In this thread, you persuade me to buy a Mac

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Ok..I am thinking about purchasing a used Powerbook G 4 (sorry my pockets aren't deep enough to get a new MacBook Pro) for just kicking around the house and some light travel...suggestion on what I should get or look for?

I used the 12-inch Powerbook G4 for 5 years before getting a new MacBook a couple of months ago. I think my husband was most excited - he inherited the Powerbook. Honestly, if he hadn't wanted it so badly, I probably would have kept it and just put in a bigger hard drive. It was only 40 GB, so you can imagine the limitations on songs, photos, etc. Plus I'm in publishing, so I have some awfully large files on my computer from time to time with scanned images, etc. I just needed more space.

I loved the small size of the 12-inch - which is no longer made. And the husband uses it for exactly what you mention - kicking around the house and light travel. My new one has 250GB so we could empty the old one considerably - making it even faster. Really - my only complaint was the small hard drive. Everything else worked as perfectly as the day I got it.

There are some reputable resellers out there with good warranties and guarantees.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by jwright25

I used the 12-inch Powerbook G4 for 5 years before getting a new MacBook a couple of months ago. I think my husband was most excited - he inherited the Powerbook. Honestly, if he hadn't wanted it so badly, I probably would have kept it and just put in a bigger hard drive. It was only 40 GB, so you can imagine the limitations on songs, photos, etc. Plus I'm in publishing, so I have some awfully large files on my computer from time to time with scanned images, etc. I just needed more space.

I loved the small size of the 12-inch - which is no longer made. And the husband uses it for exactly what you mention - kicking around the house and light travel. My new one has 250GB so we could empty the old one considerably - making it even faster. Really - my only complaint was the small hard drive. Everything else worked as perfectly as the day I got it.

There are some reputable resellers out there with good warranties and guarantees.

Will do....also I am seeing that if I reach a lil deeper (about 1 to 2 hundredd dollars more, I may be able to afford a Macbook...

Pros and cons?

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Will do....also I am seeing that if I reach a lil deeper (about 1 to 2 hundredd dollars more, I may be able to afford a Macbook...

Pros and cons?

You are right - for just a little more you can go ahead and get the MacBook. Especially if you qualify in any way for the education discount. I got mine about 2 weeks before they brought out the new generation, though I don't think the differences are massive. I also got mine when they were running a promotion to get a free printer and free iPod touch (something else the hubby claimed).

Pros for the new MacBook (keep in mind I am comparing it to my 2003 12-inch G4):
- It will have more standard warranty
- Will probably have faster processing
- Will probably have bigger hard drive
- MacBook has built in camera and other standard features
- Might get some freebies (printer, etc.)
- Magnetic power cord pretty cool
- No worries that someone else dropped it in a toilet first

Pros for a used PowerBook
- Cheaper
- I like the aluminum better than the white. I'm already seeing discoloration where my wrists sit.
- Will hold its resale value for a while if you decide to upgrade fairly soon.
- You can pick a size (12, 15, 17-inch)

Honestly though, you can't go wrong. It sounds like you are already a fan. Apple takes good care of their customers. They go above and beyond to make sure that you are satisfied with your product and their service. At least they have always done so with me and my family and business!

[AOII Angel]

I got a Macbook Pro in August. I'd been using a PC laptop that I bought at Best Buy since December and was very happy with it (HP brand.) My husband decided that he wanted my laptop and sent me out to buy a Mac. I could really have not cared less about getting a Mac, but despite the significant difference in price, I am a complete convert! I love, love, LOVE my Mac. It is so easy to make webpages, newsletters, spreadsheets with the Mac software, and you can save anything as a PDF (I'd have had to buy the $400 software for my PC) so that there is no problem with non-Mac users to open my files. The system is set up on a more intuitive basis, the mousepad works like you think it should (I especially love being able to scroll using two fingers since the scroll bar on most PC mousepads doesn't work too well) and you never have to worry that you'll trip over the cord and send your computer careening towards the floor since the cord is magnetically attached!

[WarEagle07]

Here is a rundown of all the macs I have owned over the course of about 10 years...
Power Mac G-4 6 years old and never had a problem. My son still uses it.
Mac Mini - Awesome machine for the price if all you do is surf and email.
Mac Book (2) - 3 years and still works like a charm. Daughter took hers to college and has never had a virus or had it freeze up.
IMac G-5 22 inch - 4 years old and I am still in love with it!

In the last 5 years we have purchased 3 PC's and they have all been thrown in the trash. It was an endless battle with slow performance and mal ware. It seemed like I was constantly having to do maintenance of some sort on them. 2 ran on windows XP and 1 on Vista. Ugh.

The biggest problem with switching to a Mac is learning the new system. Little things can drive you crazy at first but once you get the nuances down you will be amazed at how simple everything is. If you do happen to get a lemon Apple is very good with their tech support and warranty work. And as mentioned before, some web sites are built to support IE and don't work well with Firefox or Safari but that doesn't happen very often anymore. The software that comes with your Mac (ILife) is designed to work seamlessly between applications so you can get really creative with your movies and photos.

[DaemonSeid]

Ok all this is the ad I am looking at....let me hear your take

I may pick this up tomorrow

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...915546947.html

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Ok all this is the ad I am looking at....let me hear your take

I may pick this up tomorrow

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...915546947.html

That looks really good! I don't see the power cord listed, so it might be worth asking about. You can get them for 50-70 bucks though. And it needs Leopard. But you might have that already and can easily install. The CS2 is nice! Ask the seller if he/she has AppleCare for it already. If not, you might want to check into prices and coverages - just in case.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by jwright25

That looks really good! I don't see the power cord listed, so it might be worth asking about. You can get them for 50-70 bucks though. And it needs Leopard. But you might have that already and can easily install. The CS2 is nice! Ask the seller if he/she has AppleCare for it already. If not, you might want to check into prices and coverages - just in case.

I picked it up and everything is in great shape even came with the box and original instructions I am really really enjoying this laptop!!!

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

I picked it up and everything is in great shape even came with the box and original instructions I am really really enjoying this laptop!!!

That's awesome! I think you got a really good deal.