Need help can't seem to install this on my apple laptop:

What type of Apple Laptop do you have?

An OS X installation is typically pretty straight forward. i.e. you insert the install CD and reboot. What happens when you do that? What is the error message that you're getting? Also what OS version do you currently have on the laptop?

need help can't seem to install this on my apple laptop:
Are you using a retail Tiger install disc, or a disc from another Mac model (won't work)?

You need to check if your Mac requires a firmware (Boot ROM version) update. Mac OS X: Available firmware updates
Mac OS X: Available firmware updates (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117) If an update is required, the update must be installed (using OS 9) BEFORE you install OS X.

Does your Mac meet these requirements?
OS 10. 4 Tiger requirements
Apple - Mac OS X - Upgrade - System Requirements (http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/requirements.html)

Cheers, Tom

What model of laptop do you have?

Do an archive and install too. This saves the old system folder in case something goes wrong.