looking for a windows version of the MBP

[T2urtle]

GF bought a MBP 13, last gens right before the newest one came out ( from what i heard nearly same stuff in the 13 version) I really like the specs and features of it. She completely converted into solely using the MBP and its worked out great for the past couple months.

I'm looking to do the same but i cant not use the mac OS. i've used it and attempted to learn it but at the end of the day i rather grab a windows. I really like the light up keyboard, the weight and the most importantly the battery life.

I'll be selling my desktop and dell mini9 and convert to just one notebook. Desktop isn't all that, i dont game other then once in a while Counterstrike 1.6. I mainly do school work and surf the web. A main reason why i'm switching up to a notebook only is because lack of space in the room, getting rid of the huge computer desk and being able to do my work anywhere is a great feeling that i miss. I used to be a notebook only guys back with my dell 1705 laptop with a 8600GT, 17inch glossy screen and etc but that screen killed itself. I hated the 1.5 hour battery life and the fact that it was about 9.5 lbs.

desktop specs are E2200, 4gb , 8600GT on win7 home. So pretty much any $500 notebook on the market is going to be on the same level as my main desktop.


I took a quick glimpse of the market and i dont see anything on par with the MBP, i would like to be in the $800 range. Seems like i would have to give things up, saw a couple good 14 inch ones but didn't have a disc drive. Dell's studio 15 has a light up keypad but battery isn't even 4 hours.

 

[California Roll]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3730/asus-u30jc-refining-thin-and-light-performance

I am in a similar situation to you. Right now the U30JC is at the top of my list, about $830-900 depending on which version/color.

Spec wise it blows the pants off the MBP 13. My only concern is how bad the display is.

Also consider an HP Envy 14 but it's a big jump up in price.

 

[CurseTheSky]

If you want something on par with the build quality and the overall feature set, look no further than the HP Envy 14. The battery life is not as good (unless you opt for the extra slice battery), but that has more to do with the OS than the hardware. It has an excellent backlit keyboard, beautiful screen (far better than the MBP), good internal specs, and overall great build quality. It also has better output options than the MBP 13 (Envy 14 comes with a powered eSATA port, 3x USB 2.0, mini DisplayPort + HDMI, and 2x 3.5mm headphone jacks). However, it starts at $1000, and it's much better with the optional 1600x900 Radiance screen (extra $). See my signature for a lengthy review.

If you're willing to sacrifice build quality and performance, the ASUS U / UL lines are the best compromise between battery life (which is EXCELLENT), build quality (decent) and specs (decent).

Other than that, you're either looking at something that's far inferior in one way or another, or something that costs ~$2000 (Sony Vaio Z series).

 

[T2urtle]

any store carrying the envy? Kinda wanted to view in person

is this the laptop that dr.dre was in?

the envy even looks like MBP.


i've been anti HP for a while now but i might just got back. I've seem many HP laptops PS get killed and screens just craping out. But seems like my only option, i might just spring the extra bucks.

 

[Chiropteran]

I'm looking to do the same but i cant not use the mac OS.

Do you realize could just get the MBP and install windows on it through bootcamp?

 

[TheStu]

Do you realize could just get the MBP and install windows on it through bootcamp?

The trackpad drivers aren't quite there for Windows, and they used to have problems with the fan controller.

Getting a Mac is a great choice for someone that uses Macs (like me), but the current generation ones are a little behind their PC brethren. There were a few generations there where the Macs that were out definitely exceeded the PCs of the day, but not this one.

 

[T2urtle]

Do you realize could just get the MBP and install windows on it through bootcamp?

not interested in playing those type of games.

I ran a hackatoish thingy on the dell mini 9 for a month and it didn't work, GF liked it and thats why she went with a real mac.

 

[Spicedaddy]

not interested in playing those type of games.

I ran a hackatoish thingy on the dell mini 9 for a month and it didn't work, GF liked it and thats why she went with a real mac.

Hackintosh is a "type of game", but BootCamp is officially supported and works perfectly. The only downside IMO is the trackpad.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Hackintosh is a "type of game", but BootCamp is officially supported and works perfectly. The only downside IMO is the trackpad.

And the fan controller. IIRC, the fan runs at 100%, and although it's not unbearably loud, the machine somewhat loses the allure it has when running OSX.

Yes, the Envy 14 is the one with Dr. Dre in the commercial, due to his "Beats" audio. It's largely a gimmick, though some say the audio output is a bit better than many other notebooks. The speakers aren't horrible, but they're certainly nothing special.

The Envy 15 (note: not 14) was available in Best Buy for a while, but I haven't seen one in quite some time. I don't know where you can physically play with an Envy 14, but I will say that you shouldn't doubt the quality one bit. The screen is phenomenal, the chassis is solid metal (although not quite unibody like the MBP, but still very good), the keyboard is excellent, and the connectivity far exceeds the MBP (since you get eSATA, an extra USB 2.0 port, and HDMI; it's only missing Firewire compared to what the Mac has).

If you're considering spending $1000-1200, get the Envy 14 for sure. My suggested recommendation is the i5-450m (absolutely DO NOT go with a quad core), 4GB single DIMM (add another 4GB later), 1600x900 Radiance screen, and the extra slice battery if you want ~8 hours of battery life. It gets pricey, but for many, it's the best notebook they've ever owned. The only notebooks that I'd ever trade this one for is a MBP 15 (if I was into OSX) or a Sony Vaio Z. Both are significantly more expensive.

 

[Paperlantern]

i liked the looks of the Asus Bamboo laptops. Havent used one, but they are supposed to have really good battery life at a rated 10 hours and realistic 6 - 7 hours, the keyboards are similar to that of the macbooks, unsure if they are backlit or not. They run $899 - $1099 i believe.

 

[tokie]

And the fan controller. IIRC, the fan runs at 100%, and although it's not unbearably loud, the machine somewhat loses the allure it has when running OSX.

The fan controller problem was fixed years ago. There is even an equivalent to SMCFanControl on the Windows side now (Lubbos), so you can set a higher minimum fan speed if you like.

 

[T2urtle]

I just spent about an hour trying to use my gf's MBP to basiclly switch back thru MS office programs and i hated it, i gave up and went home to do my school work. I'm supposed to be doing it right now but i figured i'll post this first. I'm not 100% if its the OS or just the trackpad/keyboard/and OS together that i hate.

On the MBP i feel just web surfing i'm at about 1/2 the speed i would be on my desktop, but a lot have to do with that. Screen size 1900x1200, MX518 with back buttons, being used to typing on my keyboard. I just zip thru everything on my desktop. I'm not sure am i just not used to a laptop again or i just hate OSX.

But to the guys saying bootcamp, i will not buy a MBP to run windows thru bootcamp. if i buy a MBP then i will use OSX. I really want to see a envy 14 in person. I walked around a couple of stores and saw OTHER HP lines but no ENVY.