Apple Powerbook vs PC notebooks or good PC Notebooks?

[ArchStudent]

(Posted this earlier in the wrong forum, this is the forum it should go into though)

I was wondering if anyone uses Apple computers, and how they find Virtual PC to work for them?

I am thinking of getting a Apple Powerbook, or a Dell Inspiron 600M notebook, but can not make up my mind as to which I want.

I know that battery life is the main factor in my decision. I am needing a powerhouse notebook that is heavy and has a short battery life.

I want Centrino technology for improved battery life in a PC notebook, but the Powerbooks look to have a decent battery life as well.

I am also wondering about where I can buy a laptop that comes without any software. Dell and IBM, and the other major PC manufacturers sell notebooks with software, but I want to get one without any OS on it that is also a Centrino notebook?

Any good companies that sell Centrino Notebooks without a OS or software on them? Any in Canada?

thanks,
ArchStudent

 

[ArchStudent]

I should state that I am also looking for something that is slim and made out of something hard like an alloy for the notebooks case.

I am also looking at something with a 15 inch screen that has good quality... I am looking to spend up to $2500 Canadian which can get me a great machine if I do my shopping

Thanks,
ArchStudent

 

[thuned]

If you can deal with the no cpu/memory usage contraint of using virtual pc (like gaming or anything media), then I'd so go ahead and get the powermac. You would want at least 512mb of ram though, otherwise vpc would run poorly.
600m doesn't have a metal alloy case like the apple and g4's are risc processors so they already save power compared to intel/amd cpus.

 

[Pandaren]

600m doesn't have a metal alloy case like the apple and g4's are risc processors so they already save power compared to intel/amd cpus

RISC CPUs do not necessarily run cool. The G4 actually runs quite hot in the PowerBook, and the infamous Alpha EV68 (RISC Incarnate) runs as hot as an Itanium (well, in the same neighborhood anyways).

I know that battery life is the main factor in my decision. I am needing a powerhouse notebook that is heavy and has a short battery life

I am confused - you seem to want a notebook with decent battery life, but here you state that you want a huge notebook with terrible battery life.

Check out the AnandTech front page. There's a GigaByte notebook review - that might be what you're looking for, although I have no clue where you might buy one. You are more likely to find a notebook without an OS through a smaller company. If you can't find one, get a ThinkPad T40

 

[ArchStudent]

I know that battery life is the main factor in my decision. I am needing a powerhouse notebook that is heavy and has a short battery life

I am confused - you seem to want a notebook with decent battery life, but here you state that you want a huge notebook with terrible battery life.

Check out the AnandTech front page. There's a GigaByte notebook review - that might be what you're looking for, although I have no clue where you might buy one. You are more likely to find a notebook without an OS through a smaller company. If you can't find one, get a ThinkPad T40

Woops, I was thinking the opposite of what I typed I meant that : "I am NOT needing a powerhouse notebook that is heavy and has a short battery life"

I forgot to add the "NOT" into that sentence originally. Sorry about the confusion there.

 

[ArchStudent]

I saw a nice system from Compaq for $2200 that is a Pentium 4 at 2.6MHz and has 1024 MB DDR with a 64MB ATI Radeon, 80GB HD, 2 usb 2.0, firewire, modem and nic with a 15 inch screen and WinXP Home edition and 1 yr of support and a lithium ion battery.

Brand new system... weighs about 7-10 lbs though... does $2200 Canadian ($1627.00 US dollars) sound like a good price for this laptop?

 

[ArchStudent]

oh yeah, a cd-rw/dvd drive is included as well

 

[Pandaren]

The 2.6 GHz Compaq sounds like an excellent desktop replacement, but it will be painful to lug around.

Systems you might want to add to your list:

IBM ThinkPad T40, which I mentioned before
IBM ThinkPad R40 (a bit heavier than the T40, but much less $$$)
Fujitsu Lifebook S series (light and elegant, but disadvantaged with low end 3D graphics)
Gateway 200X (lightest full featured notebook, but terrible battery life for Centrino due to half sized battery)

Dell Latitude D600 (similar to the 600m but has trackpoint device in addition to touchpad and a stronger case)
Dell Latitude D500 (same as above but with weak 3D graphics)