READ TO THE END OF THIS REVIEW FOR IMPORTANT UPDATE - this computer WOULD be a 5-star item if not for Apple's shady practices re: phone support.

If you love your ipod then you will love this laptop!

I spent years and years using nothing but PC's. I bought them, sold them, built them and often wept into their open cases. Whether the tears caused all the problems I had with the PC format I can't say - all I know is that using a PC and misery seemed to go hand in hand.

Two years ago I bought my first iPod (a mini) and fell in love with the ease of use of the unit and with the apple iTunes software that managed my new toy. After a while I had to wonder if all Apple products were this good. Long story short, I wound up buying the Apple Macbook when it was released.

From day 1 I was impressed. On day 5 I was smitten. On day 10 I knew that my days of wading through PC manuals and wirey innards were over. Yesterday I sold my last motherboard on Ebay. Good riddance!

Ok, I'm not saying that PC are obsolete (I'm typing this review on my work unit) or that the software available to MAC is comparable - it's not. However, all the software that I really NEED (save word processor) came with the Macbook. If you use your home PC to do digital photography, online video calls/chat, net surfing, music listening AND/OR recording and video editing then this computer comes with all you will need.

Also, the controls on the apple are different. At first this could be frustrating after years of using the same commands on the PC. However, in a short while I found myself using the apple keystroke shortcuts like I was born doing them. No problem to learn - very intuitive.

Oh, and everything I've plug into machine or installed has been recognized and immediately installed on the computer - no fuss, no muss. Truly plug and play. Not plug, read manual, get mad, call tech support, wait 45 minutes and MAYBE play as was the case with PC installs.

The virus issue is a non-issue so far on the Mac. It has also not crashed on me. read that again - it has not crashed! My PC crashed pretty much every time I used it. If not a full crash I was getting programs that would shut down and lose data. That is really no way to live.

I loved this machine so much that I recommended to my best friend who now loves his too. He uses with laptop open and also hooked to external flat monitor for dual-screen. The computer found the new monitor and started using it right away. How great is that?

Finally, the price tag on this thing is great considering all that it includes (did I mention the tiny built-in camera?!). While PC clone laptops may be cheaper - none are better, slicker or more easy to love.

UPDATE April 2007: I had a hard drive failure losing everything after owning this machine for 4 months. Apple replaced it but what a HUGE pain.
The machine also suffered from a software bug that made it think it was overheating and go right to shutdown. A software patch was needed but the machine wouldn't run long enough to download it. In the end it was back to the apple store for service. Again, what a pain.
When this machine works it is excellent - truly excellent. When it doesn't work it is maddening. I could just have a lemon - will update again when the warranty is up. I'll be interested to see how Apple responds to any problems I may have after the one-year period is over. . .

UPDATE May 2007: The built-in video camera stopped working. Apple offers phone support for the first 90 days ater purchase and I am past that period (but still within the one year period). In short, phone support was not given to me despite my pleas. They offered to help me for $49.95. CRIMINAL! the machine is still under warranty! I certainly WON't consider another apple until they correct this policy. This machine has been a nightmare. I got this computer so I WOULDN"T have to constantly fix it myself - here I am less than a year later doing just that.

Update January 2008: The built-in web cam broke again. I can see where this is going. I'm thinking I'll be switching back to PC very soon - John Hodgeman be damned!