Got a new job ... and I need a new computer! Help!

• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  Just got a new job, which I am thrilled about, so in 3 weeks (my official last day at my current job) I have to turn in my Dell laptop, which was issued by the company.
  
  This new job enables me to work from my home office, which was a huge factor in my decision. That being said, I need a computer! Was leaning toward a Macbook Pro (instead of a PC), but I would love to hear your feedback, recommendations, etc. What should I buy?
  
  I am not a big game player or artistic guy, although my wife is quite creative. I am now a publisher, so the majority of the use will be budget spreadsheets, client CRM (like Salesforce.com), contracts, etc, but also visual stuff like PowerPoints, media kits, proposals, etc. Thanks in advance!
• dlazz

  If you're going to be dealing with spreadsheets all day, there is absolutely no reason you should get a Macbook Pro. Way too expensive to be doing basic stuff like that.
  
  Also, Office for Mac sucks dick.
  
  Lenovo Thinkpads are good, durable machines.
• sleeper

  

  dlazz;813650 wrote: Also, Office for Mac sucks ****.

  +1000
  
  Do not get a Mac for any business use.
• wes_mantooth

  

  I have bought two Asus sandy bridge computers in the last couple of months...no complaints at all. They can be had for around $600
• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  dlazz;813650 wrote: Also, Office for Mac sucks ****.

  sleeper;813653 wrote:+1000
  
  Do not get a Mac for any business use.

  
  This is great feedback ... thanks. Just curious, why does Office suck for the Mac? Compatibility reasons? Functionality?
• dlazz

  BigAppleBuckeye;813659 wrote:This is great feedback ... thanks. Just curious, why does Office suck for the Mac? Compatibility reasons? Functionality?

  
  It's just a buggy pile of shit. I've seen Office for Mac do some absolutely ridiculous things, including but not limited to, typing right to left for no reason.
  
  Edit: Give me a price-range and I can do some hunting for you.
  
  http://newegg.com is a great place to start.
• like_that

  

  BigAppleBuckeye;813647 wrote:
  This new job enables me to work from my home office, which was a huge factor in my decision. That being said, I need a computer! Was leaning toward a Macbook Pro (instead of a PC), but I would love to hear your feedback, recommendations, etc. What should I buy?
  

  
  Don't over think it, get the Macbook Pro, you won't regret it, I promise.
  
  Also, I a don't have my degree in computer science, but I completely disagree with sleeper and dlazz. Office on the Mac is pretty much completely identical to what office is on a PC.
  
  Edit: I have never had problems with Office Mac, and I use it all the time.
• sleeper

  

  BigAppleBuckeye;813659 wrote:This is great feedback ... thanks. Just curious, why does Office suck for the Mac? Compatibility reasons? Functionality?

  
  Its a little buggy and its a pain when you send stuff to people via email and it ends up not opening or is incompatible with the Windows version(it is, but the user on the receiving end has to know what they are doing and most do not). The worst is Excel, it feels like a child's version of the real thing and I hate using it.
• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  Thanks dlazz ... while price is a factor, I am not too worried about the cost, looking for something that will be long-lasting and present the fewest issues (less viruses and spyware, less technical issues, etc)
• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  like_that;813667 wrote:Don't over think it, get the Macbook Pro, you won't regret it, I promise.
  
  Also, I a don't have my degree in computer science, but I completely disagree with sleeper and dlazz. Office on the Mac is pretty much completely identical to what office is on a PC.
  
  Edit: I have never had problems with Office Mac, and I use it all the time.

  
  Thanks like_that. You noted that you use Office Mac, which is helpful -- do you also send attachments via Office Mac to people with PCs? That will be a common practice by me, very curious about this
• dlazz

  Viruses and spyware is strictly by the operator. You have to keep Java, Flash, Adobe Reader, Windows, AV all up to date, otherwise you're putting yourself in harms way.
  
  If that's too much for you, then get the regular Macbook and dual boot it so you can put Windows on it to use Office.
  
  Also, I've used Office Mac and it's atrocious. Microsoft takes a "we'll fix it on Mac last" approach to their Office suite. You might run into compatibility issues when going from Mac office to a PC, especially if you're doing edits and saving on each system.
• wes_mantooth

  

  I don't really think viruses are much of a factor on pc....I have never had any issues anyhow. To me the biggest difference is that Mac OS has a little more user friendly interface. I would never buy a mac, but only because i can buy a hell of a powerful pc for the same price I could buy an entry level mac.
• dlazz

  Here's the top sellers on Newegg. Some good deals on there:
  
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006740%204802&IsNodeId=1&name=Top%20Sellers
• like_that

  

  BigAppleBuckeye;813671 wrote:Thanks like_that. You noted that you use Office Mac, which is helpful -- do you also send attachments via Office Mac to people with PCs? That will be a common practice by me, very curious about this

  
  Yes I do. Never had any problems with sending or receiving attachments.
• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  like_that;813679 wrote:Yes I do. Never had any problems with sending or receiving attachments.

  
  Sorry, I just reread my question, which was kindof confusing ... what I meant was, when you send emails with attachments (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc), does the person you send it to have any issues with the documents? Is everything formatted correctly, easy to open, etc?
• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  dlazz;813675 wrote:Here's the top sellers on Newegg. Some good deals on there:
  
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006740%204802&IsNodeId=1&name=Top%20Sellers

  
  Awesome! Thanks man, very much appreciated. Thanks to everyone for your comments, keep em coming!
• like_that

  

  BigAppleBuckeye;813684 wrote:Sorry, I just reread my question, which was kindof confusing ... what I meant was, when you send emails with attachments (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc), does the person you send it to have any issues with the documents? Is everything formatted correctly, easy to open, etc?

  
  Yeah I knew what you meant. No one has any problems when I send attachments to them. Format and everything else you mentioned is good to go. Same if I receive attachments from PC's.
• cbus4life

  I love Lenovo Thinkpads.
• hoops23

  

  I'm also a heavy Office for Mac user and I've never had issues. I transfer my work from PC's to Mac's with no problem at all.
• Pick6

  

  wes_mantooth;813656 wrote:I have bought two Asus sandy bridge computers in the last couple of months...no complaints at all. They can be had for around $600

  
  bought me and ASUS laptop for college 2 years ago for 6-700 dollars. Never had a single problem with it. Love it as a matter of fact.
• dlazz

  Asus makes very good stuff. The motherboard in my computer is made by them and have been pleased by it's stability
• Anna-Town

  hoops23;814062 wrote:I'm also a heavy Office for Mac user and I've never had issues. I transfer my work from PC's to Mac's with no problem at all.

  
  This.
  
  I've used office for Mac exclusively for over 2 years.
  
  Never had one problem with bugs or compatibility.
  
  Office '09 was quite different than the Windows version so there was a little learning curve but '11 is almost identical to the Windows version.
  
  Get the MBP, you won't regret it.
• Automatik

  

  Go for the Mac. Office works fine. I have a Windows 7 PC at work and a 5 year old Macbook for home. I also use them both and use files from both machines. No problems at all.
  
  Don't let these broke asses sway you. Got Mac for a laptop and don't look back.
• justincredible

  

  like_that;813667 wrote:Don't over think it, get the Macbook Pro, you won't regret it, I promise.
  
  Also, I a don't have my degree in computer science, but I completely disagree with sleeper and dlazz. Office on the Mac is pretty much completely identical to what office is on a PC.
  
  Edit: I have never had problems with Office Mac, and I use it all the time.

  
  I do have a degree in computer science and I'm with you. The old office for mac sucked. The new version is good.
• BigAppleBuckeye

  

  Great stuff, thanks again everyone, this is really helpful. Going to do some more research, but I will let you know when I decide (will probably buy it next weekend, or the following weekend the very latest).