PC laptop that equals a MBP

[FF_productions]

Nothing really compares to a MacBook Pro in terms of the OS, and that my friend, means everything.

 

[gekko513]

If you're asking me, then the answer is "quite frequently". I have the following peripherals plugged into mine a lot: keyboard/mouse (if keyboard plugged in, mouse goes into that), printer, microphone, USB memory stick, scanner, digital camera. Many of those are plugged in concurrently, and I have to use a hub to get this functionality. Otherwise if I wanted to speak on Skype and send a friend a photo off my digital camera (something I do a lot), I'd have to unplug my mouse to be able to do this.

Having more USB sockets is never a bad thing.

While I agree that it wouldn't hurt with another USB socket, I don't see it as that much of a disadvantage either. When you use it on the road, you're usually fine with two sockets, and the other things you mention, like keyboard/mouse, printer and scanner are part of a desktop/docking setup and in that case a USB hub is more convenient anyhow.

 

[igucl]

The Sony loses on specs alone.

And I don't usually need more than 2 USB ports, but 0.1% of the time I wish I had 3 on my PowerBook. Not a big issue, and definitely not enough to make the Sony better than the MBP in any aspect.

And you like the reflective screen? Do you use your computer in the dark all the time? What happens when you use your computer in any sort of light and see reflections? Those glossy screens are just made for nerds who sit in their pitch black room and surf the net all day, eating ramen noodles and coding in Java while downloading the newest episodes of Spongebob and Family Guy.



Nobody said anything about the thickness of the MBP. It just looks nicer, even after 4 years.

Yeah, that's all fine and good. But please tell me where I can find that Kobe Bryant quote.

 

[Ninjabelly]

The macbook pro offers some extra features that you may not find on other models. Closest id say in an affordable range is the Dell E1505 and Dell E1705. My brother just picked one up last week with some great dell coupons for $750, and he's adding 2GB of DDR 667 and adding a 7200rpm SATA HD.

The big difference between the 2 units is the video card. The Dell uses the x1400 256mb Hyper Memory (128mb Dedicated up to 128mb Shared.) and the Macbook Pro uses the x1600 128mb or 256mb. Everything else is about the same on par. You can get either unit with a 7200rpm HD upgrade and the Dell has a handful of Core Duo processor options.

As for any Dell, don't buy it at full price and instead look around for Dell's end of the month deals.

Here's the spec's of the machine my brother will end up with
Inspiron E1505 - Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2300 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)

LCD Panel - 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display

Memory - *UPGRADED 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 667MHZ, 2 DIMM

Video Card - 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™ 256ATI

Hard Drive – *UPGRADED 80GB Seagate 7200rpm SATA

Operating System (Office software not included)Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem

Combo/DVD+RW Drives FREE 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability

Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)

Primary Battery 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Total Price: It was about 1100 with the upgrades and tax shipped.

*Both the Hard Drive and Ram were purchased from Newegg, and will be user installed. So factor in that if you were to buy it from Dell upgraded it would cost alot more, but we all know this.

 

[gekko513]

Ninjabelly: I'd say the biggest difference is the XGA screen. Isn't that 1024x768? That's a resolution suitable for a 12" laptop on a 15" laptop.

 

[chucknorris]

While I agree that it wouldn't hurt with another USB socket, I don't see it as that much of a disadvantage either. When you use it on the road, you're usually fine with two sockets, and the other things you mention, like keyboard/mouse, printer and scanner are part of a desktop/docking setup and in that case a USB hub is more convenient anyhow.

Exactly what I was thinking. And if you're too obstinate to buy a hub like I am, it is absolutely painless to just play musical ports with the devices.

First of all, if you're using a laptop like a desktop, what's the big deal about using a hub? It is certainly much more convenient.

Secondly, if you're morally opposed to hubs, then why not just swap cords around?

As someone who apparently needs up to 6 USB ports available (all at one time), it would be ridiculous to expect any laptop to accomodate you. The issue is your unusual usage, not a lack of ports.

 

[Diatribe]

Obviously, most people look better than that ghastly XP interface so seeing the reflection of yourself instead of the desktop must be considered an advantage.

Hehe good one. God, how I hate those displays.

 

[Roba]

That is so true. I just switched over from a PC and the software on a Mac is a class apart from anything that you can find on a PC.

Nothing really compares to a MacBook Pro in terms of the OS, and that my friend, means everything.

 

[raremage]

not really. the mac book is lacking in hard ware. the sony has 3 usb ports, svideo out, and the dial up. i would choose the vaio any day... if i didnt need it haha.

oh the screen is also way brighter, and is one of those sexy glossy displays. the macbook's poor design is one that trys to make the screen brighter by projecting huge amouths of light that leave the bottom of the screen brighter. sorry, the vaio triumphs.

Having owned a Vaio in the past, I would be unlikely to buy another. The build quaility is quesitonable, and I can't for the life of me figure out why Sony won't add a real video card to their flagship laptop.

The two biggest issues I have with the MBP are the widescreen trackpad (this is a mistake in design IMHO, but I am admittedly nitpicking there) and the 5400 RPM drives. A 7200 should be the norm in these.

 

[Airforce]

It's really a hard product to beat, minus the ports and one or two other things. If I wasn't in the market for a tablet PC, I'd go for a MBP or MB when it comes out.

 

[sk1985]

I hate glossy displays. This PC laptop I'm on now has one. I have to keep my curtains closed just to be able to see the screen without reflections. It's beautiful at night but it'd be awful to use outside in the daytime. Now, I'd love to see how the MBP's bright screen works outside in our bright sunlight.

Word...Glossy displays blow. Seriously I hate them with a passion. I really hope apple never puts them on their laptops. Those displays are often too reflective and sometimes they this weird waviness to the screen.

 

[ethen]

i like thinkpad build, they feel very solid, T60 looks like a good one

 

[Stampyhead]

Acer Travelmate
Praises
Good looks

Wow, these reviewers must have low standards.

 

[lamina]

Check out the Toshiba A100. Dual-core centrino at 1.7GHz (I think). Great laptop from my experience.

 

[Keebler]

oh no..not again....

omg. the mac book pro is so ridiculously over priced. i dont care what anyone says.

if they wanted to chard almost 3000$ after taxes canadaian, they should have included way more hardware. a "pro" labtop has more than 2 usb ports, (look at HP, who have 4) and svideo out. and evryone may need to plug into a phone jack from time to time.

and dont give me that garbage about a sleek thin design because thats bull. its a "hair thinner" design that hasnt changed in 4 years... however it has lost alot of hardware. what a great buy!

people have go to understand VALUE in products.

I just made this argument in another post.

Let's say you need a car. You like the looks of ..let's say a Grand AM.
you also like a lexus. they do the same thing, get you from point a to b. one has alot more features, has more prestige, more VALUE (the lexus). the other (Grand AM) has similar features, is lower priced, but not as much value. It does the same thing, but not as nicely (and not nearly as smooth as a ride either).

So, of course one is more expensive.

value is in the eye of the beholder. you may think they are overpriced, but to someone else, such as myself, i think they are adequately priced given what they include. and b/c, it's a mac, not a pc.

this isn't a shot against anyone, but anytime i see a post about macs being more expensive, it's really just griping from folks who either just don't have the money to buy a mac or they are too scared to spend it.