Macbook, or even better, Macbook Pro. Yes, they are expensive, but you get what you pay for. The cheapie $599 laptops will last you a year or MAYBE two, and will run like molasses the entire time. Macbook will last you 4-5 years and it’s a great machine. Vista is a complete failure and Apple is slowly taking over all markets they enter (computing, entertainment (music/TV/movie), cell phone, and soon enterprise and handheld gaming).
In a couple years Apple will be dominating multiple markets and you will be glad you decided to go with a Macbook.
I am the designated family “computer guy” and after a decade of advising my family to go with Dell, I’ve had enough of the crap quality of PC manufacturers and software and now tell them, “Buy a Mac. It’s worth it in the long run.” Case in point, after advising my cousin to purchase a Mac, she decided to go with the Dell “because it’s cheaper” and she was begging me 1 month later to come fix her broken brand new laptop. Infected with spyware, slow as hell, it took me 4 hours of formatting/reinstalling to get her back up to speed, and even after all of that it still ran like a Pinto compared to my 3-year old Powerbook. That is why I now refuse to service PCs – they are a waste of time, money, and the hair that you pull out of your head when dealing with them.
Also, Apple will be the first company to bring true convergence to the marketplace. We’re already seeing it. The combination of OSX, iPod/iPhone, AppleTV, MobileMe, etc, etc are the first true steps we’ve taken towards device convergence. It’s only a matter of time before they release iCar, iFridge, and iWashingMachine all controlled by your iPod/iPhone no matter where you are. Get on the train before it leaves the station.
