New Laptop or Notebook choice?

I am a n00b when it comes to buying laptops. Ive worked off of a PC workstation until now. I have a budget of under $900 and DO NOT WANT an HP. I have a preference for a good graphics card, at least 2 gigs of RAM and XP pre installed as the main OS. Any suggestions or tips, in fact which notebook or macbook do you use?

Comments

[gmxx]

i would go for a macbook white or a refurb macbook myself.... but i do a lot of media production work on my imac. If you are looking for a pc, get a dell.i know a number of people with dells. the dells never seem to die. My dad still uses one that is nearing about 9 years old. and it still going without any service needed.

[M4industries]

Do you reccomend Final Cut Pro for the Mac if I do a lot of editing?

[gmxx]

i do. Final cut pro is an amazing program. be warned: it is a pro application, meaning there is a learning curve an the full fcp studio is $999. if you're just growing out of windows movie maker or imovie, final cut express might be a better option. it really depends on your experience and budget

[TNEN]

GET A MAC!!!!

[ReCreate]

AND PUT XP ON IT!!!!

[TNEN]

AND VISTA AS WELL!

[ReCreate]

MAYBE NOT VISTA BUT WINDOWS 7 INSTEAD!!!

[TNEN]

WINDOWS 8!!

[ReCreate]

WINDOWS 8 PROBABLY WON'T BE CALLED WINDOWS 8 AND CAN YOU STOP YELLING?!!

[ReCreate]

how about alienware?

[M4industries]

What's aleinware?

[ReCreate]

Maybe...You...can...google search it...

[Stew2]

If you are fairly knowledgable of anti virus software (good ones can be had free!) and anti spyware programs, go for a PC... Lots of bang for the buck. If you just want something that works and not have to worry about virus's and spyware (as much!) go for a Mac. I would personally go for a PC but would wait a bit till Windows 7 comes out as I have heard good things about it. I have Vista on this one and am not too fond of it...

[led235]

GO FOR A MAC!!! YOU CAN INSTALL WINDOWS ON THE BOOTCAMP SOFTWARE PREINSTALLED ON A MAC!!!!

[orksecurity]

Depends on what you want. $900 can buy a lot of machine these days, especially if you're willing to go off-brand or used. If you want XP preinstalled, you almost _have_ to go used. Due to marketing deals with Microsoft, most PC manufacturers ship their machines with the latest MS operating system preinstalled. A few come with a "downgradable" license, permitting you to legally replace that with XP without having to buy a copy separately... but that deal may not be good for very long; for many reasons MS would rather convince everyone to run the latest release. Good luck.