The only sensible comment on this new page.....

None of that applies to me. I tried to find Macs I could afford and have always struck out. Windows hasn't ever cost me much to run and maintain. AV software is free, as are many other good software. The only software I've ever had to spend a lot of money on is MS office and Photoshop (both over priced just like Macs IMO, YMMV).

The timing of this thread is perfect for me... Ever since I purchased an iPhone earlier this year (something I said I'd never do, but that's a whole other story) I've been thinking about getting a small Macbook Pro for personal use around the house and when traveling. I�ve never owned anything other than PC�s, and use a PC constantly at work, but after spending some quality time with the iPhone, and playing around with a friends MacBook Pro, I�m ready to �switch�.

I am currently considering the MacBook Pro 13 inch MB991LL/A with the 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor and 4 GB of RAM.

Obviously I�m new to the Mac game so I�m wide open to suggestions.

As far as the actual purchase goes, Amazon currently looks like the best deal for me as I get free two-day shipping and avoid sales tax. Thoughts?

It's what I would buy right now (from the Mac world). However, look at the positioning of the USB ports and also the lack of card slots in some of the MacBook (and Pro) models before you pull the trigger.

i wouldn't say it's ignorance, but rather just being unfamiliar with all of the options available. even many windows users may not know about anything other than the heavily advertised anti-virus tools, especially when a subscription to one is bundled with their hardware.

and it works both ways. over the years, i've seen many comments about macs from people who don't use them that are completely false and i've seen comments about windows from windows users that are also false.

To the original poster considering an iMac, you should consult:

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

If their tracking is right, new models are due.

Agreed; if you're looking to buy a MBP, that's a good one to get, and I would probably buy from Amazon, too. All the ports are on the left side of that machine, IIRC.

A couple of words of advice, to only compliment what has already been said.

As noted, pretty much everything you have/use for documents, videos, music, etc. will work. ONE notable exception is that quicken or MSFT money (now discontinued) files do NOT transfer over very well or at all.

I usually get people over, get them setup with office and stuff, try to pick an email option based on what their historical needs/uses were. If they are on exchange, life is MUCH easier today with Snow Leopard.

But, I always recommend, don't try to do everything all at once and all in the first days/weeks. Get your stuff over, get your email working, import your old bookmarks (I use both safari and firefox on mac, FF is better IMHO for ad blocking and such) and then just USE THE MAC, get used to the UI, browse websites, make bookmarks.

You will settle into it much easier than if you try to do something like figure out ALL the features/differences/where IS that button on something like WORD in the first few days. You'll lose the objective which is overall easier use, fewer problems and more fun enjoyment from the system.

Don't Apple Stores have a service where they move the files for you if you're switching?

Not sure if it's free.

they do and it is free.

As far as what Mac to buy, will let's others chime in. I have 2008 aluminum MB, same exact configuration that you're considering and luv it. It's now been 'upgraded' to MacBook Pro - the one you're looking at.

I got it from maczone.com because they could also install VmFusion and WinXp for my once a quarter use of pc software. I don't think amazon.com will do this and certainly apple stores aren't allowed to touch any microsoft products. I would recommend you take a look at their on-line store to get either VmFusion or Parallels plus WinXP installed.

Also, before you make the buying decision, check out the tidbits.com eBooks, particularly the one about using windows on a mac by joe kissell, about $10 for the pdf format book. Will help you decide which software (i.e. bootcamp, parallels or vmfusion) for running windows in virtual mode.

You can purchase Office 2008 at an Apple store. And they'll teach you how to use it if you'd like.

And a dirty little secret, the little handheld scanners that they use in Apple stores are Windows-based. So the employees are actually "touching Microsoft products" all day long.

I'm a Windows guy, but I will admit that one of the major problems that plagues PC's is all of the pre-loaded crapware that OEM's install on their machines. I've helped both my neighbor and my mom setup new PC's recently, and we had to fight with both of them purely because of conflicts and confusion caused by pre-loaded software.

When novice users buy new PC's, I think there is a steep and daunting learning curve around setting their new PC up to their satisfaction, and this is something that quite frankly really angers me. Microsoft ends up getting the bad publicity around reliability and performance issues that are caused by OEM's pre-loading everything under the sun.

Thanks; sounds like excellent advice. ^

When I bought my MacBook, asked an apple store whether they'd help install VmWare Fusion and WinXP and that was when was told no MS products permitted?