When buying notebook computers, or apple computers you should consider two things: what you are going to use it for and how much you want to spend.
The first thing you should do is doing your research. Figure out what you need the laptop or the computers will have to do? Are you going to use the apple computer for is graphics? Or just get gateway computers for your research, play super nintendo online or simply surfing the net and emailing? Is the same history of the human being more you need a machine to do for you the better the machine you need.
Visit the computer stores first; you'd be surprised to learn that laptop prices have greatly come down in the last couple of years. If you still find you don't have enough money for a new laptop, consider the refurbished laptops. Good sources for these types of laptops are the for sale ads on Ebay, Craigs list, or even in your local newspaper or college bulletin board. Remember that what's important when buying used laptop computers is the processor speed, hard drive capacity, amount of Ram memory, USB ports, whether it has a CD writer and DVD burner or not, and not necessarily how pretty it is.
Craig Jewell posted a photo:
This is jsut the one end of my home office/studio. The other end is set up as a mini-photographystudiowith light tent and other contraptions.