Does this Macbook Pro Alternative Exist?

[MacGekko]

I'm currently using a 15" Macbook Pro, mid 2015, it works great, hopefully I can get a few more years out of it but when Apple does stop supporting it, I truly don't want to spend over 2k for a 15" laptop when I am primarily using it for word processing and internet. I really don't want to leave MacOS but I would like to know if there are viable alternatives.

I originally left Windows because Vista annoyed me and the glossy Sony Vaio I purchased caused much eyestrain. I bought a 2008 Macbook Pro 15" matte screen, great computer, lasted 7 years before it died.

I was initially hesitant to use a non matte screen but I did not want to leave the Mac OS and I purchased a Moshi Ivisor Matte screen cover for the 2015 retina screen. I used the computer for a week without the cover and the retina screen did not cause any eye fatigue, I still put the cover on anyway but if I switch over to a Windows PC, the screen would be the biggest factor to consider.

Does a decent screen (matte or close to retina quality) exist at 15" in a laptop less than $800 or maybe $1000, anything over 1k and I might as well just consider a 13" Macbook Pro.

The other important factor would be a laptop that has a decent trackpad, it does not have to fully match the Apple trackpad but it can't be subpar in general.

I would consider a chromebook but there are certain apps I need and I'm not sure there are suitable Chrome OS alternatives. However if anyone here have used Chromebooks with quality screens and trackpads below $1k, please offer those examples as well.

Thanks.

 

[c0ppo]

Does a decent screen (matte or close to retina quality) exist at 15" in a laptop less than $800 or maybe $1000, anything over 1k and I might as well just consider a 13" Macbook Pro.

I believe you can still find Huawei Matebook X Pro on amazon for 1100$. 512gb of storage, 16GB of ram, mx150 GPU, lightweight, excellent battery life, 3:2 screen and looks just like MBP, just way better.

It has a quad core CPU, and is probably the best ultrabook for general usage like you do. But that deal will end soon, since newer version is coming out soon, and it will be pricier.

 

[maflynn]

Dell XPS 13 is receiving a lot of praise, I don't know if its a matte display. I like the Razer blade 13 and but that's a bit pricier, though the advantages of the Razer, is you don't have the keyboard failure. The thinkpad has the Yoga and X390 for the smaller laptops.

 

[MacGekko]

Dell XPS 13 is receiving a lot of praise, I don't know if its a matte display. I like the Razer blade 13 and but that's a bit pricier, though the advantages of the Razer, is you don't have the keyboard failure. The thinkpad has the Yoga and X390 for the smaller laptops.

Yes those all look like worthy competitors but I only want to leave MacOS if I can get an adequate laptop under 1k or $800. For what I do the important things are keyboard/trackpad and a decent screen that won't cause any issues, perhaps most screens have evolved to not be an issue in 2019, I usually keep the brightness level low.

The ram/processor speed is less important since I don't do any gaming, solely for internet and word processing and I would like to keep the screen above 13". It used to be that if you wanted a 15" Mac over a 13" screen, it could be had for $1500k, Apple seems to be going in the direction of inflating that price difference with each new model release.

 

[dwig]

Devices in the Windows universe vary widely, you'll need to do careful research. One thing to definitely look for is a trackpad that uses the Microsoft Precision Trackpad drivers. These are the native drivers in Windows 10 and with the proper hardware will rival modern Mac trackpads (vastly better than that old 2009 MacBook you had.)

Microsoft's own Surface line is very very good, but I don't think that there is a fit your your specs (>13" display & <1000). They all have gloss screens, but they do have vastly more reliable keyboards than any current or recent MB/MBP. The Surface Laptop 2 is the closest to your specs (13.5" @ $999USD).

I love my Surface Go, but while the price, display quality, and trackpad all fit your specs, it is too small at 11" for your specs (though it fits mine very well).

 

[drzen]

I just bought a ThinkPad Carbon X1 for my father - i7, 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB RAM, with the 14" 1440p matte display, and it's such a great laptop! The trackpad is very smooth and close to Macbook good.

I've been holding out on my 2012 Macbook Air for so long because of the current keyboard fiasco. The X1 Carbon is a solid contender.

Lenovo had it for about $1700 last I checked, but the price may drop even lower once the 2019 models launch in June.
[doublepost=1555387264][/doublepost]To add to my earlier comment, the base Carbon X1 is only $1139 currently. Really can't beat the price point - any lower and you're going to get compromises with build. That price may drop come summer as well.

 

[maflynn]

Lenovo had it for about $1700 last I checked, but the price may drop even lower once the 2019 models launch in June.

I beleive Lenovo is running a tax time promotion and some of the sale prices are pretty nice. I'd check it out.

 

[phoneme]

 

[nouveau_redneck]

I'm currently using a 15" Macbook Pro, mid 2015, it works great, hopefully I can get a few more years out of it but when Apple does stop supporting it, I truly don't want to spend over 2k for a 15" laptop when I am primarily using it for word processing and internet. I really don't want to leave MacOS but I would like to know if there are viable alternatives.

For your usage, you can easily get a few more years out of the mid-2015. Probably 5+ more. So it may be too early to start making plans.

But hypothetically if you were replacing it today, and considering that you said you want to stay with macOS, you could find a new Macbook for ~1,000 USD. There are often sales, and you said you are not needing top specs.

I don't really see why you are considering jumping ship back to Windows at this point. And more so, I don't see why other members are recommending Windows laptops given your post.

 

[MacGekko]

For your usage, you can easily get a few more years out of the mid-2015. Probably 5+ more. So it may be too early to start making plans.

But hypothetically if you were replacing it today, and considering that you said you want to stay with macOS, you could find a new Macbook for ~1,000 USD. There are often sales, and you said you are not needing top specs.

I don't really see why you are considering jumping ship back to Windows at this point. And more so, I don't see why other members are recommending Windows laptops given your post.

You can't find a Macbook with a 15" screen under 1k, not certain I want a 13" screen at this point and for my laptop usage, do I need the MacOS, what am I really getting out of it to spend 2k for, just exploring the possibilities.

 

[TSE]

I am using an XPS 15 with a 8750H, GTX 1050 TI, and 1080p Matte Screen that I picked up for $1290 after taxes. I'm glad I decided on the FHD Matte Display because although I was tempted to go with the 4k panel as the colors on it are better, the cut to battery life, added cost, and glossiness just wasn't worth it to me. I purchased one glossy display and had to live with it for 4 years.

The thing that gets most people about the XPS line is the huge quality control inconsistency. It's not to be ignored, but if you purchase from Amazon or a retailer like Best Buy with a liberal return policy, I think it's safe to say you can quickly spot if you got a "good" individual notebook or not within the first couple weeks.