Apple (MB985LLA) 15.4 in. Mac Notebook

KEY POINTS: 1) software: is awesome, flexible, beautiful, and intuitive (even if you are used to a PC with Windows)2) external hardware: (the 15 inch screen, new model MacBook Pro) is equally impressive, very solid (very very solid), thoughtfully laid out without distractions, a gorgeous bright and very dimmable screen (and ambient light sensitive if you want), an illuminated keyboard (adjustable, and ambient light sensitive), firm and sensible key pressure (not cheap), and a nice touch-sensitive one-button click-pad.3) internal hardware: is pretty much state of the art. I can't test this using lab benchmarks, but those who do (see PC World, Consumer Reports, etc) find it fast, stable, reliable. The processor is standard, late-model Intel, the video chips (making the screen responsive) are the best out there in a lap top, and so on. No compromise stuff.4) ports: are generally what you need, including a much neglected and important firewire port (the latest, faster version), and USB 2.0 (the latest) as well as a higher resolution DVI mini-out (called a mini-display port).ESSENTIALS: there are some things beyond the famous Apple elegant hardware and software design to note specifically, if you are shopping. First, for me, is the power cord, which attaches magnetically (and firmly). I can't tell you how many times I have tripped on it and saved myself a wrecked computer. I mean, maybe 50 over the last couple years (this computer and my previous one). I can't overpraise this one feature. Second, the feeling that this will never break is actually very satisfying--the body is a single block of aluminum and if that feels like overkill, fine. It's the best that you can get, I think, and it looks better (and feels better) that the nicest PC laptops made these days by Sony and the new Dells (though these look good, too, for sure). Third, the screen is not only vivid straight on, but at an angle, and with great brilliance and detail. The newest 13" version of this MacBook line is equally brilliant and I might consider that if you don't need the extra two inches (which I do and I don't, depending on the day...it makes reading things on line a little easier, with less scolling sideways).
WHAT TO NOT LIKE: I will be as brave and honest as I can be. A) the unit is cold to the touch, and in winter if you set it on your lap you'll be in for a surprise. Does this matter? Up to you. I grab a pillow to put on my lap first, even in October. The same coolness hits your wrists when typing. An odd observation, but the plastic MacBook is an option if this seems an issue. Along the same lines, the aluminum surface is slippery to hold, so be careful grabbing it with one hand. Third, it's heavier, and so you need two hands for that reason, too. (To counter all this, it's easy to clean, don't show wear easily, and it sits still on a desk because of it's weight.)B) the ports will require getting a couple new adapters to hook up to older style firewire devices, or to your HDMI t.v., etc.C) there are some rumors that the airport is LESS sensitive than the plastic MacBooks because of the aluminum case, but I don't know for sure. It works perfectly and with great speed anywhere in my house.D) cost. No, not initially. I mean, you get what you pay for at first. To get a Dell or HP or Sony with similar specs and similar (and often inferior) software you'll pay a similar price. Yes, you can get cheaper laptops (including the nice MacBooks) but they aren't quite comparable. This is a BMW or a Lexus, and as such costs more. But like those cars, accessories can be surprisingly expensive. You may never need a replacement battery (these are supposedly really durable) but if you do, you'll have to pay full price for one.E) third party software. This is less a problem than ever, so I hesitate to mention it. IF you are SWITCHING from a PC, and you use SPECIALIZED software, you'll need to check if the equivalent exists in a Mac environment. It might. I have a friend who uses a particular architecture program he likes and that only comes in a PC flavor. Fine. He is also a guy who buys internal hard drives and swaps the out with a screwdriver and flashlight in the middle of the night because his PC is running on ten year old parts. I'm more the kind of person who wants the computer to work without my tinkering around. The MacBook Pro does that and does that to a T.
Do I recommend? Beyond question, without doubt. Are there alternatives? Honestly, I use a PC at work every week, and I hate it more and more. Not only are there extra steps that just aren't needed (like hitting control-alt-delete just to get started, for one of hundreds of examples), but the thing is just not as naturally laid out and easy from a human point of view. Maybe it's because I'm not a computer nerd. But I"m not. And I prefer my MacBook Pro infinitely for all kinds of uses, teaching, writing emails, doing web pages, surfing the net, etc. The usual stuff. If can afford it, get it. If you can't, think hard about a MacBook (not Pro). Check the Apple site for the refurb models, which are great deals.