Buying a new Laptop

**Tom Slick** · 03-20-2007, 05:03 PM

I have a similar model Toshiba (A105) and it has been an excellent computer. none of the factory installed software is too invasive either.

**LCHIEN** · 03-20-2007, 06:04 PM

Here's how I would choose:
The Toshiba's out. Manly men don't have computers that show flowers.

That leaves the black computer and the white computer.
White computers are too girly.

Thus I pick the black computer (Sony apparently).
See how easy that was?

**tedkitch** · 03-20-2007, 06:07 PM

I would go with the Mac Book. Mac's have are a much better experience in my book. I even run Windows on my Mac with Parallels software. Works great!

Let me know if you have any questions,

**sparkeyjames** · 03-20-2007, 06:25 PM

Choose the mac. More horse power. You can I believe also dual boot the thing with windows XP if you really need too. Also it keeps you away from that buggy vista OS. Want to be a Microsoft beta tester?

**bmyers** · 03-20-2007, 06:56 PM

Although his decision matrix for choosing which laptop to get is solid, I'm going to disagree with Loring. Not because of his facts there is one white, one black notebook and one with a flower on it, this is true..

I'd go for the horse power and Linux. You can still do Micro$oft if you need to.

Macbook.

**TheRic** · 03-20-2007, 07:28 PM

Before I make a suggestion I would ask the user what they plan on doing with it in the next year, next 3 years, next 5 years. Also what features are important to you? Having a computer that does this or that don't mean nothing if you don't really intend to use the feature.

The best computer for Joe, is not going to be the best computer for Tom, or Jim.

**LinuxRandal** · 03-20-2007, 09:06 PM

I'd love a laptop. I need one like I need a hole in my head.

For the person with the Toshiba, how is the battery life?

Battery life and screen size would make it between the Toshiba and the Mac for me. If it were available with XP over Vista, would be another option (for specific pieces of software), otherwise.

I get by with a bootable Linux Distro, and a USB key.

Is the software your used to, available for Mac?
Is it a want or a need for a laptop over a desktop?

Just some things to think about because if your like me, it cuts into the tool/toy budget!

**chalkhappens** · 03-20-2007, 09:28 PM

Go Mac or go home.

**sparkeyjames** · 03-20-2007, 09:29 PM

Choose the software first then the computer.

Originally posted by TheRic

Before I make a suggestion I would ask the user what they plan on doing with it in the next year, next 3 years, next 5 years. Also what features are important to you? Having a computer that does this or that don't mean nothing if you don't really intend to use the feature.

The best computer for Joe, is not going to be the best computer for Tom, or Jim.

Well he did ask. Vista right now has bugs galore and software incompatibilities IE 7 is rife with security holes. The Mac right now looks good. With Microsoft pushing at what amounts to beta quality OS and the Mac now having a stable UNIX based system and those being his final 3 system in the running I recommend the Mac.
When people ask me what type of computer/OS to use I ask them what do you want to use it for? It just boils down to choosing the software you really need then buy the hardware OS combination that runs it. If all you want is to use the internet and do email then the Mac is still a strong contender. If you want to do your taxes, do office work or run a business and play games online with your buddies then Windows XP is the right choice. If your into graphics design and music/video production then use a Mac.

I do my office stuff and internet surfing/mail on a Linux system. Yet I do my taxes and play games on WinXP. Thats what works for me and I don't recommend it to others just because thats what I use. I've been playing with computers a lot longer than I've been into woodworking. I have 28 years of computing experience. Far more than the 3 I have messing with wood products.

**gerti** · 03-20-2007, 09:52 PM

Note that the MacBook hardware can do 802.11n (about 3.5 times faster than g in real life, plus more reach). All it needs is a firmware update that Apple sells for $1.99, it also comes free with Apple's new 802.11n base station.

I am writing this from my MacBook, same type. Extremely happy with it.

**Anna** · 03-20-2007, 10:09 PM

I don't think the software limitation is relevant anymore. Macs will run Windows either natively via BootCamp (free) or in virtualization via Parallels. We have the 24" iMac running Parallels because of that one indispensable Windows-only software. Using Coherence, the Windows app runs on the Mac desktop and it's true drag-and-drop between OS X and Windows.

If you do go with the Macbook, don't forget AppleCare. You have a year after purchase of the computer to extend your warranty to 3 years, and, as a 3-time owner of Mac laptops, I can say it's worth it. Am waiting for Leopard before picking up a Macbook Pro myself.

Anna

**Tom Slick** · 03-20-2007, 11:20 PM

the battery that comes with my toshiba lasts about 2 hours of computing. for $150 you can buy a 6 hour battery. I am usually near an outlet (hotels, airports, etc) that I can plug into so battery life isn't too limiting.

**gerti** · 03-21-2007, 12:03 AM

I get about 4 hours out of the batteries in my MacBook, 5 if I turn of the wireless network. Watching DVD or having the screen brightness turned up will shorten that a little.

AppleCare: A definite yes for a MacBook Pro. But for the MacBook in question, AppleCare is almost 20% of the laptops price. I'd say baby the laptop and save the money for the next one! If anything is wrong with it it typically shows within the warranty. Wear and tear is hard on a laptop and can cause problems later, but again 20% of the price? No thanks.

**Tequila** · 03-21-2007, 07:31 AM

Chris, It's a real tough one to answer without knowing what you want to do with it. I just bought a laptop in December, and I wouldn't pick any of those choices for myself. Not to say there's anything wrong with your picks, but I do a lot of number crunching, so I wanted a laptop with a number pad.

I bought a HP DV9000 which has a similar processor, less drive space, and a 17" screen for about the same price you're listing.

So I guess the question is: what are you going to use it for?

Buying a new Laptop

Buying a new Laptop

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