I'm in the market for a laptop

[Rising Phoenix]

lots of music, pics....starting a book....looking to spend around a grand....what shouldI look for

[Omphaloskepsis]

1. Well, I am a Mac user so I will recommend the Macbook.

You can run Windows if you need too. But everything you listed works well in OS X. I never worry about maintaining my computer. It just always works. No anti-virus, no spyware, and updating takes a minute.

[Pavulon]

3. Macbook and Vmware fusion

Great platform..Tis a bit more than a grand.

[Rising Phoenix]

5. sounds great

[trof]

2. Very happy with Compaq presario C304NR

Best buy
Around $500 base, but closer to a grand with add-ons, extra mem, etc.

DEFINITELY get a wireless usb plug-in mouse.

[Rising Phoenix]

4. thanks everyone

I've been leaning towards a mac....is that the way to go?

[Omphaloskepsis]

6. Yes, it will make you cooler.

I can send you my email address. I will offer free tech support for ever. Us Mac users will do anything to get someone to switch to our team.

[Rising Phoenix]

8. go for it

[Deja Q]

12. Get me laid and we'll see what I can do.

I do have enough money to upgrade... :evilgrin:

[Whisp]

7. well you tend to pay more and have less options of software

but the virus consideration is a good one to balance it all.

[Deja Q]

13. That's a blind myth

Some Mac viruses do exist; and the lack of antivirus software for the mac will give people a FALSE sense of security.

Anything is vulnerable. It's a matter of popularity and time.

Hackers have gone after Linux for less...

It is true Unix and Unix-like systems (which includes OS X) are better built, but they are not immune. No platform is, sadly.

[Bravo Zulu]

9. Toshiba Satellite A135-S4527 here

I went to the apple store and checked them out, even though they are nice, I went with the Toshiba, I got it from bestbuy for $600.00, it was top rated by consumer reports, it dosen't have all the bells and whistles but it seems like a good one, it can connect to wifi, and it comes with vista, it handle itunes and it has a windows picture program on it.

One of the forums I'm on, one of the posters says he buys a new laptop from bestbuy on black friday and uses it for a year and then sells it on ebay, he said he always makes a profit?

Good luck!

[CatholicEdHead]

10. My eMachines M6805 power connector recently went

(the mobo connector, not AC adapter), so I am now going to probably bite the bullet for an Vista Ultimate machine (would prefer XP Pro) and wait until later for a Macbook Pro with Bootcamp.

[Deja Q]

11. The Gateway MX8739 is a rather decent model for $700

2.5 hour battery life (longer if you disable wi-fi and bluetooth)
Dual core Pentium T2080, 1.73GHz
1GB RAM
120GB HD
DVD dual format burner
17.1" LCD screen (TN panel; not the greatest, but for $700 I have no complaints at all)
wi-fi
bluetooth
FULL size keyboard w/ full 10-keypad
Vista Home Premium
MS Works
Trial versions of McAfee, Office 2007, et al...
No TPM chip

Performs very nicely with default specs; I upgraded mine to 2GB and Vista Ultimate - if it had the TPM chip I could have made use of BitLocker, but Ultimate has other advantages...

Definitely solid value for the buck.

[DainBramaged]

14. The best you can afford

Too many choices out there. Bought my daughter a $500 Compaq, she loves it more than the mega-gaming computer I built her. Has a 100GB HD and I got her a 170GB external Seagate for her stuff from mega sys and music and pictures. She takes it everywhere now except to work.

Do not be swayed by brands, everything is good nothing is junk laptops are now like microwave ovens, disposable appliances..

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. I love my MacBook

I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Nomad559]

16. Check out Fat Wallet

and some other sites for some good deals.

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/770253

http://dealspl.us/HP-Pavilion-dv6605us-Notebook_68928

http://www.dealdetectives.com/index.php?b=966

http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?sduid=0&f=9

http://forums.gottadeal.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2

http://www.cheapstingybargains.com

:)