Powerbook vs. MACBOOK PRO?  I want to buy a Mac but can't decide, can anyone help with suggestions?
94506
Buy the new one... unless you have some software that is cruicial to you and it is known not to work with the new Macs
1069422
Macs are great for film production.  If you have the money, wait a few weeks.  The new Mac Pro is on it's way, and it's going to sport Intel's fastest chips, as well as more features than you can shake a stick at.  If you're just looking for something down the middle, get an iMac.   If you want mobility, get a MacBook or MacBook Pro.  Don't forget to check out Apple's Pro Apps.
905025
I have a Mac Powerbook and I love it.
700323
I just bought an imac desktop computer. I am very happy with it. It was an iffy purchase and I wasn't sure that I needed it. After using it for almost 2 weeks now I love it. I have been a PC person until now but have just realized how good macs really are. I would reccommend a mac desktop if you want stylish looks, reliabilty, and great performance. I agree with the person above who mentioned that there aren't a lot of programs that you can get on a mac. However there seems to be many more popping up now that macs are getting more attention. I would recommend having both a pc and a mac if you can. Then you can have the best of both worlds:) The new mac operating system x is amazing too.
1033588
i like compaq(same components as HP but cheaper) because i'm a student so i have a small budget. i think macs are sh1t. i have to use them at my school for math classes. I CANT STAND a 1 button mouse.
768956
If your budget includes both Macs and PC's, then it's up to you to look at all the packages, try out the different operating systems, and get a feel for what you prefer. But I really don't think the Mac is superior just because it's a Mac. I have never found them to be any faster, and I think their operating system looks like it was designed for a child, but that's just my opinion. \n\nAs someone else pointed out, a lot of it has to do with the fact that Macs are always very expensive- Apple don't make cheaper ones because they want to protect their brand image. And they don't keep selling their older models- the only ones you can buy are very up to date. They do make a lot of cheap PC's though- the new and expensive ones are just as good as the new and expensive Macs, but people just don't always go for those when faced with a much cheaper option that has all the same superficial features.\n\nIf this is the only computer you will be exposed to then it doesn't much matter, but if you use PC's at work I would really recommend you get one for home as well. I sometimes borrow my flatmate's Mac, after a day at work using a PC, and it's really annoying because everything is a bit different and it goes against what I'm used to. For example I'm always going to press the "delete" button but it's not there, they only have a backspace. If you use computers a lot it becomes very instinctive, you don't have to think about what you're doing- so don't confuse yourself by having different systems for work and home, it will slow YOU down regardless of the computer's speed!
529446
I bought my MacBook Pro just a few months ago, and the price has already dropped, and the clock speed has increased.  It's just something to be expected. However, I have respect for Apple not dropping their prices on all their PowerPC computers.  This holds the value on the resale market that PCs only wish they could have! :)\n\nnote:\nwindows is not "pre-installed".  After downloading the free Beta called Boot Camp, you must supply your own copy of Windows, which is like $100 or something.
840188
Thats a really good question. Now a days one good rule to live by would be " you get what you pay for".  Just like Blair I think you should stick to the good brands and have a huge amount of RAM. I actually have 2GB of ram on my Mac Powerbook 17". But then It really depends on your needs. I edit videos and pictures when am on the road so I need this. \n\nFigure out your budget. Basically ram is expensive. To run Windows XP alone 200mb of ram cant really cut it. you have to consider the other applications you have to run. \n\nBattery life: Now thats a difficult one. the newer units that run on mobile centrino do last a bit longer from 3-4 hours on a fresh charge... using office applications only. Once you start using the cd or dvd roms then the juice get sucked out faster. \n\nOn board roms: (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW). you got to figure out what you need for your work.  \n\nSize is a big factor: Yes people size does matter! I like working with a big screen specially for my work. I have lugged my 17" almost everywhere, from NZ to the US and Asia no problem as long as you have a good carry on bag. I carry about 25lbs of equipment on my back.  But still some airlines are more strict than others. If you fly business or first class then there wouldnt be any problems. Go economy and the crew ...yikes you get all sorts! \n\nOh yes wieght! the cheeper ones? ton and a half.  The lightest I have encountered are from Sony Vaio, Asus S(slim) series ( external CD-rom), Fujitsu, Acer travellmate series, Mac powerbook G4 12", macbook 13" ( like the black one) . sorry i dont remember the others. Airlines limit you to about  15-20lbs.\n\nConnectivity: you'll need wifi, bluetooth, RJ45 socket, USB (the more the better), firewire, Basic stuff! cant go with out these. IR ? thing of the past. The new models even have a cummunications slot that uses a sim card. wireless all over.  Oh yes some have built in SD or MMC readers these things are handy if you use point and shoot cameras and other little gadgets.  ( Hey you can get a 7 in 1 card reader anyway.)\n \nDurability? Wow, for ordinary people like us? Toshiba for PC and Powerbook & Macbook pro. But for the military they use the water resistant panasonic. i forget the model. Drop it 3 meters you'll be fine. Take it to the ocean you're all right. Cost? hmmm starts at about $10,000.00 USD ... Nice!\n\nGood after sales Service? Apple, Dell, Toshiba these are the top three from my experience.\n\nOh yeah you are a med student... lots of software on the PC side.\n\nHope this helps Doc.... and didnt confuse you enough. \n\nCiao
1028295
It all depends on what you're using the computer for. Apple's are much better at graphics rendering, so anything related to design or graphics is better suited for a Mac. PC's are better designed for executing intense calculations/procedures.\n\nOverall, Mac is making a lot of progress. I am personally a PC user, but if I had extra money lying around I'd get a Mac too. PC's used to have user-friendliness on their side, but even that is beginning to change. When it comes down to it, it's almost a personal preference. Somehow or another you can probably find some one to do everything on either machine.
1099562
To be honest the macbook pro is not that much better than the macbook, considering the price difference anyway. If you need more than onboard graphics get a pro, if not then the macbook is still badass. I bought a pro, and it's amazing, but the only reason was because i could do with 2 firewire ports and it has an expansion slot which can be used for firewire.\n I'm a video editor and the extra screen space on the pro is useful, but i've heard the macbook still runs final cut really well.
805936
Personally, I would get the Macbook Pro just because of the bigger screen and faster processor. You'll find two inches makes a HUGE difference. I have the 15" and it's great! BUT...\n\nwhat you really need is more memory and hard drive space. Midi files  can take up a lot of HD space... I would recommend an external Lacie HD... get at least 7200rpm, 250GB drive. If you're just playing around you should be ok with 512MB RAM. \n\nMy neighbor is a professional musician and he uses Garageband to mix some of his background stuff.\n\nTwo last items... regardless of what model you get, ALWAYS buy the Applecare with it...ALWAYS!!! I've owned a Mac for over a decade and the extended warranty is always worth it. All it takes is one hard drive crash or even one broken key and you'll rack up $300+ in repairs. ALSO, if you're not familiar with the Mac programs like Garageband, buy the ProCare package for $99/yr. It will get you one-on-one instruction on all Mac (and even some non-Mac) programs.
352833
First you must ask yourself "What do I want to use my laptop for?" - this sounds like a typically easy and most often neglected answer, but, answering this question can save you a lot of money in the end. If you are into production or designing, like graphic design, application assembly, audio/video editing, it might be wise to invest your money into an Apple iBook or Powerbook - the latter having much more "horsepower". Macs are sophisticated machines that hold up excellent in these types of environments. On the other-hand, if you plan on using your machine for more simpler use, like e-mail, web, DVD watching - I would recommend HP. HP, for all intents and purposes, is the MAC of the windows world. You'll of course get ego heads in this forum who are going to argue their computers are better and far superior - but you'll get that for anything. The reason I mention HP over the competition in Windows Based machines is because they have excellent hardware builds for the money. AMD processors are really superior to most others, notably Intel. They are built in Germany, and we all know the German's have superior electronics. HP also offers really excellent customer service and warranties. For less than $1000, you can get a great notebook and for a couple of hundred more a great extended warranty to go with it. In conclusion you can think of it this way - for a bit more money get a MAC if your a designer / developer. For a bit less money, get an HP - you cant go wrong either way. Good Luck.
711917
You really should spend an extra $100 to get the Macbook. You can get software to make the mac turn into a PC and it is amazing, no spyware, the fastest computers ever, and they are extremely durable, I've dropped mine about 5 tiems and it has never broken once. Join Apple users and benefit! PC's are bad, Apple is good!!!!!!!!
1161144
Get the 17" MacBook Pro, with 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo. And, it's only one inch thin.\n\nUnbelievably fast, incredibly beautiful. Only a Mac.\n\nPlus, it runs Windows
1016347
If your software is for the Mac then you have to go with a Macbook, if not you can get a much better machine that does not run OS X but has more ram or a better processor for the same money. For example ACER Aspire 5672WLMi or the more affordable ACER TravelMate 4202WLMi
73677
I will choose Apple Macintosh in accordance to it's OS - Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, due to it's based on highly reliable and stable foundation - UNIX. I have been used my new iBook for more then a year and it's really has no breakdowns or failures. Besides UNIX, the seamlessly built-in desktop search engine - Spotlight makes you finds your information just in seconds. The Mac OS or Macintosh today is truely compartible with other Windows computers, networks, disks or softwares.\n\n"It's the best operating system out here" saids Walt Mossberg, author of Personal Technology column in Wall Street Journal.
100597
Mac is better: no threat of viruses, well organized, easy usablility, and almost everything else. They are just a little more expensive though.