**Made my decision. Scroll down for details**
Yes, in addition to the iBook failing me in NY, I need something with a bit more power and desire to take over the world. Well, at least the desire to make blogging possible from anywhere at anytime, with the constitution to not konk out when I need her the most.
While I have some ideas, I would love to hear your suggestions. Not that you’re a bunch of geeks or anything 😉 I have always been a Mac person, however, and yet I’m getting a lot of messages that say “dump the Mac.” I am willing to consider something from across the aisle…I have to admit, being a Mac person, I’m not even entirely sure what exists in the other world. So, your suggestions and ideas are more than welcomed 🙂
UPDATE:
Saturday, Nov 19
First of all, thank you everyone for your advice. Yes, I have stayed with Apple and purchase a Powerbook G4 with the 15″ screen. One of the benefits of this laptop is it has a PC card slot for a wireless broadband connection (among other things) allowing me to blog whenever and wherever. Bwahahahaha!
I would stick with a G5 PowerBook http://www.apple.com/powerbook/index17.html. PC laptops are battery killers and have a high heat output (you’ll notice when you have it on your lap), not to mention they are way more prone to getting viruses (unless you buy about $200.00 in scanning software). my 2cents
I’ve had excellent service from Toshiba, and their new Qosmio looks very enticing. I’ve been using Mozilla’s Firefox (browser) and Thunderbird (e-mail client), which are currently not nearly as vulnerable as Microsoft products. I also use free software as much as possible (e.g., Zone Alarm’s firewall, Grisoft’s AVG anti-virus, Spyware Blaster, SpyBot Search and Destroy) and have not suffered a virus in many years. My last Apple was the Apple II. After I decided not to pay Steve Jobs big bucks for an average computer, I got smart and went to PCs. Michael Dell is the current iteration of Steve Jobs, so I refuse to buy his products, too.
But if you want the opinions of experts, not peons like me, pick up a copy of “Computer Shopper” magazine. Every month, it runs lists of laptops and rates them, with their reasons for the ratings.
Good Luck!
Tammy……
Get a G5 Powerbook……I have 4 Mac’s and they are the best! No virus, no problems……..
I suppose if you’re used to the Mac, you’d need a strong reason to jump into a new environment and face some changes. Would switching to a PC make your interface with other people easier? Or maybe you’re tired of having your portable Mac referred to as a “road apple”?
Personally, I hate all laptops. I like to sprawl out at a desk, with a keyboard here and a mouse there and a monitor wherever I want to put it, and papers all over the place. The concept of doing actual work on a little bitty single unit strikes me as absurd. But I guess lots of people do it all the time, so I know I’m expressing a personal prejudice rather than a universal principle. But I said it anyway. So there!
I’m a total PC person. But if I didn’tknow them so well, I’d be a Mac person. They are far superior machines. Stay with your Mac and get a G5 (make sure you get the free iPod deal).
I am a pc guy, but Mac are good too. They have some sweet titanium cased, superlight systems. You don’t need that much power to blog, and memory is more important than a faster chip.
Also, Verizon has a cool new service which will allow you broadband internet acess anywhere you are, in select markets. You can even use this service while being driven around in a taxi, just open your computer and go. A friend of mine uses it for work purposes and it has saved him a LOT of time.
Tammy,
GET A MAC:
No virus
No Pop Ups
WAAAYYY faster
Easier and simpler to use in everything you do
More reliable
More beautiful and stylish
More standards features
5 hour battery
Superior Op System
#1 rated in customer service
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002608438_paul07.html
I use both platforms and my overall frustration level is much less on the Mac than on the PC, plus everything about no viruses, worms, etc., are true. My wife also uses both platforms and absolutely loves her iBook. I also subscribe to the ‘more elegance’ concepts that Apple has had for years. They are way, way cooler.
I would certainly echo the above sentiments and have you stay with the Mac and would also refer you to Jeff Jarvis’ “Dell Hell” series. Don’t know how to embed the link, so, sorry for this: . He has about 5 pages or so of related posts. Bottom line? He went Mac, too.
Good luck.
Powerbook. And make sure to get it upgraded before you take delivery. Extra RAM alone will save you tons of trouble.
Only libs use macs… they are sooo simple and sooo easy.. oh my… and ever so cute…
Dump the MAC and get a real machine…
Start with Dell…
Check out the rest toshiba, hp, acer, at CC, Staples, Best Buy,,, etc..
12″ screen.. for traveling 17.5 for a desk top replacements.. top speed cpu, wireless compatible, lots of memory, etc..
good luck… and have fun.. and become a real conservative…
joe… with a smile…
Tammy, I work in the entertainment field using both Unix, the PC and the Mac. But my personal choice for ease of use, an elegant & reliable operating system, simply networking, no viruses, no spyware – nothing beats the Mac.
With Quicktime powering the transitions behind the Mac version of Powerpoint or Keynote, you presentations will be smoother and more visually stunning than from the PC.
Stick with the mac and pick up a new 17 powerbook with an airport card. You couldn’t go wrong.
Only Libs use a Mac? Um, I don’t think so. Sounds like group think. I’m an individual and a Republican. Maybe only SMART and SUCCESSFUL Libs use Macs. Do only Libs drive Mercedes-Benz?
The best is just the best. Statistics do not lie. Consumer reports, JD Power, etc. Those who have done equal time using both know the truth. Industries were created just rerpair, restore or protect failed PC’s (not to mention instructors hired to teach people just how to do BASIC stuff).
Even the “Geek Squad” was created for PC’s as Mac’s do not crash. Just check out the resale value of Mac’s even on eBay. No need for extra cost (and processor slowing) Spyware, Anit Virus, Pop Up Blockers.
A Mac laptop cost less to purchase then a comparably equipped (and I mean comparably- software, virus protected, battery life, firewire, built in wireless and bluetooth, etc).
Carrie Bradshaw uses Mac (lol)… Apple stock exploding (Apple Computer Inc.’s profit more than quadrupled to a record $320 million in its third fiscal quarter), Dell profits dwindling (Dell loses $101 million for quarter).
Don’t settle at this point in your life – Get a Mac and enjoy the ride.
Congrats on the Powerbook!
But, by the way – You do not need a PC Slot for wireless as your 15″ Powerbook already has built Airport (wireless) and bluetooth STANDARD… All Mac laptops do… Enjoy…