5 Laptops that Destroy the New MacBook Pros

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Really it isn't the hardware of the apple that is as impressive as the software. I am all for people buying a PC if that's what works for them but a Mac does what I need within the artistic realm way better than a PC. I have worked on a PC for this stuff and it takes a lot more PC hardware to do what a Mac can do in video and music editing. That and well... I don't get viruses and spyware... I recommend PC's to people who don't need to pay the extra price for the Mac. I think they are solid reliable computers where PC's are sometimes reliable and sometimes solid computers depending on the distributer.

The aluminum case is not just for beauty. Try taking a hit on a plastic case, does it crack yes. Try taking a hit on the aluminum case, You are in a lot better shape. So to me it is function over form. If the function works then the Form is just an added benefit.
 
[citation][nom]Humans think[/nom]I would get the dell for its excellent screen (the best available from what I hear) and Dell's known support[/citation]

Well, I once bought a dell laptop for my dad, it was delivered with a screen that was incomparable with the driver that shipped with it. When I contacted Dell, they said it was a known issue (yet they shipped it anyway). But good news! They were working on a new driver...it would be released in February (this was in November). I knew if I upgraded the screen, the current drivers would work, so I offered to pay for a screen upgrade if they would exchange the screens...they refused. After spending all day on the phone with an extremely rude rep, he made it very clear that my only options were to wait four to six months for the new driver, return the entire computer for a refund, or they would exchange my screen for an identical screen ONLY (which wouldn't change anything). Dell earned it's dell-hell moniker. I returned it, and never bought another dell. I'd go for the Asus.
 
My Sony CW with a Core i5 520 and Nvidia 330m that is only 14 inches and 5 lbs 4gb ram and 500gb hd for $899 will do me just fine thank you. The closest Macbook costs a cool $900 more. LOL.

And for the "Mac" experience I had a G5 running Tiger and unless something major has changed now that Windows 7 is out I can honestly say I prefer the "Windows" experience more.
 
I'm not going to argue, but I will enlighten you.

First, Just from reading the comments, I believe the majority of you are people who are computer enthusiasts, or you work with computers, gamers and DIY'ers of course, and thrifty consumers to boot, but you don't have a firm grasp on something a few people mentioned, that price, specs, and features don't mean squat when talking real world performance, functionality, reliability, durability, efficiency, TCO, blah blah blah............., trust me.

I'm not a computer geek, but I have had my hands in all kinds of machines and technologies during my lifetime, from lawn mowers to hydro generating stations, cars, trucks, tractors, stereos, vacuum cleaners, hospitals, OR equipment, ER equipment, X Ray equipment, all hospital related mechanical, industrial boilers and refrigeration, emergency generators, worked in a bio lab, metal and plastic fab shops, operated and repaired cranes, electronic and pneumatic controls, wrist watches, blah blah blah..., the list goes on, and I have used a number of different operating systems and specialized software in my work, Unix, Honeywell, Windows, several distros from the Linux line, although in an industrial setting I had limited access, computers were dedicated to building controls and plant processes.

Hype, spec, initial price don't mean diddly until a product meets the end of it's useable or practical life, before it's value can be truly assessed.

simple + functional + reliable + consistent = peace + serenity

So far my overpriced and evil little G4 iMac has given me over 6 years of what I expected of it.
Been running 24/7 for 5 years, had the infamous kernel panic, which was my bad for trying to run incompatible software.
Other than a couple power outs and required restarts for software updates, Flash crashing my browser(s) from time to time, it runs flawlessly, and runs faster than the day I bought.

I took it on the road for a year, lived in a pop up trailer, travelled coast to coast.
Te iMac got rained on and endured 90 to 100% humidity for weeks on end in Nova Scotia, got bounced so hard in the trailer going through Quebec that one stick of ram actually popped out, the Mac got real dirty after running several hundred kilometers of gravel and dirt roads in Saskatchewan, it was stored for several weeks in my buddies garage in Manitoba when the temperature was in the -30º C range, it's never been cleaned or serviced and the CD drive still writes and reads, I can even see the dust bunnies sticking out the holes in the top, and the adjustable swinging arm still works as well as the day I bought.

Call me a fan boy, I can handle it.

Mopars also rule, and Chevies drool.


 
[citation][nom]Big B[/nom][/citation]

You mentioned absolutely not a single thing that cannot and has not been achieved with a pc. Your experience is one that many many people have had with their computer regardless of whether its a mac or a pc.

If this line in your post "simple + functional + reliable + consistent = peace + serenity" was meant to imply in any way that its because you have a Mac and not a pc only means that you live inside a box and have no clue of anything outside its boundaries.
 
[citation][nom]tomtompiper[/nom]Why if the Macbooks are so poor do people still buy them? could it be that for some things Mac OS is simply better and the extra money is justified? Grow up people there is room for more than one flavour of computer in the world, get over it.[/citation]

Its far better looking for the noobs at futureshop.

BTW there is no room for another consumer OS. I want standards, not extra flavors. If you want that, just run a custom GUI on your windows. You know what customization is, the thing that is allowed in Windows.
 
Not sure what the big deal is. Some of that costs is for the materials. But in the end, nobody is FORCED to buy an Apple computer.

I wonder if its jealousy that makes people hate Mac? Ooooh it sexy, but I don't want to pay for it... whatever.

I'm a ThinkPad user anyway, which costs a bit more than typical Windows-based notebooks, but are far cheaper than MacPros.
 
Gee, what terrific "journalism" - comparing products solely on specs and not actual, ya know, usage.

I understand what this site is about, and who it caters to, but this article is ridiculous - how could one write about notebooks and conveniently "forget" to mention the weight? Not to mention acting as if the far superior battery life is only a minor point in its favor - it's a portable computer for crying out loud!

And we have the bright lights who cackle about the price - How much will the Dell Studio XPS be worth in two years? If past performance is any indication of future results, the MBP will retain much more of its value.

Also, if you really, really believe that the "Windows Experience" is better than the Mac's - a proposition I find highly dubious, by the way - you do realize you can install Windows on the Macbook, right? In fact, you don't need to run OS X at all! Oh, look at that - the article doesn't even mention that! Wow, how could such a fair and balanced article overlook a detail like that??

Do we need to mention the "other small details"? Nah - why would you do that? These small details would likely not support your pre-determined conclusion. And if you ever getting around to doing benchmarks and a real shootout - which would actually require you to *use* the products you are writing about! - I have a pretty strong feeling that the Core I7 would "destroy" these so-called Windows laptops (I mean, why use a category like that when the MBP can run Windows, too?).

In short, the only thing being destroyed here is the credibility of this author and the website (hello? any editors around to make sure nonsensical drivel like this doesn't get published?). All this article says is "I can't afford the extra scratch to buy the better machine, and neither can my readers. oh no, what can I do? Oh, I know! I'll throw together a bunch of half-truths and print a conclusion that doesn't support reality! It may not be honest or ethical, but it will make my readers feel better about the inferior computing experience they choose to endure."

Stop it. Seriously. This article is embarrassing, misleading, and quite frankly a disgrace. This site is capable of much, MUCH better than this.
 
As mentioned, the Windows machines in the article are all considerably heavier. However, there are other Windows laptops with the same specs and about the same weight as the Mac, and still cheaper. For example, the Lenovo T510 weighs only 0.2 lbs more than the Mac, but can be configured with the same specs for hundreds less. And, the build quality of Lenovos is nothing to sneeze at.
 
jesus...again people miss the point. no one is saying Macs are better than PC's because of specs. You buy a Mac because you like them for whatever reason, not specs alone. Why the hell would you buy a BMW 3 series when there are 27 other cars out there that will beat the crap out of the 3 series on the track for half the money. because it's not always based on raw numbers, raw power. people buy BMW's because they like BMW's, period.

do i wish macs were cheaper, hell yes, but i don't need to buy them then if they are too expensive. But comparing a 10 lbs Alienware notebook to a mbp and saying 'zomg mac sucks teh bawls because they can't compete with this super 10 lb gamer notebook' is fucking stupid. i'm not a mac fan boy but at least compare apples to apples (no pun intended). you have to take all things into account not just GHz and memory.
do i agree that mbp's are overpriced if you just compare specs, yes. if you don't like that than don't f'ing buy one.
 
[citation][nom]farmkid[/nom]As mentioned, the Windows machines in the article are all considerably heavier. However, there are other Windows laptops with the same specs and about the same weight as the Mac, and still cheaper. For example, the Lenovo T510 weighs only 0.2 lbs more than the Mac, but can be configured with the same specs for hundreds less. And, the build quality of Lenovos is nothing to sneeze at.[/citation]
I love my Lenovo, and out of all the laptops I've had and have (including my Apple) it's by far my favorite laptop. I beat the heck out of it in the lab with solvents and spills and on the production sites with powders and resins and it's still trucking along just fine (my prior Dell by comparison, was a little more delicate). The bluetooth syncs up great with my BB and I even find its trackpad usable (something I'd never thought I'd say). It even runs Hysys just fine and I get about 8 hours of usable worktime on its battery. It runs beautifully and I've never, ever had a single issue with it for the 3 years I've had it.
 
[citation][nom]anthonyp[/nom]Gee, what terrific "journalism" - comparing products solely on specs and not actual, ya know, usage.I understand what this site is about, and who it caters to, but this article is ridiculous - how could one write about notebooks and conveniently "forget" to mention the weight? Not to mention acting as if the far superior battery life is only a minor point in its favor - it's a portable computer for crying out loud! And we have the bright lights who cackle about the price - How much will the Dell Studio XPS be worth in two years? If past performance is any indication of future results, the MBP will retain much more of its value. Also, if you really, really believe that the "Windows Experience" is better than the Mac's - a proposition I find highly dubious, by the way - you do realize you can install Windows on the Macbook, right? In fact, you don't need to run OS X at all! Oh, look at that - the article doesn't even mention that! Wow, how could such a fair and balanced article overlook a detail like that?? Do we need to mention the "other small details"? Nah - why would you do that? These small details would likely not support your pre-determined conclusion. And if you ever getting around to doing benchmarks and a real shootout - which would actually require you to *use* the products you are writing about! - I have a pretty strong feeling that the Core I7 would "destroy" these so-called Windows laptops (I mean, why use a category like that when the MBP can run Windows, too?).In short, the only thing being destroyed here is the credibility of this author and the website (hello? any editors around to make sure nonsensical drivel like this doesn't get published?). All this article says is "I can't afford the extra scratch to buy the better machine, and neither can my readers. oh no, what can I do? Oh, I know! I'll throw together a bunch of half-truths and print a conclusion that doesn't support reality! It may not be honest or ethical, but it will make my readers feel better about the inferior computing experience they choose to endure."Stop it. Seriously. This article is embarrassing, misleading, and quite frankly a disgrace. This site is capable of much, MUCH better than this.[/citation]

The Apple fanboy is........??? Cry more we enjoy it.

Do you realize this is a HARDWARE centric website, as in Tom's HARDWARE.

First, battery life isnt paramount in that kind of laptops, those are ''desktop replacements'' (if such a thing even exist) not ultra portable laptops. You wont be getting 10hours out of a MBP if you are doing anything that require the GPU to be active. Most will be plugged 90% of the time, if not more.

Second, Windows is better in every aspect if you are a power user, there is no discussion on that.

Third, money is no object. I just build a new desktop and the tower alone cost me 2,500$ to build. I even reused 2 HDDs, a BluRay player and a 2x120 radiator. But I wont be dumping money on an underpowered laptop just for the sake of it when there are better cheaper alternatives. If you don't think specs are everything you are on the wrong website. Back to my desktop replacement point, no laptop can really replace a full-tower. My 4.2Ghz i7 can attest of that.

Finally, OS X... lol.
 
[citation][nom]mianmian[/nom]According to what I heard, Foxconn makes parts for many different companies. But the the materials and build quality varie a lot depend on requirement/price. So even if the internals both come from foxconn, it does not mean they have the same quality.[/citation]
I will just put this out in the universe:
The only reason your mac "just works" is because the OS only has to support a hand full of pc's and a couple hundred peripherals. I give Apple credit for making this a selling point. People are mistaken in translating this into "just works" -"therefore is must be better, and worth more" onto the hardware. The hardware at it's core is the same quality, made by the same vendors, at the same fabs. The tight-fist control of OS + pc hardware is the only real translation of quality for Apple, this is what you are paying the premium for. The hardware is irrelevant.

What people perceive as quality, is different for every person. I could say quality is how long a device will function. I personally had a toshiba laptop run perfectly from 1999 to 2008, fact is it just did what I needed. The toshiba still has every pixel on it's screen, every piece of hardware still operates fine today. For my experience Toshiba made a quality piece of hardware (in 1999).
Point is people will always want to believe that the money they spend was spent smartly. Nobody spouts off that they spent thousands of dollars on trash, they honestly believe (fanatically) that they spent the money well.

Tuan, you like to stir it up. :)
 
[citation][nom]Rich_H[/nom]Most of these laptops have great specs but are not built well. Try traveling every day with them for a year and see how they hold up. The MacBook Pros are much more expensive but are better built. This isn't about the chips and the memory. It is about the rigidity of the case, the quality of the display, the soldering of the motherboard. I use to go through a laptop every 9 months. After 18 months my macbook pro is as good as new. For people who leave it on a desk, the others are probably fine[/citation]

Soldering of the motherboard? Seriously? Are you trying to suggest a foxconn motherboard (Apple) is better than ASUS? Sorry but foxconn boards are CHEAPER and have poorer components (caps, mosfets, chokes, etc etc)

PC laptops used to have super rigid chassis back in the nineties (using metals such as titanium, kevlar and carbon fibers blended into the plastics), but as IBM found out, this translates to much higher shock to the internal components when dropped. Thats why PC laptops are made out of the plastics that shatter now. So you have your data and maybe even the motherboard after a drop. Cheap plastics are not just cost cutting. There's been years and years of R&D into this stuff.
 
[citation][nom]Euphoria_MK[/nom]Correct,and what is the point of buying a laptop if you are not buying it for mobility, which means it needs to be light, sturdy and have a great battery life... 13 inch and maybe 15 is the way to go.I laugh at those 17 inch and 18 inch laptops. I might as well build two desktop PCs with twice the performance for that money. I can't imagine someone dragging around a 10 pound laptop with them all day. Lol... you might as well put some wheels on them and roll'em around[/citation]

If weight was an issue why carry a macbook or laptop at all? Carry a netbook. If you are willing to make sacrifices for weight then get serious. If you want mobility get a netbook. Your justification for Macbooks just doesnt make sense. Then not only can you laugh at those 17-18 inch laptops, you can also laugh at the 13 and 15 inch variety.

But seriously, if you have issues carrying around 10 pounds you may want to go see a doctor. That can't be healthy.
 
Apple products are designed with aesthetics first and formost, not durability and data protection. My Powerbook with a failing graphics card and backlight, dead nano and cracked iPod Touch can attest to this. Every Apple product I've bought has broken within a short period of time. I still have a basement full of 10+ year old PC equipment that still works.

Also +1 to Euphoria_MK
 
Why don't they show the specs of the 17" ?? My 17" has 8 GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD drive. Let's see any of those other laptops keep up with it. Aluminium Unibody case is super light, and acts as a huge Heatsink for the CPU and GPUs and I won't even get into the Mac OS-X vs Windows debate. I run both, so I can't be considered biased in any way. Sure the MBP is expensive, but it's simply the best all round.
 
Why don't they show the specs of the 17" ?? My 17" has 8 GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD drive. Let's see any of those other laptops keep up with it. Aluminium Unibody case is super light, and acts as a huge Heatsink for the CPU and GPUs and I won't even get into the Mac OS-X vs Windows debate. I run both, so I can't be considered biased in any way. Sure the MBP is expensive, but it's simply the best all round.
Click to expand...

and how much did that cost, i would imagine the SSD alone is going to be the cost of most laptops (ie lowest i could find was $1400 for the SSD), you looking at roughly a 3.5k macbook

also the screen size isn't comparable, ie most of these laptops were 15/16" not 17 (there was one 18.4)
 
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