Best Laptop for IM?

It doesn't matter for IM, especially if you are using online tool slike autoresponders or building your sites with wordpress. Some software that runs from your own computer might not work on a Mac, but without knowing much about Mac products, I think there is probably a way to make most software run even if it is written for a windows based PC.

I could be wrong about that last part, it is really just what I have heard around.

The Macbook Pro.

Once you go Mac..you won't...you know

Apple - MacBook Pro - The new MacBook Pro. Huge leaps in performance.

Same like Mary Wilhite...

The Macbook Pro... You will know after you use it..

Im one of those peeps who dont like the Macbook, but im still using Windows XP on all of my machines... so...

Get a MacBook Pro for sure. There isn't much that won't run on the Mac (Windows native stuff) and even those can run on the Mac in the Virtual OS (Your Mac running Windows just for the rare case you would need to run a Windows only application).

I would go with the mac book pro. I use a pc myself and it's amazing, but I really envy how easy it is to do all the fancy creative IM stuff that mac users enjoy.

I'm the same way. I've never had an issue with PC's and have used Macs and don't really see what the big hub-bub is. I would hope they are better machines, they cost a lot more.

I'm not an Apple hater either..I have ipods, ipad, and iphone. But I prefer the PC. I just bought (less than a week ago), this computer at bestbuy. No complaints.

Dell - Inspiron Laptop / Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 15.6" Display - Diamond Black - I15RN-5882DBK

This is totally a personal preference thing. I do IM on a PC because I grew up with windows and I'm a power user there. I use a mac laptop for work though and it is fine as well. I'm more comfortable in windows though so that is where I do my IM work. One more point to consider is there are several IM tools in my toolset that only work on PC. So if you go the mac route you may end up using vmware to run some tools in a windows vm. If you haven't had this issue yet, then nevermind

Wow. I never would have expected so many people to be recommending overpriced Mac junk.

If you're going to go the Mac route, I would suggest going with a MacBook Air...unless you need the optical drive for CDs/DVDs.

currently using probook 4530s

really happy with it so far, no complains
(well, you won't get to play games since it hasn't got a dedicated graphics card, runs HD movies fine though)

Another vote for the Macbook Pro. I made the switch about a 18 months ago and can't imagine going back.

Honestly, my Macbook Pro is the worst purchase I have made in my life.

I have wasted a lot of money in my time, and the Mac sits firmly at the top of the most ridiculous purchases I have made. The Mac has always been and still is a media PC. If you want to browse the web, watch videos, listen to music and look at pictures, the Mac is great. Anything else, get a Windows PC. The best thing about the Mac is how nice the multitouch is to use when browsing the web etc

Windows has a bad name from some of the previous versions, but I have 2 Windows 7 laptops and a Macbook Pro. I can tell you that Windows 7 sits level or sometimes faster than MacOS across the board - both on boot and general running. One of those Win7 laptops is on par hardware wise with my Mac, and one is significantly older and cheaper and I still like it more.

If you have a Mac, you will most likely need to run a Virtual Machine (unless you plan on using a VPS), as most/all good IM applications run on Windows only. Mac is horrible at Virtualization. My 1.5 year old Win7 PC with a low power processor does a better job at running a VM than my brand new Mac, no kidding!

I could go on about this all day, but in conclusion...

Macs are junk.

No matter what are you using you just need a nice internet connection

I am using PC and very glad of it. Maybe I am not get used to Mac, and this is the reason.
By the way PC are more popular in here

Forget everything about MAC or PC, or even a version of UNIX.

All you need for IM is a computer with a hard drive with a decent amount of space (I'd go 500GB minimum). The rest is all what YOU prefer to use.

If you going to buy a new laptop/computer, then anything new with decent sized hard drive will the job. Having 2-4GB of RAM would be good too.

You won't need a dedicated graphics card, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise unless you intend to use your laptop/computer for high end games and/or 3D compositing.

Actually I have a Acer Aspire 5742 sitting next to me that is brand new I am willing to sell if you are interested.

Hey,

I have to say the MacBook Pro also.
It is the best for multimedia and I
will never buy a windows computer again.

I was sick of it crashing

Mac all the way. I prefer the Macbook Air.

Definitely a Mac! Once you go Mac you never... ...oh you know the phrase lol

Seriously, Macs are awesome. Stick with the Macbook Pro's if you can. It's always a good thing to never worry about viruses on your computer.

Go for a Dell XPS laptop with 8GB RAM

This is ridicuous! 99% of the replies are nothing but biased opinions. OP doesn't want to know what kind of computer you use at home, but what would be best for IM. Just because you use a Dell or a MAC or anything at all doesn't mean it will be good for him!

For my day job, I have no choice but to use a PC with Windows, I have a laptop with a 17-inch screen, and a 22-inch external monitor, that's the best combination, I think, although I have never used a Mac since 1993, I'm not kidding. I have an iPad for when I go out for short periods, i.e. a few hours, it's perfect for staying active on the Net, read Kindle books, watch videos, etc...

At this point in time, I really can't replace my PC (Win 7).

I have been using windows for quite some time now starting from Windown ME.

As far as IM is concerned, for me having a PC is a perfect choice.

..., just my 2 cents!

I really would love to have a Macbook Pro, they just look so slick, modern, smart, beautiful, amazing, interactive, distinct...hmm i better stop now

phmoisan...Now that would be telling lol

Hi- I haven't used Apple Macbook so cant say anything about it but I have heard a lot of good things about it

I use Windows 7 with core i3 and 3 GB ram on Lenovo laptop and never faced any sort of difficulty on it !!

My windows 7 works awesome and I love my 7

Mac Book pro is a decent machine, but quite expensive. You can get a cheaper PC with the same specs. I'd go with a windows 7 PC.

I don't really know what'd constitute the best laptop for IM. Anyway, I'd say that, in general, we as marketers demand far less power and "bells and whistles" than many other types of users - gamers, programmers, designers, etc. Probably the two most resource-intensive things I do today are run Market Samurai and occasionally fire up Photoshop to do a bit of low-level graphics design - both of which my 5-year-old desktop PC is as capable of doing as my 1-year-old laptop.

The laptop I'm running now is a 12.1" Lenovo Thinkpad X201 Elite and is, as I say, more than capable of handling all the IM-related and everyday tasks I care to throw at it. Not the cheapest, but built like a tank and backed up with the most amazing customer support still provided directly by IBM. I think over the last year, the warranty has been extended to 3 years as standard across the board. If you've got the dough, Thinkpads are definitely worth a close look.

+1 for macbook.

They run great, rarely have problems. The only problem I've ever had was after about a year or so with my first one, the fan started to get gunky and made loud noises when I watched video. Keep in mind though that was a refurbished mac book.

Team MacBook Pro! lol

I use both Windows and Mac. If you are simply going from a power perspective, you get more with Windows PCs. Also, if you are willing to look for deals, check out delloutlet.com and also peek in tigerdirect.com's refurbished section. I've picked up some really powerful laptops for under $500 there. When it really comes down to it, success in IM is technology independent. It's discipline and persistence that win the game every time.