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I think everyone has a good point. The difference in pricing has become negligible as you can get an Apple laptop for less than $1000 in the US. Yes there are a few PC laptops that might cost less but from my experience, you get what you pay for.

Don't forget that with Apple, only one company handles hardware and software so no need to spend sgrd trying to find the right driver and such.

[DirtGuy]

Yo, people:

Can you say "PC emulator" software? Planning to buy an expensive program that only runs on Windows. The vendor is going to include an software system that sits on top of the Mac OS and lets it run PC only software. The company says their program will run a bit slower with this configuration but only just a little. A serious gamer will probably notice a difference but I doubt I will notice or care.

After owning both Macs and PCs, there is not way I will ever go back to a PC. These are so easy.

[Rorschach]

I was quite surprised to find that Apple computers aren't that much more expensive than their PC counterparts - especially when looking at laptops. Leaving PowerBooks aside (which are a hefty amount of money) iBooks are competitively priced. Currently there are two models available here, one going for 119,000yen and one for 149,000yen (higher G4 clock speed and a DVD burner in comparison to the cheaper version). Considering how well designed machines that they are (talking integration here) that is exceptional value for a reasonably powerful machine.

Generally a decent PC laptop with a Pentium M processor runs above 170,000yen. iMac's aren't exactly cheap but depending on the model you buy they are moderate. Currently there are 3 models out: 150,000yen (17inch) 173,000 (17inch), 209,000 (20inch). You could certainly build a decent PC for about 150,000yen with a good monitor. However, the current iMac design is very sleek and again, completely intergrated. Apple computers are a good buy if you are a moderate computer user. If you are gamer though you really can't go past a well built PC.

[Henry_Cowell]

I'll just mention what I usually mention when the topic of Apple computers comes up:

Apple gives a modest (but nice) EDUCATIONAL DISCOUNT on computers and sometimes on software. You need to prove that you're a teacher or student in the U.S. when making the purchase.

Apple Store for Education
http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/routingpage.html

[The Dog Ate My Keitai]

So does Apple Japan (if you can read the Japanese)

http://store.apple.com/0120-APPLE-2/WebObjects/japanEduIndividual?qprm=1460&type=higherEd

[kylemory]

so, to add my two cents..
i bought an apple laptop (ibook 933 g4) back in december, i was pleased with it for the first five months..... then, it started to randomly crash.. to make a long, long, long story short after five two hour long trips within as many months, i finally have a functional computer again (crossing fingers, as it has been less than a week since i have gotten it back).. after some internet research, i have seen a common thread with the logic board in ibooks (im on my third in less than a year!)
i agree with a previous poster as to not buying a laptop, i was an IT guy for a few years, and its pretty easy to troubleshoot problems and fix them in a desktop machine, but a laptop really requires you to take it to a shop to have it fixed (at an extreme price)

BUT
even after all these problems, since apple has switched to a UNIX based OS i would never buy a PC again (if you want compatability issues, try running linux!) i have not had any software problems, and the macintosh interface is a breeze and much more common sense than windows.. not to mention that you have the power of the UNIX terminal if you need it.

PERSONALLY
i would scrape up the extra cash for the powerbook.. i havent read anything bad about them... when this ibook craps out on me thats what i will be doing..

BOTTOM LINE
a macintosh machine is much more user-friendly, powerful, customizable, secure (a BIG plus), cheaper (if you consider all the built in functionality of OS X), not to mention, they look a lot cooler!

kyle

[Henry_Cowell]

The 15-inch G4PowerBook is an amazing machine. Basically, the only thing you need to add is MS Office 2004 and you have everything.

However, Apple's new iWork suite demolishes Word and PowerPoint. Its Pages and Keynote applications (publishing and presentation, respectively) are soooo elegant.

[J.]

Anyone own a Mac mini and how are they finding it? I just went to the store yesterday and tried one out and it seemed to be very easy to figure out and use. I was ready to buy it but I wanted to use it with my PC keyboard and LCD display BUT the place didn't have any P/S 2 to USB adapters so I would have had to buy the whole rather pricy system. Anyone have any experience using the mini in combination with P/S 2 peripherals, and if so how did they work?

Also for those who want Apple products, I hear you can call the number at the bottom of the Apple Japan website and ask to speak to an operator in English AND order one with an English keyboard. If anyone wants more information please look at the excellent "Blog From Another Dimension" at blogspot. There's a whole section about Mac computers and the guy's in Japan.

I have heard people on Gaijinpot recommending Sofmap ( with an online store ) for used/reconditioned computers and I think they have some Mac laptops. Don't have the address here but I can dig it up if you can't find it.

[Rorschach]

I went ahead and bought a new G5 iMac. After some initial trepidation I am happy with my purchase. My biggest issue was getting used to the new interface and how to simple things I had become used to with PC's. Once I was past that though everything became easy to understand. I'm having fun now getting used to the neew interface. At this point in time I would recommend the G5 to anyone wwho is mild to heavy user of computers but ddon't want a huge destop taking up space in a very small apartment.

Edit - Still getting used to the keyboard though

[Henry_Cowell]

You can always get another keyboard (if that's allowed with your iMac). I have a keyboard that I used with both my Mac and my PC.

[markle]

[markle]

[Sherri]

I got mine from Amazon.com but it was sent to a US address.

[Bozo Yoroshiku]