Dell 8600 v. 9100 v. Apple Powerbook

[jdogg707]

Well I finally have the cash to buy a new laptop and need some help deciding. I mainly will be using this thing to get work done as a semi-desktop replacement, but will use it away from the house about 30% of the time, carryiing it to class, book store, etc. I will use it mainly for Office Apps, Moderate-Light gaming, DVD's, Programming, light image editing and that should be about it. I really don't need much more than 2 hours of battery life, but 3 would be great! As far as weight, I don't want a 10 pound beast on my shoulder, but I don't mind bearing a bit more weight for better performance. I have speced out three laptops that I am thinking about purchasing and are within my price range. I already have both Microsoft Office 2003 Professional for the PC and have on order Microsoft Office 2004 for my Apple desktop, so I would use that on the machines. I will also be doing a fresh install of Windows on the Dell machines and upgrading to XP Professional, which I already have a copy of sitting around unused. So here goes:


1. Dell Inspiron 8600 (Using 10% Off Coupon, warranty will be upgraded before the year is up)

- Pentium M 1.6GHZ Processor w/15.4" SXGA+ Display
- 512MB DDR333 RAM (256MB x 2)
- 128MB ATi Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo
- 60GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache Hard Drive
- 4X CD/DVD Burner
- Intel Pro Wireless 2200 (802.11 b/g)
- 72 WHr Primary Battery
- Graphite Swirl QuickSnap Cover
- 1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-In Service
- 6.9 Pounds

Price: $1858.50 + Tax w/Free 2 Day Shipping


2. Dell Inspiron 9100 (Using 10% Off Coupon, warranty wil be upgraded before the year is up)

- Pentium 4 3.2GHZ Processor w/15.4" SXGA+ Display
- 512MB DDR400 RAM (256MB x 2)
- 128MB ATi Mobility Radeon 9700
- 60GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache Hard Drive
- 4X CD/DVD Burner
- Dell Wireless 1350 Internal mini-PCI (802.11 b/g)
- 96WHr Primary Battery w/Subwoofer
- Graphite Swirl QuickSnap Cover
- 1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-In Service
- 8.92 Pounds

Price: $1849.50 + Tax w/Free 2 Day Shipping


3. Apple Powerbook G4 (Using ADC Discount, warranty will be upgraded before the year is up)

- Motorola PowerPC G4 Processor @ 1.5GHZ w/15.2" WXGA Display
- 512MB DDR333 RAM (512MB x 1)
- 128MB ATi Mobility Radeon 9700
- 80GB 5400RPM 8MB Cache Hard Drive
- Combo Drive
- Airport Extreme (802.11 b/g)
- Backlit Keyboard
- Firewire 400 and 800
- DVI and S-Video Out
- 50Whr Primary Battery
- 1 Year AppleCare Warranty
- 5.7 Pounds

Price: $1999.99 + Tax w/Free Ground Shipping


Alright, well, I really do love the new Powerbook's that came out, and really Mac's in general, but am having a hard time on deciding to pay more for the Apple when two decked out PC laptops are cheaper. I have the money to cover any of these purchases, but want to make sure I am getting the right thing. I really don't care about a DVD burner, hence the reason I took it off of the Powerbook, the only reason I left it on the Dell models is because it was free. I love the look of the Apple, the OS, the Backlit keyboard, etc. but when compared to the PC's what would you do? I guess my real question is would you get the Apple compared to the PC's, yes or no? And if no, which of the PC laptops would be the best to get?

Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[ponyo]

It's up to you to decide but prices are all similar. I would get the Powerbook myself without hesitation but it's for you and it's your money. 15 inch Powerbook is the best notebook IMO regardless of Mac, Windows, etc.

 

[aamsel]

But for a PC "Windows" person coming over to Mac, how much different is it going to be???
Also, since you are going to have to purchase all new software, isn't that going to make the transition quite expensive???
Andrew
Austin, TX

Originally posted by: Naustica
It's up to you to decide but prices are all similar. I would get the Powerbook myself without hesitation but it's for you and it's your money. 15 inch Powerbook is the best notebook IMO regardless of Mac, Windows, etc.

 

[jdogg707]

I have an Apple G4 Desktop and have the software needed for the Mac, I just don't know whether it is worth it paying about $200 more for the Apple compared to the PC's I can build.

 

[aamsel]

I was talking Powerbook only, not Apple desktops.
Andrew
Austin, TX

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: aamsel
I was talking Powerbook only, not Apple desktops.
Andrew
Austin, TX

The software is the same, and the only thing I would be transferring would be VirtualPC and MS Office, and since Office 2004 is the Students and Teachers edition, I can install it on three Macs.

Anyhow, I am leaning towards the 9100, it seems like a great deal as far as I am concerned. I just worry about battery life and weight with it.

 

[swanky]

Try to have a look at the 9100 before making your mind up. A friend of mine bought it, and it's got that whole plastic thing going. To be honest, it looked like my girlfriends three year old Toshiba.

This might mean nothing to you. In that case go ahead and get it, it's as fast as they come.

 

[radiocore]

Originally posted by: Naustica
It's up to you to decide but prices are all similar. I would get the Powerbook myself without hesitation but it's for you and it's your money. 15 inch Powerbook is the best notebook IMO regardless of Mac, Windows, etc.

i'd go with the powerbook too. using a 12 in pB myself. wish i had bought the 15.

 

[addragyn]

I got a 15" PowerBook to play around with. It's taken over from my Athlon desktop as my main machine. Very portable and nice battery life. I say PowerBook - that will be a nice machine with your specs. And the backlight keyboards own, cool and functional.

With notebook, lower weight and longer battery life will lead you to using it when and in ways you wouldn't use a heavier shorter lived machine. The PB changed my laptop useage pattern.

In not the PB that the lighter Dell with the P4M. A 9lb "laptop" with a desktop processor is basically a desktop with all the cords inside and the biggest laptop disadvantage - the slow disk.