Cry for help!

[muchabstracted]

So I need to replace my computer. Hopefully quickly, as I currently have no access outside of the public library, despite my brother's and chanaleh's help and suggestions in that department. I am having lots of trouble making decisions, and my usual first source for information about computers is out of the state at the moment, so I throw myself on your mercy.

The big question:
I use the computer for word processing and internet, and the occasional use of listening to music. I found it helpful to record my voice, as that has a very occasional use at work, but even that is not too important. Is there any real reason for me to spend the extra several hundred dollars on a Mac, given my salary?

And, uh, are there any extras I should consider?

All thoughts appreciated.

Comments

[kraada.livejournal.com]

Sorry, that's not true. For some people, getting a livecd of Knoppix and a crappy Dell is a better idea. If money is really tight you can get used PCs a lot easier than used Macs that are still in better shape (see: supply and demand curves).

It's not about liking or disliking Microsoft, it's about making a proper recommendation for the situation. My main computer is a PC that I bought and put together myself. Because at the time Macs didn't come on i386 processors. You can buy a PC without having to put Windows on it. Not to mention transferring older versions of Windows with less draconian EULAs.

[loveablebaruch.livejournal.com]

Let me qualify- there is no reason to buy a Windows PC. If you really want to save money then you can pick up a $100 PC with no OS and install Gentoo on it. Compiling everything from source would be a way to get eek out every bit of power ever possible.

At the same time you can get an old iMac for $100 and do the same. So it's not much of a difference these days if you can get an old computer. It's all about wisely investing money in, arguably, the most important piece of technology you use daily.

[elfsdh.livejournal.com]

If money is really tight you can get used PCs a lot easier than used Macs that are still in better shape (see: supply and demand curves).

That, and, people throw away perfectly good PC hardware because of software problems.

older versions of Windows with less draconian EULAs.
"Less draconian" is surely a very relative term :-)

The problem with this solution is that you can never keep the system secure on really old Windows versions - they're not supported anymore. The most workable version of Windows now is XP. Whether you have a copy would depend on how old your last PC was. And, whatever you do, you'll have to get on the phone and beg Microsoft to let you install it.