Laptop suggestions

[grimlock2003]

I need laptop suggestions for an aspiring freelance writer and amateur shutterbug.

I've been looking at the Thinkpad and Apple offerings as mentioned in the forum, but have a few questions. As far as specs go, gaming isn't an issue since I have a good desktop for the occasional game. I just want something reliable, portable and lightweight that I can use to write articles and edit/upload photos from my digital camera. Wi-fi is a must.

I'm a long time windows user and network administrator, but I've also had a fair amount of (pleasant) experience with OS X since it was on all of the computers in my journalism labs in school.

Right now I'm leaning towards an iBook or PowerBook. I plan on visiting the Apple store in Houston to take a closer look at the machines. BTW, are the iBooks white or light grey? The ones on the Apple site make it look more grey than the picts I've seen other places on the web.

So what would you recommend? I'm thinking my budget would be no more than $1750 or so. I work at a school so I would qualify for academic pricing.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Kaido]

I'm saving up for an eMachines m6809 laptop. It has wireless g built in as well as a 15.4" widescreen, plus lots of other goodies like a Windows XP, 2ghz athlon 64 cpu, 512mb ram, 80gb hard drive, card reader, cd/dvd burner, 64mb vram, all for $1550 after the $100 rebate. They are available at Best Buy...I've seen them in person and I really like them. Only downer is it uses Windows XP Home edition, lol.

The m6805 has a few less features but will save you $150...I think it's worth it to get the m6809 because you get another 20 gigs of hard drive space plus a DVD burner. EMachines has come a long way in quality...from everything I've read and from using them in person, they make great laptops now.

Macs are killer tho...way sexier than Windows laptops imo. If you don't *need* Windows, I'd say go for a Mac. You can get MS Office and Photoshop for Mac, of course.

 

[hysperion]

emachines doesn't make great laptops.....they buy them from arima and put their badge on them.....however in this instance they are buying a great laptop ....same as the voodoo m860 other then voodoo has a higher res screen and the mobility 9700....it's the same base model from arima...

 

[imported_Gholam]

IMHO, there are Thinkpads, and then there is everything else. I'm biased though, as I hate touchpads with a passion, and love trackpoint. IBM also have other features that no one else does - such as a LED on top of the screen that shines down illuminating the keyboard. Simple enough, but wonderful when you're working in low light condition, and saving battery time by dimming the screen backlight. They are also built like a tank, I've seen 7-8 year old Thinkpads that went through every kind of abuse possible, and still work perfectly (assuming you don't overload the little P133/16MB RAM or whatever).

 

[kuljc]

ibooks are white... Just had one.

 

[ShellGuy]

Ok Hysper to make you happy... THEY BUY GREAT LAPTOPS.. and I 2 am lookin at savin up for the 09.. I Personally HATE with a passion that eraser that ibm uses. but then again that is me. Bang for the buck the Emachine has been winning hands down all over the net. And as you can see Anantech Forums we have a 12 page thread for just us.. LOL...


Will

 

[DarkAmeba]

Originally posted by: kuljc
ibooks are white... Just had one.

iBooks are white, Powerbooks are aluminum (grey)

I have similar needs to yours, and I will be buying a Powerbook soon

 

[mrwxyz]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I'm saving up for an eMachines m6809 laptop. It has wireless g built in as well as a 15.4" widescreen, plus lots of other goodies like a Windows XP, 2ghz athlon 64 cpu, 512mb ram, 80gb hard drive, card reader, cd/dvd burner, 64mb vram, all for $1550 after the $100 rebate. They are available at Best Buy...I've seen them in person and I really like them. Only downer is it uses Windows XP Home edition, lol.

The m6805 has a few less features but will save you $150...I think it's worth it to get the m6809 because you get another 20 gigs of hard drive space plus a DVD burner. EMachines has come a long way in quality...from everything I've read and from using them in person, they make great laptops now.

Macs are killer tho...way sexier than Windows laptops imo. If you don't *need* Windows, I'd say go for a Mac. You can get MS Office and Photoshop for Mac, of course.

i only wish the m6809 came with mobility r9700