Ok, next year, my high school is offering Wireless Internet Access to anyone who brings their own laptop. We can take notes on it, surf the net at lunch, do research, etc. So, I have been saving up to buy one for a few months now. All the money I got from the holidays, my birthday, chores, working in the library, and now graduation is in my fund. So far, I have about 600 Dollars, 200 of which in giftcards (though my parents said they will trade me for money).


Now, for my graduation present, my parents said they will pay 50% of the total cost of the laptop, if I get a 3.5 or better on my report card (which I will). So, I have about 1200 to spend (though it may be more if I get any more grauation money). I am really eying one of those 12 or 14 in iBook's, though I don't know if I could afford (a summer job may help, however). Which brings me to my question.

I have figured out that I can get either:

A)iBook 1GHz Combo (12" TFT) http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gifhttp://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif
Z0A7 http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif1-3 bus.days http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gifRemove (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/71501/wo/7yqFXJBcsDoK2Gs8rr1QwtuqdhK/14.13.0.5.3.12.37.39.3.1.23.1.0)http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif$1,298.00 http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif$1,298.00
http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gifAirPort Extreme Card 065-5009 http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif
http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif512MB DDR266 SDRAM (256MB built-in & 256MB SO-DIMM) 065-5000 http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gifhttp://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif
Keyboard/Mac OS X - U.S. English 065-5012 http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gifhttp://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif
Combo drive (DVD/CD-R) 065-5006 http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gifhttp://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/spacer.gif
30GB Ultra ATA drive 065-5002

or
B)
Inspiron 5150 Qty 1 Mobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor 2.66GHz,15 inch XGA, Microsoft® Windows® XP ProfessionalUnit Price $1,292.00 http://ecomm.dell.com/dellstore/images/spacer.gifCatalog Number: 29 Module Description Product Code Sku Id BaseMobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor 2.66GHz,15 inch XGAAMT26LN[221-5059]1
Operating SystemMicrosoft® Windows® XP ProfessionalWPXP[420-3231][313-1909][412-0408][313-2208]11
Memory512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms512MB2D[311-2958]3
Video Card32MB DDR NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX Go5200 AGP 4x GraphicsNV32MB[320-1226]6
Hard Drive30GB Hard Drive30GB[340-8956]
8CD ROM/DVD ROMFREE 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive Upgrade! (from DVD)24COMBP[430-0685][462-5322]
16Wireless Networking CardsDell® Wireless 1350 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps)TM1350I[430-0923]19

Now, they are both basically the same price (I'm not concerned about shipping or tax now...), so it really comes down to which is the better computer for me as a student. I really love the whole Mac thing, but the Dell offers alot more for my money. (better processer, bigger screen, etc). I am really just using this for school work and maybe a bit of video editing (I already have software for those).


What do you guys think is the better buy?

Just an idea (my husband suggested this)...why don't you purchase a refurbished model from Dell and save the rest of your money? Afterall, you are going to be lugging it back and forth to high school where a lot of things can happen to it such as theft or someone knocking it off your desk, etc.

Ok, I don't really know anything about iBooks, but I'm really fond of my Inspiron, FWIW.

Just an idea (my husband suggested this)...why don't you purchase a refurbished model from Dell and save the rest of your money? Afterall, you are going to be lugging it back and forth to high school where a lot of things can happen to it such as theft or someone knocking it off your desk, etc.
None of the models I could find included anything near the features that I want (internal Wi-Fi, <2.4 GHz, 512 RAM, Win XP Pro) . Plus, I never really liked getting referbed machines. You never know where its been (what if someone used it in the bathroom?)

(what if someone used it in the bathroom?)
Oh no, they have a scanner for that, no bathroom laptop returns allowed! ;)

The bigger screen is nice, but remember, if you'll be carrying it around all the time...smaller could be more convenient.
I vote for option "A"...but that could be because I have an iBook. :rolleyes:

I think the most important questions to ask yourself are what kind of computer user am I and what will I really be using it for.

If you'll be be using it primarily for the web, word processing, digital photos, home video, dvd's, and mp3's, get a Mac. You want a plug-and-play computer like an iBook so everything simply works with very little configuring, downloading drivers, or programming fuss.

If you'll be using it for programming, 3D software, or intense game playing, or you are the kind of person who likes to tweak and modify and optimize and tweak and modify and add-on and tweak and modify your computer, get a PC. Or if you want to take advantage of the plethora of bootleg software that will be shared amongst your fellow students and online, get a PC.

Don't be too swayed by the seemingly big difference in ghz between PC's and Mac's. Apple uses different processors and an operating system which requires less power. 1ghz compared to 2.66 is a significant jump, but not as dramatic as it would be comparing two PC's of similar power. Besides, unless you're doing a lot of processor intensive stuff, you won't need 2.66ghz just to surf the web or watch dvd's.

I just got an alienware laptop on a deal they had.No tax
no S&H fee.Have you looked into them. My brother in law helped me chose this one.So I don't know much bout the inter works of it.I just told him what I would like to do with it and gave him the money to order it.Mine is the top of the line.They may have some cheap stuff if you look.

I just got an alienware laptop on a deal they had.No tax
no S&H fee.Have you looked into them. My brother in law helped me chose this one.So I don't know much bout the inter works of it.I just told him what I would like to do with it and gave him the money to order it.Mine is the top of the line.They may have some cheap stuff if you look.

Alienware is expensive. We are talking 500 dollars for the paint job. I wouldn't want a $2000 laptop going with me to school.



mickhyperion, I am a computer guy, and I know both the Windows and Mac OSes. I don't care much ease of setup. I plan on taking 3D Graphics and programming in the future, and I already do lots of video work.


I am aware of the MHz differences. Plus, both have quite a bit of memory, so I am good there.

Having lugged around a laptop at school before, I suggest you look for the lightest, slimmest model you can afford that has the basic features you need.

I should probably ask Doc this question, but I'll put it here:

The iBook is a G4, right? We're planning to buy an iMac later this year because we expect them to bump up to G5's after some events this summer. Might iBooks get that bump, too? In that case, you could get a faster processor with the superior OS.

I love my iBook, but then, I refuse to spend $ on Windoze processing computers. I guess I should say- We're Macaholics.

Adrienne

I have the "classic" ibook, you know the one that looks like a clamshell and is blue? I haven't had a problem with the 12.1 inch screen, it does everything I need it to and yes, before I had that I had a powermac 7200/75 on which I was able to get a computer science/english degree with little to no problems, so don't rule out the mac if you like to program, they're well known for the multimedia capabilities too so that could be a great asset.

The only drawback to my mac was that when i was shopping around my resume, often people had trouble reading it, even though i had word for mac. that was my only issue, other than that i think the thing is great.

plus it's adorable! i had a dell for a year but i just didn't like it as much as i like my macs :)

jt

Bill, I think that's called a Palm. :D :geek:

I should probably ask Doc this question, but I'll put it here:

The iBook is a G4, right? We're planning to buy an iMac later this year because we expect them to bump up to G5's after some events this summer. Might iBooks get that bump, too? In that case, you could get a faster processor with the superior OS.


Adrienne

The one thing about that is, if they do put in the G5, they might just dump the G4 and bump up the price. I would end up spending $500 more. Which I can't afford.

The one thing about that is, if they do put in the G5, they might just dump the G4 and bump up the price. I would end up spending $500 more. Which I can't afford.

They don't usually do that. In the past when they've bumped the speed, they've kept the price even. For example, our G3 iMac cost us $1200, they bumped it to G4, overhauled the design, kept the price. iBook prices have been similar: same price, they just bump up the features over time to keep people interested in coming back.

Adrienne

They don't usually do that. In the past when they've bumped the speed, they've kept the price even. For example, our G3 iMac cost us $1200, they bumped it to G4, overhauled the design, kept the price. iBook prices have been similar: same price, they just bump up the features over time to keep people interested in coming back.

Adrienne
They recently overhauled the Powerbooks, and they now start at $1599 instead of $1299.

Speaking as a programmer:

Get the Mac. Or get a PC, and put Linux on it. Friends don't let friends do Windoze.

BTW, my own notebooks are both used Compaq 486s bought cheap on eBay.

Speaking as a programmer:

Get the Mac. Or get a PC, and put Linux on it. Friends don't let friends do Windoze.




Linux isn't compatible with the network program, only Windows and Mac.

My 2 cents... if you want durability... get an IBM ThinkPad. I have traveled all over the world with mine and never had a problem. Some of the Dell's are prone to keyboard failures.

Being in the industry, I have seen that not every PC (desktop) maker can produce a good, solid laptop. But I would rather use an etch-a-sketch than use anything than a ThinkPad when it comes to a laptop.

Regardless of what you get do two things:
- Back up your data WEEKLY!
- Purchase an extended warranty to protect your investment.

And yes, you can get some IBM Refurb's as well, if you are looking to save some money.

Well, I got my first Mac today, though its neither of the ones I orginally wanted. I got a nice new 12 inch Powerbook. Base model, except for an extra 256 MB Memory I added (which they actually comped when I said the laptop was for school!)

I'm happy. :)

Good for you! Keep us posted on how it works out for you!

I'm happy. :)

As well you should be! Woo-hoo! So much for that budget, eh? ;) Congrats!

Apple Computer actually called us the other day (Caller ID can be a funny thing!) They were following up on some stuff Doc had done. I told them that we were just waiting for them to slip G5's into the iMacs :D The very friendly rep told me that he'd make a note of that in the computer and that they'd let us know when it happens. I'm betting we'll know before they call us but it was a nice gesture. Now Steve just needs to get his people to figure it all out and do it. :geek:

Adrienne

Congrats on the Mac...very exciting! Have fun with it! :)