First of all, don't get a mac. They are extremely overpriced for sub-par specs. Anything you get on a mac you can get a pc for 1/2 the cost.

And if you HAD to get a mac, wait for the next OS.

Are you looking for a laptop or a desktop?

If you need a laptop, you have two choices, the MacBook and the MacBook Pro.

The MacBook is a lot of machine for the money, and will suit most users. It features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, integrated iSight, FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a), Gigabit ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11n (draft) wireless, and USB 2.0. It can be ordered with a CD-RW/DVD (read only) drive, or a Superdrive, which can also burn dual layer DVDs. (In my opinion, gigabit ethernet and 802.11n are especially important features for any computer from which you expect to be able to use extensively for a few years.) Both the RAM and hard drive are considered by Apple to be user replaceable parts on the Macbook, and are easily accessible. However, the MacBook is not without it's weaknesses. While it is comparable to the MacBook Pro in terms of processing power, the MacBook Pro offers significantly better video performance. If you are planning on doing a lot of graphics intensive gaming, the MacBook is probably not for you.

The MacBook Pro has all the features of the MacBook, but also features a far superior video card, FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b), and an Express Card / 34 slot. The MBP also features a higher resolution screen, anywhere from 1440 x 900 to 1920 x 1200, depending on model (compared to the MacBook's 1280 x 800 screen resolution).

If you do not need the portability of a laptop, then Apple offers the all in on iMac and the Mac Mini, as well as the Mac Pro. The Mac Mini is Apple's least expensive model, but does not come with a display, keyboard or mouse. The Mini is comparable to the MacBook (except with slightly slower C2D processor, and no iSight), while the iMac is comparable to the MacBook Pro. Both of these models utilize primarily laptop parts, with keeps size and power consumption much lower than desktop systems.

The Mac Pro is highly configurable, and utilizes the Intel Xeon processor line. It sounds like it would be far more computer than your needs require.

I personally find OS X to be more user friendly, and FAR more secure than Windows. Even though I have more experience with Windows, from v. 3.1 to XP SP2, I can do far more with my Mac, since most everything seems more intuitive. That doesn't mean that Macs are without their issues, but in my experience, they are fewer and farther between than with Windows.

Some popular software titles, such as the Microsoft Word and Excel, were available on Macs before they were available on Windows. While most Mac users don't have any need to run Windows software, should that need arise, a new Mac can boot into Windows (or Linux, BSD, etc.), or, with software such as Parallels (and a copy of Windows), Windows' software can be run within Mac OS X.

Message was edited for clarification by: RastaMon

OS X 10.5 will be out by then.

how much 10.5 will cost?

edit: looks like it will be 130$.......damn, why so cheap?

Hm.

Yeah, but I still don't get it why's it so cheap...

I mean, Vista costs like 600$, right? So...

Only Apple knows for sure and they tend to be rather tight lipped on upcoming products.

History, however, suggests that it will be $129. That is what every other OS X ugrade price has been.

As to why so cheap...because Apple is largely in the business of selling hardware. As such, they are not worried about making crap loads of money off of the OS, like Micro$oft (who's main bread and butter is software, especially the Windoze OS). I will note that the Mac OS used to be free up until something like OS 8 or so (so long ago that I don't really recall anymore). In addition, keep in mind that Apple does upgrade Mac OS X more frequently than Micro$oft has done (at least recently) for Windoze. In the time that XP was released to the time the Vista was released, Mac OS X has gone through four or so upgrades (again I forget with OS X originally came out compared to XP).

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