5 Laptops that Destroy the New MacBook Pros

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[citation][nom]The Rhinofart[/nom]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.[/citation]

Yea and you paid well over $4k for your MacBook LMAO. As for the Aluminum body its nice but I can go get me an Envy 15.6 with an almost identical aluminum body spec'd to the teeth with quad core i7, 8gb Ram, 320 gb sdd in raid 0, radeon 5830 gfx, extra batteries, high res screen all for less than $3k. I guarantee you it will smoke the pants off the top of the line (dual core, lol) i7 mac.

And yeah dont get into osx vs windows debate because youll lose. OSX had plenty over Microsoft before 7 but now its all gone because Windows 7 is pretty damn good.
 
You all are falling to much for the general marketing in PC and Mac technology. Both are the same more than you are willing to admit. For years single treaded apps is all that matters to 95% of the human kind and that is true today. With every generation PC makers make you believe you are winning a lot of performance most of the time with negligent increases and you are not winning that much. Mhz still matters for this reason. We hit a wall that is true and that is why now a processor is not doing More's Law for single treaded performance. In fact I don't feel much faster than 4 years ago. But at least I do 3D rendering and can take advantage of the additional cores and thread in some time consuming task.

PC laptops and Macbook all suck from the performance perspective. The best heavy and weird $8000 PC laptop is an entry level $2000-3000 desktop or workstation ( and 95% of all users wont use 4 cores and 4 additional treads). For them is better to spend the money on battery life, good screen definition and real state, style and weight. Apple or not. That is why Apple is doing so well in this 1000-2000 segment. Is not about raw performance. Unbiased facts.

For example, my sister is looking for a very light well builded PC 15' laptop from around $800, do you think for her is not important her machine last for 2 - 4 more hours?. Are you kidding yourself?. She is not going to spent $1300 for office apps on Macs or PCs. Give her that PC and we are talking.

In my case what I really want is a real desktop replacement for $1500-2500 not for $8000 and that is not going to happen any time soon so I can't live with just one machine. I need at least 2 or 3. One laptop and one desktop for different task. But my Mac book is for basic computing anyway and that is not going to change in the next years so I am more open to spend more on building quality, screen color accuracy, real one light case portability and battery life. This is the machine I use for presentations not for real work.
 
[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? [/citation]

Because weight should not be an issue. If you cannot handle carrying less than 10% of your bodyweight you should get medical attention. You are not healthy.

[citation][nom]anthonyp[/nom]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! [/citation]
Are we talking about wants or needs here? Why do you need 10 hours of battery life? Nothing is so important that it requires 10 hours of battery time. If it did, then it sounds to me like someone has a problem with prioritizing their time. I understand that some flight times take more 4 hours. However, if you were to properly allocate your time you would be more prepared and not have to complete your work on a plane on during your travels.

[citation][nom]anthonyp[/nom]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. [/citation]

Past performance is no longer an indication since the internal hardware of the mpb is identical to pc laptops. From what I have seen and the local shops in my area the macbook pro’s resale values are dropping at the same rate as PC laptops.

[citation][nom]anthonyp[/nom]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?? [/citation]

Do you realize that OS X can be installed on a PC as well with minimal intervention? I know that you can install Windows on a Macbook. However, I did see a performance hit when I did. Like it matters since this article is about HARDWARE!!! But, it’s obvious that you are offended (or upset) that someone would point out that others have dared to challenge Apple by making something cheaper with more capabilities than a mbp. I am not too keen on the mbp shell anyway, it looks like a chiclet…or a tooth.

[citation][nom]anthonyp[/nom]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. [/citation]

Yes you do need to mention them. Might as well come out
with guns blazing so you can get shot down in a blaze of glory.

[citation][nom]anthonyp[/nom]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?). [/citation]

I would like to see the benchmarks as well. Last time a benchmark comparison was done between OSX and Windows on identical hardware OSX was only slightly behind XP; a vast improvement over past benchmarks.

[citation][nom]anthonyp[/nom]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]

What is embarrassing is your post. If you had even read the article you would have seen that it was a hardware comparison. No half-truths, just a plain and simple part for part comparison. The conclusion is the opinion of the writer. Again if you had read the whole article you would have seen that the writer said the new mbp should do well since it can be run in turbo at 3.33GHz while the other are maxed at 2.8GHz


The door swings both ways. I have 2 Dell D630c laptops one running Win 7 64 and the other is a hackintosh. The internal hardware on both are identical.
 
[citation][nom]tuannguyen[/nom]It is indeed true that Apple focuses more on two things: battery life, which they are very good at, and design. They pick their specs to augment the battery, still, one can't help but cringe.[/citation]
Agree and OS X is still better than Vista 2, I mean Windows 7. I would go for the 13" Macbook Pro with a 10hr battery any day over any of the Windose ones.
 
I am a PC user AND a Mac user and my MacBook smokes any of my PCs. Hands down. End of discussion. When it comes to what laptops are better, it's Mac. Nuff said. Next topic.
 
What is embarrassing is your post. If you had even read the article you would have seen that it was a hardware comparison. No half-truths, just a plain and simple part for part comparison...
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You are not able to survive outside the PC hardware world. This site is about everything! Toms Hardware and this article are just about hardware?, Oh yeah. In sum that is why this article is a bit mediocre because is just about partial facts and not all the ones that matter for 95% of user in the computing experience.

Those 5 machines are very good by the way, there is nothing wrong with them but none are desktop replacements and they are not good performers in that sense. So what is the point to center the attention to just their performance specs. Who uses just the tech fact to produce a better work? Very few my friends. And for the vast majority is about much more than that. We are talking portable computers here not ultimate performers. See the different? Is a performance fact. And that is why a laptop is a different beast.
 
I tried finding the Asus G Series G51JX-A1 w/ the Blu-Ray drive but no luck. The Amazon and Newegg prices and models I found came with DVD.
 
do these PCs run Final Cut Pro?

That is the deal killer for me. FCP is mac only. So myself and
all my filmmaker friends are Mac only also.


 
do these PCs run Final Cut Pro?

That is the deal killer for me. FCP is mac only. So myself and
all my filmmaker friends are Mac only also.
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except with a little user intervention you can install OSX on one of these laptops with since most of them have very similar hardware to the MBP

besides there are plenty of software alternatives to FCP, probably some free ones that are decent
 
[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]

Rich_H
By that experience I am doing well. I use an old Toshiba M60 under the conditions you describe above and it is still working after 4 years with no repairs. I have made only an upgrade to the RAM.
 
I actually paid just about 5G for my MacBookPro. Simple point is, I use it for my work. It has to work 100% of the time. My last one was purchased in November similar specs, except for it was Core 2 Duo with only 256Gb SSD drive. I will now use that as a backup device, or give it to my wife. I have windows laptops as well that I use for the not so critical stuff.

As for the OS-X - Windows debate? How would I lose? I'm an MCSE, MCSA, and MCITP. I know windows platforms inside out. For my Day Job, I am a CTO / Sys Admin for a small multinational corporation. In the Evenings and weekends, I am a DJ. Which is where my Macs come into play. I can't risk a windows laptop crashing on me in the middle of a set with a packed dance floor, (Which has happened. Thanks a lot HP :-( ), and Rekordbox constantly crashes on Windows. But not once have I ever had a problem with the Mac at a gig. And it's not just the hardware either. I run Windows 7 Ultimate in a bootcamp scenario on the Mac. Win 7 does work well, but it's super slow in a lot of areas. Especially searching for anything on the file system.
 
I actually paid just about 5G for my MacBookPro. Simple point is, I use it for my work. It has to work 100% of the time. My last one was purchased in November similar specs, except for it was Core 2 Duo with only 256Gb SSD drive. I will now use that as a backup device, or give it to my wife. I have windows laptops as well that I use for the not so critical stuff.

As for the OS-X - Windows debate? How would I lose? I'm an MCSE, MCSA, and MCITP. I know windows platforms inside out. For my Day Job, I am a CTO / Sys Admin for a small multinational corporation. In the Evenings and weekends, I am a DJ. Which is where my Macs come into play. I can't risk a windows laptop crashing on me in the middle of a set with a packed dance floor, (Which has happened. Thanks a lot HP :-( ), and Rekordbox constantly crashes on Windows. But not once have I ever had a problem with the Mac at a gig. And it's not just the hardware either. I run Windows 7 Ultimate in a bootcamp scenario on the Mac. Win 7 does work well, but it's super slow in a lot of areas. Especially searching for anything on the file system.
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personally i would have kept the older one (which was probably just as expensive) and bought yourself a good workstation (5k could have gotten you 48GB ram, 2 x Xeon quadcores)
 
[citation][nom]jecastej[/nom]You are not able to survive outside the PC hardware world. This site is about everything! Toms Hardware and this article are just about hardware?, Oh yeah. In sum that is why this article is a bit mediocre because is just about partial facts and not all the ones that matter for 95% of user in the computing experience.Those 5 machines are very good by the way, there is nothing wrong with them but none are desktop replacements and they are not good performers in that sense. So what is the point to center the attention to just their performance specs. Who uses just the tech fact to produce a better work? Very few my friends. And for the vast majority is about much more than that. We are talking portable computers here not ultimate performers. See the different? Is a performance fact. And that is why a laptop is a different beast.[/citation]

What the hell are you talking about? Not able to survive outside the PC hardware world? Apple was not able to survive outsite the PC hardware world. Look at the hardware these Macbooks are running. What is the one think that stands out. THEY ARE RUNNING PC HARDWARE!!!

Yes this site is about everything...we all already know that. But what you fail to see is that this article makes no mention of software. Making the article hardware centric. Physically, hardware wise, the new line of Macbook Pros has lesser hardware when compared to others on the market. Not once was OSX or Windows 7 mentioned.

Hardware is what I want. I do not need to buy a macbook pro to run OSX. I havent run OSX on an Apple product in a long time and will continue to do so. Since I can install OSX on anything I want why would I pay $2000 for hardware I can get elsewhere for $1200. Or in this case why would I pay $2200 for Apple's PC hardware when I can pay $1400 for better/more PC hardware from Asus?

However, if that is not how you place value on hardware so be it. I would like you sell you a 2010 Prius. (its really a 2005 Corrolla engine with new shiny Prius body, oh and I am going to increase the price by 40% and disable one of the cylinders.)
 
I agree that you can get the same or better components on a pc laptop for less than an Apple laptop.
I agree that Mac OS X does not justify the price premium, even though it is pretty awesome, and gets FASTER with each new release (unlike Windows).
I agree that Apple's battery performance is superior - and so is the laptops weight and construction.

For me, the reason I keep coming back to Mac laptops is the combination of hardware and software that never seems to have issues (or if it does they are fixed quickly). That they are able to work with virtually any hardware/software add-on that exists, either for for Mac OS or for Windows (via Boot Camp or VMs). The low weight and long battery life, and yes, the design. However, the most important reason I keep coming back is that for me, the most valuable commodity is time. With a Mac laptop, I am able to do more in less time than if I was on a pc laptop. That alone is worth a couple hundred bucks up front. With the time I save using a Mac, I am happy to pay the upfront price premium.
 
Most people don't need all the extra "speed" that other laptops provide. Computers are bottlenecked by hard drives anyway. If you planned on using applications that used the pc's processor to its full extent then it would be better. Though, with the extra speed battery life suffers... this makes the primary purpose of a laptop, portability, much less effective as the running time wouldn't be as long. Build quality, battery life, weight, aesthetics(like a backlit keyboard), and customer service are pros of Apple. Cheaper hardware and faster speeds(at least for the processor & graphics card) are pros of the Pc laptops.
 
We are all different people who have different needs. If you need the Mac OS (and Apple's other sexy software) and/or windows in the same machine the choice is obvious. If you are a windows user, then you have more options, so buy what suits you the best. Processor speed isn't as important for most people as, battery life, size, HD screens, etc.

Technology wise the Apple is the most advanced with the longest battery life. It will also outlast any of the machines above, plus the macs have a higher resale value.

The best gaming machine appears to be the Alienware.

Bottomline: Buy what you want, let people buy what they want and put the hate on pause!

-Is this really the place for tea party political crap?

-I'm a Mac/PC and I think all computers are worthless (unless they have a purpose).
 
@the mac people, you realize that for like $100 you can get a battery that last just as long as the macs (apple usually puts the largest capacity battery in)

@macmuchmore, the reason you probably get more don on a mac is that you are used to the OS, i am slower on both OSX (expecially) and windows when compared to linux
though PSX can be installed on a non-mac, it takes a little bit more effort, but it is a lot cheaper

@anit-hater, battery life can be offset (like i said above), the size is the same as the one i ordered, and HD screens, this made me laugh, the 15" only goes to 1680x1050 (and this cost extra, normally only 1440x900), that is not HD, my 15" i am getting is full 1080P (1920x1080)
 
What the.... are you talking about? Not able to survive outside the PC hardware world? Apple was not able to survive outsite the PC hardware world. Look at the hardware these Macbooks are running. What is the one think that stands out. THEY ARE RUNNING PC HARDWARE!!!
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I am sorry if you understood that. I build my own PCs with MS Windows too and I know very well Macs are mostly PCs inside. My message to you is that you are not seeing at a bigger picture outside PCs or Macs hardware. This is not about me or you who could build our own PC but you cannot see that. And yes I have a Mac book that I use for presentations and meetings not for hard work.

Yes this site is about everything...we all already know that. But what you fail to see is that this article makes no mention of software. Making the article hardware centric. Physically, hardware wise, the new line of Macbook Pros has lesser hardware when compared to others on the market. Not once was OSX or Windows 7 mentioned.
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False.
Are not the weight nor the battery life specs of every portable computer?
And what about building materials and construction?
Better yes, on some specs that are important to you and some others and that is fine. This 5 laptops are consumer laptops and the Mac Books are mostly consumer laptops with consumer parts. Fact. This machines are not top performers and they don't use workstation mobile parts. So is up to the consumer user to select the specs they need or what they think are better for what they are going to use their machines. Different use different choices.

Hardware is what I want. I do not need to buy a macbook pro to run OSX. I havent run OSX on an Apple product in a long time and will continue to do so. Since I can install OSX on anything I want why would I pay $2000 for hardware I can get elsewhere for $1200. Or in this case why would I pay $2200 for Apple's PC hardware when I can pay $1400 for better/more PC hardware from Asus?
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Because that is your privilege and is your right but so is the everybody's right to choose based on different needs. Why would every user should build their computers?. Sometimes you just want something right out of the box. Sometimes you just need battery life or you may choose a lighter notebook to carry with you just for presentations or for manny other different needs. And maybe it is your privilege to have something that looks better, like a car, like a jean, like glasses, like a new girlfriend, my friend. It may be frivolous or it may be something else...

However, if that is not how you place value on hardware so be it. I would like you sell you a 2010 Prius. (its really a 2005 Corrolla engine with new shiny Prius body, oh and I am going to increase the price by 40% and disable one of the cylinders.)
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Bad example my friend, you lost it there. But try to understand that not every object must meet the same use or user. And that is a very important gold if not the most important when designing consumer products.

This article makes false assumptions from the title. This is not just about hardware because it never is just about a part or a function of any object. Things are not just thing, they have a purpose, and this is a big failure in the assumption this article pretends. Where is the user value here?.

And by the way I could do a search on the internet and come up with 5 very fine notebooks on the same budget, I do that all the time. Are these 5 machines Mac Book killers from "whom" point of view. A gamer?. Someone using handbrake?. Just let us all know and don't be vague or generalist because that is bag journalism. In fact there are better analysis right now on other PC sites with pros and cons on almost every spec. So this is not enough. Give me something better!.

 
I like macs because of their OS and product support. Yes it costs more than a PC for the same hardware. But My older 1st gen Intel-based Macbook is still snappy and quick as the day I bought it. I've upgraded the OS twice with no issues and I love how easy it is to sync with my workstation. Macs hold their value for longer too. Look at any laptop made in 2006 and compare its resale value to a mac from the same year.
 
Geek and Gamers what bleeding edge fast computers. Great they are out there. For the rest of the world choices are to be made; looks, usability, durability, environmental footprint. Apple nails all of these. The operating system looks great and works well. 10h battery life might seem excessive but in a year when the screaming fast PC lasts 2 hours and the macbook 5 usability comes into play. Machined aluminium body makes them light and durable which helps usability. Components might be the same or even older but how things are made are as much of a factor as what it is made from. There is always a cheaper way to make things. Living in a capitalistic society you can bet your bottom dollar that cheaper computers are made cheaper (this includes R&D and assembly). At the end of the day you get what you pay for. I cheap fast PC is exactly what a geek or gamer needs. They will be upgrading in a year anyways when the new faster computer is out. There are a lot of people for which computers are way more powerful than they need to be. For these people it makes sense to look at other aspects.
 
I also think Apple products are overpriced. That said, I own two (13" MBP and iPhone 3G), both refurbished. I couldn't justify paying full price and am extremely happy with both devices and still get the same warranty.

I'm not a fanboy; just someone who gave up on Windows after Vista. Snow Leopard has been a dream to work with. I outgrew my obsession with PC games after I became a Dad, which is why the specs don't concern me as much anymore.

To those who mock the ad "it just works", well...it DOES just work.
 
I carry laptops around every day... it sucks. I'll take my 15" Mac any day of the week. No viral issues, reliable AND buys me a few more years out of my back?! I'll spend the extra.
 
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