My wife and I need another computer for the business. We are getting into graphic design ourselves. It will be a slow, learning process, but nonetheless. Mostly using Photoshop, Illustrator. We have a Sony VAIO w/ centrino. It is small, but I have had zero issues with it in almost 2 years.

I have been thinking about going back to a Mac (Powerbook). On the same note I have thought about a nice Dell or maybe an Alienware (need to do more research--not gaming, so...)

I figure the powerbook will run about $2800 w/ Applecare
Dell would be less, but cost is not the only or number one concern.

I also have access to all software i need through our graphic designer.

Let me know what you all think.

 

???For which Powerbook???You can configure one for a lot less than that. Have you seen the special deals at the Apple Store? Can you qualify in any way for the Education discount-just say you are taking a class somewhere...

 

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...2.0.11.1.0.6.3

a little under $2500, but I am not sure

 

What about a MAC mini??
i might be able to fudge the student thing and get 479 off a powerbook and a free mini ipod w/ applecare and a RAM upgrade for about 2300

 

Morning bump for computer gurus knowledge

 

We use Dell's here at work and haven't hard hardly any problems with them. You might want to check them out..

 

I would hold of a little longer on a Mac. They're coming out with a whole new line based on the Intel chip instead of the Motorola. That's when you wanna buy, because their laptops will enter a whole 'nother level.

Otherwise, it's not so much the hardware that makes a Mac great, but instead the software (OS X Tiger). BUT the dual proc G5's are another story.

If you want to go with Windows, get a Dell. When Mac comes out with the x86 compatible version of Tiger, you should be able to run it on your Dell. However, there are rumors floating around that it'll only be compatible with certain chipsets. That's why I'd wait and see if a Mac is really what you want.

 

well, that's the thing. I don't know why I want a mac. I am not a professional graphics designer, nor I am using it 24/7. I will be using the machine a lot and learning/ practicing everyday with graphics.

I optioned out a Dell Inspiron 9300 w/ warranty and more than I need and it still came out to 1850 shipped. Not bad at all.

 

I'd say get the Dell.

 

I think you will be very pleased with the Mac Mini, just make sure you get plenty of RAM for it-at least 1GB especially for what you are talking about doing with it. But, it sounds like you are not sure whether to try Mac or stick to the PC side of things. My personal opinion is that there is less of a difference between Mac and PC than there used to be when it comes to graphics design, but everyone I know that is involved with that kind of work has a Mac. The Mac Mini might just be an inexpensive way to go try out the Mac way of doing things, it will be a lot less than the Powerbook!

 

you ever thought of building one yourself? it's really not that hard and may save you a lot of $$$ for name brands

 

that has been a thought too, but portability would be nice, especially with the business.

 

Check techbargains daily for discount coupon codes. There's a slew of them for Dell laptops expiring today (right margin, scroll down), but no doubt will be replaced by others.

http://techbargains.com/

 

portability? hmm, you could get a shuttle barebone and add the memory and video card you need. plus they look sweet.

 

point me some direction, besides the obvious google. You know where to get it for a good price??

 

im very happy with my toshiba, blazing fast processor, 1gb of ram and 100 gb hard drive....almost everything you could need. Its the A75 series, if you wanted to look. I have fooled with Macs pretty much since they started making personal PCs....never liked them as much as windows, even as good as they are supposed to be these days.

 

i dont know what kind of price range you have, but i've always found newegg.com to have the best deals

Shuttle Barebones

 

I want to keep it under 2k out the door w/ warranty. I am leaning towards laptop. I am going to price the Toshiba out....

 

I can get my brother-in -law to purchase an Apple from his college. I get some $$$ off and a free mini ipod. I was thinking the 15" ibook would be more than enough. It would be $1200 VS. $1700 for the 15" powerbook w/ combo drive.

Any thoughts??

 

I would go with the combo drive. Sell the iPod on eBay for an extra $200 in your pocket.