MacBook Pro alternatives?

th3_hawk · 3rd September 2009, 3:13 PM

Let me just start by saying I work with both Mac's and PC's so appreciate the tech in both, but I find myself in a position where I am considering replacing a MacBook from a few years back with a shiny new MacBook Pro 15".

I'm starting to find the laptop is becoming my main working rig while my desktop (see sig) is only used for gaming or when I really want to sit down and do serious video editing or web contect work due to both power and screen realestate reasons (although I also hook up one of the screens for dual screen action off the laptop too.

At the end of the day both a PC or a Mac would work fine for what I want. Since I have all my email and what not on a Mac now, moving to a new Mac is nice and simple but then it's not all that hard to move it to a Windows based notebook either. Since I use both platforms anyway, software isn't so much of an issue since I have what I need for both sides so I don't need to consider that part of the argument.

While the MacBook is sexy I know there is the "Apple Tax" put on what I get, although it's also worth noting that the resale value will be significantly higher on the Apple when it comes times to upgrade again.

The MacBook Pro 15" Specs I would be looking at are:

Intel 2.66GHz C2D
4GB RAM
320GB HDD
15.4" LED screen @ 1440 by 900
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB
DVD-RW

But the price is $3,200 (or about $2900 from a reseller after some haggling).

The challenge for you fine people is to suggest alternatives I might like to consider. I figure I have one of two options. Either save cash and get a cheaper Windows Notebook OR spend the same money and get a better Windows Notebook. Reality is that I don't really need more processing power, nor do I need more graphics grunt, nor do I need more storage, nor do I need more RAM... So really I should be looking cheaper rather than better.

A quick check of the Dell website puts a Studio XPS 16 at about $2,000 for similarish specs. Looking at the HP range and prices are creeping up a little close to the MacBook Pro's prices especially if you move into the business range rather than the more consumer oriented machines.

So help me consider my alternatives and decide to stick with the Mac or to get another Windows machine...

Jarrah · 3rd September 2009, 3:45 PM

I recently got a XPS16 with RGB LED screen. I would not hesitate to recommend one if you are looking for an alternative to the MBP. Its a very capable machine and I think the build quality is great, not like some of the cheaper Dells I've used.

shift6 · 3rd September 2009, 6:28 PM

I find that for someone who doesn't play many games, doesn't mind slightly less screen estate; that the 13.3" Macbook Pro is much better value than the 15.4" counterpart...slightly smaller form factor too which is handy if its more of a casual laptop which is being moved around alot.

th3_hawk · 3rd September 2009, 7:41 PM

The Dell looks alright, but by the time you get the RGB LED and a 2.66GHz CPU it's ~$2600 or so which doesn't really save me all that much over the Apple. Mind you it does have a higher screen res which is something I like.

As for the 13" vs the 15" MacBook. If I'm going to stay with the 13" I should probably just stick with the older 13" I already have since it's not really under powered for what I do, the only thing I would really be gaining is a nicer screen and a longer battery life, not really worth spending money on when I could just buy a spare battery (or battery pack).

vindicator · 6th September 2009, 12:26 AM

Just get the Mac.

You might find something with better specs for less, but you wont find anything that approaches the same build quality or has the same level of after sales support.

3rd September 2009, 3:13 PM	#1
th3_hawk Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: [SYD] Campbelltown Posts: 925	MacBook Pro alternatives? Let me just start by saying I work with both Mac's and PC's so appreciate the tech in both, but I find myself in a position where I am considering replacing a MacBook from a few years back with a shiny new MacBook Pro 15". I'm starting to find the laptop is becoming my main working rig while my desktop (see sig) is only used for gaming or when I really want to sit down and do serious video editing or web contect work due to both power and screen realestate reasons (although I also hook up one of the screens for dual screen action off the laptop too. At the end of the day both a PC or a Mac would work fine for what I want. Since I have all my email and what not on a Mac now, moving to a new Mac is nice and simple but then it's not all that hard to move it to a Windows based notebook either. Since I use both platforms anyway, software isn't so much of an issue since I have what I need for both sides so I don't need to consider that part of the argument. While the MacBook is sexy I know there is the "Apple Tax" put on what I get, although it's also worth noting that the resale value will be significantly higher on the Apple when it comes times to upgrade again. The MacBook Pro 15" Specs I would be looking at are: Intel 2.66GHz C2D 4GB RAM 320GB HDD 15.4" LED screen @ 1440 by 900 NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB DVD-RW But the price is $3,200 (or about $2900 from a reseller after some haggling). The challenge for you fine people is to suggest alternatives I might like to consider. I figure I have one of two options. Either save cash and get a cheaper Windows Notebook OR spend the same money and get a better Windows Notebook. Reality is that I don't really need more processing power, nor do I need more graphics grunt, nor do I need more storage, nor do I need more RAM... So really I should be looking cheaper rather than better. A quick check of the Dell website puts a Studio XPS 16 at about $2,000 for similarish specs. Looking at the HP range and prices are creeping up a little close to the MacBook Pro's prices especially if you move into the business range rather than the more consumer oriented machines. So help me consider my alternatives and decide to stick with the Mac or to get another Windows machine... __________________ "Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake." Got a VW? VWWatercooled Currently for Sale: Nothing much

3rd September 2009, 7:41 PM	#4
th3_hawk Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: [SYD] Campbelltown Posts: 925	The Dell looks alright, but by the time you get the RGB LED and a 2.66GHz CPU it's ~$2600 or so which doesn't really save me all that much over the Apple. Mind you it does have a higher screen res which is something I like. As for the 13" vs the 15" MacBook. If I'm going to stay with the 13" I should probably just stick with the older 13" I already have since it's not really under powered for what I do, the only thing I would really be gaining is a nicer screen and a longer battery life, not really worth spending money on when I could just buy a spare battery (or battery pack). __________________ "Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake." Got a VW? VWWatercooled Currently for Sale: Nothing much

6th September 2009, 12:26 AM	#5
vindicator Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: LoNoSho Posts: 6,489	Just get the Mac. You might find something with better specs for less, but you wont find anything that approaches the same build quality or has the same level of after sales support. __________________ Sucessfully sold to: JeffK, Pzest, Hardboiled, chugga15, havoc_1710, Surge, bondy_112, TRiN, kangfu, maddcore, hobo-jo, dwdc, Nanokillaz, PooJou, $tealthFiga, smoothunit, Wozzernux, core2dubious Sucessfully bought from: actinium, kogi, z2177199

3rd September 2009, 3:45 PM	#2
Jarrah Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 84	I recently got a XPS16 with RGB LED screen. I would not hesitate to recommend one if you are looking for an alternative to the MBP. Its a very capable machine and I think the build quality is great, not like some of the cheaper Dells I've used.

3rd September 2009, 6:28 PM	#3
shift6 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 877	I find that for someone who doesn't play many games, doesn't mind slightly less screen estate; that the 13.3" Macbook Pro is much better value than the 15.4" counterpart...slightly smaller form factor too which is handy if its more of a casual laptop which is being moved around alot.