Pondering a new PC

I've always had Dell computers since day 1, and have (touch wood) never had a problem.

Another vote for Dell here, just bought a new one this year - the one before that i had since 2000, so a computer to last 8 years isn't bad going at all.

I have a desktop though.

Can I throw another shameless mac plug out there?  I love my macbook.  Like my dell desktop too, but its nothing compared to my macbook. 

Umm, yes!!    Another Mac vote!  I have had both desktop and laptop Mac's.  Just bought the MacBook Black and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  Also, Mac customer support is just amazing.

For me, Dell is a no go.  I have always had problems with them from the computer side and the customer service side (granted that was in the states, it could be different here).

For me, Dell is a no go.  I have always had problems with them from the computer side and the customer service side (granted that was in the states, it could be different here).

My Dell computers have been so good that I've never ever had to call customer service!

I have heard of issues here with Dell customer service when things have gone wrong with the machine - but personally I've never had cause to use them (touch wood).

Machine wise I can't fault them.

Can I throw another shameless mac plug out there?  I love my macbook.  Like my dell desktop too, but its nothing compared to my macbook. 

Are macs generally more expense than pcs?

Are macs generally more expense than pcs?

Yeah, but they're not that much more. And I think for your money, you get a lot for the value.  Not to mention there is tons of free software out in the world of the web for you to find and get. Like legit free software, like open office. File sharing is very easy, graphical programs run amazingly, and almost no virus/spyware issues whatsoever.

Here's one we're looking at:

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 2.1GHz 1024MB (2x512MB) 120GB SATA DVD-ROM/CD-RW 13.3 inch TFT WXGA LAN WLAN BT MacOS X (Intel GMA X3100) - White (UK)

Do you think that would be good for what we use it for (watching videos/tv, music, browsing)?

I used a macmini (think that's what it's called) at my last job in the US and I thought it was good, so I'm definitely open to getting a mac!

Here's one we're looking at:

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 2.1GHz 1024MB (2x512MB) 120GB SATA DVD-ROM/CD-RW 13.3 inch TFT WXGA LAN WLAN BT MacOS X (Intel GMA X3100) - White (UK)

Do you think that would be good for what we use it for (watching videos/tv, music, browsing)?

Great!!!

Here's one we're looking at:

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 2.1GHz 1024MB (2x512MB) 120GB SATA DVD-ROM/CD-RW 13.3 inch TFT WXGA LAN WLAN BT MacOS X (Intel GMA X3100) - White (UK)

Do you think that would be good for what we use it for (watching videos/tv, music, browsing)?

I used a macmini (think that's what it's called) at my last job in the US and I thought it was good, so I'm definitely open to getting a mac!

Yael, you will LOOOOOOOVE this computer. We have had our MacBook for just over a year, and our love affair with it hasn't cooled in the least. I honestly can't tell you how much we love our MacBook - it's more than powerful enough to do everything we need it to do (we watch DVDs/streaming tv, listen to music, etc), has loads of memory for our very enormous MP3 and photo collection, and best of all - it's so well behaved! We have had no problems with freezing/crashing. My last two PC laptops were rampant crashers, and getting back on a Mac has been a dream. We are never ever going back to PC!

Ask me again how much I am in love with my MacBook!

Yeah, but they're not that much more.

Macs were a lot more than Dells when I looked last year, at least for laptops - I got my Dell laptop for £430 in May 2007. The same spec for a Mac laptop would have cost me well over £1,000!

Since most of my research is now UNIX-based, I would prefer to have a Mac laptop for ease of running the programs, but I just can't afford to buy one.

A couple of weeks ago my laptop died (the fan would come on, but nothing else) and we decided on a Dell Inspiron laptop.

I've had it for a couple of days and love it!  I'm very pleased so far.

I would have liked to get a Mac, but they were almost twice as much so for now the Dell will do!