Apple Macbook/pro questions...

[mommacanary]

I have some questions about apple computers and was wondering if anyone could help me out? First question 1)What is their return policy? Can I return a computer if it does not work for me? 2)Does anyone know if the mag safe power adapter creates more EMF?
I tried to find out about their return policy on their web site by doing a search but could not find anything. Does anyone know if there is a phone # just for asking questions? I found the one that you call if you want to buy. I tried to send them a email with questions but could not get it to go through. If anyone knows about apple laptops please message me. I am trying to decide if a apple lap top is right for me. If anyone knows about EMF and laptops please message me. I could really use some help.

Edit: wow! I did not think I would get so many answers. Thank you all! I did not really explain my situation. I am disabled and home bound. So a trip to a apple store would be very hard for me,not imposible,but very hard. I have never seen macbook or macbook pros in person. I would love to go to the store to check them out but will have to buy online for now. I have nervous system damage that causes me to be
sensitve to emf. That is why I was asking about the efm. I'm just worried that the emf would be different that a pc? because of the mag safe thing? but its just a magnet right?I would not think that would bother. I hope not because I really want a mac. I just dont want to be stuck with one if I cant use it. I dont have a set up where I can use the phone. I may be able to have someone call apple for me to ask questions. My only way to communicate with the outside world is by email and I cant find on the apple site where to send a email with questions.

I do not need all the power of macbook pro but the metal case might be better for me because I sometimes react to plastic. Does any one know if the mackbook have recycled plastic? Some times recycled plastic bothers me more. I also have migraines and wonder if the mackbook 13 screen would be harder to read. I wonder about the macbooks glossy screen if it would cause glare that could cause a migraine. Would love to hear from macbook useres that have migraines. Is the smaller glossy screen a problem for people with migraines?

Sorry so many questions. My laptop is about to give out so I have to get computer ordered before this one goes. Thanks for all you help.

[Angi]

Originally Posted by mommacanary

I have some questions about apple computers and was wondering if anyone could help me out? First question 1)What is their return policy? Can I return a computer if it does not work for me? 2)Does anyone know if the mag safe power adapter creates more EMF?
I tried to find out about their return policy on their web site by doing a search but could not find anything. Does anyone know if there is a phone # just for asking questions? I found the one that you call if you want to buy. I tried to send them a email with questions but could not get it to go through. If anyone knows about apple laptops please message me. I am trying to decide if a apple lap top is right for me. If anyone knows about EMF and laptops please message me. I could really use some help.

The return policy: It depends on where you buy it. Most stores (such as Best Buy, or a free standing Apple store) will have a 14 day return policy. If you order online, you will need to talk to the sales rep about it, but it's normally either 14 or 30 days.

The power adapter has a very weak magnetic connection, just enough to keep it attached to the machine. I can't speak to what it does to any emf field that may already be there.

As for whether or not a mac is for you? That's hard to say. It really depends on what you are going to use the computer for. If you are going to be using it for intensive online gaming, programming, or anything like that, you may want to rethink getting a laptop and look at desktops instead. If you want it for everyday use, homework, writing the great American Novel? Go for it.

I love my Macbook Pro. It boots up fast, runs smoothly. You have a lesser chance of getting a virus, since a majority are written to exploit holes in the Windows OS. And yes, you can buy programs for it. Even Office. I also think it's very easy and intuitive to use. And I can speak to the ease of use. I spent 8 years in software and computer training and got my first computer in 1984.

Before you buy, go to a store like Best Buy or somewhere that carries Macs. Stay at the store and play around with one for a few minutes. They do work differently then Windows, so do take some getting used to if you are used to only using Windows. Otherwise, they are nice, secure, and can last quite awhile.

And for the record, I'm not Anti-MicroSoft or Windows. I own a PC and have built several. I just really really like my Mac.

Good Luck.

[AuntNi]

RE: the return policy. They have a 10% "restocking fee" if you return it, even the next day. I think that's bogus, but fortunately, I L-O-V-E my Mac and they would have to pry it out of my cold dead hands.

I've been using PCs since like 1989, so I was a little unsure how I would like my Mac. For about one day, I felt like I was writing with my left hand. But I finally realized all the clumsiness came from trying to make it harder than it should be. It's a cliche, but I find that my Mac "just works." I have a desktop, because I'm not out and about often enough to really "need" a laptop.

One other suggestion I've heard: if you buy a laptop, buy the Apple Care Protection Plan for it. Most extended warranties are a waste of money, but I've heard that you really need it for laptops.

Good luck with your decision!

[fek&fuzz]

Yes, get Apple Care. It is well worth it.

And what do you mean "if it does not work for me"? Do you mean if you can't figure it out? That is what Apple Classes are for if you have a store near you.

I figured my Apple out in about 5 minutes and like a previous poster said they would have to pry it out of my cold dead hands.

[mirlee]

I wouldn't trade my macbook pro for anything outside of a newer one. I also have an iBook.

I think Applecare is a waste of money.
I bought it once and wont' buy it again. There was never an occasion to use it.

[AuntNi]

Originally Posted by mirlee

I think Applecare is a waste of money.
I bought it once and wont' buy it again. There was never an occasion to use it.

See, I'm the opposite. I've called them lots of times with questions, probably because I'm a new user. It was totally worth the money for me, even on my desktop.

[fek&fuzz]

Originally Posted by AuntNi

See, I'm the opposite. I've called them lots of times with questions, probably because I'm a new user. It was totally worth the money for me, even on my desktop.

Me too. I called them all the time to walk me through setting up my airport and printers. And when my dvd drive died, and my iSite Camera died - they were both replaced for free.

And if you are ever going to want to sell it, you'll get a much better price if there is still some apple care time on it.

[3boobykins]

We have a MacBook Pro--LOVE it--using it right now! DH originally bought an IMac, didn't work out for purpose he needed it for (editing a short independent film; wouldn't run the program he needed, was supposed to have the older Tiger OS, came with the newest Leopard OS instead), returned it, bought a reconditioned MacBook Pro--it has problems almost right away, called, and because of all he'd been through they upgraded him to a brand new, better MB Pro at no additional charge, and threw in a free IPod for all the trouble he'd been through. No extra fees were added for restocking.

We also have Windows Vista installed on our MacBook, so in effect, we have a PC/Mac all in one, and Windows often runs better on a Mac then on a PC, apparently.

[salty]

i'm going to join those recommending that you DO get AppleCare if you go for the mac. i have a powerbook and have used the applecare a few times. just before the applecare expired, i sent it in and got several little things fixed. also, they replaced my AC adapter at no cost (and the thing costs $80!) when there was a problem with that.

[mommacanary]

Oh wow! I did not think I would get so many answers. Thank you all! I did not really explain my situation. I am disabled and home bound. So a trip to a apple store would be very hard for me,not imposible,but very hard. I have never seen macbook or macbook pros in person. I would love to go to the store to check them out but will have to buy online for now. I have nervous system damage that causes me to be
sensitve to emf. That is why I was asking about the efm. I'm just worried that the emf would be different that a pc? because of the mag safe thing? but its just a magnet right?I would not think that would bother. I hope not because I really want a mac. I just dont want to be stuck with one if I cant use it. I dont have a set up where I can use the phone. I may be able to have someone call apple for me to ask questions. My only way to communicate with the outside world is by email and I cant find on the apple site where to send a email with questions.

I do not need all the power of macbook pro but the metal case might be better for me because I sometimes react to plastic. Does any one know if the mackbook have recycled plastic? Some times recycled plastic bothers me more. I also have migraines and wonder if the mackbook 13 screen would be harder to read. I wonder about the macbooks glossy screen if it would cause glare that could cause a migraine. Would love to hear from macbook useres that have migraines. Is the smaller glossy screen a problem for people with migraines?

Sorry so many questions. My laptop is about to give out so I have to get computer ordered before this one goes. Thanks for all you help.

[fek&fuzz]

http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ I don't know if that helps.

If you can get to an apple store to look at and try before you buy, do that. then you can get all your questions answered, try the machine, etc. and you can set up a personal shopping appointment so you have a person dedicated to help you.

If you find your retail store here: http://www.apple.com/retail/ You can set up the personal shopping appointment online.

[Red Sonja]

i have chronic migraines (daily when not on preventive meds) and haven't had a problem with my screen. first i had a 12" powerbook, then a 15" powerbook and now i have the 13" macbook. love all of them! i'm not sure why the screensize would affect the migraines, though. the text is the same size as on the larger ones, there's just not as much extra space between the edge of my browser and the edge of the screen. and there's always the option of making the text larger if it's too small, or dimming the brightness of the screen (there's a button for this on the keyboard) if i'm sensitive to light.

count me as another one who you'd have to pry my mac out of my cold dead hands!

[tayndrewsmama]

Apple Care saved my rear big time. We had a power surge during a bad storm and it fried my MacBook because it was plugged in. I brought it in and they just replaced whatever need to be replaced, no questions asked. I can't think of a better use of it.

[mommacanary]

Originally Posted by Red Sonja

i have chronic migraines (daily when not on preventive meds) and haven't had a problem with my screen. first i had a 12" powerbook, then a 15" powerbook and now i have the 13" macbook. love all of them! i'm not sure why the screensize would affect the migraines, though. the text is the same size as on the larger ones, there's just not as much extra space between the edge of my browser and the edge of the screen. and there's always the option of making the text larger if it's too small, or dimming the brightness of the screen (there's a button for this on the keyboard) if i'm sensitive to light.

count me as another one who you'd have to pry my mac out of my cold dead hands!

I'm glad to know the text is the same size. I dont know why I thought it would be smaller. hehe

So the glossy screen doesnt create a glare?

[Red Sonja]

I haven't noticed any problems with glare off the screen.

[AuntNi]

I far prefer my iMac screen over my PC monitor. There's absolutely no glare. I also suffer from migraines, and have never gotten one after working on the Mac. I get them quite often working on my PC, but I actually think it's the setup at the desk where I have my PC.

After being a PC user from before Windows, I was really nervous about switching. But I don't know anyone who regrets switching to a Mac. Good luck with your decision!

[Angi]

Originally Posted by AuntNi

I far prefer my iMac screen over my PC monitor. There's absolutely no glare. I also suffer from migraines, and have never gotten one after working on the Mac. I get them quite often working on my PC, but I actually think it's the setup at the desk where I have my PC.

After being a PC user from before Windows, I was really nervous about switching. But I don't know anyone who regrets switching to a Mac. Good luck with your decision!

From years of training people how to use computers, I can tell you that most people that switch from a Win PC to a Mac are usually thrilled beyond belief about how easy they are in comparison. The main thing you will have to get used to is the difference in the mouse. The touch pad has a single button. No "right click" per se. But that can definitely be adapted. You very quickly become used to the differences, and the help files are actually helpful.

And did I mention the stability of a Mac?

I have the 15" Macbook Pro. I can't think of any exposed plastics, except maybe on the keyboard itself. I can double-check when I get home tonight.

Macs are a really good system. And if the operating system upgrades are so much cheaper then with a Windows system.

[mommacanary]

Yipee!!! I got it!

I went with the macbook pro. Should be getting it this week. Any advice on setup? Do you think I need to order a book? One that tells how to make the switch to a mac? If so which one? Does anyone know how to move itunes to a new computer? I'll be making updates on how everything goes when it gets here if anyone is interested. Thank you all for helping me to make up my mind. :

[mommacanary]

Forgot to ask,is there a group for mac users here?

[fek&fuzz]

I haven't seen a tribe. But there are some mac forums although I tend to get overwhelmed with the tech talk there. Check out the support forums on the Apple Website. You can get your questions answered there, and see what some of the issues are that people have.

I had all my stuff moved over at the Apple Store, but I think there is something like Migration Assistant that can help you do it.