I'm using a MacBook Pro so it's not exactly the same, but I will say, it's hands down the nicest laptop I've ever owned by a large margin. (This is my third lap

I'm using a MacBook Pro so it's not exactly the same, but I will say, it's hands down the nicest laptop I've ever owned by a large margin. (This is my third laptop, all the others were not macs). I agree on the OS thing -- I actually run windows the majority of the time so I'm not buying it so much for the software. In terms of cost, I think it comes down to how often you use it. I view computer hardware the same way I view, say, beds in that if you're going to spend 1/3rd of your hours with it, it's probably worth investing in something you really really like. If not, go cheap. On the other hand, you might also consider a Thinkpad. I haven't owned one, but the ones I've used have always seemed like very solid hardware and if you don't need OSX you can avoid paying the apple tax.