laptop computers laptop computers can be a rather tricky buy at times, I would suggest that you look out for the cheapest and yet latest desktop on the market,

the best way to do this is on what they call warehouse sale markets some of them are online.

these warehouse owners have a service where they sell laptop computers to normal customers like you and me, however with very reduced prices due to the fact that they do not have as much costs as normal shops do, such as rent and a employees etc. as you know most online shops have rather competitive prices sometimes cutting the laptop price to a half.

one such website for laptop computers is :

http://umgarticles.atspace.com/laptop-computer.htm

by imediacorporation (See profile) - July 17, 2006 1:46 AM PDT

Macs are great for graphics, You can get a really nice mac laptop for under 1,000 check out the iBook. The iBook won't handle games but it will definately handle business apps and photoshop etc.

by cschmid44 (See profile) - January 23, 2006 10:04 AM PST

The debate between maxpete and jgross was interesting. I know it was stated that macs are not the market standard. However, the reasoning behind this isn't really true. There are several reasons that macs are not the "market standard" (i would use the term popular). This has nothing to do with the fact that macs become obsolete but rather because they do not own a large share of the market. The mistakes by Apple of the 90s cost them some market share. As well, the fact that people have since become familiar with a certain OS (windows) means that they are less inclined to learn about a new system. They are suspicious of it.
So the reaon macs are not the "market standard" may have more to do with the fact that it isn't popular rather than the fact that its a poor product.

by chicagochew (See profile) - January 11, 2006 9:52 PM PST

Uhm, I may be missing something, but I don't think head parking is "a different solution" to the same problem. Let's leave your MacBook and my ToughBook alone on a desk with my two-year-old and then you can think about that silly solution of IBM's.

by Kuranuk (See profile) - January 11, 2006 12:10 PM PST

Do I detect that the power brick has been incorporated into the
MacBook and no longer resides on the power cord? Be still my
heart. As a frequent traveler, the "brick" has been the bane of my
packing existance.

by Phippsgroup (See profile) - January 11, 2006 11:46 AM PST

This looks like a great computer. I had IBM desktop, I liked IBM,
but not Windows. After few years with the IBM I bought the 12"
iBook. That was the first G4 12" iBook Apple made and I had some
problems with some card in the notebook? After the iBook I
bought the 12" Powerbook G4 this is a great computer and I love
OS 10! I think I will wait few month to buy this since I had such
bad luck when I bought the NEW G4 12" iBook, but I will buy it
sometimes soon. The 15.5" MacBook looks great!

by yiwakawa (See profile) - January 11, 2006 10:51 AM PST

In response to AgentAnderson message:

Its true... Apple does make a better looking product. It's also
true that quality costs more. One more truth is that those that
buy Apple products know quality, realize that they are getting a
superior computer and they are willing to pay for it.

I have been a Mac user for almost 20 years and here's a fact; I've
never had a system crash nor have I ever had a virus that
destroyed my computer. Unlike my PC friends that are
constantly having to rebuild their systems or worried about the
latest internet junk that is out there.

Macs work better. Macs use less steps to accomplish the same
task on an inferior PC. Macs are intuitive for the user in the
entire process. I'm typing this message on a 5 year old Mac that
has all the latest software and runs all of the programs that my
new Powerbook runs. Try that on a PC. What's your long term
costs of replacing your PC every few years. Do the math.

I went to a public school. There's nothing wrong with public
school. But its not where you begin, its where you strive to be.
Quality generally costs more but it will last much longer than a
cheap imitation and you'll enjoy your purchase throughout the
time you own it.

Yes, Agent Anderson, you can drive a Hyundai and get to where
you're going. Install an expensive stereo and some custom rims
on that car - but you're still driving a Hyundai. I'd choose to
drive a Mercedes and get there in style. And everything will
work better too.

Owning a Mac means I have not settled on anything less than the
best. You should give it a try sometime.

by jeffharing (See profile) - January 11, 2006 10:07 AM PST

I guess more people trip over power cords than I was aware of...not quite sure why this is being touted as such a great technological breakthrough...

Personally I'd rather have better protection for the hard drive than anything else - in the end, the physical components can be repaired and replaced - but your data is priceless

by Mobilehavoc (See profile) - January 11, 2006 8:11 AM PST

Really, why spend $2000 on a laptop when u can get a seriously fast laptop that has like 100gig and a nvidia go card like the 6800 ultra or 7800, or an ati. I mean with that money you can get a whole system setup. Apple may look nice, but its for rich suburban folks who dont have anything to do with their money. It looks good on the outside, but its really overpriced. I havnt known anyone with an apple all my life, Maybe thats because i went to a public school, and lived in a lower class neihborhood. Everyone continues to get PC's. But if your rich, then an apple setup wouldnt be bad.

by agentsanderson (See profile) - January 11, 2006 1:05 AM PST

Just thought I'd point out that Apple's PowerBooks have a similar solution as the ThinkPads.
(from Apple website)
Apple equips PowerBook computers with an extra measure of data protection. Should an unexpected elbow send your PowerBook flying, the Sudden Motion Sensor technology built into every PowerBook detects the accelerated movement or sudden position change — and instantly parks the heads on your hard drive. Once your PowerBook is level again, it unlocks the drive heads automatically.

by kalaniho (See profile) - January 10, 2006 4:46 PM PST