[regdent]

i was set on getting a Macbook 13" but after reading some posts on the boards about cracked screen and other problems i am having second thoughts. I only need a laptop for the basics no major photoshop or final cut, but boot camp would have been nice. Macbook pro is out of the question cause of money. The laptop will be used for travel so i cant afford the screen to crack.
Do i buy and max out a powerbook or risk the macbook which sounds somewhat fragile?
any help/advice will be appreciated.

[radnuf]

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Do i buy and max out a powerbook or risk the macbook which sounds somewhat fragile?
any help/advice will be appreciated.

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I have both, PB and MB. I travel with the PB.
If you have modest computing needs, the PB is cheaper to buy. I doubt if maxing out is necessary. If you buy used, you should learn to test the unit to make sure everything works.
Travel is iffy. Some may never have had troubles on the road with either. Some may have experienced trouble with either. I have had four IBM ThinkPads and one Toshiba and never had trouble on the road. I've never had trouble on the road with Apple either. The Apple PB has been more compact to use when accessories are considered. You can always still your computer in a metal briefcase for high protection.
HTH /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[MacCheetah3]

Hi
I travel with my MacBook six days a week to work. I carry it in a regular school backpack using RadTech's Sleevz for Notebooks and ScreenSavrz without any hassle. I've even witnessed someone dropping their MacBook from waist height with only a few scratches in the end. I apologize for being so blunt but I've always thought these screen cracking stories to be somewhat BS. I've seen iBooks that look like they've been to Hell and back -- disgusting -- but yet everything works.

[cyberhazard]

I agree with MacCheetah3 on that whole screen cracking issue. Get the MacBook, put it in a good sleeve/case or both and treat it with respect.

[regdent]

Thanks for your replies
Yeah i checked out the thread on cracking screen and they are a lot of new posters who signed up same day they posted about there screen. And the money i save on the PB was not really a huge difference. So i am going with the Macbook.
couple more questions.
Is the applecare worth it for a macbook?
MacCheetah3 how you do you find the black model with fingerprints etc?

[sandbagger]

IMHO Applecare is a wise investment on any of the laptops; not so much on the desktops. The tight integration of parts to get the compact size of a laptop comes with a price - fewer discrete parts to replace if something dies. More often than not a failed part is part of something else - like the system board.
But remember - you can buy the Applecare anytime during the FIRST year if you need to spread out the cost. And shop around - price varies. You don't have to buy Applecare where you buy the MacBook.

[MacCheetah3]

Hi
Originally posted by regdent

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Is the applecare worth it for a macbook?

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Check out my response and others in this thread...
Macworld: AppleCare Protection Plan: Is it worth it?

Originally posted by regdent

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MacCheetah3 how you do you find the black model with fingerprints etc?

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The oil marks are much more noticeable than they were on my white model. I'd highly guess because it is a matte finish compared to the white glossy. I don't see it being because of the color. For mine, it's mainly the outside hinge area where I grab it to put it in the sleeve. Nothing a little Klear Screen or OmniCleanz can't fix on a weekly or bi-monthly basis. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
FYI, I use the ScreenSavrz to type on, to not only prevent oils but it also seems to prevent wear ( lettering disappearing ). I'm not so worried about the oil on screen imprint that happened with the PowerBooks. Yeah...I'm that anal. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[jroller]

I didn't see it mentioned. Since budget is an issue, you ought to look hard at the Apple's refurbished offerings. These are top-quality machines often sold at substantial savings, particularly for someone like you who is just looking for a good deal on any model. I've seen up to $800 or more off of older models.
You can access it by going to the Apple store online and clicking the Special Deals link (or there is a direct link to it on the iSwitched site in my sig). Really perfect for your situation.