Yeah, I get the employee discount (since I'm married to an employee) and that makes them comperably priced to PCs. But most people don't get that . . .

 

While i'm not discouraging the purchase of a mac, i wanted to point out there's an easier solution to your first bullet: don't use IE.

I use Mozilla Firefox. Before i was a die-hard IE user and wouldn't touch anything else but decided to give it a whirl one day. I never went back. Firefox, aside from not having the problems of Active X like IE does, also includes several nice features including a download manager, popup blocker (it's built in), and tabbed browser (you don't know what you're missing till you try it).

I'd recommend at least trying it.

Also, don't use MS Outlook.

Drop both of those, and you'll end up with a computer that's at least 75% more secure. I don't even bother to run a virus scanner any more.

 

No one should be using IE anymore, MS has more or less dropped support for it and it's already a dinosaur! Plus I can't live without tabbed browsing, it seems like every browser except IE has it now.

 

so what have you done Dan??

get the iBook, .... you won't regret it! I love my G5 (although that isn't much of a comparison ).

Also, like was mentioned, a Sager is a good choice, you should be able to find good pricing on the net, and get a better system for the $$ than a Dell.

I used to like Dell until I started working on them everyday, .... they suck ***!!! ok, not all of them, but after using them at work, I'll never recommend a Dell again, ..... ask Mike.

 

I'm still looking.

That 12" iBook is on the top of the list, just have to find someone that's done some of the same stuff I want to do, with an iBook.

I'm worried about running the EM software.

 

i hear ya.
You could always take a copy of the software to the Apple store and tell them to see if it works. ... if you ask the right person, they'll definitely help you out.

 

That's a good Idea!

 

If you do consider Dell try checking their outlet site where they sell refurbished systems. The last 2 Dell laptops I bought were refurbished, but they come just like a new system and you can also get the same warranty as a new system. They tend to be cheaper.

Of the 2 I have now one is over 4 years old and I have had no problems. The other is a little over 3 years old and other then a problem with the screen (red line down the side) it's worked flawless. The screen was replaced under the 3 year warranty.

If you get the warranty with completecare they will also replace/ repair parts or the laptop if you spill stuff on it, drop it, etc..