# Mac user needing a PC laptop **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 13, 2009, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-user-needing-a-pc-laptop/513611 "2009-10-13T01:54:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Obsidian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/51bf81/32.png) [@Obsidian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obsidian)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-user-needing-a-pc-laptop/513611/1 "2009-10-13T01:54:30Z")
I need to get a laptop for my new job. I can have whatever I want, up to $1500. (I buy it and then they reimburse) Here’s my problem. . . I am a long time Mac user. My work PCs have always been desktops, installed and managed by IT. I couldn’t even tell you the specs on them. IT wouldn’t upgrade from XP so I’ve never used Vista at all. I have not personally purchased a PC in more than 10 years. I know nothing about PCs. I’m the proverbial person who lived under a rock. I’m a tad overwhelmed by all the options. I don’t need a lot of power, it’s not like I’ll be gaming on it. But I am used to having a light, sturdy, well constructed, low-problem machine (I have a Macbook Pro). I’d also like a webcam built in, and a matte screen is an absolutely non-negotiable must. Can anyone point me in the direction of anything good? Or help me figure out where to start? I don’t even know what I’m looking for. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-user-needing-a-pc-laptop/513611/2 "2009-10-13T02:07:24Z")
Buy a Intel based Mac (any of the currently shipping machines), then use Boot Camp to install windows on it, problem solved ---
**Author:** ![Obsidian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/51bf81/32.png) [@Obsidian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obsidian)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-user-needing-a-pc-laptop/513611/3 "2009-10-13T02:17:56Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Buy a Intel based Mac (any of the currently shipping machines), then use Boot Camp to install windows on it, problem solved Ah, I would. But I can’t get a matte screen for under $1500, (esp. with having to buy windows) and I don’t particularly want to use my personal machine for work. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-user-needing-a-pc-laptop/513611/4 "2009-10-13T03:25:16Z")
> [@Obsidian](#): > > Ah, I would. But I can’t get a matte screen for under $1500 Care to appear in a Laptop Hunters Ad? 😃 Lenovo is pretty well regarded, but I haven’t shopped for specific models lately so I don’t know what their current lineup is like. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-user-needing-a-pc-laptop/513611/5 "2009-10-13T06:48:41Z")
The Lenovo (formerly IBM) Thinkpads are pretty good. Dell and HP make good business laptops as well. Just don’t buy anything marketed or designed for “home” use - they tend to be cheap, flimsy, flashy plasticky shit. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-user-needing-a-pc-laptop/513611/6 "2009-10-13T06:58:23Z")
I have 2 Fujitsu notebooks, one is 7 years old, one is 3 years old. Both have traveled the US with me when I am on the road doing shows, and have survived with few if any problems. I did have a hard drive burn out after 3 years on the older one, but replaced it and have had no other problems. They’ve been physically abused on trade show floors, slammed around in overhead bins on airplanes. If I had to buy a PC (shudder) I’d prolly buy another Fujitsu.