Are MacBook Pros *really* worth the extra over a Windows laptop?

[Hate]

Following my other threads, circumstances meant I had to cancel the mac mini - but handily I "borrowed" a spare one we have at work to play with

Now, don't get me wrong, I like OSX and all, but from what i've seen the equivalent spec PC laptop can be anything from £250-£400 cheaper than the macbook pro.

I know there are people that like apple and for them its worth it, since i'm primarily a linux user I can't seem to justify spending £400 more on an apple just cause it has OSX on it and looks a little nicer.

I would love to be an OSX user, it ticks all my boxes wrt Unix and a good front end, but the difference in cost is putting me off

 

[Mr Jones]

I've always been a windows user - only recently switched over to Apple with a MacBook 2GHz, 1GB Ram and 80GB HDD - bought using HE price - £800ish inc VAT.

I'm really enjoying it - compared it to a few laptops I use to mess around with - a couple of Acer, a Toshiba Satalite and a Fujitsu something. I have to first say - the build quality is very good, I love the feel of the Keyboard.

I find the pricing of the MacBook very good value (@ HE pricing, normal pricing is a tat over IMO) - you are getting more than just a good quality laptop, but the software included like Garage Band (which is very useful for me, as a amateur musician), Frontrow e.t.c. Not to mention, a 1.3M pix iSight.

I'll be installing ubantu when I get the free CD - already have Windows installed with the help of BootCamp. Had a coule of hicups but sorted out eventually (was trouble from a windows software)
That'll make my MacBook able to run all three platforms.

Comparing Windows and OSX, I'd prefer OSX for how intuitive it feels - I didn't really like the lack of a secondary mouse button unless one pressed ctrl. I soon got used to that and I'm also using mighty mouse wireless - which is impressiv when coupled with Exposed.

So to sum it up - I can justify £800ish on a 13.3" laptop that can run almost anything one throws at it - I'm still testing games on the MacBook and will do a post about it soon, I hope.

Sorry about the long reply.
Hope that helps.

 

[Hate]

thanks, its something to read!

thing is I would be buying a machine to replace my PC and laptop in one fell swoop, so I would be looking at the top end.

If i was just looking to buy a laptop to compliment a good desktop unit then I think £800 for a regular macbook is fantastic.

 

[Mr Jones]

Well, if it's for gaming, MacBook is definitely no no, especially compared to a Desktop. MacBook pro however, is definitely a good one to replace both desktop and laptop - however, pricing might be an issue with you.

Old and last gen games should run in the MacBook well - am still testing and most runs above 25FPS in XP.
So far, UT2003 all at highest setting at 1024x748 gives average of 20 to 25FPS.

 

[leezer3]

Two sides of the coin here
First off, I've used the cheaper end of top-spec Windows laptops (Higher spec Toshibas etc.), & other than the lack of a secondary mouse button a Mac laptop definitely has the edge. OSX is also a huge bonus, simply due to the amount of apps available on it over a standard Linux implementation.
Where it falls down though IMHO is over a real top-spec Windows laptop from IBM. As far as I'm concerned, the build quality and design of an IBM is second to none and they have by far & away the best keyboards of any laptop. Backlit Mac keyboards are nice, granted but quickly become a bit of a gimmick.

To sum up, if it wasn't for OSX I'd have a Thinkpad ATM. I'm still not sure that I made the right choice between them, as even though OSX has Unix roots it still won't let me do precisely what I want with it- Just as an example, I've compiled Gnome & am using it as the primary desktop UI for working under, but it won't launch Mac apps from within Gnome and it was a complete and utter pain to get running.
If you're not looking at an IBM as the alternative though, the Macs are far superior.

-Leezer-