Should I splurge and get a Macbook?
 

This is a tough question...I would like to get one to use iTunes and organize my music and podcasts. It is the only thing that it would be used for. I will be getting an iPod Touch for my in-dash audio player for my car and I use a iPod nano to listen to music on my bike, while running, and on airplanes.

The problem is that things are very disorganized right now. Since I switched to Linux, iTunes will play mp3s through Wine (0.9, I should try 1.0 to see if it is improved). But it won't work with iPods, and I'm pretty sure it won't work with a wireless-connected iPod touch anytime soon.

If I buy a used Macbook or a new Mac mini, it will come out to about the same cost if you add in the $300 iPod Touch. And using OSX86 probably won't work without some hours of tinkering. And I've been putting in 100 hour weeks at work for the past 3 weeks, so I think I earned something that just works out of the box without messing around with it. I would still need to buy a $400 laptop and a $300 ipod Touch compared to the $999 back-to-school deal.

So, should I spend the money? Do you think Apple will come out with something better in October? I probably spent this much on my HDTV Linux DVR desktop and it is working out well...

I wouldn't do it. You should flash your iPod(s) with a new OS that doesn't require iTunes. I know there are at least a couple that are easy to install that basically make your iPod an external hard drive, you just drag the .mp3 files on to the drive like a normal folder. The OS automatically sorts by artist, song name, genre, etc. (pending ID3 tag info).

Could someone please provide some examples?

you can probably use the ipod touch with ubuntu linux (not sure what distribution you are using) as it appears on this forum: iPod touch users successfully usign Linux? - Ubuntu Forums

it would be a little difficult but then that's just linux. I personally wouldn't get a macbook, but then I am an extremely cheap person ;P It depends on how much you want to tinker I understand wanting something that just comes out of the box

Just to work with iTunes and the iPod? No way, Jose. I'm a big Mac fan, but I know why one would need one and it's not just for iTunes. And yes there will be a new one in October. It's gorgeous, but it's price won't drop off until Q1 of 2010.

BTW, I thought the whole music to iPod thing on linux was solved a while ago.

I suspect that if you had a Macbook you might find other uses for it. Many other uses.

So many in fact that you may want to think twice about getting one because you will never get off the thing. Just look at me now, sitting down by the river on our city's wifi talking to the world. They are wonderful machines.

Unlike those that go before me I say go Macbook. Run!

One thing is (nearly) for certain: there will be an update to the MacBook. If you want it, you'll have to wait until after the iPod deal is done. So you'll choose between those, at least.

And get the black MacBook. I'm not real impressed with the way the white ones age with dirt. They look great out of the box, but the top case doesn't wear gracefully.

I have to agree with Uber and GirlDetective - I'm a huge fan of my macbook pro! The black macbook will definitely age better. And as for the OS, part of what makes an iPod so fun to own is the OS it comes with. Why get rid of that??

Seconded all the way around.

HOWEVER, if you DID want to flash a third-party firmware onto your iPod, the one you'd do is Rockbox. It's pretty bad-ass. Many improvements over the baked-in iPod software, not least of which is being liberated from iTunes.

AGREED. I have a black mac and it's incredibly versitile. I love how user friendly it is, it's OS, and it's programs. You will certainly find more ways to use it.

Agree with this point - if you do get a macbook go for the black one.

One thing I'd like to add is you should check your local university bookstores/technology stores. The university I work at allows the general public to walk in and buy stuff for personal use at the educational price... not many people know about this though. Also, sometimes macmall.com has really good deals.

If you still want to run Linux, you can do Boot Camp or you can get Sun's free visualization software, which seems to work like a bare bones version of VMWare or Parallels for Mac. Although, OS X got me to stop using FreeBSD.

I think you are just looking for a good excuse to buy the Macbook. So, go ahead and do it.

I'm not in any rush to get it, so I'll wait until Apple announces something new. Then I will have to decide between the new flashy toy or the standard Macbook. And this is only if I can wirelessly connect to my ipod Touch with iTunes. I never thought that would have been a problem.

I'll never buy a Mac, just on price alone. I can put something similar together from one of the OEM companies out there, Dell, HP etc, do my own troubleshooting and maintenance on it for way less than what a Mac costs.

I had to LOL at everyone above saying yeah, go get one and make sure it is black. I could care less what color the damn thing is, as long as it works and costs a reasonable price.

Don't take the above personal, I just found humor in all the recommendations based on color.

My Macbook Pro has been the most reliable computer I have ever owned. I've had it for 2 years and its been through Iraq and still runs great. The only thing is that I would wait until the next keynote next week to get one.

I know I've linked to this page before, but it's probably been over a year, so... Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone.

Both the Macbook and Macbook Pro are presently rated "Don't Buy - Updates soon".