Wow

You guys are way over my head now

Now if one of you can tell me how to break into a neighbors wifi signal I would be much appreciative!!!

I hate teathering from my iphone

If you're cheap and you want a fast computer, there's really no debate. TOSHIBA!!!

I had a buddy a few years ago that had worked for years at the best buy customer service counter, and I asked him what computer they got returned the least, and without hesitation he said Toshiba. I've bought two the have lasted me the past 7-8 years (2nd one still going strong), and I spent $700 on both of them combined. I've dropped them at the airport and taken them on countless business trips and spend a couple hours surfing the net every night, and they just keep on going.

I usually just go get the cheapest Toshiba available, but you might want to look a level or two higher if you're going to do some gaming. My FIL just got a $380 Toshiba at Best Buy that had the i3 processor, and it's a freaking rocket ship.

It just doesn't make sense to spend $1200+ on a Mac. Too risky of an investment, doesn't work with all PC stuff, which the rest of the world uses, and if it breaks within the first year or two, you've lost a ton of money. A $400 Toshiba only has to last a couple years to be a better value, and from my experience, they last much longer than that. I've got my wife and brother using one now too and they both love it, especially for how cheap they are.

This one looks like a really good deal to me for $430. i3 processor, 4 GB of RAM, etc.:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+Sa...p;skuId=4672073

FWIW, I think the Toshibas with Intel processors seem to do better than the ones with AMDs.

I would like to share several thoughts on this topic:

You should get whatever best suits your usage needs and price range, at the end of the discussion most users are doing daily home based computer task: Email, chat, pics, music, video, ect.. so as long as the computer has the proper ammount of hardware and that hardware is in balance with the operating system everything else them becomes a matter of user interaction.. make a set of recovery disc if it is a windows based system (I see far too many computers where the owner has failed to take this step along with creating a startup repair disc), properly and adequately protect your computer against internet threats ( those of you whom i have spoken to know my stance on this)and last but not least back up the data that is important to you.. It will not matter if you have a Mac or windows based PC if you suffer a catastrophic failure.

So really pick which operating system works for you, find the kinds of software that you want to be able to run and make sure you have good hardware specs = happy computing!!!

On a separate note: Might be worth the time for some of you to look into booting from a linux live cd/dvd.. you can pick the flavor of distribution that suits you, download and burn the iso to disc and for those times when windows is giving you problems (and you really need to get online or work or whatever) you can boot from that live disc, establish your internet connection and get on about your business.. I have one laptop that runs from a dvd 24/7 and for basic email, forums, browsing, ect.. you cant get any more solid than that and everything gets flushed when you restart the computer.

MAC is way too much $$$ for normal home computing.

A lot of MAC folks are about like Toyota owners that say the big toyota motor is getting 15mpg towing...

Look at an Asus or similar. Same programs half price.

My Nissan Titan gets 14.9 mpg....towing....up hill....against the wind.

Yes I do have a Mac.

Why?

Because I can.