Interested in getting a Macbook Pro - need advice

kkbigal

kkbigal

kkbigal

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I've been looking at the Macbook Pro for quite a while now and I'm quite keen to get one and find out what this Mac stuff is all about :)

I've only ever used Windows before, but the spec of the Macbook Pro's looks pretty damn good and I've read a little bit about Boot Camp. It says that under Mac OS X Leopard, you can install Vista and that it will run all your applications at native speed.

On paper, that sounds really good but is it true and does it extend to games performance? I imagine the Core 2 Duo 2.4 and an 8600 GT makes a reasonably nippy little gaming laptop if it's true :)

Is there anything else I should know when it comes to Macs?
 
it's obviously not going to be as good as the spec in your sig, but I used to use the 2.4Ghz MBP you're talking about and it ran CSS, HL2, UT2k8, Crysis (medium-low settings) very well. It gets a bit warm, but other than that it works brilliantly.

You're correct about running apps at native speed. I believe at one point, a Macbook Pro was the best laptop to run Windows - I don't know what element of truth was in that, though. It's certainly very good.

You should know, though, that if you start using a Mac you automatically have to look down your nose at everyone else :p
 
Sic said:
You should know, though, that if you start using a Mac you automatically have to look down your nose at everyone else :p
Click to expand...

:D

Thanks for that - the info about performance makes it sound like a win/win situation then. I really want to see OS X but I want Vista/XP there as well as a safety net....in a nice aluminium body that everyone will lust over :p
 
Well clearly they havent tested that many laptops, Im sure some of the Alienware offerings outperform MBPs considering some of them have dual gfx cards (not to mention v.overpriced)
Im not deriding the MBP, I just dont like this "fastest Vista laptop" tag being overused.

The MBP is an amazing machine though and very fast with good specs for a laptop, definitely get one!
 
Sic said:
it's obviously not going to be as good as the spec in your sig, but I used to use the 2.4Ghz MBP you're talking about and it ran CSS, HL2, UT2k8, Crysis (medium-low settings) very well. It gets a bit warm, but other than that it works brilliantly.
Click to expand...

What did you use to run Crysis on? I so want to play that but I dont want to buy a PC again lol!
 
electric ant said:
Well clearly they havent tested that many laptops, Im sure some of the Alienware offerings outperform MBPs considering some of them have dual gfx cards (not to mention v.overpriced)
Im not deriding the MBP, I just dont like this "fastest Vista laptop" tag being overused.

The MBP is an amazing machine though and very fast with good specs for a laptop, definitely get one!
Click to expand...

Alienware is the most overpriced retailer out of them all!
 
hartgeh3 said:
What did you use to run Crysis on? I so want to play that but I dont want to buy a PC again lol!
Click to expand...

I used a Macbook Pro, 2.4Ghz, 2GB RAM, 8600GT M with 256MB RAM. Can't wait to try it on my new one, see what difference that extra 256MB of VRAM will make :D
 
Windows XP Pro on Bootcamp. It's the only way to run the OS in my opinion. I couldn't put up with anything less than native speed for anything, especially games.
 
I was sooooooo close to ordering a 2.5ghz 15" today, but then my sensible head got the better of me!

They really are fantastic.. A colleague has one and imho you cant get a better laptop. And I'm saying that without owning one!

I only made the switch before christmas - but now i don't think i'd ever go back to using windows solely (damn work laptop!)

I think I'll keep my macbook for another 6 months and then make the move!

Good luck with your purchase - you have no idea how jealous I am! :)

As for alienware - you pay for the plasticcy bits on the outside! Although they are rather nice under the hood!

EDIT - I've used XP Pro with bootcamp (when I left my work laptop on the train...) and it runs really well... although I felt like I'd betrayed mac os!
 
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Ok - I'm on the verge of ordering one and since I'm an NHS member, I get £100 off the price, so a MBP would cost me 1194, BUT...

There's an identical spec one in the refurb store for £100 less: £1099

My only concern is I really don't want any cosmetic damage on it and the Apple site says they MAY exhibit small cosmetic blemishes.

Reckon it's worth the risk?
 
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