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Macbook Pro or Alienware?

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dynasty

Senior member
I'm in the market for a new laptop for college in the fall. I started looking around the other week and I'v pretty much decided on either the Alienware M9750 when it comes out, or one of the new Apple Macbook Pro's. I really like the idea to be able to run both os x and windows on the same machine. I haven't really worked with os x much but I have always been interested in using it, and going to college I do like the security factor involved in the OS. I won't really be playing games a bunch, but every now and then. Just wondering what ya'll think. Thanks
 
My advice: Macbook Pro's (and Macs in general) are worthless for college computers unless maybe you are going to art school. Even then, I'd go with a non-Apple computer if possible.

Alienware laptops are very powerful but incredibly overpriced.
 
If you're not really gaming, look elsewhere in addition to Alienware. Check HP or some Asus models on newegg.
 
So I would be better suited getting another PC then a Mac? Yeh I was kinda thinking that, but, I just really liked the idea of getting a mac for some reason, 😀.
 
You would be fine with a Macbook of any kind at college. I see plenty of people with macbooks around here. The only downside is if you want to run Windows, it will cost extra.

Personally, I'd go with a PC just because of my preferences. I would certainly recommend Asus laptops.

What's your budget? Do you want to do anything else on this computer besides school work and web browsing?
 
Originally posted by: supafly
My advice: Macbook Pro's (and Macs in general) are worthless for college computers unless maybe you are going to art school.
Click to expand...
Why? What is it about Macs that makes them worthless in a college setting? Could you point out some examples?

 
I really don't have a budget to say, I would say under $3000. I'm going to be about 600 miles away from home and I can't have a TV, so this thing will be doing pretty much everything. Movies, music, school work, some gaming when I have the time, and just other little things.
 
Originally posted by: AmigaMan
Originally posted by: supafly
My advice: Macbook Pro's (and Macs in general) are worthless for college computers unless maybe you are going to art school.
Click to expand...
Why? What is it about Macs that makes them worthless in a college setting? Could you point out some examples?
Click to expand...

Well it is my opinion that Macs are worthless for everything other than looking nice.

They are overpriced, unreliable (my girlfriend has owned a couple Mac laptops couple over the years), and the OS is.. far from the best.

And yes, I have plenty of experience with them. Hell, I grew up on Apple computers and used OSX as far back as late 2001 when everyone at my high school was given ibooks.
 
i agree with supafly, running windows on my MBpro is certainly far from best.
Get the macbook pro, you'll be able to run 100% of the software on the market, be able to use a minimum of two OS on the machine, and it's just as good as any pc laptop.
i know, i use one. the new apple notebooks are nothing like the older ones.
 
Originally posted by: supafly
Originally posted by: AmigaMan
Originally posted by: supafly
My advice: Macbook Pro's (and Macs in general) are worthless for college computers unless maybe you are going to art school.
Click to expand...
Why? What is it about Macs that makes them worthless in a college setting? Could you point out some examples?
Click to expand...

Well it is my opinion that Macs are worthless for everything other than looking nice.

They are overpriced, unreliable (my girlfriend has owned a couple Mac laptops couple over the years), and the OS is.. far from the best.

And yes, I have plenty of experience with them. Hell, I grew up on Apple computers and used OSX as far back as late 2001 when everyone at my high school was given ibooks.
Click to expand...

I know that my macbook was actually the cheapest machine out there when i got it. At least in the size class that i wanted (12-14" Widescreen) Plus I was willing to pay extra to run OS X and then dualboot. i am a software engineering student, and as such having the ability to dual-boot is a total boon to me. I have had almost no problems with my macbook when it comes to build-quality (mine suffers from the palmrest staining that you may have heard about) And upon seeing some of the other laptops that my classmates are using (Dell, Toshiba, HP, Alienware) I like the build-quality and solidness of mine much more over the others.
 
Originally posted by: supafly
Originally posted by: AmigaMan
Originally posted by: supafly
My advice: Macbook Pro's (and Macs in general) are worthless for college computers unless maybe you are going to art school.
Click to expand...
Why? What is it about Macs that makes them worthless in a college setting? Could you point out some examples?
Click to expand...

Well it is my opinion that Macs are worthless for everything other than looking nice.

They are overpriced, unreliable (my girlfriend has owned a couple Mac laptops couple over the years), and the OS is.. far from the best.

And yes, I have plenty of experience with them. Hell, I grew up on Apple computers and used OSX as far back as late 2001 when everyone at my high school was given ibooks.
Click to expand...


WTF.

Macs are pretty powerful machines. They can keep up with most any other PC machine out there. When you look at the overall package for what you get they are not overpriced at all. And the cool thing is everytime they update what you get the price usually sticks. If anything you end up paying $99 more. That's it.

The OS happens to be pretty decent, and the new one coming out will be even better. And on top fo that you CAN run windows just fine on a Mac. Not need to use boot camp either since you can run parallels and run both at the same time...without a huge drag on performance too.

Maybe you should get out and use some of the newer Macs out there?


Then again, this is just my opinion too.
 
As far as laptops go, I'm very happy with my Macbook Pro. It is an extremely powerful machine, works and looks great, and it also a lot more portable than other 17" laptops. Here at work, they got a new Dell XPS 17" Laptop for the intern position I'm currently in. I've used it for a little bit and can't believe the lack of quality as compared to my Mac. While some programs do suck right now (Office and CS2), they should really get a speed boost when the Intel-compatible versions come out this year (Office 2008 and CS3).

 
Configuring a Dell XPS laptop with almost the exact same specs comes out to roughly $3600.

MacBook Pro - $2799 stock. Holy cow let me throw in built-in camera, bluetooth, wireless(n I think now?), and a sweet backlit keyboard.

Also, no hassle with what flavor OS you want. It all comes in the same package, everyone gets the full package.
 
Asus W7J - 13.3", 7400Go - $1500 (Vista Home Premium) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834220130
Asus V1J - 15.4", MR X1700 - ~$2000+, has an optional docking station, really thin notebook (Vista Business) http://proportable.com/detail.aspx?ID=202
Asus V2J - 14", MR X1450?? - Pricing Unknown, won't be available until at least end of April? Will also have an optional docking station
Asus A8Js - 14", 7700Go (best midrange mobile GPU) - $1600 (Vista Home Premium) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834220137

You could go for a larger notebook, but I'd say it's better to get something you can carry around easily (maximum size of 15.4" screen, under 6lbs). You can always attach a larger monitor and external keyboard/mouse if you want to use a larger screen at your desk.
 
i know two people that have the 15" MBP and both are satisfied with it. idk anyone with an alienware laptop but then again, they are overpriced for what you get.

i also know a few people with regular macbooks. they like them and i think they're alright, i just really hate their keyboard. God knows how much food is inside my laptop cause i eat a lot while using the laptop, so the macbook's keyboard is good for that reason. i just personally find it childish (the blackbook is better in appearance imo).

i haven't seen an asus laptop before but i have never heard anything bad about them. i would definitely go with one of them, especially if you plan on occasionally gaming.

this is what i think you should do:

if you want sub-$1000, go with the HP dv2000t. solid build quality, very nice appearance, weighs 5.25lbs, and has good options you can add.

$1200-1500: go to newegg.com and get a 14.1" Asus (A8J?) with a C2D T7200 o\and either the MRX1700 or 7700Go GPU. get a Dell D620 or macbook only if you won't game (has no dedicated graphics option). the D620 has a business graphics card option, however.

if you're going to be spending more, the MBP is a good option. i know there are other options out there but my brain is kind of tired and i had no need to recommend an expensive laptop lately so they're not quite at the top of my head. i really think the Asus would be the best option for you right now. it was $1300 last time i checked with a T7200 cpu, MR X1700 gpu, 1gb ram, 120gb hdd, dvd-rw, etc.

if you take any advice from my post, notice i only recommended 13.3-14.1" notebooks, except for the MBP. size does matter for college students, and 13.3-14.1" seems to be the sweet spot.

 
Well the thing is I don't know how much if any I'm going to be taking this thing to class. If I did go the alienware route, I started pricing some other one's too. I priced the m5790 and it came out to be roughly $2200 with everything that I put in it. Do you think taht would be decent for alittle gaming or if I want to do any gaming at all should I wait for the m9750? Its alittle more complicated getting a laptop then a desktop, because you can always switch out desktop parts, but with the laptop you arre stuck with what you get. Kind of makes you wonder if you got the right thing for later use.
 
Originally posted by: dynasty
Well the thing is I don't know how much if any I'm going to be taking this thing to class. If I did go the alienware route, I started pricing some other one's too. I priced the m5790 and it came out to be roughly $2200 with everything that I put in it. Do you think taht would be decent for alittle gaming or if I want to do any gaming at all should I wait for the m9750? Its alittle more complicated getting a laptop then a desktop, because you can always switch out desktop parts, but with the laptop you arre stuck with what you get. Kind of makes you wonder if you got the right thing for later use.
Click to expand...

It's not even about taking it to class. My notebook almost never comes to class with me (only time it does is when I have an electronic reserve reading and don't feel like printing it). It's about the ease of carrying it around, going to the library, hanging out in your dorm's lounge, etc. The potential to do other things with your notebook besides leaving it on your desk. Trust me, 8lbs might not seem like a lot of weight, but when you start to carry it anywhere, it becomes burdensome.

As for myself (a 1st year), I thought I would play games a lot more than I do, but I barely touch them these days. As of now, my ideal notebook would probably be something between the 12-14" range with a docking station (to make it easier to rapidly disconnect all my peripherals) and maybe a low-end graphics card like a 7400Go/X1400 in case I wanted to pick up an older game. Besides that, I'm still happy with my Asus W3J (14" WXGA, MR X1600, Core Duo, 1GB DDR2).

Also, when do you start school? If you don't start till the fall, relax and wait till June/July to get a notebook (but not in August because you want time to make sure everything works and to get used to it).
 
I start the first of August. I'm going to a military school so I don't really think I'm gonna be taking it around that much. And we aren't allowed to have tv's in our rooms until our senior year, so it would be nice to have the extra screen space for movies. You might be right though about ease of mobility though.
 
Originally posted by: dynasty
I start the first of August. I'm going to a military school so I don't really think I'm gonna be taking it around that much. And we aren't allowed to have tv's in our rooms until our senior year, so it would be nice to have the extra screen space for movies. You might be right though about ease of mobility though.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about getting a laptop now then. I'd wait until at least June to purchase one. Plus, Santa Rosa is going to be coming out along with 800MHz FSB C2D mobile processors come Late March/April/May, so you'd have the latest technology to pick from. I'd come back here in late May and ask what to buy at that point in time. Though, I did post some links if you do choose to get a notebook now.
 
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