I need a computer. Should I buy an iBook or a Dell flat screen desktop?
212004
forget about dell! get a G5 Power Mac with dual 2.7 giga-hertz and 800gb of hard drive space!.. if you have $2,100. if not, get an iBook
477511
Depends on what you are going to use it for and what your preferences are.\n\nI like Macs so I'd say go for the Apple (which can also run XP using Bootcamp if you really want to) but it's more about preference than anything else.\n\n///
636632
I'd go with a Dell.\n\nI've had many different computers and Dell seems to be the best.  All of my "computer geek" friends speak highly of Dell.\n\nAnd, if you notice, a lot of businesses and organizations use Dell computers.
557500
With a desktop, you can get a more-powerful and versatile computer for less money.\nWith a laptop, you can bring it to classes and meetings.\n\nIf you don't care enough to get a *better* computer, get the laptop, but if price and capabilities are important, get a desktop.\n\nIf you just need a computer to take notes in class and other such functions, you could get a desktop and a cheap, used laptop for the same price of a good laptop.
231165
Both above answers are correct.\n\nIf you're comfortable with using a Mac, then an Apple Mac laptop will suit you just fine. Macs are good systems for graphocs design.\n\nBut if you want to stick to Windows/Linux environment then go for a Dell. Dell allow you to upgrade to double memory with most of their deals, and this is all ways a bonus with graphics design
400107
I like the Dell Latitude D-420.  It weighs 3 Lbs and has a 12" screen.
603767
You need a Macintosh.
502177
Dells are the cheapest.  Macs are limited because you can't take your files to other computers if need be.  You can create a file on a Dell and take it to a different pc to use it.\n\nI'd get the Dell, Dude.
351911
I myself would recommend the Asus one. BUT can't you assembly computer from parts ? It will be cheaper than ready-to-go comp for sure. Yeah but if you're buying now then take the Asus.\nHP is for printers.
527726
*smiles at Apple reference*\nwhen I was looking around before buying this laptop, i did wander into an apple store out of curiosity\n\nwalked out again about five minutes later and didn't seriously consider an ibook in any of my further reckoning :-)\n\nFor the uses you've specified, you'd be as well to buy second hand if money is an issue - anything you can get these days --- for all of Intel's hard sell TV adverts --- is about 3 or 4 times more powerful than you really need for any of that. But, if you can afford it, you may as well get a nicely specified machine; unlike getting a 4x more powerful car, you won't be spending a fortune on fuel or insurance, or suffering from cripplingly heavy handling or go deaf. A well made modern machine will burn up no more, or possibly less power than a much, much slower one from a few years ago, and weigh less / be quieter too.\n\nFirst question - what are your priorities re: portability vs capability? Will you be carrying it around a lot all day, doing a lot of work off the battery and mainly with lightweight files kept on the hard disc, or will it be mostly sat at home on a desk, plugged in, doing a fair bit of media work, playing DVDs etc? That's the main tradeoff these days, as there's an awful lot of choice in terms of form-factor. Used to be that a laptop was a known quantity in terms of size - like two letter writing pads stacked on each other. Not any more.\n\nPersonally I went for the lightweight portable route, as I needed to do a fair bit of wordprocessing and other office stuff on the road (well, the train, and around all manner of random places) and needed something a bit thinner, but no more spread out than that old 2-pad electronic jalopy (£40, used, with a good battery - bargain!) I'd been using before, as my arms were tired but the available work spaces were tight as rubber gloves on wet hands. A modern thin-bordered 12" screen offers a lot more working area (almost to the level of a once-common 14" tube monitor) than an older laptop, in the same size case - it's easily enough for me, and has the same resolution (same conceptual desktop space for windows etc) as my mother's heavier 14". Besides, if you're typing, you're only looking at a tiny, tiny part of it at a time; the old one had about half the pixel resolution of this and was still OK for writing lengthy reports!\n\nI've sacrificed a bit of potential screen area, a bit of hard drive space and CPU speed, one speaker (internal mono's not an issue if you rarely use it without (stereo) headphones) and an internal DVD drive in order to get something sleek and lightweight with a phenomenal battery runtime without paying over the odds; but with a little research and in-store testing, made sure the actual performance wasn't suffering much (quick HD even if "small", large and fast memory, current-generation albeit lower speed CPU, good graphics chip, good solid typist's keyboard, standard width screen to maximise the "useful" WP space). Plus it's a tablet PC... I can sign my name in documents, or flip it over and hold it like an actual paper pad and use the pen as a mouse... and as I waited for the easter sales, I got a cracking bundle deal with an (nice, but very bulky and therefore stay-at-home) external dual layer DVD writer, TV tuner card, etc.\n\nAlternatively, you may want to watch DVDs or not have brilliant sight, and particularly burn a lot of discs... an internal drive and a large screen will be particular boons here, and you'll likely get an even better keyboard into the bargain, with massive battery life or pen functions being minor concerns. They can go all the way up to 17" widescreen, with high quality integrated speakers etc, and what is more or less a full sized desktop keyboard attached --- becoming basically portable desktop PCs, in the same way that a 14" TV with a pop-out handle at the to
553524
Go with a dell or hp with at least 512 megs of ram and built-in wireless. Both of them make great computers and you should be able to get them for around 600 bucks. But make sure it has 512 megs of ram or more.
531278
dell makes good, stable computers for their prices.  especially if your only using it for music/typing papers you dont need a huge amount of processing power.  i would go with a dell..theyre a good computer for a low budget
181664
get a dell. cheap and reliable
525575
any one you want... but i would consider the dell one
8153
I think, with your requirements, you should go for a dell or, if you want a really good one, get IBM.  Windows is much more compatible than mac.  You'd be giving up quite a bit if you decided to get a mac.  The mac has good graphics and speed in all, but in the long run, the Dell is best for you.
650259
For a graphic designer, I'd go Apple all the way. Be careful if you buy a MacBook though... get a black one if you get a Mac (see below)
532886
Dell XPS, it just looks cool!   It would be a fun thing to take on vacations and long trips.  \n\nhttp://sonic.animebots.co.uk/DUSTBIN/Dell_xps_03.jpg