According to everything I've read about the new Macs, they network with Windows almost flawlessly. They're also not as fussy about the peripherals that they'll work with either.

 

that would be impressive since windoze almost never networks flawlessly with windoze.

 

For what it's worth I had no problem getting my powerbook on MSFT's (internal) network, my tablet PC, well that was another story...I had to get a Dev to help me get it on the network and I had all the credentials needed; it just wouldn't work till he edited some code...LOL

And the my Mac talks to my PC's with no problems, it's when I try to transfer doc's between my PC's to I

Good luck on the laptop search, no matter what you choose there will be something better and cheaper in the next six months, I think that's just something everyone has to accept with technology; I just hope you get something you're happy with (and I'd stay away from Vista, I've worked with it since 04 and it still scares me!)

-Thomas

 

Thanks for the input!
I was a Mac user back in the mid 80s, when PCs ran dos but I became a little less enamored with them as Apple tried to become more and more monolithic. When Windows came out it grew more and more difficult to justify to my bosses why I needed Apple machines, software and peripherals, at Apple prices. That is the one thing that I will say about MSFT, is that they didn't try to monopolize the entire computer industry, just software. Sorry, I digress.

And yes I know that OSX is much more stable than even XP pro.

That all being said, you have convinced me that I need to look at a Mac, and probably the Toshiba units. If the Mac will allow me to sync to Outlook on my PC, then one of my big issues is resolved with them. (But boy are they expensive).

Portability and reliability are utmost, so again thanks to all that responded, and in a year and a half to two your invited to visit my humble dwelling in beautiful Panama.

And Thomas, I agree. My wife's aunt did the "I know the price will come down, so I'll wait" routine before buying a PC, It took her 7 years to buy one.

 

Although I

 

It's not a laptop and it probably cost a couple of bucks, but check this out.

http://fastcompany.com/video/general...tivepixel.html

There's about a 15 sec add that runs in front before the big show starts.


dvh

 

My wife got a MacBook pro from Santa and she loves it. It talks to the PC with no problems and unless you want to run MS Flight sim anything the PC can do the Mac seems to do better. But it will run windows programs if you insist as they now have Intel chips and there is a Mac program to run Windows.

If you are into pictures or videos the Mac is the way to go. When she plugged it in it saw the the router and the PC and went on line to ensure it had the latest OS X operating system. Apple stores also offer one on one training through their Apple care which answers all your questions and gives you a one hour per week in store training session.

On a scale of 1-10 of user friendly the Mac is a 8 and the PC a 5

 

I bought an intel Macbook in October while I was in Oregon taking care of my father. A great little computer. I got it configured with 2GB of memory and an 80GB HD. It is surprisingly fast. Just a bit slower than my 2.4GHz dual G5 desktop.

A word of caution when playing CDs or DVDs. I checked out some music from the local library in Forest Grove, OR. so I could load my iPod with new music. The library discs had small paper labels on the back of the CDs (name & address of the library). These labels were the cause of much frustration as I had to send the 1st & 2nd Macbooks back to Apple for replacement after a CD refused to eject.

**DON'T insert CDs/DVDs that have any sort of paper label glued to its surface.**

You'd think I'd have learned my lesson the first time it happened but I didn't. Apple was great though. No hesitation in replacing the damaged goods even though it was my fault.

 

I am on my 5th Apple, this one a 15" Powerbook G4. It has been running continuously for over 3 years without a single crash, freeze, or loss of data. My last job was as Captain of a USNS (United States Naval Ship) vessel with 20+ PC's on board (7 just on the bridge). All on a military grade secure network. I will never take another job where I am forced to interact with a Windows box on a daily basis. N E V E R.
That being said, the Toshiba laptops seemed most reliable if you HAVE to have a PC. Otherwise Mac Mac Mac.

 

^^^^
reboots for upgrades don't count.