Macbook vs Windows Laptop

[goodapollo]

Anybody got one of the new 2ghz dual core 2 macbooks?

I'm on my way to enough refs for one on Apple RI and since I haven't heard back from the RI guys yet regarding referral rates for cash custom orders I'm getting more and more tempted by the Macbook, since I need a new laptop anyway. Things putting me off are OSX (what can I say, I'm Windows born and bred) and the lack of expandability. Oh and that missing mouse button!

My questions are; How well does the macbook cope with Windows through bootcamp? Does that pcmcia port get missed? And can you recommend any windows-based laptops out there that are similar spec & price? (My current/expiring laptop is a tiny toshiba R100 and every other laptop I come across seems huge after that, so I'm looking for something small - even the 13" macbook is pushing it a bit!) I'm looking perhaps at the Fujitsu-Siemens Si 1520 but I've never owned/seen a fujitsu laptop - anyone else?

[Simon]

Havnt personally got one but have used them, windows was running great and the transition between the two OS's was brilliant. Even solid hardcore windows pc people have to admit that the iterface and simplicity of macs is impressive and i think your find yourself using windows much less if you do get one, but its always there if you need it.

Planning on getting one this year or next, student discount from the apple store...want to make the most of it! If miles wonders along here im sure he'll sing the praises of his macbook and slag of windows *sigh*.

Enjoy making your decision!!

[8dayssooner]

i have an iBook G4, basically the model before it was re-branded to MacBook, and i dont have one bad thing to say about it!

OSX is so simple to use, after a bit of getting use to. It like windows, but everything is in the right place. i.e. task bar at the top, close/mini/max buttons on the left etc

i would reccomend apple to anyone, espcially if stability is something youre looking for. i've had this laptop for nearly 2 years now, and i havent even had one slight hint of any sort of hacker/trojan/virus, and im running no anti-virus software.

[drunfola]

i have a macbook and its my first mac computer, osx is freakin awesome. to this date my mac has not crashed or overheated.

i say get a mac.

[goodapollo]

Cheers guys, appreciate the input - 'buying' a mac will be a big step for me - even if it is free!

One more question - do you struggle with software for your mac? I'm thinking specifically of apps like photoshop and the mac 'office' equivalent - was the transition from the microsoft GUI for these types of programs tough going? And do you come across many programs that you can't run on OSX? Sorry if I'm trotting out all of the old mac myths but I'd just like to hear real people's experiences!

[drunfola]

with your mac u get a 30 free trial of mircosoft office for mac so thats worth a shot.

i personally find there is plenty of free software that is more then u need for a mac! plus ilife is amazing.

Im all out for apple now, they really have impressed me!

[rohan.zen]

I have played around with Vista beta running on bootcamp and it's beautiful. Aero runs very smoothly, even better than on some Dell laptops I tried! Although Mac OS X may seem like a daunting change, you'll grow to love it more than Windows. The amount of innovation that goes on the mac community is incredible.

I would wait till Leopard comes out though, that way you get the latest OS, plus the Pages and rumored Spreadsheet package for free. If there are any Apple retailers in your area I would highly recommend giving a Mac a spin.