Want mac, but doesnt make sense, some help

So i'm thinking of getting a small laptop 13-14"

and i've basically narrowed it down to these two,

the Dell Vostro 1400
2.0ghz c2d
1gm ram
120gb hd
nvidia 8400gm
14.1" screen
bt, wifi g
integrated webcam

~$1100 cdn

or the base macbook

2.0 c2d
1gb ram
80gb HD (ugh)
GMA 950
13.3"
bt, wifi n
integrated webcam

~1200

now almost everything is telling me to get the dell, i don't mid paying the extra $100 for the mac, but not if i feel i'm getting a inferior device. I've been using a mac for the last 5 years, but my main comp is a PC. I really really want to use OS X but it doesnt seem to make sense to me, I mean i'm giving up 40GB of hd, and a better video card. Sure the macbook looks nicer and its alot smaller, but is there any other reason to get it??? about to pull the trigger

 

If you want to use OS X, get the MacBook. If not, get the Dell. Simple as that .

 

I wound get the macbook .... since you could use the osx for surfing and then the windows for work or windows intensive programs.. (i run parallels and it runs great for me)

 

Sorry guys...but anything related to OS X on a PC cannot and will not be allowed on these forums due to legality issues.

 

I know you can install osx on non mac computers, might be a solution, though its not very legal.

 

as Sam said.. if you want os x .. and will be spending most of ur r time on os x... then go for the macbook ... but if you intend to be using quite a lot ... then i suggest that you go for a windows notebook instead...

 

The MacBook's hard drve is easily replaceable. Instructions (PDF). But that means more $$$.

On another note. There is speculation about a MacBook update in the near future. In addition to Santa Rosa, LED, X3100, etc. - I also expect larger standard hard drives. More bang for your buck! If you can, wait a bit .

 

Apple product releases are obnoxious. Apple's products tend to lack in features and value unless it's right after a new product release. The thing is, when do the new revisions come out?

 

The MacBook is expected to be updated in October with Leopard. The MacBook Pro will probably not see an update until January 2008 at the soonest.

 

thanks for the responses guys, i think i might have to stick with the dell then. till the day i can afford a macbook pro.

 

You need to consider that the macbook comes with iLife while the dell comes with jack sh!t. I don't know what apps you already have but if you have been a longtime mac user you can still use your old apps on the macbook.

 

Well personally I say the mac, but until you tell us what your useage is going to be its hard to give a good answer. Eg, is gaming important, or battery life. Thus if gaming is more then go the dell, but battery life will probably be better on the mac.
a

ps I have a macbook, luv it, and OSX is sooo much nicer then vista.

 

Do MacOS 7 programs work in Mac OS X?

 

^ I doubt it. OS 7 was early 90s right, you might have to use emulation to do it. Wait for one of the gurus to chime in.

 

I don't believe so. If I remember correctly only Mac OS 9 software is still supported in OS X. But seriously, do you have any OS 7 applications worth running on a Core 2 Duo Mac?

 

I'd also say the Mac.

While you state that you are loosing the vid card and the hard drive, I'd look at what you are gaining. OS X, iLife and a smaller form factor. Maybe longer battery life on the MB, but I'm not sure.

 

I have a Power Mac 7200/75 from 1995, it's got some fun games, from the time when "multimedia" was the buzzword. Today the buzzword's "next-gen" lol.

 

Mac OS 9 applications can be run through Classic in OS X, but only on a PowerPC. Not on an Intel Mac.

And Mac OS 7 is definitely out.

 

true, although i don't do alot of gaming, i would like the ability to. I do alot of photoshop work so i was sort of leaning towards having a slightly larger screen. and of course i was quite dissapointed with the meager 80gigs.

damn you guys have me second guessing

maybe i'll pray for a release of a new macbook on the 5th, i dont think i can wait much longer for the new macbooks.

oh and btw, i'd be using winxp. vista is the worst pos ever. i've tried it 3 times now, but ended up reformating back to xp.

the only question is whether i love osx enough to sacrifice the lower specs. hmmmm

 

How is the build quality on the Vostro/Inspiron line? Are they still crap like they used to be?

 

- Sigh -

For the fifth time , there won't be new MacBooks on the September 5th event...it is going to be about iPods and Apple likes to keep its events focused on one subject (same reason Macworld 2007 was all about the iPhone).

Expect new MacBooks in October, but I could almost 100% say (of course, Steve Jobs can ruin everything ) that the 5th event will not be about new Macs at all.

 

supposedly the new vostros are not bad. i mean they are sorta built like bricks so what do you expect. and a few minor things here and there which isn't uncommon.

 

haha u cant stop a man from praying can you. And since we live in the same city (vancouver) i'd say IF they do get released in oct, i probably wouldn't be able to get one till november since apple canada is at least a week slower + delivery, am i correct?

 

It depends...Future Shop just set up their new iMacs a few days ago >_>. But the Mac-centric resellers, Simply Computing, MacStation, etc., probably had new iMacs set up right when they arrived in Vancouver.

We need an Apple Store here!

 

What kind of update are you waiting for? Even when the Macbooks are eventually updated, I wouldn't expect dedicated graphics or larger screens. They aren't going to turn them into MBPs with Macbook prices. I even doubt that they'll increase the hard drive size on the low-end model anytime soon... although you could upgrade the drive or add an external drive.