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pc vs mac laptop longevity?

My hp laptop died on me recently after an all-too-brief life span of two years. Unfortunately, most sales reps I've spoken with on the issue tell me two-three years is pretty average for a lot of laptops these days. But I'm a college student and I'm already drowning in tuition. I simply cannot afford to purchase a new laptop every couple of years. I've used both macs and pcs, and think they're each credible for their own reasons. What I'm really interested in is longevity. Am I better off looking for another pc laptop or trying to hunt down a refurbished macbook somewhere if I want a computer that will last a while?

Public Comments

1. i have a 5 year old windows laptop that runs very well.... dont get a mac unless u are going to use it for it full potential try a different brand and take care of it properly and itll last longer
2. What do you mean it died on you? If it got slow and became unresponsive, that is because you weren't maintaining it properly. It's like blaming Ford if you don't change your oil and your engine seizes up (little more extreme example, but you get my point). If a part failed, that can be easily replaced, you don't need to buy a new laptop. The standard new computer cycle for most people should be about every 4~5 years (longer if you don't need as much power or don't use demanding applications). A properly maintained Windows laptop will last just as long as a Mac, and is much cheaper.
3. Macs are worth the extra money. the batteries on pc laptops need to be replaced after a year which adds on to cost of laptop itself-- macbook batteries last a long time (I get like 7 hours) and they don't need to be replaced as often. less chance of viruses (not saying they can't get them.. they can. but not as often) can run both operating systems legally. reliable. attractive. quality.
4. mac-books and other mac laptops usually start of with gr8 battery life but over time they lose it and i mean over very short time. however they actualy last longer other then that issue. so if you can manage to replace the battery's then i would suggest going withe the mac's and if not you should go with a dell or tushiba. good luck
5. Listen carefully.... Longevity for all computer hardware is completely subjective. There are brands that are cheaper and you can feel it when you touch the keyboard or screen. Any name brand PC, I prefer Dell, feels decent and quality should be top notch. All things break and sometimes for absolutely no reason. I knew a guy who had a PC for 12 years and it was still running!!! It simply never broke. Was it a better brand? Who knows but sometimes you get lucky. I would recommend buying a Dell and get an extended warranty. As far as Macs.. Hardware wise they arent any better or worse. They are more money and arent necessarily worth it. You get tons of kids who scream "Mac this and Mac that..." who dont have a clue. Macs are more money because its all proprietary, that hardware AND software. They charge a premium and people who generally dont have a clue about computers buy them. The fact that you have experience with both will prove everything I am saying. Computer prices have been dropping through the floor and you can get a great deal on a PC rather than a Mac. Just buy from a credible company and you shouldnt have any problems.
6. This Apple MacBook Pro MC700LL/A is really great computer. Case is solid,keyboard is superb, design is excellent. I used Mac's before at work and PC's at home, and I always thought that MAC is to expensive. But after buying this one I think it is really worth it. I was considering first buying 15" one; but that one is just to big and to expensive. This one is best deal. Just bought the i5 and upgraded ram to 8GB. I purposely tried to slow it down with parallels, hand brake (ripping a DVD) , and youtube. I couldn't do it, I was running faster than a wanted man from the law