Any reason not to buy a MBP for windows use?

L33

L33

L33

Permabanned
Joined
1 Apr 2003
Posts
1,872
Hi all,
just a quick question - I'm looking at getting a 17" MBP next weekend as I'm in need of a high spec laptop. It'll be used with Windows (please no OSX is better posts, its not an option, I need to use windows!). Are there any reasons this would be a bad move? Would I be better off going for a top of the line Dell XPS or something?
The laptop will be used primarily for application development, image and video editing (Visual Studio 2005, Adobe Premiere/photoshop/illustrator/flash etc etc). I may play the odd game on the weekend. I will also need to take the laptop with me quite a lot to customer/client sites (hence wanting the slimmer & lighter MBP over the dell).

Any opinions/suggestions welcome :)
Cheers!
 
If you're not going to use OSX, then why bother with a Mac.

You could get a higher spec machine from the likes of Dell etc. probably for less money. (With a 7200 RPM drive and the HD screen upgrades, 3 year apple care you are looking at about £2300ish). Although it wouldn't look as nice, and for a 17" laptop as you have already pointed out the MBP is still very portable and has decent battery life.

Just make sure you pay the extra for the screen upgrade to 1920x1200, my friend has one and its really very good, especially with the glossy coating.

For your application dev tools they may be Windows only, although on the OS X front have you considered trying Final Cut Studio for doing video editing, Aperture for organising and doing simple photo edits, and you can ofcourse get all of the Adobe/Macromedia software for Mac too.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your reply.
The main reasons for looking at the MBP are portability, build quality and appearance.
The Dell XPS M1710 (which appears to be the best comparison):
a. Looks like a 17-year olds vauxhall astra. Blue lights, very plastic-y and looks cheap.
b. Is heavier and thicker compared to the 17" MBP
c. Seems flimsy in terms of construction/build quality
d. Cant run OSX on the chance that I do want to learn/use it in my spare time

It certainly does offer a lot more for the money though in terms of hardware spec...
 
Have you looking at the Dell Vostros 1700s or the Inspiron 1720s? For what the XPS costs, you could probably upgrade either of those two to quite high levels.

I think I'd be a bit dubious about the reliability of a Mac running Windows. From what I've seen they seem very stable, but clearly Apple's focus is on OSX not Window, whereas with Dell and the like, you know they're concentrating on Windows only.
 
if you want slim 17" there is the asus w3 range - its basically a black apple macbook pro and the machines are made by the same people.
The price is about the same as a macbook pro and the graphics (wouldn't be surprised if an upgrade is due soon) are a little below what I would expect but it should cover your needs pretty easily :)
 
If money is no object, then yeah you'll have a nice Windows laptop. Although bear in mind the MacBook has a one button mouse pad. And the Apple drivers arent perfect for it in my experience (specifically when using two-fingered scrolling.)

Personally I'd rather spend the money on a beefier non-mac laptop.
 
This is madness.

I could see a point in buying one if you intended to do multi-platform work on OS X too, but sole use in Windows is foolish.

You'd be paying a premium for a Mac laptop, and circumventing the best part about it.

Go buy a Sony Vaio if you want looks + Windows ;)
 
DJLOREY said:
This is madness.

I could see a point in buying one if you intended to do multi-platform work on OS X too, but sole use in Windows is foolish.

You'd be paying a premium for a Mac laptop, and circumventing the best part about it.

Go buy a Sony Vaio if you want looks + Windows ;)
Click to expand...

Would like to say, i have a MBP solely for windows :p. At the time i bought it, it was one of few Santa Rosa machines, and for about £100 more than an equivalent from lenovo/zepto i could have something with a real quality feel about its build, an LCD screen along with other nice bits like backlit keyboard etc.

This is why i went for a macbook pro with windows, i have tried my very best to get used to OSX (forbidding myself from windows for about 10 days!) and im now used to it, but its not as good as windows for the things im doing. I see its advantages for simple tasks and lack of maintenance, but i know how to keep windows running nicely and vista is certainly a lot faster in general use.

At this time though, i PROBABLY wouldnt of ended up with one. Now dell have the vostro series out, which is an absolute bargain along with new HP offerings with similiar power but 17" for under a grand, the premium for a mac is silly. I would add aswell i wouldnt of got one at full price, only with uni dicount did it become thinkable to buy for me.
 
Buying a Mac to only use Windows on is daft, the lack of the second mouse button on the touchpad will be extremely annoying. Buy a ThinkPad or HP business notebook.
 
Caged said:
Buying a Mac to only use Windows on is daft, the lack of the second mouse button on the touchpad will be extremely annoying. Buy a ThinkPad or HP business notebook.
Click to expand...

Two fingers and click is awesome imo :p. Hasn't frustrated me yet!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom