I read all of the posts on these forums discussing Apple vs. PC, Apple vs. Linux, whatever. I'm not looking to replace my main computer, it is for now, and the near future, a Windows(gaming)/Linux(everything else) dual-boot. So here's my problem:

I'm building my new desktop machine and want to get a new, small (<=12") laptop that I can lug around with me for web surfing, OpenOffice/Microsoft Office stuff, a little bit of C/Java Programming, etc. Due to my limited tasks, I'm not looking for a power debate. I'm curious about the iBooks and PowerBooks because I haven't used one in years. From what I've researched, I can do anything I plan on doing on the Apples. The main thing is that I don't mind tinkering with an Apple to learn it (come on, guys, that's half the fun). So, my main question is....if the applications are available for both Apple and PC, are there any factors I need to look at besides style (Apple in my opinion) and price (PC)?

Thanks everyone,
Erik

P.S. Essentially my debate is between the 12" iBook, 12" PowerBook, 12" IBM X40, and Fujitsu P7010.

Power, price and pulchritude aside, other dimensions worth considering might be the warranty on this type of hardware and the build quality. Mobility invariably increases the risk of damage.
Just a thought.

JJ

My 2 cents: IBM makes the best laptops, hands down. They are however also at the high end in terms of pricing, but in my experience are well worth it. I've got a T40 and wouldn't trade it for anything. Good luck with it regardless of your decision. -- J.W.

On the IBM topic, how do you think them selling their PC division will affect their quality? (BTW, I get about 20% any IBM laptop because my mom works for IBM, so price isn't as major of a factor w/ IBM.)

Assuming the sale happens, then anything the acquiring company produces won't really be an IBM Thinkpad, but instead will likely be a Legend (aka Levono) laptop. Whether or not they would continue to have the same quality remains to be seen, but at least in the short run I would expect it to suffer.

To use an analogy, suppose Ford decided to sell its Mustang division to another auto manufacturer - would you expect those new "Mustangs" to be equal to the originals? They could be, but I'd suspect that there would be some noticeable growing pains at least in the short run. To say it a little differently, given that the Thinkpads are IBM's flagship product in the laptop market, I think it's safe to say that it matters a great deal to them to put out a very high quality product because it reflects on the IBM name as a whole. By selling the division to a low cost generic manufacturer, who won't necessarily have the same level of care about the product, the quality of the new machines remains to be seen.

Overall there's no way to predict what actually will happen, and all of the above is just my 2 cents, but I'd be kind of bummed if IBM stopped making Thinkpads. As I've said, I just think my T40 is the best. -- J.W.

100 % agreed J.W.

I have a R51 and wouldn't trade it for anything also. They make the best !!

just my

regards

slackie1000

Well, if the IBM sale goes through, I might seriously consider laying down the plastic for the latest and greatest Thinkpad before they go away. I can't really afford it, but at the same time I can't really see switching to a different laptop. Alternatively maybe I'll scour Ebay for a couple of used T40's which I could use for parts if necessary. I guess we'll all just have to wait and see -- J.W.

Thanks guys.

Judging my everyone's fanaticism toward IBM, I think I'll end up with a Thinkpad. The X40 will soon by my new baby.

Good call. My adivce after seeing this today is to move on it soon. -- J.W.

I think a mix of IBM and apple would be best, about that, has anyone seen my poll? It is about if you would like to see a powerPc laptop from IBM now that they are stepping out of the pc market, Imagine something like that being designed for linux, I almost drool

Anyways, choose the IBM, only bad thing is the resolution and the graphics, have you checked out the Toshiba portege m200? I'm expecting one any day now, it also makes my drool, I drool a lot!

One more thing -- for anyone purchasing a laptop, I would *strongly* recommend that if you are considering "in the future" getting a memory upgrade and/or getting your hands on a port replicator, don't wait -- do it now. Specific laptop models get discontinued all the time, and being able to find the correct memory or docking station 12 or 18 months from now is no sure thing. Yes, it costs extra money, but having the bonus RAM and/or station now makes a huge difference, even though your wallet may have a few black and blues. -- J.W.

Do some laptops still demand proprietary memory or are you just considering the possibility of say ddr being replaced by ddr2. I thought most laptops used so-dimm chips, correct me if I am wrong.

Hmmm....good point, I thought they all (meaning most popular) used regular SODIMM chips. I know the Fujitsu right now I upgraded with normal Crucial memory.

My point was only that if you figure you probably will want to add more memory (or a docking station), but you plan is to do it later (ie, a few months from now) then my advice would be: Change your plans, and just buy the additional RAM and/or dock now while things are in stock. The idea is that the necessary parts you'd want would be available now, and you will avoid the scenario where you find out (say, 6 or 12 months from now) that the memory module you originally wanted has been discontinued. Yes, it makes the original purchase more expensive, but you're going to spend the money anyway so why not get everything at once.

I did not mean to imply that laptops are poised to start using an entirely different type of RAM, only that it's easier to find the parts you might want while they're still on the market. Sorry for any confusion. As for which type of memory module a given laptop might use, I could only suggest taking a look at the manufacturer's website and/or owner's manual for the tech specs. -- J.W.

Not many have mentioned the i- or PowerBook in this thread, so I'll toss in what I think.

First of all, I love Apple. I think they make great hardware, and I think OS X is really slick. So I'm biased. On to the notebooks:

Both are excellent systems, and are extremely stylish (as was mentioned in the first post.) As we all know, OS X is based on a UNIX core, thus all of your Linux/GNU programs will work on it. I know a few people who have dual booted with a PPC ditros on both PowerBooks and iBooks, and they are extremely happy. They like the option of having access to some Microsoft products (such as Office, etc.) while still having the functionality of the Darwin kernel, and the option to work entirely in Linux if desired. This assures compatibility with coworkers who might still use Windows, and the fun of working in a UNIX-based environment. Which is why I see OS X as the great uniter. I think that a PowerBook would combine the Linux world, the Apple world, and certain elements of the Microsoft world into one, powerful, mobile machine. Plus did I mention how stylish they are?

So before you go buy an IBM, take a look at the Apple notebooks. I think that's your best bet.