I want to make a smart decision.  One that I won’t regret.  I’m looking for a notebook that will help me produce more impressive results in less time.  I’ll offer details below about the specifics of what I hope a MacBook will do for me.

I know what the competition can do, so now I hope you can help me understand what MacBooks do so much better.

Are MacBooks just sexier or will they actually enable me to produce better results in less time?

What specifically about Macbooks makes them better?

I’ve done a little research.  I’ve read articles like 10 reasons a MacBook Pro is better than a PC laptop.  However, reasons like longer battery life, better security, and a backlit keyboard are all pretty utilitarian.

I’ve even watched the videos Why I love my MacBook more than my PC and More reasons I love my MacBook more than my PC.  Unfortunately, these didn’t really help me either.

So, I’m hoping that by extending this question, you will be able to provide me more specific and relevant information.  I know this is an old question and that’s why I thought there would be a lot better answers available than what I’ve found so far.

The things I would use a MacBook to do

The three main areas where I hope a MacBook can help are:

1.  Publishing my blog – Running my blog encompasses several different activities.  First and foremost, it involves creating interesting, attractive content.  Presently, I use Windows Live Writer on my PC notebook to do this.  I write the article text, search for related content to link to, and browse Flickr for eye-catching photos.

Second, I constantly tweak my blog’s theme to keep it fresh and to add value.  I administer WordPress, edit CSS, and I recently started playing around with PHP.  In addition, I transfer files via FTP.

Lastly, I interact on other blog sites and social media sites like StumbleUpon, Digg, Twitter, and most recently on Tip’d.  Of course, I subscribe to a plethora of sites via RSS and try to comment regularly.

All this takes time so what features of the MacBook will help me publish and promote my blog more effectively and efficiently?

2.  Creating good-looking graphics – I’ve never been successful creating really good-looking graphics on a PC.  Simple things seem too hard.  I often know what I want, but can’t get the result I desire.

I’d like to think Macbooks handle this better.  I’ve always heard about the superior graphics capability of Macs.  Is this fact or fiction? 

I’d like to be able to whip up some nice looking graphical ads for my site from time to time.  I doubt it would ever be anything to involved, but it has to look good without eating up a ton of my time.  Will the software that comes on a MacBook help me do this?

I’d also like to be able to produce more appealing presentations.  The ones I create with PowerPoint always seem so blah.  I want some that really look beautiful and will knock people’s socks off!  What can the MacBook do here?

3.  Editing amateur video – I like to record and edit video.  I’ve been doing the editing using Sony Vegas on a PC.  It produces great results and has pleased me so far.  However, if I buy a MacBook, then I’ll probably start using it for editing.

I hope the MacBook is as good or better at this than the PC with Vegas.  My only complaint editing video now is mainly centered around fairly slow performance.  Would a MacBook improve this?

Is the video editing software in iLife ’08 as good as Sony Vegas or would I need to buy something else?  Would I be able to produce even snazzier videos in a shorter amount of time with a MacBook?  I’m thinking of producing some online videos.  How would the MacBook facilitate this?

What MacBooks have going against them

The MacBook has a bit of an uphill battle to win me over.  Here are some of my concerns:

• I already know Windows so there is going to be a learning curve to overcome with OS X and Mac software.
• There is a ton of software available for the Windows platform.  I’m not sure I can find as much good stuff for the Mac.
• Not only is there a lot of software available for Windows, but a lot of good stuff can be found for free.  It seems that much of what is offered for Macs you have to buy.
• Some of these 32 reasons a PC is better than a Mac concern me.

I’m not sure whether my concerns are well founded or not.  Please feel free to debunk any myths that I have expressed here.

Any tips about how to buy MacBooks?

I’m looking at buying the 13-inch refurbished MacBook 2.4GHz Intel that is selling for $949 on Apple’s site.  I’ve also seen what looks like some decent deals in my area on CraigsList for this notebook.  I’ll be paying cash and I’m trying to keep the cost down to around $1,000.  Is this unit a good choice and are these good buying options?

I have no experience buying MacBooks so any information you can provide that will help me get the best deal possible for a quality MacBook preferably with some warranty coverage would be greatly appreciated.  I might forgo the warranty if the price is right.

Looking forward to lots of great feedback on MacBooks

Come on all you MacBook zealots out there.  Tell me what you think!  One thing that has always impressed me is the passion with which you love your Macs.  You don’t find too many Windows users that have the same strong feelings about their machines.  I’m trying to learn something here.  Please don’t hold back. 

Also, be sure to pass this along to other Mac lovers so they can enlighten me as well.  I want to get as much input as possible.  Make me a convert!

Photo by ?Dorszi