Time to Buy A Laptop!! MAC OR PC? Both?? Help!

[karling07]

Well, now that college is here and i successfully made it into some of my top choices, my parents are buying me a laptop!

I know the first question will be what price range am I in... Lets just forget about that for a little while (2K would really be max, but im hoping to find a really good deal)

I dont know if I want mac or PC. On mac, I can do vista. I know it isnt encouraged/allowed, but is it possible to install OS X on a PC laptop with the core duo?

I plan on using this for college work, videos, music, etc. I really dont game a lot so thats no biggie for me. I just like computers to be fast and good. I dont need the top of the line ultimate gaming laptop or anything, but I also dont want some old rundown dell laptop.

So i'm just looking for ideas to get me started... Is a good mac similarly priced to a good pc? Should I buy online, in store, or even from ebay (but I want brand new, i dont mind no warranty).

and 17" widescreen would be good, wireless capabilities of course needed

Thanks guys!

 

[Tommy Boy]

Go with windows.

Take a look at the Dell XPS laptops.

 

[freestyler105]

You can install OS X on a Windows box as well:
http://www.computerforums.org/showthread.php?p=355305#post355305

 

[karling07]

ok yeah ive definitely decided windows over mac -- i think im gonna do dell as well. now my problem is that whenever i do these customization things, i cant help but pick the top stuff. But all of this will run well with vista right?

Also - is it worth getting vista ultimate... i dont think i need it

 

[Taylor1]

if your not doing gaming, DEFINATELY GET A MAC!!!!
My mom just got one for her birthday today. I get to use it, well, sometimes.

 

[borat_sagdiyev]

well OSX will install on certain laptops only
get a macbook pro and u can install windows on it and it has a radeon x1600

 

[borat_sagdiyev]

inspiron 6400 are good for mac os x

 

[karling07]

Alright this is where I really need some help customizing: im doing the Dell Inspiron E1705:

select processor:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB) [add $150 or $5/month1]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7400 (2.16GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB) [add $325 or $10/month1]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5200 (1.60GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533 MHz FSB) [Included in Price]

Is it worth upgrading to either of those? or is the one included fine?

Memory:

2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz [Included in Price]
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz [add $50 or $2/month1]

Is the one included okay or should i upgrade?



Hard Drive:
200GB 4200rpm SATA Hard Drive [add $145 or $5/month1]
100GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive [add $95 or $3/month1]
160GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive [add $70 or $3/month1]
80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive [add $45 or $2/month1]
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive [Included in Price]

Speed for data and stuff is important to me, but so is storage - should i go with a 7200RPM hard drive or the 5400s?



And last: video cards...

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 [Included in Price]
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory [add $99 or $3/month1]
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS [add $299 or $9/month1

I dont do gaming but speed/quality for movies is important to me... I'm pretty sure i dont want integrated graphics... But which one should i go for?


Thanks!

 

[Xiggy]

ok first off get these out of that list

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB) [add $150 or $5/month1]

2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz [add $50 or $2/month1]
since you said you wanted faster moving things

100GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive [add $95 or $3/month1]
the fastest of them all and bigger

256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS [add $299 or $9/month1
this will give youfar better gaming....high def vid watching anddddd video editing/picture editing or overall just the look of your desktop will look better with this card...also if you are getting vista this card is a must man !

 

[lhuser]

Well, to me, I'm thinking PC.

Here's a suggestion:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115281
Comes with XP Pro. DOn't get fooled by Vista.