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I have a mac. You can buy Microsoft Office for mac its a little bit more expensive than the regular Microsoft office but once you have it you can create documents that are compatible with both mac and windows
I loooooove my Mac! I've never owned a PC, although I've always used them at work and I HATE them! Too many problems, errors, having to force-quit programs.
What kinds of cons are you looking for? Macs last a long time as far as computers go, and they're very reliable. The only problems I've encountered is with an old Macbook (bought six years ago) where I was running out of memory and it started to run kind of slow. I guess it depends what you'd like to use it for. For example, I do a lot of graphic design work, and Macs are pretty much the industry standard for that kind of thing.
@Miss BBQ: I would be doing a LOT of writing. I will be majoring in English and I hope to be published one day so that would be the main thing I would be using it for besides the internet.
We love macs! We have nothing else in our house, and haven't for as long as I can remember.
As mentioned you can buy Office for Mac, and since you will be going to school you can get a discounted disc through your school ($60 or $70 if I remember correctly).
The menus and file system take some time to adjust to, but the ease of use makes up for any first time frustrations.
Best of luck!
1) price
2) despite claims, it is NOT fully compatible. If you're only using it for personal use this will probably never matter to you but if you're going to use it for business then you'll need to do a little research. I'm a lawyer and mac-word is not the same as pc-word so my drafting docs sometimes get funky in transition which is super annoying. Also some court websites are simply not mac-compatible.
That being said, I <3 my mac hardcore and I hope to buy another when this one dies.
i would say that the only con of a mac is the price. i am a devoted mac user and have probably a dozen apple products in our apartment. but, their computers are a bit more expensive. they also last longer though. we have 3 laptops in our apartment....an ibook that i bought in 2004, a macbook pro from 2008, and a sony vaio from 2007. the vaio (the only non-mac) is the clear loser of the bunch.
as for compatability, there is absolutely no issue with mac/PC compatability at this point. i run microsoft office on all my macs and then open the same documents on a PC. my FI had no clue how to use macs when we started dating and now he hates that he has to use a PC for work, he much prefers macs.
for what it's worth, i'm an IT manager and work on computers all day for a living :)
I love my MAC. Its three years old and I have never had a virus or a meltdown. It prints just fine, you get just the right printer. We have a HP with wifi and I can print from any area of the house. My only regret was not getting the bigger screen. I've also worn away some of the keyboard area I need to get it replaced. I think the part that trips most people when they use my computer is that there is no immediate right click. But I love it! I'm so glad I got one.
I should clarify re: word compatibility--- it is not that the words themselves get scrambled... just that the formatting can get funky. Legal docs have lots of VERY specific tabbing and it has to look a precise way... that gets lost in translation and I have to spend 10 min fixing it once I transfer the doc to a pc.
@SweetRose2011: Okay cool. Yes, like bells said you can get Microsoft Office for your Mac (and if you're a student you can usually get a discount through your campus bookstore). The Mac also comes with a word-processing application that you can use if you decide not to get Office, but I'm pretty sure it's not PC-compatible unless the PC document is .txt instead of .doc
One big con if you're just using for writing is the price. To me, it's totally worth it, but my FI is an engineer and he thinks it's ridiculous that I spend this kind of money on a laptop when I could get a Dell for $400. That's entirely up to you though, if you're willing to spend it. I have a friend who is working to be a novelist, and she has a Mac as well and really likes it. So you can go either way.
Hope that helps! I'd be happy to answer any other questions. I come from a pro-Mac only family, so I've spent plenty of time talking about the differences and benefits. Excluding stuff like RAM and bits and technical whatnot. 
@CorgiTales: if you are having trouble with word docs moving between a mac and a PC, then you are saving them wrong. don't use the default setting for saving the document, use the one that says word 97-2004 compatable. if you save it as a .docx, it won't work as well.
also, you can always run programs like parallels that actually let you turn your mac into a PC. it simulates a virtual PC environment on your mac and you run windows through it. for the occasional thing that has an issue with a mac (and i've never come across something that i couldn't work around), having a virtual PC program solves it.
I second Virtual PC if you're worried about compatibility. I forgot about that for a second since it's been so long since I've used it. 
Thanks pb and j!
Con is price. You get very little computer for the price. To get a similarly-powered Mac to my PC, it would be 4,000. Mine was 800.
They're also not "virus proof." They just have such a small share of the OS market that no one bothers to create viruses for them.
I think they're really pretty computers and I prefer the OS. But I could never justify the cost. If you keep your virus software up to date, don't install facebook apps (seriously, inviting viruses), a PC will run beautifully.
Then one more question, if the price is the con, which computer should I consider? I mean, is dell in ok computer?
The con may be price but trust me, its worth every penny. FI and I are avid Mac users (currently have about a dozen apple products in this room) and there is literally no comparison. Once you go Mac, you never go back.
for writing a lot: there's no delete button on a mac that deletes characters to the right of the cursor, or forward (aka the "delete" button on a pc, as opposed to back space). i switch back and forth between a mac and pc and that's the only advantage pc's have, in my book. it's a small thing, but i do a lot of writing, so it annoys me
Here are the cons I can think of:
1) As others have said, the price.
2) Also mentioned by others, compatibility. Not a big issue for most browsing and word processing use, but in some games and some specialized softwares, it can be a problem. That gap is starting to close, though.
3) This is more theoretical, but I don't like some of their business practices. They have a kind of "walled garden"approach to their systems. The OS is bundled with the computer (unlike Windows and Linux, where you can install on any computer), they're very choosy as to what they allow on their systems. Things like that can have pros and cons. One pro is that a lot of their stuff is user-friendly and more quality-controlled, because they screen aggressively. However, if a software (like an app) seems like it might be competition for their business, they'll just deny its use on their system. They're setting themselves up as a kind of morality police in some ways, too (no smut on your iphone- which could be a pro or a con, depending on the person deciding). Steve Jobs also has irrational hatred of Flash, which is silly.
4) Security, as far as exploits and viruses. Right now, Macs are relatively safer than PC's because they don't have a huge share in the market as compared to PC's (security through obscurity). However, this is changing as they become more popular, and some security analysts say their systems aren't super-secure. I've seen one analyst compare PC's to a house in the city with bars on the windows- robbed more often, so it needs more security; and a Mac to a house in the country with the doors and windows unlocked- people aren't trying to get in so much, but it's easier when they do (the moral- go for good antivirus and use safe browsing practices even on your mac).
All that said, the people I know who have Macs really love them. I myself even have an ipod touch, and like it a lot (it was a gift, but I don't see it as being too much better than the previous mp3 player I had, which was not an Apple product, so...). I'm a PC gal, myself, mostly because of the compatibility issues with some software and games I really like- and the price.
I am a recent convert. I have always been a PC (except for maybe my first computer in 1995 was a desktop "Macintosh") but since then, all of my laptops (3 maybe?) have been PCs - Dell, Toshiba and HP. I was happy with all of them. However, my computer (HP) died over the summer, and I inherited an old macbook from my dad (maybe 2 1/2 years old) and I am pretty sure I am converted for life. I love love love it and would never go back. Switching and figuring everything out kind of was a headache, but now that I've got the hang of it, it is so intuitive and user friendly. Once you go Mac, you never go back ;)
You want to look at specs. You want a good processor (look for i7) and a decent amount of ram. Doesn't sound like you'll be doing any gaming, so the graphics card is probably less important for you.
I bought my latest computer from the dell outlet. They list things with "dents and scratches" for steep discounts that seriously, have no dents or scratches :) I still haven't seen what is wrong with my case.
I'm talking about desktop computers.. but if I were to get a laptop and I wasn't going to do intensive stuff (just writing like you mentioned), I'd probably still want the low-end Macbook. They're underpowered, yes, but they're comfortable and portable.
@SweetRose2011:You will need office for Mac but seriously... I had a PC...got a Mac...I will NEVER go back to a PC. It's amazing!!!
@SweetRose2011: Yes, a con may be price but it's completely worth it AND because you'll be a student next semester YOU CAN BUY IT AT A STUDENT DISCOUNT!!
That's what I did. I bought a Macbook Pro 15" laptop in June 2009 with Microsoft Office for Mac (which I HIGHLY reccomend you getting at the student price as well) and a wireless mouse for just under $1500!!!! After being in school for 4 years and going through 3 previously used Dell laptops that constantly got viruses even though I had downloaded anti-virus software, I defintely pat myself on the back daily for getting my Mac. :)
I'm a history education major and english minor and am constantly on my computer. It has tons of storage space, looks cool, is quick to load/download programs and easy to use (even though, I'll admit that it took me a while to adjust to the big difference between a PC and a Mac...like how the "x" button is on the left and not the right!).
My only issue is with the mouse, not the computer itself. The scroll ball gets clogged a lot because of my fingers "grease" and while it's an easy process to clean, it's kinda a pain.
I hate the key boards and the delete\backspace thing. Pisses me off.
price is a huge con, especially since macs are manufactured with the identical factory parts as pc.
also, quality -- just like any new laptop or desktop, make sure you have a good warranty -- I have heard more people (personally IRL) complain about their brand spanking new macs crapping out because of a factory defect than pc lately. but that also comes and goes in manufacturing cycles (like the nvidia cluster F a few years back).
as for pc brands, I lump acer, dell, gateway and emachine in the same category for quality, cost and manufacturer customer service\warranty. HP, Toshiba, Sony, & Asus I lump together (mostly because they tend to cost more).
I am using a sony viao AW right now and I effing hate it. keyboard sucks, has faulty parts (defected within the first 3months of use), and even though it has a mad amount of RAM it is as slow as a geriatric snail. (okay, it is not that slow, but it is not what it is cracked up to be).
I LOVE MY MAC!! I have a 27" monitor and love EVERY INCH OF IT!! Once you go MAC- you never go back!
@finnaroo:@missmouse29: fyi, delete on a mac = backspace on a pc, function + delete = delete on a pc. maybe you already know that but from your comments it sounded like you didn't.
as for PCs, if i had to buy a new PC i'd probably buy a sony, dell, or IBM. dell laptops used to be terrible but in the last few years they have really stepped up their game. for desktops, i'd defintiely go with dell. i've had to deal with some acers at work and i would never ever buy one of their computers. if you decide to go the PC route, wait until the holidays when dell, best buy, and the like usually run sales. sadly, macs never go on sale (except when a new model comes out and they are trying to sell off the old models. this actually can be a good way to get a mac...)
As ribbons said, some of the models of Macbook can be more expensive (MacBook Pro are more expensive than just the MacBook, and since you'll only be doing writing mainly, there's not much reason to have the Pro), and that can knock off some of the cost there. Also depending on your needs, you may need less processing power, which also lowers the cost.
i actually just bought a new laptop (should arrive this week!) but i stuck with a pc even though i could have upgraded to a mac. i never had a preference either way once i hit college and used both computers (our computer lounges had both pcs and macs and i would use whatever was open) but have been buying pcs because i could afford it. now the main reason why i won't buy a mac is because i dont like their trackpad scrolling. i know i can use a mouse but isn't that the point of getting a laptop? to ditch the mouse? using a mouse isn't going to work when i usually work on my bed.
so for me, it came down to the simple trackpad. testdrive some pcs and macs and see if you like the general feel of everything. why invest a good sum of money on something only to find out you don't like a physical aspect of it.
@Purquez2011: solution for your mouse issue: the magic mouse! we have one for our imac and i loooooove it, as much as you can feasibly love one haha. no buttons at all, just a smooth top but still functions exactly the same.
@twentyeleven:thanks! i had no idea about the mighty mouse! i'll have to look into my budget to see if i can afford it. i got the scroll to start working again though. i just flipped it over, quickly rubbed it against a piece of paper and it started working!
@tea: "the main reason why i won't buy a mac is because i dont like their trackpad scrolling."
Really? That's one of the things I love the most about Macs, that I can scroll right there on the trackpad without having to move the pointer to the scrollbar. Whenever I've used PC laptops recently I'm always disappointed that I can't scroll on the trackpad :-P
Now, my laptop is old (first generation MBP, recently upgraded from 10.4 to 10.6, added more RAM and put in a bigger hard drive) so the trackpad doesn't have multi-touch gestures, which may be what annoys you? But the regular old two-finger trackpad scrolling is fabulous in my book =)
(btw, totally love your avatar picture!)
OMG...I bought my MAC in 2008...thus far I bought my SO one for Father's day this year (mainly because he tried to steal my Aluminum one) I LOVE IT....ONCE GO MAC, YOU NEVER GO BACK is a very true statement. Does take a lil getting used to though if yuo haven't played around with one a bit. Good Luck
Honestly - I HATE Macs. I don't think you could pay me to use one over a PC.
First, they are overpriced like none other. Second, despite all of the programs and such you can use to try to be compatible with PCs - they aren't really 100% compatible which annoys me. Third, like tea, I don't like the trackpad scrolling. Fourth, I dislike the business practices of Apple (as was mentioned by a PP).
I have a Dell laptop that I got as a HS graduation present in Spring '05. It still works just fine! I used it for 4 years of college through an engineering degree (was able to run programming, CAD software, write reports/papers, etc without problems). I've gotten a virus once but lost no data/information and IT on campus was able to quickly fix the problem.
One of my friends got a new Mac as her graduation present and less than one year into school lost her entire harddrive due to a virus. Every project, paper and assignment she'd done all year was gone. I knew of a half dozen people who got viruses on their Macs during college. So to the people who think Macs are virus proof, think again. When they get hit, it's ugly.
Save the money and get a PC laptop. They'll do everything you'll need as an English major and more!
if you can afford the higher cost, mac is definitely worth it. you don't have to worry about viruses nearly as much as with a pc. buy a warranty and apple will do free maintenance. you can get a student discount and usually a free ipod touch. buy microsoft office student edition, which i think is around $60? i was an english major, and i had no problems with mac compatibility.
@ribbons: That's quite the extreme comparison, i've never found the gulf to be anywhere near that big
To the OP: I will never own a PC again. I went through 2 Dell laptops in 3 years in grad school - complete pieces of CRAP. I bought my Mac laptop, it has lasted 5 YEARS with zero problems. There are no viruses - MAC has a small enough share of the market that they simply aren't targeted (I would venture a solid bet that the PP that said her friend's hard drive failed due to a virus actually failed because hard drives fail - perios. Doesn't matter who makes them). The user interface is a million times better. They are more expensive, but in my experience, last way, way longer = makes up for it.
I went Mac, I will never go back.
@crayfish: Nope - IT told her there was a virus, fixed it and the harddrive then worked again just fine. It just no longer contained any of her old data.
The only major con of a Mac is the price. I went with a Dell XPS with a 13" screen, and I was able to get double the RAM and hard drive memory for the same price as a regular, non-upgraded Mac.
I love mine, I haven't had any problems with it. It runs my FI's computer games, and it lets me open several photo editing programs at once.
FH and I are a Mac-household. Love them. I think their much more user-friendly that PCs. However, I have been using a Mac for so long, PCs may have become more user-friendly over the years.
FH and I both had dells in college, they worked very well for the first two years, but then became giant paperweights, they were so slow (and yes we ran de-frag on a regular basis and cleared cookies, had updated anit-virus software etc. . .)
I finally put mine to rest last summer and splurged on a mac (price is def a con) thinking I would have such a hard time adjusting from a PC. So not true! I still use a PC at work and it is so frustrating to switch back and forth. I love my mac and will probably always buy them in the future. I use it mainly for internet searching, basic word processing, and photo editing, nothing to serious or intense, so I'm only using a fraction of my memory space.
If you will be using it mostly for writing then you will def want to get Microsoft office for Mac so when you send files to others it will be compatible. There are a few issues with browser compatibility (for some reason there are still websites out there that don't support other browsers besides IE), but I hardly ever notice. My Mac is blazing fast and has an easy to use interface.
FH just bought a mac, (13" pro, same as mine) and loves it as much as I do. For us, the price was well worth it
I've actually had really bad experiences with Macs/iPods/pretty much any product I touch. Part of it's that I just don't like the userinterface - I don't WANT something that's that oversimplified and super user friendly, I want something that makes me feel like I'm using a computer.
The other part is I'm partially convinced Apple products are out to get me. I have had four seperate iPods become lemons. I touch other people's Macs and they freeze and crash immediately. I think they are getting me back for when I was 2 years old and thought the floppy drive on my Dad's IIe was a piggy bank.
I've had good experiences with Dell laptops - the don't last forever... usually I end up having to get a new one after about 3 years, but they're fast and functional and reliable. I've (fortunately) had no issues with viruses or crashes... basically the only problems I've had are due to things like spilling coffee all over the laptop.
The moral of the story is whatever you get? Don't let me anywhere near it!
People either love Macs, or hate them. Personally, I hate them, well actually, I just hate the company as a whole.
I think their computers are over priced. They use price as a marketing scheme to trick people into thinking they're superior products when in reality they're just over priced. Great marketing scheme (because it works) I just think it's skeezy. If you pay more, you should get more.
Like PP have mentioned the only reason why they don't usually get viruses is because there are so many more people using PCs it wouldn't be worth a hackers time to create the virus for a Mac. But as more and more people get them, they will become more likely to get viruses. And the day someone releases a widespread Mac virus people are going to be kicking themselves for spending so much on a machine just because it was "safer" when in reality a standard antivirus software will actually protect a PC.
Personally, since I work in the business world and furthermore in an IT department, I would never own a Mac because I wouldn't want to learn a new OS. It just seems like a waste of brainpower to me.
In dealing with the company as a whole, I had an iPod touch and all of my music for it was on the iPod and on my laptop. My laptop got stolen, and I got a new computer (HP all-in-on touchsmart - BEST PC EVEEEERRRRRRR) and I went to transfer my songs from the iPod to my new computer. It doesn't let you. It would let me transfer the songs I had purchased specifically through the iPod, but the thousands of songs that had been on my computer since forever were GONE. I called their customer support and it was basically "sucks to be you".
Yeah...I just really hate them.
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It's really time for me to get my own computer. It's been about four years since I've had a good, well working laptop and now that I'll be going back to school this next semester I can't keep using FI's. I've really wanted an Apple and I know they are durable however I'm not sure the cons. I'm worried that if I try to print a document made on a Mac on a computer run with Windows it will not be compatable. Any tips or hints are much appreciated
Also, if I were to get an Apple, should I even consider an iPad? I really need something lightweight and durable, but I think if I'm doing a lot of writing that will not be something I should consider