Macbook on a budget, possible?

Long Version:
So I was seriously considering buying a macbook to try out OS X. I already have a pretty good / new HP DV5t (far too heavy for class btw, at least imo), so this is purely out of interest. I've tried various linux distributions and nearly every Windows OS. I'm basically looking for something that's not very high powered or anything, maybe just portable for to take to class.

The 13.3'' previous gen macbook seems to fit the bill. Integrated graphics would also be welcome (better battery life/lower heat > games for me on this one). Only problem is it's still near a thousand dollars lol. I've been going through eBay and it seems any in good condition are still running near $700. I was just wondering if anyone knew where I could pick one up that isn't completely unjustifiable in price for a college student that's mostly just curious about trying an Apple =).

All in all, I do have a little money to spend, and I could probably find one on eBay in my price range. It is disheartening to have a bid at around the $550 mark and then see the price jumping to like $710 in the last 10 minutes or so. If the best place to look really is eBay, then I'll just keep going through. I'm mostly just worried about picking up a lemon lol. I'd prefer it to hold a battery charge and all. Playing around with computers really is a hobby of mine, so don't worry about whether I "need" it or not. I've been hearing about these macbooks for years and it's time to get one. Especially with the new macbooks out.

I have to admit I am a possible Apple convert, a couple friends of mine swear by it.

Short Version: (I know a lot of you guys don't like to read, even being on a forum and all )
eBay???

 

oic. It's possible to just stick a Mac OS X CD in and get it running just like that? I'll definitely start looking into it. Didn't even think of that for some reason.

 

Here are two good links that might be useful:

MacNN

AppleInsider

 

You could get a refurbished .Macbook: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB402LL/A?mco=MjE0NDk5Mw. Its not $700 but its still cheaper

 

Thanks for the responses, very helpful =). I'll definitely put a little more thought into this before trying anything though haha. Great to have options though.

 

I see you have a Dv5t, may I ask why you want a mac when you already have a good computer? lol

 

There are older Santa Rosa based 1 to 2 generation old Macbook Pros that now sell for quite a cheap if you shop around.

 

Please note that discussion related to running Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware is strictly against the forum rules.

 

Also, on the other hand.... Apple and "Budget" don't belong in the same sentence.

 

Oic, sorry about that didn't realize. Is it illegal to run it like that? I guess I'd rather just invest in the cheapest macbook I can find then.

Yeah one thing I definitely found out is that apple and budget really don't go together lol. I'm still 100% sure I'm going to find one though, I really want to see how these macbooks are really different =).

As for why I want one when I already have an HP DV5t, well, it's basically just a personal interest I guess. I've run through a good amount of computers already and I've never once in my life owned an Apple running OS X. Windows/Linux I've done to death (and am still running =P) so it's just time to try Tiger or Leopard or whatever. I've got about $600, to spend and I'm determined to find one in good condition out there. Wish me luck lol.

 

Try the Linux Distro "Gentoo". I've heard alot about this saying it is very similar to Mac OS X in many different ways.

 

running strictly osx on mbp right now b/c i couldn't find a copy of windows anywhere

i like it, but it's just that... i am equally happy in windows as i am in osx (to an extend even on ubuntu, except for their inferior office)


that's just me though, i don't game much nor do much with computer nowadays except for word processing, movie, download, browsing, my bottom line is that i will take a computer with better screen any day of the week, but at the moment when i was shopping for a notebook, the setup of a dell that i was looking for is only 2-300 less than the mbp i bought, so i switch(i might miss the RBG LED screen, full HD screen...)

 

Have you looked through Apple's refurbs? I've heard those are pretty good too.