Mac or PC...

[LazyNinja]

The Sony is Core Duo not Core 2 Duo. I did have a look at that model too but decided against it.

The Toshiba looks like a good deal but the processor isn't as good. Worth considering. Thanks for that (or damn you for making my choice harder!).

The Acer usually looks good on paper but when I went to PC world yesterday I was turned off by the whole brand. Everything about it shouts out "cheap" even on more expensive ones. Gaps in plastic parts. Cheap components etc. Its also the reason why I'm favouring the Sony it just seemed very well built and the trackpad was the nicest I've ever come across. I guess you could think of Acer as LTD and Sony as ESP looks similar on paper but different thing all together. Same with Dell.

[99_not_out]

Thanks everyone that was very helpful. I have kinda narrowed it down to two:

Sony Vaio N31M/W (£650):  http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Sony_Vaio_N31M-W_Laptop_VGN-N31M-W/version.asp

and the mac, the 2.0GHz one (£720 ebay):
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=520F94DC&node=home/macbook/macbook

There's not a lot in it between the Vaio and the Mac, both are very good laptops. Macs are easier to use IMO, given Apples strict User Interface guidelines. Both have superb screens. Acer is also worth a look as the are superb value for money.

If you want to do a load of digital photo and maybe even video stuff, the Mac makes this very easy to do for the non-expert user (or even expert users for that matter). If you're just surfing the web and downloading stuff I'd go with the cheapest windows laptop.

[Kilby]

Many 'prestige brand name' PCs are actually built by Acer (including a lot of HP servers)

Rob...

[LazyNinja]

Many 'prestige brand name' PCs are actually built by Acer (including a lot of HP servers)

Rob...

Ok lol I didn't know that. But that was the impression I got and my point still stands, I think.

[Sailor Charon]

Am I on slashdot? :P

This is perhaps the single most emotive IT topic since vi vs Emacs ...

Emacs! :)
Seriously I didn't know there was that much argument about which text editor to use. I remember vi was a bit... awkward to use.

[99_not_out]

Am I on slashdot? :P

This is perhaps the single most emotive IT topic since vi vs Emacs ...

Emacs! :)
Seriously I didn't know there was that much argument about which text editor to use. I remember vi was a bit... awkward to use.

Its a holy war man. There is no middle ground. One day vi will rule the world and we will all love our Esc keys.

:wq

Sad what people get het up about :P

[Kilby]

Eight Meg and Still Constantly Swapping, you must be joking

I remember swapping to Linux in 95 to get using my 8 meg of ram properly

Back on topic,

Acer are fine machines from past experience, but when you are paying for it you must buy what you are comfortable with.

I have to admit that if I had to pay for a machine I would be incredibly unlikely to purchase a laptop as I loathe the feeling of not being able to upgrade the hardware. After all I really do need to play C&C 3 and Quake Wars

Morgan Computers can sometimes have good special offers running (and sometimes stock Apple kit too) http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/

Rob...

[noodleplugerine]

After all I really do need to play C&C 3 and Quake Wars

+1 :D

[LazyNinja]

Not really bothered about gaming I prefer my PS2.

I went to the pc world again to help me make my mind up and I noticed that the Sony (and Toshiba) laptops have smaller firewire ports than the macbooks. Not sure if thats relevant for now though because nothing I own has Firewire.

Vaio pros: looks great, nice big screen, cheaper than mac, decent spec
       cons: no camera, funny firewire port, vista

macbook pros: faster, lots of connections, iLife, camera
              cons: small screen, easy smudge plastic,

the mac would have been perfect only if it was 15.4".... and macbook pros are too much. :( In fact, if there was a mac spec in sony casing that would have ruled...

EDIT: ah $%&# the macbook I was eyeing on the ebay got sold...

[Kilby]

Not really bothered about gaming I prefer my PS2.

heh the games are just a personal issue :)

If you don't 'need' a laptop look at the mac mini, though theyre still very portable (& quite upgradeable) http://www.jigsaw24.com/cats/computers_displays/mac_mini.asp

Also look at the Dell outlet as they sometimes have discounted machines.

Usually theyre overstock, where a company orders 30 machines then decide they only really want 20 of them, or they where never delivered cos the customer neglected to pay

Not trying to be funny but even Tesco stock the Sony Vaio range, and they where cheaper than PC world a couple of weeks ago (and the average tesco checkout staff member, knows more than most of the PC World staff i have been forced to deal with).

Rob...

[LazyNinja]

I pulled the trigger!

I spotted a very good deal for a used macbook in black. C2D 2Ghz and upgraded to 2GB RAM :twisted: It came with lots of accessories too.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160113434676&rd=1&rd=1

I did end up spending a bit more than I anticipated but the DVI connector and the 2GB upgrade I was gonna buy anyway. Should be here by wednesday or thursday, I can't wait!!  :D

[Kilby]

I pulled the trigger!

I spotted a very good deal for a used macbook in black. C2D 2Ghz and upgraded to 2GB RAM :twisted: It came with lots of accessories too.

I did end up spending a bit more than I anticipated but the DVI connector and the 2GB upgrade I was gonna buy anyway. Should be here by wednesday or thursday, I can't wait!!  :D

Heh,

glad you got what you wanted.

Remember if you use bootcamp (from apple) you can run windows, should you need to. I believe they have fixed most of the issues they where having.

Rob...