Is it true I can get what a Macbook does for much less with a PC instead?

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Applejaxx2

I want something sleek and portable just like the Macbook Air for school. People say that there are better alternatives. Can you give me some suggestions?

Answer
Macbooks are double the price for an equal set of specs in a smaller size.
I just answered a MacBookPro 13" ($1100) very similar to 14" Samsung NP300E4C-A03US at $500 at Tigerdirect.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjcrHzSqXBawhoDYeD4u8uvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20121021124729AA8pjjQ
The Samsung is thicker, agreed.
The MacAir is basically a ultrabook. Has no optical drive. If you want to spend that kind of money, the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon is a very fancy business level system built a heck of a lot better at about the same price.
The rule is smaller and thinner gets either much more expensive or gets dismally poor performance or some kind of balance between them. There are direct competitors to the Macair now like the Lenovo U410.
Apple leaves out a lot of information about their products and hides specs wherever possible.
Here is detail:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air
Here is about CPU and graphics power:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
You still need a good carrying case, because drop a MacBook on the floor and get hit with a massive repair bill. A MacBook Air does the same things as a $300 netbook.

You have to decide which MacAir to do a comparison.
Lets say base model 13"
HD 4000 graphics
i5-3427U CPU passmark 3725
4GB RAM soldered
128GB SSD
Bluetooth and Wifi (no ethernet hardwire without a dongle)
50 watt hour decent battery (not serviceable)
3 pounds
about 13"x9"x0.68"
2 USB 3.0
Thunderbolt (mostly for dongles)
SD card slot
$1200
Every company has Ultrabooks now, all of them less than MacAir in price with equal or better features. Since $1200 doesn't scare you, to get something really cool is either the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 carbon or Lenovo Thinkpad X230 convertible tablet.
X230 - The screen flips around to be both a laptop and a tablet:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=37&Code=X230T_ADVANCED_SAP&category_id=89ECFD45CA0654775864CDBAD2606AC7#.UISZK8VX0QE
Base model with core i5 is $1100
i5-3320M passmark 3874 faster than MacAir by a little
Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) vs Mac with OSX
12.5" Multitouch HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna or 3x3 antenna, Intel® HD Graphics 4000, 4 GB DDR3 - 1600MHz (1 DIMM) User upgradable, backlit keyboard option is $40, UltraNav⢠with TrackPoint® and buttonless multi-touchpad, Fingerprint reader is $20 option, 720p cam is $30 option, 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm, 6 Cell ThinkPad Battery X67+ is $10 extra, Bluetooth $30 option, Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN), broadband available,
Spill resistant keyboard, roll cage design.
12.0â x 9.0â x 1.23â, 3.67 pounds
The X1 Carbon is the best ultrabook available, and shows starting at $1250
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=0E6E3D0084869C3EB4172DA2F965A301&action=init#.UISdMsVX0QE
Similar in many ways to a MacAir, but a premium carbon fiber construction drop-tested and can open a full 180 degrees.
45Wh, Integrated, RapidCharge up to 80% battery life in 35 minutes
Display 14.0" HD+ Anti-Glare (1600 x 900) (300 NITS) Wide Viewing
Weight is 3 pounds, and dimensions 13.03" x 8.9" x 0.74" with the 14" screen

If you just want "like a MacAir only cheaper, Lenovo has Ideapad U300 and U400 of the same design as MacAir.

Is the Dell mini 9 16 GB SSD too small for you? Is it really enough for pics and music?

gvilleguy

I am considering getting a Dell mini 9, but I am concerned that I will run our of hard drive space.

HELP!!!!
16 GB is the most you can get in it at this point. Is it worth it?

Answer
help yourself to a complete comparison,
Comparison of netbooks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_netbooks

choice at newegg,
ASUS Eee PC 1000H 160G â Fine Ebony NetBook Intel Atom 10.0" Wide SVGA 1GB Memory 160GB HDD Integrated Graphics
$479.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220431

ASUS Eee PC EPC1000HA-BLK001X Black Intel Atom N270(1.60GHz) 10.0" WSVGA 1GB Memory 160GB HDD NetBook
$429.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220443

entire collection,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2034940772&bop=And&Pagesize=100

and hopefully you have a good enough reason for a 'netbook' as against a regular laptop !

& btw you can add storage to the 16gb ssd, by adding in a
i. SDHC > Kingston 8GB Micro SDHC Flash Card Model MBLY/8GBKR, $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134839
ii. USB Flash drive > Patriot Razzo 32GB Flash Drive (USB2.0 Portable) Model PSF32GRUSB, $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220316
both above augment your 16gb ssd storage

but then please do remember that music playback will be pretty poor with a single teeny weeny speaker
pictures again will show limited, 8.9" screen with 1024x600 resolution

now i hope you are better placed to decide & should you have further doubts ... feel free to ask

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