PC Laptop or iBook?

So, I've reached a dilemma.

I need to get a laptop for the Boy Scout leadership training course I run in June, but, I can't get my MacBook until July (Graduation Party is the 12th of July, when I get the remaining $600 of the cost of my MacBook from my family.)

Now, seeing as I'm going to study computer engineering in college, which is a mostly Windows dominated course of study, I figure that I should get an older PC laptop to run Windows on so I don't have to put it on my MacBook (I hate dual booting), but part of me thinks "I should get an iBook to play around with until I get my MacBook."

Now, once I get my MacBook, I doubt I'd use the iBook much, but the PC would still see some decent usage.

However, the temptation in me just wants a Mac to play with.

What do you think I should do, keeping in mind that getting both is NOT an option?

I'm leaning PC at the moment, but I teeter back and forth.

you cant just hold out the extra month?

if not, i say get a really crappy windows notebook for ~$300. you might need it for that windows course you said your taking, plus it will leave more money for you to trick out that macbook

Note that the course is in June.

Getting a laptop after the fact would make no real sense.

i mean, if your camp starts in June and you would get a laptop in July, why not wait instead of blowing cash you could be using to make your macbook uber l33t now?

anyway, i have formed a new conclucsion:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-iBook-G3-600MHz-256MB-20GB-Great-Value_W0QQitemZ220086437882QQihZ012QQcategoryZ8005 0QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

12" iBook G3(White, not clamshell), PowerPC G3 600MHz, 256MB RAM. for $275 shipped. should tide you over for that month

or alternitavely,
http://cgi.ebay.com/Powerbook-G3-14-266-30-GB-512-RAM-Airport-10-4-Tiger_W0QQitemZ290088340643QQihZ019QQcategoryZ1490 8QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
14" Powerbook Pismo 266MHz G3 512 RAM 10.4 Tiger. 30GB HDD for$180 Shipped

I hate dual booting
U dunn have to dual boot, I believe the Macbook can load both OS simultaneously, and u can instantly switch, somebody say what that something is. But am sure yer looking at 2 gig ram or something like that.

The PC is the sensible answer, you can get a pretty decent spec fairly cheaply and if it's use to you at college then all the better. Why don't you explain your situation to your family though, they might give you the money a bit early so you can get the MacBook for the course.

TOM

Well, I have explained it to my parents, and basically, their answer was "We can't afford the MacBook right now. However, if you need another laptop, your grandparents and us will get you a used one for the course."

So, I'm actually just looking for a cheaper laptop, and PC is looking the way to go just based on price because those damned iBooks are still considered average, even though a PC with those same specs would be considered outdated.

So if anyone sees any deals on a PC with a 700MHz processor and 256MB RAM for under $250, let me know.

Getting an old PC laptop with half the power of everyone else's and which might die halfway through your course...just so you can have a Mac to play with...doesn't sound very smart. School is more important than a cool GUI. You need a PC, you don't need a Mac.

Getting an old PC laptop with half the power of everyone else's and which might die halfway through your course...just so you can have a Mac to play with...doesn't sound very smart. School is more important than a cool GUI. You need a PC, you don't need a Mac.

You're looking at this from a very negative perspective.

I'm getting a Mac for college, regardless, and my desktop PC is still relatively new (2001 - AMD Athlon 1.2GHz), so if the laptop should die, then I just bring my desktop along.

I just can't bring the desktop to the course, because I have to travel between two pavillions three times a day.

The PC Laptop is still sounding the best, and I'm looking.

A P3 is actually relatively easy to find on eBay.