[cygy2k]

I am in desperate need of help. I am a lifelong PC user that doesn't like the bloatware installed on pcs, lack of security, and unstability. I just purchased a 12" Powerbook 1.5ghz and a HP AMD 64 3500+ desktop machine w/ 17" lcd. I could also return both and get the low end iMac 1.8ghz 17". I am stuck between the two and can only afford one (the same price). I have them sitting by my couch in the living room and do not need portability other than it would look better out there. For me it really comes down to which is better I guess, powerfull PC or MacOS X. Here are my pros and cons of each, please help me decide what to keep! I know it's a personal choice but I cannot decide what to do. Please...

I mainly do web surfing, office productivity, quicken, etc. I will do a little editing of our wedding video but that is it. I need it to last a couple of years as well.


Mac (powerbook 12")
OSX
iLife
No crap preinstalled
stability
security



PC
Power
better 17" screen
expandable/upgradeable
more storage, etc.
more software/accessories

or there is the 17" iMac as well, more power than Powerbook but less than PC.

Thanks!

[marc]

Your problem is that your machines are at the ends of the spectrum but you are in the middle. You do not need the portibility of the laptop or the power of the desktop. Since you have both, try doing your basic activities on each. One of them will feel more comfortable.

If it turns out you like OS-X better, the iMac is a good value and a nice compromise.

[Too Artificial]

Good advice marc. Also might want to think hard on the 12" display. I know it makes for a nice compact portable, but I'd go crazy if I had to use it all the time. I think the 17" iMac might be a better fit on the Mac side.

[f1000]

Originally Posted by cygy2k

or there is the 17" iMac as well, more power than Powerbook but less than PC.

The iMac is the much better buy for you. You could save even more bucks by picking up a refurb.

[soooswitched]

I am on the same path as you just a few days ahead it seems. You may have a slighlty smaller hard drive on your Tivo and had to stop and watch that last episode of Dancing with the Stars or whatever before it got deleted, but oh I digress... Point is I am also a life long PC user and just bought the exact same PB as you not too long ago. I work from home and had the distraction of playing with this thing constantly. I didn't believe the hype before, but now I am ready to disown my family and join the cult.

I have been looking at the latest imac and checking all of these types of boards and hearing all of the horror stories with some of the new imacs (screen, fans, leaky capacitors, etc...). I have also been watching this sale on Amazon lately with a $150 rebate... 2 days ago I felt lucky and ordered a 20". It came today and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Don't get the 17 inch just to try and compare it to your HP. You only live once - go for the 20" or you will kick yourself later. It is great. You can call and ask me about it whenever you want, because I don't intend to sleep for days.

And when you get your new imac... even if you don't NEED to transfer your files over or anything... Just do it. I turned on the imac, the big beautiful screen asked me if I wanted to transfer an 'old" computer's stuff over, I said lets give it a shot. It told me what to do with the firewire cable and about 45-60 minutes later I was set to go.

It is very cool. It doesn't just copy your email address and favorites and some darn word files, it copies everything. Programs I loaded, read and unread messages in my NetNewsWire, the cool little voice that tells me my updates are done... you name it.

Blew this former windows user away.

Someone please tell me where the next cult meeting is. I have lots of automator questions for the grand poo bah or whoever.

[doucy2]

i can give you a good deal on a emac if you are interested
17" g4 1.25ghz 1gb ram 80gb hd superdrive and airport
let me know if you are interested
its like new and still under warranty
works great

[icibaqu]

i got an imac. it freaking rules. but if you are going to keep a PC laptop to take care of your portability, you migh tjust want to stick withthe powerbook b/c i've only had my imac for like 2 weeks now (20" woah!!!) and i had to get on the craptop (pc laptop) the other day and it was already kind of, well, annoying as ****.

whatever you do dont stay with the PC. in all honesty it sucks. BREAK AWAY

[Randman]

If you don't need the portability, get the iMac.

If you don't, consider a PowerBook 15. It costs a little more but you get more value. Make sure you have enough for ram, OSX loves ram.