[J Flex 188]

one again, thanks to everyone for their replies =) what i love about cd. you can ask about almost anything and get a wealth of helpful and objective replies. who loves a self-policing board! = )

im seriously considering the Acer Ferrarri 3000Lmi.. not just because of the styling (personally the red and silver to me is a good color fit, but the red is a bit too striking, something like black or white with the ferrari logo would have been better, but you gotta please the tifosi) but for the price and the amount of components it packs in. I have some worries about the AMD processor, but with a 2500+ (1.8 ghz to my understanding) it looks to be alright, and properly used it should be fine.

Unfortunately, the apple is a bit too expensive for me, im only able to purchase it online and am not eligible for the student discount -__-"! since im still in high school. Then again, the Acer 3000 would only be around 100 dollars less, but with likely no tax and NO shipping or handling with it. Apple im looking around 24 to 2500, while the acer will top out at 2400.

Dont get me wrong, i really love apple specs, the RISC processor and the overall stylishness combined with many multimedia features blow me off my feet, but my family seems to not really like macs.. which is a pity. perhaps an iPod Mini will help to allay their fears =) but i guess for simplicity's sake, PC based systems will at least let my parents use it without them whining about how to use macs. pfft.

I have also heard extremely good things about toshiba's and HP's, and many many bad things about compaqs.. but lol. that will be that

I think down to it, it is mostly personal preference, but as can be attested to, it never helps to have some constructive opinions!!

I'll let everyone know how the purchase works out =)

anything with backlit lcds or fancy lights is cool. seems FIRST noticed that too. muahahahaha.