cheap Macs?
Oct. 15th, 2006 09:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cellioDear LJ brain trust,
I'd like to get an inexpensive laptop. It won't be my main machine; it's for travel and other situations where portability is useful. So it doesn't need to be studly; it just needs to be reliable and support basic tools like Firefox, emacs, SSH, FTP, and that sort of thing.
This would be a prime opportunity to explore the Macintosh, which some of my friends rave about, except for one little thing: I can get a (new) Dell laptop for around $400, but Macs start at $1100. Is there some less-expensive option I'm missing?
I'd like to get an inexpensive laptop. It won't be my main machine; it's for travel and other situations where portability is useful. So it doesn't need to be studly; it just needs to be reliable and support basic tools like Firefox, emacs, SSH, FTP, and that sort of thing.
This would be a prime opportunity to explore the Macintosh, which some of my friends rave about, except for one little thing: I can get a (new) Dell laptop for around $400, but Macs start at $1100. Is there some less-expensive option I'm missing?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-16 02:31 am (UTC)Everyone has different experiences, but my last three computers have been Gateways and wouldn't consider switching. I've had good luck with them and on the rare occassions I've needed to call their service department, I was pleased with the help I got. (I think Dells might be cheaper, though.)
My parents purchased a new Mac over a year ago that they've sent back again and again to be fixed. Just last week, it was finally determined that a key component had never been installed.
It was hard to switch from Mac to PC, but now I just about go through the roof when I'm forced to use my parents' computer. Then again, I think you're much more technical than I am.
Good luck with your computer shopping!