New or used, you can’t go wrong. this thing kicks ass.

However, I’ll admit that macs ain’t cheap. I just love how easy to use and reliable they are. And they are more intuitive for me than PCs. If I actually knew (and cared) about how my computer actually works, maybe I’d feel differently, but I feel about my computer like I do about my car–I just use them both to solve certain life problems. I have other hobbies. Your mileage may vary.

I used a Mac desktop and laptop at my old job. I hated them, but that was prior to 2003 and have heard nothing but glowing reports from Mac-heads since then. Still, my experience was such that I wouldn’t go through it again. They were each 2 years old.

I like my Dell. Plus it’s pink. But for your needs, this could be an apples-to-oranges thing.

(Oh, yeah… forgot to mention that I bought a new iBook after the used one died… which I love!)

Steer clear of Toshiba (just trust me on that one — the whole “learn from mistakes of others” thing).

Unlike Joel, I do actually know and care how my computer works, which is why I prefer my Dell. However, for what you want to be able to do, either one will work. Mac software is also more expensive, but there’s a lot of good open source stuff out there that will run on anything, so that’s probably not an issue.

Do what will make you happy.

I haven’t run across a PC that I wished was more plug-and-play. I think the days when mac could claim that are over. PC’s are pretty user friendly, in my opinion.

So, let me put this another way. Is a used laptop as good a value as a used car?

I wouldn’t get the Mac. I use them here at work (running OS X) sometimes, and I honestly haven’t been impressed by them at all (we all actually kind of cringe whenever we have to use one). People claim they’re more intuitive, easier to use, etc. etc. — I don’t buy it. The only thing they might be is more stable. Maybe I’m just biased, but here are some things to think about:

1. There is a well-known logic board issue with the iBook that can cause display problems.

2. The iBook’s casing is made from a certain (cheap?) plastic that, in my experience, stinks to high heavens just like body odor, whenever the space it’s occupying gets over about 80 degrees. This past summer, every classroom I walked into that contained an iBook absolutely reeked of body odor (we call it the iBook stench).

3. The Toshiba has twice the memory, over 5 times the hard drive space, 4-10 times as much graphics memory, twice as many USB ports, a faster processor speed, and a 3 inch larger display over the iBook. In its defense, the iBook is about three quarters of a pound lighter.

4. If I found a laptop for $350-$450, I would be pretty suspicious of it being a piece of crap. If you can find an iBook G4 in that price range, with the same specs as the one in your link, and they’re willing to give you a refund or replace it if something goes wrong, it might be a pretty good deal.

5. I don’t think Vista is worthless, but I don’t think it’s great either. I’ll have to agree with CNet on this one: it’s just OK. If I got the choice, I’d go with XP.

I’m cheap too, and I totally get not wanting to throw down a chunk that size all at once, but I’d still choose the Toshiba (but then, I’d probably be using it to play games).

Do you have the specs on the Dell?

Thanks, Summers. Here’s the Dell link. Set the filter to search for model inspiron 1501.

Netmom, this is interesting in showing up how desire and opinion plays in consumerism.

I’ll be forwarding you chain emails from my gadget, bold AT.

All my computer needs. It is my work *and* home computer, so it goes to work with me in the morning and comes home in the evening. I work at home in the early morning (like now) and on weekends, so I can just open it up and resume whatever I stopped working on. I write and review manuscripts and grant proposals. I use photoshop to prepare figures for publications and for lectures. I create spreadsheets for data and for grades. I download papers to read instead of shlepping to the library.

I suppose the real issue is whether you want a pre- or post-intel computer. Apple will only maintain backwards compatibility for the powerpc for so long and then we’ll no longer be able to upgrade.

But for what you need to do, you should be fine. Hell, I still take this little powerbook to work with me, and use it at the office…

Yep, Alice, that happens to the best of us at some point.

I’ve decided that I’m going to save my pennies and get a laptop sometime soon. Just don’t know if it will be a mac or a pc, though.