Black is Beautiful?

I've decided that I'm in the market for a new Mac of some sort...the PowerBook G4 1GHz 12-inch model that I have right now has been servicable, but I'm starting to notice the slowdowns a bit more prominently. Plus, I've got a new book to start working on that will require a cross-platform approach -- meaning screenshots in both Windows and Mac OS X -- so an Intel-based Mac would be darned handy.

As I've pretty much used a Mac laptop as my main computer for the past 10 years or so, that's the direction I'm looking. The budget is tight, though, so while I occasionally find myself glancing over the MacBook Pro offerings, most of my eBay/Apple Store window shopping is for a regular ol' MacBook. I only look at models that offer 1GB of RAM or more...I've seen that Intel processor running with only 512MB, and it ain't pretty. And I'd love a slightly used model that already has Parallels and Windows XP installed so that someone else takes the hit from M$.

But something about this is bothering me. In spite of my keen eye for a scam, I keep gravitating back to the black MacBook model. Not that I don't like the white version -- although I am a little concerned about the discoloration on some models that seem to have gotten relatively little use. (And, yes, I've already got enough white iBooks floating around the office to make them seem passe.) It's just that I...like...the black MacBook. There's a certain way in which the Apple logo just gleams from the matte black finish that seems very retro future. And I chide myself constantly for even thinking of paying an extra $200 not only for the mere image of the thing, but also because...well...PCs are black! I mean, most laptops for a long time have been black. How is it that Jobs and Co. manage to make it seem so cool?

I generally pride myself on being outside the reality distortion field -- after all, I'm far enough away from California that it's tough enough for it to reach anyway. And yet, here I am, looking for the perfect deal...just the right used price on eBay that makes it seem OK to take the plunge. If I can only pay $150 extra for the privilege of having a Mac that is the color of 90% of all laptops in the world...then...just maybe...I deserve it! {sigh}