[mbovaird]

I'm looking at purchasing two MacBook Pro's for myself and my business partner and 15 MacBooks for my employees. Our company runs on a Windows 2003 Server Environment, running business apps such as MS Office apps, Adobe Acrobat and a customized CRM software package.
We are connected through a gigabit ethernet connection and have two HP LaserPrinters and one Dell Color Laser Printer.
We connect remotely with a VPN application called NetScreen Remote.
We run McAfee Server Edition Virus/Firewall. It runs on the server as well as a Desktop client.
We also have a hardware firewall.
Should I be concerned purchasing MacBook Pro's and MacBook's running Bootcamp? Are there any network/connectivity/hardware/printer/software issues I should be concerned with? Can anyone comment on running a MacBook Pro or MacBook in a Windows Networked environment?
Finally, I assume I have three options available to me:
1. Run the MacBook Pro's and MacBook's in a Windows environment through Bootcamp.
2. Run the MacBook Pro's and MacBook's in OS X with all MS Office/CRM/etc. running through a Parallels Environment.
3. Run the MacBook Pro's and MacBook's in OS X with a LIMITED Parallels Environment (CRM and other custom Windows Apps. only). This would see us using OS X versions of MS Office. Question: can Entourage run in a Windows 2003 Exchange Server Environment? Does Entourage have any limitations over MS Outlook? If some users are on MS Outlook and some are using Entourage, is the integration seemless (i.e. meeting invites, viewing calendars, etc.)??
That's a lot of questions (I know!).....but this is a lot of money for a small business!! Your help is greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Mike mbovaird@mac.com

[braindoc]

Just a quick business question for you. Why do you think Macs would be the solution that you need for your business, instead of say... Dell or HP or other companies?

[maflynn]

Along the same lines as braindoc;
If your going to be running windows exclusively why do you want to buy the Macbooks?
They're great don't get me wrong but from a business justification perspective it seems like an expensive choice Don't forget you'll also need to purchase windows for each laptop, so you'll need to include that in your assessment.
Now if you to posed the question about the macbook/macbook pro running OSX well then that's different but you're looking for apple hardware to run windows exclusively and while it can be done, there may be better alternatives for less money.

[mbovaird]

The reason I want a Mac for a Windows business environment is quality. Every Apple product I have ever purchased since becoming a HUGE Mac fan works flawlessly. Every PC product (HP, Dell, etc.) is held together with spit and bubblegum.
It's like this.....a 1983 Pontiac Parsienne (don't laugh, I had one).....will get me from point A to point B, but a BMW M3 is better built and MUCH more fun!!
Mike

[Nobody]

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Every Apple product I have ever purchased since becoming a HUGE Mac fan works flawlessly.

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That is nice... with new MBP/MB things may have changed tho. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
My practically new MBP has had many of the problems reported by others and after waiting a few months (when I finally had time), I brought it in for repairs/fixes... after waiting well over 4 weeks, it is almost done (but not quite). Thus far, they have changed the logic board, the inverter board, ordered a new battery, and a few minor bits... I suppose BMWs aren't always trouble free after all, that's why I prefer Lexus- not necessarily the most fun but remarkably reliable. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[mbovaird]

That's surprising to hear! Are these technical issues common with the new MacBook Pro's and MacBook's? Is there any sort of indication that Apple has gotten the bugs out? For example, if I ordered a new one from Apple today, will it be revision 1.1.....sort of speak?
Question: any comments on getting a 15 inch vs. 17 inch?? I travel once in a while, so I'm concerned about the size of a 17 inch on the plane.
It just figures...when Apple goes down the path of Windows, all hell breaks loose!! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Mike
P.S. here's hoping Microsoft and Windows goes the way of DOS. I shutter every time I see some poor unsuspecting family walking out of BestBuy with their shiny new HP computer. There can't be that many stupid people in the world, can there?

[Nobody]

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I shutter every time I see some poor unsuspecting family walking out of BestBuy with their shiny new HP computer. There can't be that many stupid people in the world, can there?

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If your criterion for intelligence is based entirely upon a person's decision to buy a Mac versus Win machine, you may think that there is an acute shortage of intellect.
As for the problems with new MacBook/Pro, someone recently publihed a number indicating that 7% of buyers in the last 12months have had serious problems. I thought the number was rather substantial but others quoted the number for non-Macs was igher still, therefore, it was good enough.
On the level of personal experience, including my own computer I know about 4 MBPs (3 friends also bought the machine over a period of abour 3-4 months) and all of them needed some repairs. I imagine the newer ones that are shipping now may (should) be better. You may want to do a few searches to get a better overall picture about a variety of problems reported by users.
If you travel infrequently, perhaps 17" may be fine but I think that 17" is almost a non-portable. I rarely take even 15" machine when I travel and prefer a 12" but this is really a matter of personal preferences.

[MacCheetah3]

Hi
Originally posted by mbovaird

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There can't be that many stupid people in the world, can there?

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While I agree with Alam that you shouldn't make such an opinion based on the purchasing decision someone has made on their computer or any other product, I can safely say -- In general -- that yes, there are that many stupid people. As always, there are exceptions to the rule but...
Anywho...
I purchased a MacBook so I could use Mac OS X as much as possible but still use the same machine at work where sometimes I need to use Windows. I require Windows in my work environment because I need to run Windows only software ( mainly anti-virus, anti-spyware, ... ) and need full access to NTFS volumes ( which Mac OS X cannot write to ). We are not at all large enough, ... to be running an in-house server -- Nor the $$$ /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif -- but I haven't seen any problems using Windows through Boot Camp that I haven't seen on a Windows only system.
Of course, a MacBook Pro or any other Intel based Mac is really only a good investment if one plans to use Mac OS X a fair amount of time or maybe plans to slowly switch to it as their primary OS. Otherwise, I'd still to a Windows only system, honestly.

[braindoc]

I have to concur with Alam. I have reservations about the built of the latest batch of portable from Apple. I have run into significant structural problems with the new MacBook... the least of which is the color change issue with the case.

[maflynn]

So far my MB is rock solid (knocks on wood). No issues with discoloration, or the random shutdown problem. It did shutdown once on me (after an extended time in sleep mode - a week or two). I ran a stress test app found on that randomshutdown site and I could not get it to fail. Additionally I've rebuilt the computer and its been flawless.
As for peecees, I've had good luck with Dell and HP so I won't critizie them. I'll probably be buying a new peecee for my wife for Christmas and the odds are it may be a Dell.

[Nobody]

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I can safely say -- In general -- that yes, there are that many stupid people.

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I take it you haven't met Bubba or Bruno... I'm sure you wouldn't feel nearly as safe in making such rash and global claims in their presence. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
But seriously, anyone can safely say whatever they wish, it doesn't make it true, does it? Unless, you are willing to allow others to critically examine and varify your methods that helped you to come to those conclusions... /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[imalex]

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But seriously, anyone can safely say whatever they wish, it doesn't make it true, does it? Unless, you are willing to allow others to critically examine and varify your methods that helped you to come to those conclusions... /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

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"The two most common things in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity."
Alternately attributed to Harlan Ellison, Frank Zappa, Gustave Flaubert and Albert Einstein
Off topic, but couldn't resist. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
A.