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"Buying A Laptop"

Right, well now that I'll be travelling a lot more, I need a loptop. Well; want a laptop. In any case, I'm just wondering quite how much I'm expected to shell out on a decent laptop - preferably, one that can play games.

Now, I've always had my eye on an Apple, only I don't have a clue about their position with games... Even so, how much for your basic Aple laptop? Are powerbooks the way to go?

-- Also, can Mac's "interface with" PCs? As in, say I have a couple of .doc (or would I have to use .txt?) documents, could I transfer them to and fro?

Finally - wireless networking. What's up with that?? Say I'm in Europe, got my wireless card plugged in, and... What? Can I surf broadband style like I can at home? Is it still on the same monthly package - as in do I have to pay extra?

(All I want to do is use my iPod, Photoshop, take pictures and play WoW on the go... Is that too much to ask?)

Some places are free, ie. McDonalds. It depends on the location.

You can access other people's Wireless networks and use their Internet connection- it has to be unsecure, oh, and it's also illegal I believe. :)

So you're in a hotel in Vienna then, first thing you need to check is that they actually have a Wireless hotspot. Depending on the hotel, they will most probably charge you for access. When you open up your browser, you'll be presented with a screen requesting Credit Card details, or in some cases, the fee will be charged to your room. Depending on provider, this will either be a flat rate, or more likely, per minute.

You Internet subscription at home is irrelevant when you're not using it, so that doesn't come into the equation. Hope it helps.

Wireless means not having a wire between your computer and router/modem - it's different to connecting through a mobile network like Vodafone.

Some airports and upmarket hotels have wireless hotspots - your tell your laptop to scan for a wireless network, join it and surf away. Sounds easy in theory, but I've not used it in real life.

Grrr.

Why is it all so expensive?

And I didn't mean that my ISP would have a problem with me using an Apple, more that it would have a problem with me going to some hotel in Vienna and playing WoW online there...

How does the internet work on wirelesses? I assume it's like a mobile contract - only with the usual broadband prices. So if I'm at home, say, I pay 20.00 a month and can surf unlimited. But then I go to Vienna, and I have to pay 00.50 a minute or something... Right? Heeelp...

Grrr.

Why is it all so expensive?

And I didn't mean that my ISP would hgave a

Memorandum! wrote:
> Coin wrote:
> (All I want to do is use my iPod, Photoshop, take pictures and play
> WoW on the go... Is that too much to ask?)
>
> There probably isn't a Mac version of WoW.

The PC version also has the Mac version included.

I went to the Apple Store in London recently and tried a Powerbook. They were wonderful things, the keyboard is great to use, and the screen is good too. It's a shame the Radeon 9700 doesn't have a chance to be used much, though last year I very nearly bought one.

Make sure you use the student discount if you get one too.

My next laptop will probably be a Powerbook. 'nuf said.

EDIT - since that possibly isn't enough, regarding browsing and wireless, haven't you heard of Airport? It's Apple's brand name for 802.11 wireless. And why would your ISP have any issues with you using a different type of computer?! Of course broadband will work on an Apple.

Heh. To be honest, Office is the only piece of "borrowed" software I have, the rest has been paid for, although I got DreamWeaver second hand.

Timmargh wrote:
> I also have LimeWire ...

Thief!

I also have LimeWire ...