there. See my Mac Malware Guide on that score.

Of course, as Shootist007 points out, buying a Mac isn't going to cure your problem. Macs are fine gaming machines. I frequently play things like Portal 2 and Bioshock 2. Of course, many games may not be ported to the Mac, but still... gaming on a Mac isn't anywhere close to non-existent.

Ultimately, whether you buy a Mac or not depends on you. If you really love the way Windows works, you will probably have a hard time adapting to the way Mac OS X works. If you're the type of person who absolutely cannot adapt their workflow, then you'd better stick with Windows (and not upgrade to Windows 8, from the sounds of it). If you like to experiment with new things and new techniques, though, you may find you like the Mac. Personally, Windows is the bane of my existence every time I have to use it - which is often, as I can't convince my wife to spend the extra on Macs for her small business and am thus constantly stuck troubleshooting her recalcitrant Windows machines!

Shootist007 isn't being negative, he's simply saying that macs and pcs are the same hardware, and similar in software. the only real difference is yes, there is fewer viruses on macs. and to be honest, macs are generally cost-inefficient for playing games. you can build a pc desktop for 600 that will play most contemporary 3d games decently, you'd need to spend double to triple that on a mac to do the same. and windows 7 really isnt that different from mac os X at this point, windows 7 has improved quite a bit from xp and vista days.

as to the OP, if you want to buy a MacBook Air for example, it wont play games very well but is great for browsing and general school work. i'll agree with Shootist though, really you need to find something else to focus on in your life to counter wanting to play games, having a less capable gaming computer really isnt the answer.