integra_gsr98;325105 wrote:
I 100% disagree with this. If you open up and look under the hood of OS X you'll realize that it's a UNIX based operating system. Once the command prompt is open it's a whole new ball game. I use a MBP every day for my job and personally and have zero complaints with it. The device WORKS all the time and is powerful enough that when I am doing development/writing tools to assist with my job that it does everything I need it to do.

That's kinda weird. We (Dakota Security) started converting everyone to MBP and we started with 4 machines....kind of a beta test. We had HORRIBLE luck with them in a business environment in regards to connecting to panels and reliably running the programs that we needed for report generation, etc... The solution: Dual-boot into windows 7.

When it comes to phones I've been a droid guy for a long time but work just gave me a new iphone. I'll say that the iphone from a build quality standpoint is FAR SUPERIOR than ANY droid phone that is on the market. The battery life on it is a hell of a lot better than droid as well. I pulled it off the charger at 6:30 yesterday morning and I'm still sitting at 81% battery today, with moderate use yesterday.

We tried the iPhone as well (VZW & AT&T) and while everything you stated above is true, the reception on them was horrible and they often missed calls even when they were stating full signal. We ultimately decided to return all 75 iPhones and went back to droids.

Now my iPad that I use for sales calls/presentations is great. I'm not 100% convinced it does anything "better" than my Iconia or even my rooted nook for that matter, but it is easy to use.

I'm convinced that Apple has a personal vendetta against me however, I have shitty luck with almost everything that I've tried of theirs (2 bad iMac's in a single day, both brand new, for example)

Edit: Let me clarify as I know I sound anti-apple, I'm really not. I understand how/why they work for so many people (especially the iMac/MBP) but I've personally never seen a scenario where I couldn't do better for less money utilizing Windows/Android solutions.

StangerBanger96;324928 wrote:
Mostly my personal opinion. I hate Apple as a company because they grew into something they used to spend so much time crying about. They are all about keeping everything proprietary, they put out a product that is extremely simple and looks pretty (thus why everyone loves them) I could be wrong here but I think the reason people love Macs/Apple products so much is because Apple has basically taken away the ability for the average person to do something wrong with it. For many that is OK, I hate it. I like to know how and why things work whereas a large chunk of the population has no desire to know that, they just want it to work. If you are someone who just wants something to work, Apple products are great (besides the whole shitty anti-corporation that turned into one).

I 100% disagree with this. If you open up and look under the hood of OS X you'll realize that it's a UNIX based operating system. Once the command prompt is open it's a whole new ball game. I use a MBP every day for my job and personally and have zero complaints with it. The device WORKS all the time and is powerful enough that when I am doing development/writing tools to assist with my job that it does everything I need it to do.

When it comes to phones I've been a droid guy for a long time but work just gave me a new iphone. I'll say that the iphone from a build quality standpoint is FAR SUPERIOR than ANY droid phone that is on the market. The battery life on it is a hell of a lot better than droid as well. I pulled it off the charger at 6:30 yesterday morning and I'm still sitting at 81% battery today, with moderate use yesterday.

Trafik Jamz;324899 wrote:
Ah yes, AT&T prevents you from doing such things on the captivate. I'd start by reading this thread:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858765

I'd join that forum and post questions on there as well if you hit a rough spot. Most of the people on there are willing to help, just be as specific as you can regarding the questions and make sure you search before you ask.

Thanks for the very good and specific info. I will be sure to join that forum. The only reason I haven't joined a android forum is because I was planning on going for a iphone but I think I might keep the android for awhile.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=858765

I'd join that forum and post questions on there as well if you hit a rough spot. Most of the people on there are willing to help, just be as specific as you can regarding the questions and make sure you search before you ask.

Trafik Jamz;324825 wrote:
You have to enable installation from outside sources. Usually done under settings.

The only this I can find is "use secure credentials", which is greyed out.

beachbum_jon;324822 wrote:
Well i downloaded z4root from some aandroid forum and my phone downloaded it and then blocked it from opening.

You have to enable installation from outside sources. Usually done under settings.

Also have installed setcpu so i can control how fast it runs during certain functions. Helps out with battery life a bit.

Quada;324808 wrote:
Rooting basically gets rid of the boatware and lets you download apps for free, while also making it run a bit smoother... I just rooted my buddies captivate with Serendipity 7 (2.3.3 gingerbread instead of froyo) and he loves it! It was a bitch trying to find the right modem that would work in our area but after about the 10th one, we got it and it works perfectly! The OEM modem for the i897 is garbage, so if you are experiencing loss of signal or a slow internet connection or texts intermittently not sending, that is probably what is wrong. We put an i9000 modem on his phone.

Trafik Jamz;324818 wrote:
Quada mostly got it right. It allows you to change/modify your phone and your OS to do things differently/better. For example, if your phone isn't running fast enough, you can load an overclocked kernel to it which will allow you to adjust clock speed/voltage/etc... This also can be used to help achieve better battery life. Or maybe you don't like HTC Sense but are stuck with an HTC phone, no problem, load a new rom w/o sense on it and you are set to go.

And then there are some apps that flat out will not work w/o a rooted device such as free tethering and the like.

There is a ton more information on sites like XDA-Developers.com and similar sites.

FWIW, you can download z4root for your captivate and literally root it right from the application. From there (since you are new to it) I'd download titanium backup (lite) and back-up all your files before attempting to run a new rom/kernel. The easiest method I've found for basic rom installation is to download "Rom Manager Premium" from the android market. From there you can browse some of the more popular roms available (including some beta/"Daily" builds) and flash them right from Rom Manager. Once you have flashed you will need to run Titanium Backup again to restore the apps that you lost when your phone was wiped during the install of the new rom.

Thanks for the responses. A lot of useful info. Where can I get the z4root at? I searched in market and no dice.

And then there are some apps that flat out will not work w/o a rooted device such as free tethering and the like.

There is a ton more information on sites like XDA-Developers.com and similar sites.

FWIW, you can download z4root for your captivate and literally root it right from the application. From there (since you are new to it) I'd download titanium backup (lite) and back-up all your files before attempting to run a new rom/kernel. The easiest method I've found for basic rom installation is to download "Rom Manager Premium" from the android market. From there you can browse some of the more popular roms available (including some beta/"Daily" builds) and flash them right from Rom Manager. Once you have flashed you will need to run Titanium Backup again to restore the apps that you lost when your phone was wiped during the install of the new rom.

beachbum_jon;324805 wrote:
Would someone please explain the whole "rooted" thing to me? I have a samsung capivate and want to get the most out of it, oh and I am with at&t, i guess alltel, if that matters.

Rooting basically gets rid of the boatware and lets you download apps for free, while also making it run a bit smoother... I just rooted my buddies captivate with Serendipity 7 (2.3.3 gingerbread instead of froyo) and he loves it! It was a bitch trying to find the right modem that would work in our area but after about the 10th one, we got it and it works perfectly! The OEM modem for the i897 is garbage, so if you are experiencing loss of signal or a slow internet connection or texts intermittently not sending, that is probably what is wrong. We put an i9000 modem on his phone.

Internet on the phone itself is great, just wish people could actually use the tethering/hot spot without spending way way more than its worth.