Spec me a: MacBook Pro ALTERNATIVE

Westyfield2

Westyfield2

Westyfield2

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It's new laptop time, and I've been thinking of switching to Apple :eek: (because of dual booting between Vista & OSX), but I'm not sure and this post got me thinking
Tommy B said:
Yet their computers are seriously lacking relative to windows based PCs. I was going to buy the new Macbook Pro, but why bother when a Sony laptop is faster, has fast memory, a better graphics card, Blu-Ray and HDMI output (and the function to perform as a DVD/Bluray player without even turning the thing on!) etc etc
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So here's the specs of the MacBook Pro:
  • 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
  • 2GB PC2-5300 - and can be upgraded to 4gb for £176.24
  • 15.4-inch widescreen glossy 1440 by 900 display
  • GeForce 8600M GT 256mb
  • 160GB 7200-rpm HDD
  • 802.11n Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
  • 8x slot-loading DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW
  • iSight camera
  • Up to 6 hours of battery life
  • 2.45 kg (5.4 pounds) with battery and optical drive
And that costs £1,699.00 or $2,649.00

I've found the Sony Vaio VGN-FZ11Z (£1,299.00) but that's a slower HDD, slower Processor, lower resolution screen, not N Wi-Fi, worse graphics chip, "maximum 2 GB RAM", and heavier (weight is an issue with the use of this laptop) - the only benefits of the Vaio are the Blu-ray Drive and HDMI output.


So, the question is, what alternatives are there to the MacBook Pro for the same kinda money?
 
Something else around the MacBook Pro's price and specification:

Dell Precision M4300
  • 2.40GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
  • 2GB, 667MHz DDR2 (Can be upgraded to 4GB)
  • 15.4-inch widescreen glossy 1920 x 1200 display Better resolution than MacBook Pro
  • Nvidia Quadro FX 360M 256MB
  • 160GB 7200-rpm HDD
  • 802.11a/g /Draft-n Mini-card
  • Bluetooth
  • 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
  • 3.17kg (7 Pounds) :eek: :mad:

And that's £1914 :eek: - more £££ than the MacBook Pro, heavier than the MacBook Pro, no built in camera, and still no Blu-ray Drive or HDMI output :(

So I still don't know what kind of laptop Tommy B was refering to, any ideas anyone?
 
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Not even the ASUS Lamborghini VX2 can match the MacBook Pro's specs:

ASUS-Lamborghini VX2
  • 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
  • 2GB, 667MHz DDR2 (Can be upgraded to 4GB)
  • 15.4-inch widescreen glossy 1400 x 1050 display
  • GeForce Go7700 512 MB
  • 160GB 5400-rpm HDD
  • 802.11n Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
  • DVD±RW (+R double layer) / DVD-RAM Drive
  • 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
  • 2.7kg (5.95 Pounds)
And that's £1809.03 :eek: - more £££ than the MacBook Pro, heavier than the MacBook Pro, slower Processor and still no Blu-ray Drive or HDMI output :(

So is the MacBook Pro my only real option?
 
kbc said:
Well as suggested, what about Dell's new Inspiron 1520? You can get that with a 1680x1050 resolution at a very good price including the 8600GT and do you really need the T7700(2.4GHz) processor? It's marginal compared to the T7300 and the T7500. Depends what you will be using it for? In my opinion for everyday use, the best value processor is the T7300 at 2.0GHz. They all have 4mb L2 cache. Your laptop would only run hotter and drain more power.

The new range of Dells have pretty cool aesthetics with their new color range. :) Don't even bother with the Sony Vaio. For the price you've quoted and the specifications you receive - it's a waste of hard earned cash and I stand by the fact that you'll only be paying for a "Vaio" logo on the chassis.

The lamborghini Asus model is just over priced - sweep that away from your list of choices - it only has a DX9 card as well.
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Hmm, just specced up an Inspiron 1520:
  • 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
  • 2GB, 667MHz DDR2 (Can be upgraded to 4GB)
  • 15.4-inch widescreen glossy 1680 by 1050 display
  • GeForce 8600M GT 256mb
  • 160GB 7200-rpm HDD
  • 802.11n Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
  • 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
  • 2.89 kg (6.37 pounds)
And that came to £1,221.49 (cheaper than MacBook Pro)- pretty much identical specs to the MB Pro, but a slower processor and is heavier - and also lacks the coolness of a Apple or a Vaio :cool:
 
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kbc said:
By the looks of things, you should setting for the Macbook or look into Dells new range of Inspirons or XPS range which are highly configurable to your budget.
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Either I'm looking in the wrong place, or there aren't any 15.4" XPS's.
I've found 12.1" (XPS M1210), 13.3" (XPS 1330), and 17" (XPS M1710) but no sign of any 15.4" :(
 
The Darkness said:
Aspire 5920, £799
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Nice specs and price :cool: , but is the heaviest laptop so far :eek: and has about half the battery life of the MB Pro :(


Thanks for suggestions
icon14.gif
, and keep them coming...
 
stealthscience said:
Have you looked at Rock? (www.rockdirect.co.uk) I just ordered on of their new laptops, the Pegasus 770.

Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 2.4GHz, 4MB Cache, 800MHz
15" WSXGA (1680 x 1050) screen
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT, 512Mb
1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM, upgradeable to 4Gb 667, or 2Gb 800
160GB 5400rpm HDD (upgradeable to 7200 rpm)
Internal Bluetooth & Anti Theft Alarm
Windows Vista Home Premium

And a 3 year pan-european warranty, not to mention that the company has an excellent customer service record. This'd cost about £1249, so pretty good value too.
Click to expand...
Hmm, will have a look at them...
 
Tommy B said:
Oh, definitely look at Rock if style/portability isn't important. Especially the 770 series. If gaming is your priority, go with Rock. There are drawbacks such as the small HD.

For £1,400

Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz,4MB Cache, 800MHz
New Nvidia GeForce 8700M GT 512MB (DX10)
WSXGA+ X-Glass rock logo
2GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
100GB 7200rpm S-ATA
Windows Vista Home Premium

That is pretty good tbh.
Click to expand...

Portability is very important, hence why the up to 6 hours of battery life and 2.45 kg weight of the MacBook Pro looks so attractive...
 
Westyfield2 said:
No, I'm gonna be carrying it to school every day for 2 years of Sixth Form, along with all the text books etc etc
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...needing to keep it for 2 years is why the option to <in the future> upgrade to 4gb RAM is nice, and why 802.11n Wi-Fi is also a requirement. And also, seeing as my current desktop is 3.0ghz dual core, I'd want the laptop to have the fastest CPU possible (wheras in a desktop I'd get the lower down CPU and overclock it!)
 
Tommy B said:
Oh, rules out the FZ then. Only lasts about 80 minutes :D
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:eek: :eek:
Our sixth form common room does have plugs, but they are in very short supply, hence why aslong battery life as possible is a must (though ofcourse Apples 6hrs claim is "up to", and wont be for gaming!)



EDIT: Am I allowed to mention the word "gaming" in a thread that has the word "Apple" in it? :p
 
Tommy B said:
You'll struggle to find a powerful notebook with a long battery life. It's not even the screen which eats the energy, it's the sheer power demand of the CPU/GPU.
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Very good point
icon14.gif

I don't need the battery life for when I'm gaming/photoshopping, just when I'm doing boring school work!


Tommy B said:
One of the reasons I didn't get an Apple is I didn't want to make the switch. Not because I dislike OSX, but because I've got so many Windows applications which I'm used to working with.
Click to expand...
Well my entire OSX experience is using Safari in an Apple shop, as I was on holiday and needed to check emails :D
Tbh, the reason I made this thread is that I'm not sure about making the switch, though having said that, there is Bootcamp!
 
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