New computer

[sharplittleteeth]

I'm thinking of buying laptop.

Mostly for writing. Something light and rugged and portable. Something I can take out a cafe with me, or perch on my lap while I sit on the couch.

The main criteria: I'm not spending more than $2000 on it.

The two I've been eyeing off are the Dell Inspiron 510m, and the Apple 12" iBook.

The Dell is heavier, and uglier. But it has a larger screen, and a DVD burner.  The iBook is lighter, prettier, and I suspect it's more rugged. But- smaller screen and no DVD burner.

And then there's the Operating System question.

I'm a Windows boy. But I'm not fanatical about it. I use Macs a fair bit at work. There are things I like about them, and things I don't. Fundamentally, they're both computer systems, and they both do more or less the same things. So the decision between them comes down to the small things.

Like keyboard shortcuts. 

I'm fluent at Windows. I know the quirks, I know the keyboard shortcuts, I know how to get things done. And while I can drive a Mac just fine, I always feel like I'm stuck in low gear. I just don't know the shortcuts. I just don't have the familiarity to make them really zing.

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 don't know. What do you people think? Anyone got any stories on either model? Or are there other computers I should be looking at?

Comments

[damien-wise.livejournal.com]

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.

[http://users.livejournal.com/raven_/]

Good points.

Something else to look into is the Salary Sacrifice option... I'm considering that myself, in the medium-term. It saves me having to come up with a fuckload of cash, and means I can pay it off interest free, over the specified period.

I have no idea what I'd buy though. You just sent me looking at IBMs (what I have now) and 15" iBooks. Mmmm....

[sharplittlteeth.livejournal.com]

Experimenting sounds nice, but not very practical.

And to be honest, it sounds like far too much work. When I buy computer gear, I spend ages reading reviews, asking opinions, looking at alternatives... and then I get bored and frustrated and just say "fuck it, I'm buying THAT one."

And yeah - I'm vaguely aware of the tax thing. Should really speak to an accountant about it.

[http://users.livejournal.com/raven_/]

Why not have a word in Ms Kat's ear :-)

(something I also should do)