Spec Me a MBP 'clone'

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

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Hi Guys,

Was pretty much gonna get a MBP in the next month but now after doing some research Im having second thoughts where Im thinking the only reason I was the MBP is due to the build quality rather than the OS (well I was also considering getting that SDK to tinker around making apps for the iPhone but I just get justify spending that much money for such a transient wish) and so a MBP might not be for me...

So I guess Im in the market for a laptop and looking to buy with Win 7 HP (min) already loaded so it wont be until the end of next month. What makes/models would you recommend? As a said I want it to be well built with minimalistic looks and as little plastic as possible!

Really unsure about what I want in it (just dont know how far laptops have progressed) but I want a smallish form factor (was thinking 13.3") and it is for web/productivity apps/media. Very unlikely to use it for games other than to past the time...

I am always up for any suggestions!

TIA and sorry for the wide brief - happy to try and be more specific where prompted...

EDIT: I remember OcUK selling build to order laptops using 'standardised' laptop barebones - how did they do - do they still do it? Worth me going down that route as a possible and easier upgrade path solution?

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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How much do you want to spend mate? I'd still go and take a look at the Mac it's definitely worth the cost, the OS is fantastic. Other than that, the only thing I could suggest that might have equivalent quality would be a Vaio, but again, it depends on how much you'd like to spend. :)
 
Sorry thats a bit stupid of me - I would say £750 only because my specced MBP was the lower one with a few tweaks and was just over £1000. Doesnt sound like a large budget but I seem to oversell myself generally...

As you said if I end up paying MBP prices I might aswell get one of those really - Im not looking for a poor relation, just cant justify the first priority to be the OS choice...

Off to look at Sony Vaios :D

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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if you're looking for a sensible laptop with build quality to exceed the MacBooks, look no further than Lenovo ThinkPads, the X-series in particular (for ultraportable) or the T-series for a balance between size, performance and price.

all Thinkpads are built with either a titanium-aluminium alloy frame, or in the case of the X-series, the entire outer-shell is titanium-aluminium alloy.

titanium-aluminium beats the snot out of the Aluminium-magnesium that the macbooks are made of ;)
 
Just started looking at the Vaios last night and just dont know where to look - so many model ranges and the prices were way above MBP pricing so dno if they are even any option.

Will look at Lenevo though as good as their business laptops were I dno how good they are now - usually prefer HP in the environment...

MBP @ £1000 actually seems more than reasonable now

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
ps3ud0 said:
Just started looking at the Vaios last night and just dont know where to look - so many model ranges and the prices were way above MBP pricing so dno if they are even any option.

Will look at Lenevo though as good as their business laptops were I dno how good they are now - usually prefer HP in the environment...

MBP @ £1000 actually seems more than reasonable now

ps3ud0 :cool:
Click to expand...

Lenovo laptops are designed for business - they're rugged and long lasting and are very easy to repair/upgrade.

Don't get a Vaio, they're horrendously overpriced and comparatively, not that well built.

unless you WANT to run OSX (and i don't see why you would) then there's no point shelling out extra for a mac...
 
Adrianr said:
Couple of things in that article really spike my interest;

1) Better 13" screen than the MBP,
2) Slim fit battery doubling the already 7 quoted hour battery life.

Unfortunately i'm not sure if I could stand the constant whine of "It's just a MBP rip off"..
Click to expand...

Hmm, the speculated rrp of $1700 is to close to macbook prices. If it comes in significantly cheaper it would be worth putting up with the jibes though.
 
Soz guys - not been online over the last few days, so not had a chance to look into this further.

A few things about the glossy screen on the 13" MBP has really put me off so unsure if Ill get the 15" and so the much higher price or keep looking for a clone (a bad expression but I think you guys know what I mean).

Makes to check:

Sony (unsure what models as theres 4 million)
Lenevo
HP (my work laptop is a HP and Im very happy with it)

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
I'm always confused with the vaio model numbers, no two vaios that I see ever seem to be the same model or spec. It's like they give each laptop a new model number. :confused:
 
JAMAL said:
The new HP envy?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/hp-envy-13-and-15-bring-luxury-to-the-everyman-look-like-macboo/
Click to expand...

Adrianr said:
Couple of things in that article really spike my interest;

1) Better 13" screen than the MBP,
2) Slim fit battery doubling the already 7 quoted hour battery life.

Unfortunately i'm not sure if I could stand the constant whine of "It's just a MBP rip off"..
Click to expand...

mike gunnz said:
Hmm, the speculated rrp of $1700 is to close to macbook prices. If it comes in significantly cheaper it would be worth putting up with the jibes though.
Click to expand...

ergh, i'm not keen on the port-panel permanently sticking out of the side - looks really incongruous. also, it seems that neither of them have Disk-drives!
 
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