MAC's are great but economical they are not. Perhaps the best looking screens and the highest prices in the market. If you're still willing to consider a Windoze box, I'm very pleased with my Lenovo T60. I'm sure the model numbers have advanced in the 2 1/2 years since I bought this machine but the basic machines themselves tend to change less than the model numbers do. Mine's been through thick and thin. I would be surprised if I haven't logged 100,000 miles with it by my side (or in the overhead). Lenovo also has a kick-butt docking station.

Thanks Joshua! I really appreciate the input.

Hi Janine. I own a Macbook Pro (aluminum model). It is not the most economical, but it is very versatile. Running Windows, linux and Mac OSX (legally) is not a problem. If you don't mind spending slightly more (and buying a copy of windows separately) they are great machines. If you would like to save on Apple prices, they have a decent discount for teachers and students. Otherwise, their refurbished systems are better priced and have a FULL warranty. Usually after they update the current model (fall, winter) there are good deals in the refurbished section. Worth looking into IMHO. PS. I don't work for Apple :)

Thanks for the feedback Eric! Since I said the words, I'm replacing this Dell laptop with a Mac, I've had another Dell desktop and mini fail in the office. I think the gremlins are about. Desktop was fixed with a new power supply, but the mini is still unreliable.

I'm with Eric, the Mac was expensive, but it was able to handle the PCB and Circuit design that my HP/17" used to do(albeit slower than the Mac). I'm doing the same for multi-boot, OSX/Slackware/XP-Pro/Ubuntu/Vista Pro. Refit is able to handle most of the work, and Grub picks up for the linux boots. Depending on the Install version of Windows for the Dell notebook, it may or may not install easily. It definitely has to have SP2 already installed with the disk or it doesn't like to boot properly.

Hi all, Well... I bought a Mac last night. I'm already thrilled. Thanks for the input.