Apple MacBook Pro (15.4-inch, 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo)

Pros: Fast, looks like a million bucks, suits my needs very well.

Cons: New Intel Processor will not run Virtual PC, screen is brighter, but sensitve to the angle that you look at it.

Summary: Summary: I am very happy with this laptop. Let me start by saying I actually own this machine. I sold my 15" Powerbook to buy this computer, and am very pleased with it. It is a great looking, fast machine that suits my needs very well.

Hardware: This particular version of the Macbook has a 7,200 RPM, 100 gig hard drive, and ships with 1 GIG of RAM. I originally bouth a MacBook with a 5,400 RPM, bit I can tell the difference in speed. Not mcuh, but noticeable. The screen is defintetly brighter than the Powerbook, but you have to be looking straight into it. If you sit at an angle- say at your desk- I notice that the Powerbook had less directionality to it. This can be good or bad: if you are in an airport, it gives you more privacy, if you are at your desk, it can be a bit annoying. The machine definetly boots faster than my powerbook (which also had a 7,200 RPM drive). The camera is awesome: I use it a lot to Video Conference with my parents in South America. They use a PC with AIM and I use Ichat. They always tell me that the image they see is crisp and very good. The keyboard feels great, and the whole machine just feels very well built. I love to use it, and my wife is always borrowing it at home. And I will admit I love the looks of it. Is it worth a few extra bucks? you bet! Every time I take it out people just look at it, it does turn heads. Try that with a PC! :}. The trackpad is bigger than the Powerbook. I donloaded an AWESOME $7 utility called "1-finger snap", from old jewel, which allows you to have 2-button mouse functionality with just one button!. You hold the trackpad for 1 second, and the right button menu shows up! Great and useful trick! Have to admit that this is a very convenient function that Apple needs to build standard.

Software: The iLife Suite is a well thought out product. The machine comes out of the box with very useful and EASY to use applications that most people need: iPhoto, iVideo, iMusic, iDVD, etc. Everything works very well without complications. I have also added the classic Office Suite, since this is a useful set of programs. The stuff just works GREAT witout having to read manuals or configure complicated menus. Check out this setup: All my music is in my iMac. I have an Airport Express router hooked up to my entertainment center. I can actually access the music in the iMac from my Macbook, and have it play in my stereo's living room. It was SO EASY to set it up. My printer, installed the software, plugged it, IT WORKS! The next time you buy a peripheral, check out the installation instructions. Have you noticed that the Mac instructions are always very short compared to the PC's? It is the simplicity that makes these machines user-friendly and practical. They are very well integrated with the software.

Overall: I am very happy with it. I have my Windows XP work laptop, and although it runs well, it is just not my cup of tea. I know gamers love PC's, they seem to do that very well. But since I don't game, I don't care. I do have an Intel IMac and love it too. After several years of using Dell PC's, I made the switch last year and I could not be happier. With these Macs, you just do what you need, with the PC's, you are always fixing, configuring, and having security problems. God bless Bill Gates and Microsoft, they ahve done a lot for us, but the flow of innovation out of Redmond as of the last few years is just not as exciting as the stuff coming out of Apple's tent. For work, my company issued PC. For home, work at home, and play, my Mac, hands down. Macs are only nominally more expensive than PC laptops. Price a Dell or a Sony Vaio with similar features, and you will see that by the time you put everything the PC needs, you are breaking even compared to a Mac. If you want a simple to use machine, packed with a lot of useful applications, this may be the computer for you.