Need an unbiased opinion: should I get a Mac?

[N00b-un-2]

I am in the US Navy and I will be going on my third deployment in a few months and at this moment I do not have my own laptop. The heat, the sand and wear and tear from being carried around in a backpack takes its toll on computers in Iraq. After the new year I will looking to purchase a new one and I'm willing to spend around $1,000 for a good laptop, provided that I can rest easy in the knowledge that my computer is going to be able to take the abuse. I've owned three laptop computers in as many years, an older HP laptop which was given to me by my older brother, an IBM Thinkpad T25 which I purchased used and a Toshiba laptop which I purchased new at Walmart a little over a year ago.
The HP laptop fried itself due to overheating, the IBM laptop screen broke magically one day and the Toshiba just started falling apart eventually. The hard drive had some errors on it, the screen had become scratched from sand getting into it, it overheated periodically, the DVD burner stopped working (I'm assuming from the dust/sand)and in general, it started to just look shabby. I tried to take care of my computers. I clean them practically every day with cans of air duster (which is available freely from my commands' supply department) and I own a nice durable Targus laptop backpack which I used to carry around my computer.
One thing that caught my attention though was the fact that every single Mac owner I've met has never had any such problems with their laptops and they have been able to take their computers with them wherever they go without issue.
So my question is this:
I would LOVE to invest my money into a System76 computer and support Linux, or should I spend the extra money on a Mac? Typically I use my computer for watching movies, editing videos and photos, email, surfing the web, occaisionally playing video games, and most importantly -- Skype. Video Chat is the cheapest and easiest way to keep in touch with family back home. I also have a PSP which I use primarily as a "cell phone" at work in Iraq. We have WiFi at our squadrons' hangar.
My biggest issue is by FAR durability. I need a laptop that will be able to take a little rough handling and less than ideal conditions and I would like to know from other system76 customers whether they think their computer will stand up to the test.

[wyattbiker]

I switched to a MacBook from Windows and I am thrilled. There is nothing I can't do with it. And you can run Windows and Linux on it sing Parallels. If there are any problems though, I dont know what the repair status would be for you as far as overseas is concerned. You should ask other military people or call Apple or visit an Apple store.

[3Miro]

If you get System76, don't get Pangolin or Serval, the video cards are powerful, but will probably not take the heat.

As to the other models, what I know is that system76 hardware is top of the line and I don't think Macs would be more durable. Other than that, I can provide little help, since I cannot imagine the effect of so much abuse on the machine. I would guess the best choice would be a laptop that is as "closed" as possible (so no dust gets in). Pangolin is pretty close (I was complaining since the fan pad had no effect on it), but I don't know about the other models.

Also, if you have the opportunity, you an invest in a set of good screwdrivers and try and clean the thing periodically (regardless if its brand).

[issih]

Hmmn mac durability....

depends what you mean...I've had several power lead failures, the next time I get round to visiting the apple store will be the 4th replacement in about 2.5 years (the magsafe is clever but far too fragile)

The top case of my macbook has also been replaced twice in the same time period because of little chips round the edge.

So on cosmetic/peripheral issues I have to say I consider them pretty poor (although obviously this is a sample of 1 and therefore heavily skewed)

Core hardware however is very solid...never had an issue, and both macbooks I've been the keeper of have taken a significantly harder knock than I'd ever have liked them to. In both cases they were perfectly fine.

The only other issue I've had is one battery failure, as in it wouldn't charge..that was replaced under warranty.

All the above relates to the previous generation plastic macbook, not the newer unibody one or any of the aluminium pro line.

All I will say about the newer plastic macbook is that I went into an apple store to poke it the other day, and it is astonishingly rigid, it just does not twist under torsion (unlike just about every other laptop I've ever used)

[N00b-un-2]

Thanks for your input. Actually, while we were deployed last time I had a little side business going of fixing laptops for people. As a result I was actually able to convert about a half dozen people to using Linux when their Windows install became inoperable, or they needed new drivers, etc. While we do have access to internet out in Iraq, we have a bandwidth limit. I remember when a Vista service pack came out and everyone was pissed off because they couldn't update to it.
But as far as the screwdrivers goes, I actually took apart my laptop at least once a month and cleaned everything with air duster, but it doesn't really help when we have sand storms almost daily... But like I said, the people I work with who own the aluminum unibody Macbooks never ever seemed to have any issues with them whatsoever.
But everything I've seen and heard about System76 seems to me to be the way to go.

[Skofo]

"unbiased opinion"

Now there's an oxymoron if there ever was one! ;)

[samalex]

I have a PanP5, and though the thing is solid, I don't know if it or many other laptops would hold-up under the conditions you're talking about. Before my PanP5, I was quite happy with an Apple iBook, and I can say that thing is about the most durable laptop I've seen. In the 6 years or so I used it (most of which as my primary system), it went everywhere with me (school, traveling, work, etc), but I didn't have the environmental elements you spoke of ... but I'd say it or any of the newer Macs would hold-up quite well in that situation.

As for other System76 laptops outside of the PanP5, I can't speak of those because I haven't used them, but as for running with a Mac, especially with the new unibody design, I bet you'll be safe. And given you got the AppleCare plan, it would probably cover most anything else.

Sam

[jml]

I own both a MacBook, (not a MacBook Pro) and two S76 laptops, (Daru1, and Daru3). All three have been very solid computers. I would rank the MacBook, and Daru1 as equally solid. The Daru3 is a little bit lighter in construction, but still satisfactory for my needs. From an OS perspective, I have used OSX for over five years. The OS has proven rock solid. I only experience two system freezes in all that time. Once when I did an OS upgrade, and once when I installed Microsoft Office for the Mac.

The key is YOUR needs. The new MacBook Pros have a unibody construction which should be very reliable, it also comes with a battery that is not user changable. Apple claims 1,000 charge/discharge cycles before it needs to be replaced, but depending on how much time is spent off the mains, one might wind up with a dead battery sooner than expected. A final point, since the new Macs are based on Intel processors, one has the ability to dual boot both OSX and Linux.

If your budget permits it, you might want to look into a truely ruggidized notebook like the Panasonic Toughbook series of products. They are built from the ground up for durability in harsh environments. One should be able to blow off the Windows OS and install Linux on it. Their major downside is price.

Good hunting, and best of luck when in theater.

Joe

[N00b-un-2]

we use toughbooks quite a bit at work and in all honesty, I've been unimpressed with their "ruggedness". I'm in an aviation squadron and we do "by the e-book" maintenance. It makes a hell of a lot more sense to drag a laptop out to the jet than it does to bring an armload of technical manuals and wiring diagrams. But that being said, I've found that the toughbooks aren't nearly as tough as one would expect. Not only that, but they are anemically underpowered compared to computers of similar price.

And in regards to the new line of Intel based Macs, I would just like to point out that many distros currently still officially support PPC architecture (openSUSE is one that comes to mind) and even Ubuntu still has PPC disk images available, but I don't think that the architecture has been "officially" supported since 7.04. But even though official support for PPC has been dropped, there are still plenty of people installing Linux on their PS3s and XBOX360s, both of which have PPC chips as far as I know.

I've been kicking the idea of purchasing a higher end G4 Powerbook. Even though they are a bit older, they are not what I would consider 'obsolete' yet as they are still competitive compared to many of todays laptops in terms of performance. Also, take into consideration the fact that I plan to run Linux on this computer, I don't think that having a blazing fast computer is a necessity. Just a durable one.

[Lee_Machine]

I'm in the Air Force and when I went to Iraq I took my Black Macbook (2006 model), I made sure to purchase the Apple Care warranty. The heat got to it, the sand, the wear, and tear, and about about a week before I came back it died on me.

When I got back I took it into an Apple Store, and walked out with a brand new (probably refurbished) Black Macbook.

You can email S76, and see if their warranty works similar.

I can say though that I am as pleased with my S76 Pangolin. It has survived the Okinawan hot, and humid weather....I would equate the weather to southern Mississippi.

[N00b-un-2]

And therein lies the issue... If I spend the extra money on a Mac, should anything go wrong with my computer I can just take it into the nearest Apple Store and they'll replace it. There is no other company offering a similar warranty. But at the same time, it's hard to stomach the idea of spending north of $1000 on a laptop, when I could get the same hardware for half the price.
I'm really leaning towards the idea of buying a later model (2005-2006) G4 Powerbook or iBook. For what I'm looking for in a laptop, that may be the best course of action.

[Lee_Machine]

Yeah, go with what your budget is. I would just go with a used laptop anyways, and use it as a throw away laptop.

But if you do get a new mac I have heard many great things about the 13' Macbook Pro. At the Federal Employee Apple Store online they start at $1099

http://store.apple.com/us_epp_67909

[jacobs444]

mac has the highest failure rate of laptops, next to HP withinthe first year. So no you shouldn't.

[danbuter]

One thing to keep in mind is that Macbooks have an open DVD slot. Which is fine if you're in a house, but horrible outside.

[NathanZal]

My guess would be that System76 will be good to you - and Apple has been getting finicky, or so I hear, about Applecare repairs due to environmental factors. Depends on where you take it, I suppose.

Have you looked into getting a ruggedized laptop instead? Probably out of your budget, though. Dell has one for $2000.

Have you looked for an air-tight sleeve to store it in between uses? The backpack might not be enough protection. http://www.otterbox.com/ has ruggedized outer cases that might help extend the lifetime of whatever you take with you. Best of luck to you!

Nathan

[KiraLexi]

I've had bad luck with both System76 (weird display corruption) and Apple (optical drive failure, unreliable power cables, hard disk failure, battery failure...). In my experience, Thinkpads are about as good as you can get sanely priced for reliability.

[RedRat]

Well it sounds like you have a pretty harsh duty, if sand and heat are the problem then you need to get a laptop designed for that type of environment. Face the fact that most laptops, regardless of who makes them, are designed for home use and office use. It sounds as if you are in an environment that just kills the average laptop.

I would suggest that you look into the Panasonic toughbooks. Perhaps HP makes an equivalent, I am not sure. I had a friend of mine whose son was deployed to Iraq a several years back and he got him the ToughBook. I guess it can take the rough and tumble quite well. Perhaps others here have experience.

[vgrisham]

No!

I own a small business, and our industry requires use of a proprietary, specialized software package. We switched from one such package for Windows to Mac in January 2008. We bought two macbooks and an iMac. Within one year, all three had suffered hard drive failures (and both macbooks's drives died within 6 months). After the third drive failure, an Apple tech support person actually accused us of using the iMac too much. That was a stunner.

In addition, OS X is NOT all it's cracked up to be. The system has frequent permission errors causing what we call the spinning wheel of death (akin the Window's blue screen of death, but of course prettier since it's Apple).

Macs look great and OSX is a good looking OS with a nice user interface, but if I had to do it all over again, it wouldn't be on an Apple product. I wish our industry software would port to Linux. For stability and usability nothing beats Ubuntu. My System76 Pangolin has been a very durable laptop as well.

[cheriot]

Have you considered fashioning a laptop cover similar to the ones we all use for cell phones? Use clear plastic on the keyboard, fabric on the body (allow air through), and perhaps leave the screen uncovered since it has no openings.

Then, if it actually works, you would have a new side business selling them.

[tgalati4]

Older G4 powerbooks are relatively tough. Ubuntu is kind of fiddly on them. Tiger 10.4 runs much better with some tweaks and lots of RAM (1.25 GB or more).

I also have an IBM T43p which I picked up used for $250. It runs Jaunty fine. At that price, I consider it disposable. I accidently stepped on it with the lid closed. It survived a 185 lb static load--thankfully before the extra Christmas poundage.

Having spent some time in Baghdad, I wouldn't hesitate to take either. The heat and dust will take its toll, so buy two used ones. Nothing like having spares.

Thinkpad parts are probably easier to get overseas. IBM/Lenovo has an extensive parts network.

[jrusso2]

I was looking at prices for old PowerMac G4's and I was shocked how much they want for them.

Anywhere from $400 to $1000. Can get a new pc laptop for that.

[ctsdownloads]

@

[mysteriousdarren]

If you can afford it get a toughbook, otherwise I would consider two other options. Macs I've had bad experiences with so don't consider going there(environment, and rate of failure). System76 are very good for everything, they are very helpful. Lastly, overseas there is a large IBM/Lenovo parts network. Just something to think about, good luck and be safe over there.