First of all, is MacBook Pro totally out of the question?

At that price you mentioned you're talking about the lowest spec MacBook which has a Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with only 64MB on board so you know gaming is gonna suck on that machine, whether you're running OS X or XP or Vista.

Yes, you can dual boot Windows and OS X or even Linux or run them all parallel. It's up to you, and of course, how much RAM you got.

Now I don't know what kind of mid/top range HP laptop AUD1500 is gonna get you but if you absolutely want to play games and MacBook Pro is not in your budget then maybe you want to consider other PC alternatives. Because like I said, you don't want to play games on your MacBook.

If I were you I'd get the MacBook and play games on Wii/X360/PS3/PSP/NDS, it'll benefit you much more getting a Mac and learn to code on both platforms.

And no, there's no difference buying it in Australia or Malaysia, you get international warranty with the MacBook.

*Tips* Buy the Mac one week before you come back to Malaysia and claim the GST at the airport. Further discount.

I have a MacBook Pro and those games don't even run smooth on my machine. Seriously man, forget about gaming if you want to get the MacBook.

Anyway, if you make up your mind and decide to go for Mac, stop by the Apple store in Chadstone, or any other CompNow store (there's one in Malvern, one on Chapel St). Great service. DON'T go to Next Byte. I hate 'em. They really don't know what they're selling.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4366

Sorry to tell you that MacBook only supports up to 2GB of RAM. Get the MBP if you can.

A good place to get your memory would be streetwise.com.au, or you can stop by their store in Hawthorn. Cheers.

I second that.