[Ascension]

You could always go with the one I got and upgrade the processor and it will cost a lot less. If the motherboard will support it, here is a 2.5gHz one for $308 (http://www.jaztechnologies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=143&products_id=417). Add that to the computer I posted and you've got almost the same machine as the one tyler posted (smaller screen, lesser graphics card, but 50gb more hd space) for about $1300 less (adding in a bit if you want someone to install the chip for you).

[Raven.Nights]

You could always go with the one I got and upgrade the processor and it will cost a lot less. If the motherboard will support it, here is a 2.5gHz one for $308 (http://www.jaztechnologies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=143&products_id=417). Add that to the computer I posted and you've got almost the same machine as the one tyler posted (smaller screen, lesser graphics card, but 50gb more hd space) for about $1300 less (adding in a bit if you want someone to install the chip for you).

good luck with that, most laptop cpu's are soldered in

[Ascension]

You could always go with the one I got and upgrade the processor and it will cost a lot less. If the motherboard will support it, here is a 2.5gHz one for $308 (http://www.jaztechnologies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=143&products_id=417). Add that to the computer I posted and you've got almost the same machine as the one tyler posted (smaller screen, lesser graphics card, but 50gb more hd space) for about $1300 less (adding in a bit if you want someone to install the chip for you).

good luck with that, most laptop cpu's are soldered in

pfft, nothing a chop saw can't take care of 🙂

I'm sure you could find someone who's done it before or find a good way to get someone to do it.

[Energon]

You could always go with the one I got and upgrade the processor and it will cost a lot less. If the motherboard will support it, here is a 2.5gHz one for $308 (http://www.jaztechnologies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=143&products_id=417). Add that to the computer I posted and you've got almost the same machine as the one tyler posted (smaller screen, lesser graphics card, but 50gb more hd space) for about $1300 less (adding in a bit if you want someone to install the chip for you).

good luck with that, most laptop cpu's are soldered in

pfft, nothing a chop saw can't take care of 🙂

I'm sure you could find someone who's done it before or find a good way to get someone to do it.

BAD IDEA
Tinkering around with laptops, especially Macs, is typically a bad choice. I've built plenty of desktops but I wouldn't really care to crack open a MacBook.

And here's my “low-end” counterpoint to Tyler's “high-end” example laptop. I guess it sort of just re-iterates his point that the price difference is a few hundred dollars… but I consider that to be pretty significant. The way I see it the Dell is a slightly better machine at about 75% of the price.

Using custom build options, both of these machines have:
2.1 GHz Intel Core Duo 2
2GB DDR2 Memory (Dell memory is actually a bit faster, 800 MHz vs 667 MHz)
160 GB – SATA Hard Disk (5400 RPM)

The Dell has a DVD+/-R Burner whereas the Mac only has a DVD-ROM

MacBook
[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2781181373_745b4f6446.jpg?v=0[/img]

Dell Studio 17
[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2781181391_f011df25cb.jpg?v=0[/img]

All this being said I really do like Macs better. I just don't know if I would be willing to spend an additional $300 for one; I don't think I am going to get that much value out of that extra money. Plus I have a huge credit line with Dell and not with Apple  8)

[HARDKORNATE]

I'm just curious if there's proof or it's all just heresay.

Quick trip to dell and apple.com.  $300-$400 difference, very comparable machines.  The Mac vs PC debate doesnt even exist to me because Macs run Windows better than Windows computers do.  (Games included) because Macs run Windows better than Windows computers do.  (Games included)

apple:

dell:

I'm sure that using build to order options will make the prices even closer.

Thats $400 moire for 1/2 the ram and a questionable video card…

[djgruv05]

Evertying Saeros said is true, and I'd also like to mention that under NO circumstances should you get anything with Vista on it. Vista is simply unacceptable.

I think I'm the only person in the world who uses vista and likes it. I crank the shit outa my laptop and it runs just fine.

Kevin, I have Vista on my Dell & I haven't had a problem with it either.  8) ;D

[HARDKORNATE]

Evertying Saeros said is true, and I'd also like to mention that under NO circumstances should you get anything with Vista on it. Vista is simply unacceptable.

I think I'm the only person in the world who uses vista and likes it. I crank the shit outa my laptop and it runs just fine.

Kevin, I have Vista on my Dell & I haven't had a problem with it either.  8) ;D

Most of Vistas major problems stem from incompatibility qith hardware. It's a crapshoot whether your shit works or not…

[djgruv05]

I was told that if I was going to use Serato Scratch Live thru my Dell Laptop, don't have Vista on it, but I have no idea  😉 8) ;D

[PakaPaka]

I'll chime in about Vista… Like Nate said, it's about hardware compatibility.  If you're buying a totally new system, Vista is going to support everything.  If you've got a system with some older peripherals in it, there's a definite chance that there won't be Vista drivers for some of them. 
I wouldn't suggest replacing a cpu on a laptop unless you've done it before and have pixie hands.  Taking them apart isn't the problem – it's putting them back together again.  :-
Mac vs PC is pretty much a matter of taste.  Macs are more stable for the most part.  I personally use XP and linux.  I would love to have a Mac if I had the scratch for it.  You pay more for it, but more time has gone into designing the UI and it shows.  I have yet to meet someone with a Mac book that doesn't completely love it…

[Raven.Nights]

I'm just curious if there's proof or it's all just heresay.

Quick trip to dell and apple.com.  $300-$400 difference, very comparable machines.  The Mac vs PC debate doesnt even exist to me because Macs run Windows better than Windows computers do.  (Games included) because Macs run Windows better than Windows computers do.  (Games included)

apple:

dell:

I'm sure that using build to order options will make the prices even closer.

Thats $400 moire for 1/2 the ram and a questionable video card…

I had no idea an Nvidia 8600M GT was a sketchy video card… must be that extra 100 attached to the model name that makes the dell super-awesome.

If you're buying a totally new system, Vista is going to support everything.

except 64 bit, good luck finding drivers for that with a lot of peripherals, heck even dell users have a hard time finding the drivers (there was a point a while back where dell wasn't even listing the 64 bit drivers) 

what really set me on the path to getting a mac was a combination of issues.  First and foremost was the whole “hey it's been 6 months, better reformat!”, there's nothing more annoying than when it gets to the point where you need to wait 10-15 minutes from startup to when you can actually do something with the pc.  The second was stability.  OSX is pretty fucking stable for doing the amount of work that I put on it.

But again, it's still a matter of the purchasers preference.

[Psygomin]

Evertying Saeros said is true, and I'd also like to mention that under NO circumstances should you get anything with Vista on it. Vista is simply unacceptable.

I think I'm the only person in the world who uses vista and likes it. I crank the shit outa my laptop and it runs just fine.

Kevin, I have Vista on my Dell & I haven't had a problem with it either.  8) ;D

i have vista on my new PC and almost imeaditaly my dvd-rw drive dumped its software.  i still can use it to burn but it was a lable flash drive, which only puts images on dvds, not cd's like i could use now, and that sucks.  i even called the company that makes it and complaned about the vista issue and the fact that it doesnt use cd for labling, and told them that if i didnt get a responce i was going to replace it with a lightscribe drive….. 

[Energon]

I had no idea an Nvidia 8600M GT was a sketchy video card… must be that extra 100 attached to the model name that makes the dell super-awesome.

Rob, I think Nate was referring to the video card on the Mac, not the PC. Nvidia products are pretty solid.

except 64 bit, good luck finding drivers for that with a lot of peripherals, heck even dell users have a hard time finding the drivers (there was a point a while back where dell wasn't even listing the 64 bit drivers)

what really set me on the path to getting a mac was a combination of issues.  First and foremost was the whole “hey it's been 6 months, better reformat!”, there's nothing more annoying than when it gets to the point where you need to wait 10-15 minutes from startup to when you can actually do something with the pc.  The second was stability.  OSX is pretty fucking stable for doing the amount of work that I put on it.

I've been running Windows XP x64 for about 20 months with no significant slowdown and no need to reformat. I love it. I still have to use msconfig to disable unnecessary startup items like the quicktime and such…

64-bit drivers are tricky to locate for XP as well as Vista. I bought all my hardware especially because it 64-bit was supported. Nvidia has been really good about x64 support… no issues whatsoever with my Nvidia motherboard or video card

[Raven.Nights]

I had no idea an Nvidia 8600M GT was a sketchy video card… must be that extra 100 attached to the model name that makes the dell super-awesome.

Rob, I think Nate was referring to the video card on the Mac, not the PC. Nvidia products are pretty solid.

except 64 bit, good luck finding drivers for that with a lot of peripherals, heck even dell users have a hard time finding the drivers (there was a point a while back where dell wasn't even listing the 64 bit drivers)

what really set me on the path to getting a mac was a combination of issues.  First and foremost was the whole “hey it's been 6 months, better reformat!”, there's nothing more annoying than when it gets to the point where you need to wait 10-15 minutes from startup to when you can actually do something with the pc.  The second was stability.  OSX is pretty fucking stable for doing the amount of work that I put on it.

I've been running Windows XP x64 for about 20 months with no significant slowdown and no need to reformat. I love it. I still have to use msconfig to disable unnecessary startup items like the quicktime and such…

64-bit drivers are tricky to locate for XP as well as Vista. I bought all my hardware especially because it 64-bit was supported. Nvidia has been really good about x64 support… no issues whatsoever with my Nvidia motherboard or video card

It's ando  😉 and that IS the video card on the mac that tyler pointed out  🙂

[Ascension]

Tyler showed me how you can run windows and macos at the same time on a mac, it is pretty neat

[Raven.Nights]

Tyler showed me how you can run windows and macos at the same time on a mac, it is pretty neat

That's fusion, and yeah it's pretty cool 🙂

[Author]

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