Need help, I'm looking at a Mac
 

ok, serious questions from a fellow Pelican propellorhead.

Im starting to look for a new personal laptop. While my work computer could easily be classified as a weapon, I really dont ask for or need much from my personal computers. Im also not one of those guys that cant figure out how to keep the porn pop-ups and the virus crap off of a windows machine. I know my way around a computer pretty well. My windows machines do what i need them to do, I just feel like Im not getting my moneys worth these days.

My needs are the following for this computer:
(1)must be a smallish laptop since I travel 100% of the time and already carry a work laptop
(2)must be able to get me to the Pelican forums and my other favorite websites
(3)must be able to run a decent mail client, no more outlook for me
(4)must have standard document processing abilities
(5)must be able to handle photos, video, music, and all of the fun computer stuff

Ive been dabbling in LINUX for a few weeks and I actually caught myself eye****ing a iMAC at Comp USA today. Nice little machine. I was a little confused as to why the seemingly comprable G4 was 2x the price, but I admit that i dont know anything about Macs.

so what do you guys think? What do i do for me next laptop?

You do need help, possibly professionally! :)

Look at Dell's 600 series and the IBM thinkpads... Have heard very few people who really like the G4 series after owning one for a while.

Joe A

I have a 15" AlBook (G4) and it works perfectly for the tasks you listed.

If you get a Dell stay away from the consumer (Inspiron?) series. They suck donkey a$$.

Well I use both Macs and Windows boxes, desktops as well as laptops. I have owned every model of Mac laptop made for the last 15 years.

So my opinion is actual first hand experience.

I'll NEVER carry anything other than a Powerbook as my primary box.

There will be many who will say that you can get more software for a PC. Not true. Every major piece of commercial software is available for both platforms and they are completly compatable.

In fact you can get open source stuff like OpenOffice, a direct alternative to the Microsoft suite, Word Excell, Powerpoint, for free and it opens and saves the MSFT format.

The price delta between the iBook and Powerbook is slightly faster processor, much better graphics chipset, Firewire 400 vs regular Firewire. The iBook comes in 12 and 14 only, the Powerbook is available as 12, 15 or 17.

I currently have a 15 and 17. Both awesome machines.

So to address your list.

1) 12 or 14 in iBook
2) anything will do, Mac or Windows
3) Macs pre installed Mail app, or download the Mozzila suite, has a built in mail client that's pretty good. Keeps your surfing and mail all in one app. Plus you can edit web pages in it.
4) Office X, $$$ or Openoffice, free
5) nothing does this better than a Mac, I'd opt for the 15 inch Powerbook.

Just be prepared to deal with a Mac. Most Windows users have a real difficult time adjusting. They have been conditioned to approach every task from the most difficult, bass ackwards angle possible.

You have to be prepared to embrace a simpler more logical way to get results.

The biggest performance hit on a laptop is the hard drive, the fastest you'll get from the factory is 5400 rpm.

Regardless of which you buy, Mac or PC, your first upgrade should be the Hitachi 60 gig 7200 rpm drive. Makes ALL the difference.

Oh yeah, when was the last time a Mac user crapped themselves over a virus threat?

It's why a lot off computer security professionals carry a Mac, security is much better.

I'm a duck when it comes to computers, but have 4, one a Dell lap. From strictly a consumer standpoint, I'd get the IBM or a Sony. Three of the computers I have, the lap being one, are Dells. Customer service at Dell sucks. The cheap E Machine with the Celeron in it (this one) has been the best of the lot.

I have a new dell 600, i just got it about a month ago. I've been very happy with it, but I think its tad heavy. However compared to other laptops its light and compact. I guess i just have high expectations. The dell 700 is lighter, but the screen is pretty small, its only like a 12in wide screen. Im guessing thats the size you probably want. I went for the 600 because I wanted a larger screen to watch movies on. Try looking at cnet.com they just did a bunch of reviews on laptops under 3 pounds.
Sorry can't help you on the macs, I just think they are way over priced compared to windows machine so they don't interest me at all.

Put down the crack Pipe Joe... ;)

Seriously, this is so far from my experiences. We have about 50 iBooks in regular service (student loaners), and have 30 or so G4 Powerbooks of various vintage in service now. I have been using my G4 Ti book for going on 2 years without a SINGLE problem. And it gets a lot of use, has been used on remote music recording gigs, etc. The latest iteration is a bit more refined, and are sweet machines. I still like my old workhorse though.

As for the OS, if you've been dabbling with linux, that will serve you well as you can fire up a terminal window and work with all your unix commands. Or use the most elegant GUI that is out there. A *real* operating system with a lickable interface.

Shuie - I'm going to defer from your desires and say get nothing. If your Wintel machine works for you, use that. My suggestion is, if you haven't done so yet, is download a copy of XP Pro SP2. That will rid you of any and all popups as a popup controller is embedded in the OS - the best I've seen yet, as a matter of fact.

If you're dead set on a new machine, weigh out the costs. Windows laptops are fine, but Macs are about two to three times more powerful. Yes, they cost more, but they are very strong and have an excellent platform.

If you do buy a Windows machine, though, the first thing you need to do is wipe out the hard drive and reinstall ONLY the OS (XP Pro hopefully), and a minimum of needed software. It seems all Wintel machines come with a bunch of OEM garbage in their OEM version of Windows - which ultimately kill machine performance.

Why? Typically, Windows XP runs about 18 to 20 processes every on/off cycle. With the added crap from Dell, IBM and whomever else, the processes jump up to 35, sometimes 40. That's like putting three fat women from the circus in your Porsche and still trying to drive vigorously - if you know what I mean.

why not Pocket PC ??
It will do all that you said you need

plus it will fit in your pocket..


my PPC has:
400 Mhz
64mb+40mb (internal)
512mb (secure Digital )
512mb ( Compact Flash )
Internet thru bluetooth using cell phone ( all the time ) for $5 /mo . about 3-4 times a dialup
Internet thru 80211.b card w/ integrated 128mb for cached files
Pelican boards thru Pocket Explorer
e-mail : web interface (yahoo etc.) or Outlook + others
Document apps : Word, Excel, Power Point
Pics ( tons of apps ) such as ACDSee.
Video : Media Player, Divx Player, plus more
Music : many players such as Media PLayer

plus files can play over network
I even rip full DVD's to a compact flash card and play them on the PPC

Screw windows, either get Linux or an Apple, you'll be better off.

I'm a big fan of Macs too, would suggest a 12" iBook or a 12" PowerBook. If you stay in places with broadband, you can use the iChat/iSight to videophone the family (if you have a Mac at home).

But, I have to ask, do you really want to carry a work laptop AND and a personal laptop? Seems like too much computer lugging. Why not just put the personal apps and data you need on the work machine and save yourself a hassle?

i dont really want to carry two machines. im hesitant to load a bunch of personal stuff on my machine because I dont want to risk violating any computer usage policies.

Ive also thought about running LINUX from another partition on the hard drive

You could just get a firewire hard drive as a peripheral. Small, plugs right in, keeps your stuff separate.

If that won't work, get the Mac. Absolutely.