To Mac or not to Mac - is my Q

[Click This IT Solutions]

I would like to get your opinions if you don't mind, I know forums are good for that.

I'm able to upgrade my laptop which is on contract with MTN. My situation is like this. I run a small IT services business and have never owned a Mac in my life, don't really know much about them. One thing I'm sure would be nicer is the web and graphic design part of my business and don't doubt that it would be great for that, but my real concern is the following, it could be a dealbreaker.

1)Would I still be able to go to clients and be able to configure Cisco and other routers with something similar to Putty? 2)With my current laptop (Acer) it doesn't have a serial port, so I got a USB-Serial cable, would something like that be supported on a Mac?
3) What is the negatives when not using a non Mac for business?

I use Linux as well and for me it's very close to perfect, I just can't get myself to not have a Win machine at all, not that I love it. It's like the Land Rover chirp "Land Rover, making mechanics out of customers since 1947" that's how I feel about Windows in general, making techies out of users since the beginning. My current laptop would most probably last another two years, and I would probably still be able to do everything with it for the next two years, BUT when you have a new toy, you don't really wanna play with the old ones, and if something does happen to the Acer, I could be forced to buy another one to do the work if the Mac can't.

Looking forward to your replies.

Oh btw, the deal is very expensive in my opinion. MacBook Pro MD101 from R1079/m it is a bit tight considering it would be for 24 months or 20 till next upgrade.

 

[bwana]

You can always run windows - either natively via a separate bootcamp partition or in a virtual environment.

I'm not clear which MacBook pro model you're look at though. MD101 covers a bit of ground.

I don't know much about Putty but from what I read you can use the built in Terminal app.

EDIT: I thought from your price that I might be able to figure out the model by checking FNB's offerings but that monthly price is way more than most of the models they're offering… If you're an FNB client I'd suggest checking them out.

 

[PostmanPot]

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

 

[Click This IT Solutions]

You can always run windows - either natively via a separate bootcamp partition or in a virtual environment.

I'm not clear which MacBook pro model you're look at though. MD101 covers a bit of ground.

I don't know much about Putty but from what I read you can use the built in Terminal app.

I did a Google search and for the MD101 it comes up with one model, I believe that is the model number and specific spec. Will have another look

 

[bwana]

I did a Google search and for the MD101 it comes up with one model, I believe that is the model number and specific spec. Will have another look

One of the options I get is the 13-inch, Mid 2012 model - if so then you're getting ripped off over 24 months.

Are you an FNB client?

 

[Click This IT Solutions]

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

I keep hearing that everywhere, it's part of what created the curiosity. I also keep hearing that people like Mac, because it works.

Most of my stuff work, my Linux has never given issues, except the times I played around so much and changed everything without know enough, but that's how I learn and it was all my fault. Windows I know how to keep it in working order, unlike a lot of Windows users (I get money from them )

 

[Click This IT Solutions]

One of the options I get is the 13-inch, Mid 2012 model - if so then you're getting ripped off over 24 months.

Are you an FNB client?

Yes Bwana that is the MTN promise right there, we WILL rip you off. That's the one there yes and yes I am a FNB client. I'll see what they have, thanks for that. You might have just saved me a bunch. Completely forgot about them.

 

[PostmanPot]

I keep hearing that everywhere, it's part of what created the curiosity. I also keep hearing that people like Mac, because it works.

Most of my stuff work, my Linux has never given issues, except the times I played around so much and changed everything without know enough, but that's how I learn and it was all my fault. Windows I know how to keep it in working order, unlike a lot of Windows users (I get money from them )

Indeed, I was a Windows user for 90% of my life. I hated Mac because it was unaffordable when I was younger, and 'Windows offered so much better value for money for the same thing'. I'd never spent enough time with them or better yet owned one. But I hated them.

 

[bwana]

Yes Bwana that is the MTN promise right there, we WILL rip you off. That's the one there yes and yes I am a FNB client. I'll see what they have, thanks for that. You might have just saved me a bunch. Completely forgot about them.

I'm not saying FNB is necessarily the best pricing, though they could be, but they're a darn sight better than the one you gave

 

[Click This IT Solutions]

Damn Bwana, FNB is R689/month also for 24 months. Thanks for that.

In all fairness the MTN deal does come with 500MB peak en 500MB off peak data, bwahahahahahahaha. MTN, for the people('s money)

So they charge 390/month for the data and modem!

 

[bwana]

Damn Bwana, FNB is R689/month also for 24 months. Thanks for that.

In all fairness the MTN deal does come with 500MB peak en 500MB off peak data, bwahahahahahahaha. MTN, for the people('s money)

So they charge 390/month for the data and modem!

The Apple: MacBook Pro 13" 500GB? It's a fair machine - one of the last that you can upgrade the HDD and RAM. After that I think they all became retina with non upgradable RAM.

 

[Click This IT Solutions]

Yeah I would like the option of being able to upgrade. Not too sure about the Retina thing, but if it's not upgradable, I wouldn't be able to play with it inside and out. I want to see what all this love of Mac is all about. And also fix it when I have clients with Mac issues, which doesn't occur regularly apparently.

 

[bwana]

Yeah I would like the option of being able to upgrade. Not too sure about the Retina thing, but if it's not upgradable, I wouldn't be able to play with it inside and out. I want to see what all this love of Mac is all about. And also fix it when I have clients with Mac issues, which doesn't occur regularly apparently.

I recently upgraded from the model similar to the one you're looking at. By the time I handed it over to the missus it had a fusion drive with a 500gb HDD and a 120gb SSD married together and 16gb of RAM. I love the 15" retina I now have, don't get me wrong, but at times I long to have that machine back.

 

[noxibox]

You don't need Putty. As with Linux you just use the terminal application. I use TotalTerminal to have hot-key access to it.

 

[jman]

I upgraded to a 13 inch retina about 2 years ago. Awesome little machine. As previously mentioned, if you can't get a program on OS X, just get yourself a virtual machine piece of software (I have virtual box, which is free) and load windows on that, even Linux if you so wish. I don't think you'll regret making the change, the hardware (build quality in particular) is just in another class, and the software is intuitive. Can't go wrong

 

[Thor]

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

This!! I just need to get the money now.

 

[HApyM3al]

With regards to setting up cisco routers

Busy doing it now. Serial to USB or can use serial to ethernet and get usb ethernet adapter.

Most guys I have seen working for IS also doing same.

With regards to using for business... Mail is a bit of downfall but my company has web based login so I use that instead. Mac is quicker to boot up and if need to access windows use Parallels and make small partition.

btw: CLI is better with macbooks SSH and telnet is on by default.

 

[bwana]

This!! I just need to get the money now.

If I were you I'd try selling some of my old stuff and the classifieds section - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/forumdisplay.php/162-Classifieds - is a great place to start…


Too soon?

 

[Thor]

If I were you I'd try selling some of my old stuff and the classifieds section - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/forumdisplay.php/162-Classifieds - is a great place to start…


Too soon?

Stahp it!!!! * not funny

 

[HApyM3al]

If I were you I'd try selling some of my old stuff and the classifieds section - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/forumdisplay.php/162-Classifieds - is a great place to start…


Too soon?

HAHAHA