Macbook Pro or high spec Laptop?

Darkfox · 8 Oct 2011 at 11:01

Hi

I'm looking to buy a new Laptop as my 5yr old vaio has pretty much died. I've been looking at the Mac book Pros as some of my friends recommend them but the price is just so high compared to other laptops. I just wanted to know what Laptops were out there with the same spec as a Macbook pro (e.g. 2.2 Quad core processor, 8gb, 1080p screen etc) and if its really worth getting one?
cheers

Fallen god · 8 Oct 2011 at 11:50

TBH if your looking spec wise you can get a lot of laptops for way cheaper that offer the same specs or even better. MBP your paying a premium for how it looks which is sexy

, and the apple brand. If you think its not worth it theres options with similar spec from Dell, Samsung, Acer, Asus basically everyone.

ng93 · 8 Oct 2011 at 12:29

Well the MBPs have better build quality, longer battery life, OSX, the multi-touch trackpad, are thinner/lighter and have a giant glowing apple on the lid. So it depends whether you think this makes them worth the price premium. There's other cheaper laptops that offer the same raw performance for less.

Andrei23 · 8 Oct 2011 at 20:46

ng93 said:
Well the MBPs are shiny. So it depends whether you think this makes them worth the price premium. There's other cheaper laptops that offer the same/better raw performance for less.

there, fixed it for you

Alexrose1uk · 8 Oct 2011 at 21:45

Hahah, to be fair if you work in music production, or creative editing, there's some very good stuff on macs; but for most users a PC will be better

GTO656 · 9 Oct 2011 at 02:11

Alexrose1uk said:
Hahah, to be fair if you work in music production, or creative editing, there's some very good stuff on macs; but for most users a PC will be better

Yeh I would definately agree above, if you are a gamer then go for a higher spec.

cubepusher · 10 Oct 2011 at 04:19

GJ02 · 11 Oct 2011 at 21:52

^^^
Lol you have just convinced me not to buy a macbook pro
Thank you I'm glad I read this post

timmy85 · 11 Oct 2011 at 22:10

hi i'm a pc also!

garyfl · 12 Oct 2011 at 12:34

pc man, i used macs in uni for music production and video editing, worst things ever, could not warm to them, the specs arnt great either. would constantly crash, latency issues, driver issues because you cannot get a bod standard driver like you can on windows, its treated like an app in the appstore in that it has to pass something first :\

mike gunnz · 12 Oct 2011 at 21:28

Great post.

Speaking as a former MBP owner I'm currently in the market for a laptop and was again contemplating something shiny from Apple. Your post has emphatically helped me to put that idea to bed.

ChrisD. · 12 Oct 2011 at 21:57

One good think MBPs have going for them is resale value and build quality.

ng93 · 13 Oct 2011 at 17:29

Andrei23 said:
there, fixed it for you

Considering everything I wrote was a fact not sure how you fixed it :confused:

But i'm not saying the OP should buy or not buy a mac, just laying out some pros and cons to both platforms so the OP can make their own informed decision

Culinia · 13 Oct 2011 at 19:26

MilanoChris said:
One good think MBPs have going for them is resale value and build quality.

Honestly, I wouldn't consider that a defence for buying one. I know it depends on personal circumstances but why would you want to sell it? Is that just proof that it is no good? Perhaps you would sell it in anticipation to buy another higher spec mac. However, I would hypothesize for the same price spent on a MBP originally you could have bought the same similar spec PC-laptop for that without the hassle of selling.

Build quality. Subjective. Well none of the laptops I've ever had have ever fallen apart if that's what you fear.

IMO since 2006, Macs have become more and more like PCs anyway, architectural speaking (x86). It is only the OS and bling that separates them. None of them really appeal to me.

.02

I know I used the word 'you' a lot, that is not a "direct attack" on you, personally, btw. I'm just expressing my opinion.

Fallen god · 13 Oct 2011 at 22:26

Culinia said:
Honestly, I wouldn't consider that a defence for buying one. I know it depends on personal circumstances but why would you want to sell it? Is that just proof that it is no good? Perhaps you would sell it in anticipation to buy another higher spec mac. However, I would hypothesize for the same price spent on a MBP originally you could have bought the same similar spec PC-laptop for that without the hassle of selling.

Build quality. Subjective. Well none of the laptops I've ever had have ever fallen apart if that's what you fear.

IMO since 2006, Macs have become more and more like PCs anyway, architectural speaking (x86). It is only the OS and bling that separates them. None of them really appeal to me.

.02

I know I used the word 'you' a lot, that is not a "direct attack" on you, personally, btw. I'm just expressing my opinion.

Re-sell is a valid as you will sooner or later want to upgrade for 1 reason or another.

Build quality is just bad on MBP my friends from 1 short drop it had basically the worst dent around 5" the metal basicaly flooded in and even the metal around the screen was ruined, to the point that it couldnt even close properly. IT looks really nice with a great minimalistic feel but it really cant take even a slight hit.

And your last point there really isnt any innovation these days, everyone just copies everyone else and then just bitch.

Number_25 · 14 Oct 2011 at 07:26

For longevity (5-6 years) get the MBP. One thing I can say about Apple is that the build quality is superb, I occaisionally still see people using Powerbook G5s when going to Cardiff.

All depending on how long you want to use it for or what you need it for to be honest. If I get a bursary for Uni I'll probably end up getting a MBP.

Amp34 · 15 Oct 2011 at 02:20

ng93 said:
Well the MBPs have better build quality, longer battery life, OSX, the multi-touch trackpad, are thinner/lighter and have a giant glowing apple on the lid. So it depends whether you think this makes them worth the price premium. There's other cheaper laptops that offer the same raw performance for less.

Take put the apple logo and OSX and there is a big question in there... Do you want raw performance or do you want a good all round laptop?

You can buy the same spec for much less but you'll almost certainly end up with a bulky, plastic ugly thing... You could also spend a couple of hundred more and buy something with those specs but with better battery, lighter, better built and more attractive. Whether the latter is a windows or OSX laptop isn't the question, there are plenty of windows laptops that are in the same price range as the macs, all far better than the cheaper things you can buy IMO.

ng93 · 15 Oct 2011 at 13:58

^ Couldn't agree more, so many people on here only care about raw performance even if it means making large sacrifices in other areas. I personally prefer a better all rounded computer, and am willing to pay more for it (this isn't a dig at anyone BTW).

Zeebedy · 18 Oct 2011 at 21:27

MBP. No question.

RTJ

Fallen god · 18 Oct 2011 at 22:26

ng93 said:
^ Couldn't agree more, so many people on here only care about raw performance even if it means making large sacrifices in other areas. I personally prefer a better all rounded computer, and am willing to pay more for it (this isn't a dig at anyone BTW).

Its not that people dont care, its just to some its not worth double the price in some cases, or they simple cant afford it. If you have a limited budget then ofc your going to want the best bang for buck.