ravan_'s raised some good points re familiarity with O/S and software, so I'll leave that area alone.
I've also been considering the idea of purchasing a laptop. Unfortunately, with so many other business start-up costs, I can't afford one right away. This has led me to consider other options (no, not knocking-off someone else's!), such as renting/leasing one. After asking a few people, it seems that rough costs are as little as $15 per week. Some schemes let you rent-buy, which is to say that if you like it, you can buy the thing outright after a certain amount of time (effectively, you've paid-off a loan after 12/18/24 months)...or, some say you can cancel the agreement, hand the laptop back and start leasing again, only with the latest and greatest model. Sounds pretty sweet when you put it that way.
Another consideration for business (not personal use) is the tax side of things. Both an outright purchase and leasing of equipment have good depreciation / Tax Refund implications. If this is something you'll be using for work, the Talk To Your Friendly Accountant. :)
That may sound like a reason to buy Windows. But it's not. Because the only way I'll ever get that familiarity is to actually own and use a Mac.
I'm leaning towards the "try before you buy" option, myself. :) In the long-run it'd be nice to own my own but I'd like to experiment with a few brands/models before handing-over kilobucks.
no subject
I've also been considering the idea of purchasing a laptop. Unfortunately, with so many other business start-up costs, I can't afford one right away. This has led me to consider other options (no, not knocking-off someone else's!), such as renting/leasing one.
After asking a few people, it seems that rough costs are as little as $15 per week. Some schemes let you rent-buy, which is to say that if you like it, you can buy the thing outright after a certain amount of time (effectively, you've paid-off a loan after 12/18/24 months)...or, some say you can cancel the agreement, hand the laptop back and start leasing again, only with the latest and greatest model.
Sounds pretty sweet when you put it that way.
Another consideration for business (not personal use) is the tax side of things. Both an outright purchase and leasing of equipment have good depreciation / Tax Refund implications. If this is something you'll be using for work, the Talk To Your Friendly Accountant. :)
That may sound like a reason to buy Windows. But it's not. Because the only way I'll ever get that familiarity is to actually own and use a Mac.
I'm leaning towards the "try before you buy" option, myself. :)
In the long-run it'd be nice to own my own but I'd like to experiment with a few brands/models before handing-over kilobucks.