So, for my new job, it looks like I'll be getting a chance to work with iPads. The company just bought a bunch of them and I'll probably be getting one, namely to investigate the feasibility of developing Apps that can integrate with the other materials we publish as well as stand-alone Apps. I've already been assigned to work on projects for every department in the company, so I'm sure as soon as the iPads come in there will be one waiting for me on my desk (plus I leave my iPad programming books out to give them the hint ).

The iPad SDK is pretty interesting. There's all sorts of stuff you can do with it - it makes my mouth water.

I'm not an Apple person. I hate Mac OS X, it's a major PITA to use, doesn't do even the most simple tasks easily (I spent 15 minutes today trying to figure out how to get the full path to a file on the network - I gave up and just wrote an AppleScript that copied the path to the clipboard for me - there is no reason this should be so difficult). But, this thread isn't for bashing Macs, so I'll leave it at that.

But the iPad seems like it has so much potential, I'm really excited about getting a chance to develop some Apps for it. I've already bought and read two books about programming for the iPad and have several more on the way.

Now to get to my point - those of you who do have experience with Mac computers, what computer would you recommend for me to buy? I feel sick about having a Mac in my house, but you can only use the iPhone/iPad SDK on a Mac, so I don't have much choice.

I guess one of those Mac laptops would probably be the best bet; since they are portable I could take it with me to and from work, and to college with me too (along with my PC laptop).

I don't know anything about Mac laptops though. Other than they are freakin' expensive.

So any recommendations/tips for Mac computers/laptops?

Also - I think RPG Maker for the iPad would be pretty sweet. But that's another thread. Maybe after I finish Kupid 2.0 & DDR. ^_^

Buying a Mac is fairly straightforward, since there's more or less only one company developing the computers themselves.

The latest generation Macbook Pro just came out recently, as I recall, and should do fine, if you want a laptop. It comes in three sizes, and with three price tags. Otherwise just browse Apple's website until you find something closer to your practical budget/hardware concerns (if you don't need top of the line, for instance, last gen's macbook is going for substantially less, I believe), though I'm fairly certain you can find the machines themselves cheaper elsewhere once you've done the searching.

In theory, I suppose, with you being apt to the technology, one could just install the OS itself on an available computer, and avoid buying the whole machine, unless there are some other considerations I'm unaware of?

Thanks. I'll have to look into it tomorrow at the office.

I though that there was some restriction that prevented you from installing the Mac OS on any hardware other than official Apple hardware.

Though, I really don't know much about Macs. I'll look into it. Thanks again.

I'm not sure if Windows runs Parallels or VMWare (never looked), but if such programs exists for Windows, you'll be able to run Mac OSX on your PC through the program. I do the same for Windows on my Mac, so if it can be done the other way, you can do it that way.

Hmm. That's interesting.... I'll research that. Thanks.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I decided to just buy a new Macbook Pro.

I ordered the 15" one with the Intel Core i7 processor, along with the 64GB WiFi+3G iPad.

Can't wait till it all gets here. ^_^

Apple computers FTW.