Apple MacBook MB063LL/B 13.3" Laptop (2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, 8x Super Drive) Black

I adore my MacBook. Despite being a longtime Mac user, I almost did not buy a Mac when it came time to buying a laptop. I figured that I could buy a cheaper Windows machine that was just as powerful. Thank goodness I came to my senses! My husband had been through three laptops in the time that I had owned my Mac desktop, so that didn't portend well for those machines. And then both my daughter (a longtime Windows user who opted to go MacBook for college) and a few of my own college students convinced me to take a serious look at this computer.

Wow. Pros: --

AirPort connectivity. On the road, while my husband is fiddling around on his Windows computer to connect to a new network, my daughter and I are already surfing the web. The MacBook also comes with Bluetooth capability.

-- OS X (now up to Leopard). Until you've used OS X, you have no idea what you've been missing. The users interface is so seamless that even the uninitiated can figure it out. You can create a Dock with all your favorite applications at the bottom of the screen -- all the time. Windows users have to be careful not to make things more complicated than they need to be. I know people who try to set up directories and files the way they do on Windows, when everything is SO much simpler on the Mac. Forget all that "My Computer" stuff to switch drives/discs. Everything is displayed all the time in the directory windows. Because OS X has so many features, I can't go into them here. Trust me

-- you love it.

-- Size. I can slip this computer into an oversized handbag without a problem. While it's not as lightweight as some truly high-end laptops, the weight doesn't drag on my shoulder.

-- Keyboard. Large enough to easily use, it still allows a good-size area below the keys to rest your wrist.

-- iLife. The Mac comes bundled with iLife, Apple's lifestyle package that includes iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto, iWeb, GarageBand, PhotoBooth, and iMovie. These programs are part of what makes Macs so cool. All are intuitive, although GarageBand requires the most effort to learn.

-- Speed. Even with 1 GB RAM, this machine is blazingly fast compared to others in its category. (I recommend getting another GB of RAM, although my daughter says hers is fine with only 1 GB.)

-- Screen. The display is crisp and bright. Controls allows you to dim or brighten, depending on your preferences and the current lighting. Although the screen is glossy, I never have much problem with glare unless I'm in full sun.

-- Built-in camera. Although the camera isn't as powerful as a stand-alone digital camera, you can easily take shots for PhotoBooth fun or to upload to web sites such as Facebook. Cons:

-- You cannot insert mini-DVDs. If you use them, look at a different computer.

-- Screen size. If a larger screen size is important to you, then get a different model. Of course, you'll sacrifice some portability with a larger computer.

-- It comes with only 1 GB of RAM. Although this is enough for most users, I still recommend installing another GB. I've had my MacBook for a year now and haven't had any problems, so I haven't tested Apple customer service. A leading consumer magazine rates Apple's service as the best among manufacturers.