MacBook Pro vs. Thinkpad T-series?

[RaynorWolfcastle]

I need to buy a laptop and I've been debating between either a MacBook Pro and a Thinkpad T-series. They seem pretty similar in both spec and price, is one vastly superior than the other in one way or the other?

Please keep in mind that:
- I don't game.
- If I buy the MacBook Pro, I will dual boot with WinXP or Vista. I have access to this software through MSDNAA for free, so the software cost of the extra OS is not an issue.
- I'll probably be getting a last-gen version of either laptops (Core Duo)

Any suggestions?

 

[jacob0401]

Well i like trackpoint so for me IBM>Apple in that regard. However apple is more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[TheStu]

Jacob makes a good point. if you are one of those people that loves their erasernub, then IBM is really the only way to go. But, if you like the trackpad, then Apple is the better choice. The trackpad on the macbooks (this includes pros) is humongous, and the two finger scrolling is awesome. I think that either way you go, you will not be disappointed. The people that I know that have used thinkpads have all loved them, and that pretty much goes for everyone I know that has used apple laptops. People may disagree with me, but the build quality on both is very good (yes, there have been complaints, but its not like EVERYONE'S macbook pro was whining, or exploding, or anything like that, it was an incredibly small percentage)

So it really boils down to how much money you want to spend, and personal aesthetic preferences.

 

[fbrdphreak]

What will your primary OS be?

[/thread]

 

[regnez]

I have had a Thinkpad for going on five years now, and I really like it. It has never given me any trouble in terms of reliability or durability, both internally and externally. I have heard stories of the MacBooks getting yellow and dingy after not much use, but I don't know how true that is.

The nub/trackpad thing is another option you will want to consider. I find the nub vastly superior, but that is a preference thing.

Something in the MacBooks favor, however, is its ability to dual boot Windows/OSX. I know quite a few people who consider this a deal maker over any other laptop.

In the end, it is a preference thing. They both have pros and cons, but they are both very high-quality laptops and I think you will be pleased with which ever one you choose.

 

[TheStu]

Regnez, you arent wrong about the dingy-ness... but he was talking macbook pro, which is aluminum shell. The White macbook do have a tendency to stain (/me looks down at my dingy palmrests) but are still a solid machine regardless.

LIke phreak said though, which OS would you prefer to have as your primary. If OSX, then there is only one answer, if Windows, then I would suggest the Thinkpad simply because the BootCamp drivers, although good, are not perfect yet, and therefore you wont get quite as good overall performance. The trackpad drivers in particular drive me nuts in windows. I simply cant get the sensitivity to match what i experience in OS X... so i called it quits and use my Revolution with it.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

In terms of the OS, I've never used OS X before so it will likely be Windows (probably Vista, once it shows up on MSDNAA). With that said, I'd like to try OS X. I've played around with a Thinkpad T42 before and they are excellent. I was at Staples today and they had a MacBook Pro that I played with and it's just a fantastic laptop. The build quality on both is excellent from what I can tell, which is why it's such a tough decision.

Frankly, I already have a home desktop PC and a desktop PC at my office at school; my biggest issue is that I don't have administrator privileges at school and I don't have access to all the software I need from home. I'm looking to have all my software on my laptop so that I don't have to worry about location and always have access to the software I need. Some of the software I need is very specific to my field and only exists for Windows, hence the need for a separate partition, for the rest I'm pretty platform agnostic.

At this point I'm leaning towards the MacBook Pro just because it seems like such a nice machine Also, the MacBook Pro outputs to DVI whereas I'd need the docking station to use my Dell 2005FPW via DVI with an IBM.

 

[TheStu]

If you don't mind my asking, what software are you using that is only available on Windows? I just did some checking, and although I thought that it was multi-platform, apparently AutoCAD is Windows Only, so that is one.

Transitioning to OS X is a fairly straight-forward task, and one that is you probably won't regret if that is what you decide to do.

 

[regnez]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Regnez, you arent wrong about the dingy-ness... but he was talking macbook pro, which is aluminum shell. The White macbook do have a tendency to stain (/me looks down at my dingy palmrests) but are still a solid machine regardless.

Sorry about that. I forgot that the Pro's had the (better looking, in my opinion) aluminum shells. Please ignore that portion of my comment. :thumbsup:

 

[TheStu]

I personally cant decide if I like the aluminum better or not... i really like the look of the black... but neither are worth the extra cash to me.

Sorry, not trying to threadjack

 

[TMoney468]

I just got a 17" MBP for Christmas and I am amazed at the quality and features of this laptop. My dad has a Thinkpad from work and it does seem to have nice construction as well. I just prefer the features of the MBP, including the illuminated keys when it's dark.

 

[nightowl]

I could not use a laptop for extended periods of time without the trackpoint. So for me, it is the Thinkpad. I also have an X60 coming my way in the near future to replace my T42.

 

[6000SUX]

I never use the trackpoint, but prefer the design of the Thinkpad. It is also extremely durable, good for a klutz like me. The 14" T series is IMO a good balance of many important things: screen size, keyboard size and feel, power, total size and weight, quietness, battery life, aesthetics. I think it's a beautiful piece of hardware.

I don't much care for the widescreen aspect ratio in notebook screens, except for very small or very large machines. Hence I like 17" screens (since that's really the smallest size where you can usefully view documents side by side) and very small widescreens (since they enable a bigger keyboard while still providing a decent amount of screen space). For a medium-sized notebook like mine, on which I do a lot of work including photo editing, a regular aspect ratio works much better.

The Thinkpad has an illuminated keyboard via a small light on the edge of the screen, which I like better than backlit keys because it also illuminates the hand and does not compete so much with the screen.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: TheStu
If you don't mind my asking, what software are you using that is only available on Windows? I just did some checking, and although I thought that it was multi-platform, apparently AutoCAD is Windows Only, so that is one.

Transitioning to OS X is a fairly straight-forward task, and one that is you probably won't regret if that is what you decide to do.

Specifically, I need to use CodeV and Optisystem, both are CAD tools for designing optics and neither are available on OS X.

 

[computeerrgghh]

Originally posted by: 6000SUX
I never use the trackpoint, but prefer the design of the Thinkpad. It is also extremely durable, good for a klutz like me. The 14" T series is IMO a good balance of many important things: screen size, keyboard size and feel, power, total size and weight, quietness, battery life, aesthetics. I think it's a beautiful piece of hardware.

I don't much care for the widescreen aspect ratio in notebook screens, except for very small or very large machines. Hence I like 17" screens (since that's really the smallest size where you can usefully view documents side by side) and very small widescreens (since they enable a bigger keyboard while still providing a decent amount of screen space). For a medium-sized notebook like mine, on which I do a lot of work including photo editing, a regular aspect ratio works much better.

The Thinkpad has an illuminated keyboard via a small light on the edge of the screen, which I like better than backlit keys because it also illuminates the hand and does not compete so much with the screen.

From my experience, the screen, on full brightness, is sufficient to light up the keys. From the few people that have Macbooks in my dorm, it seems that Mac books (not sure what revision) get pretty hot. I was typing something on my friends Macbook and I could feel the heat on the keys.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: computeerrgghh
From my experience, the screen, on full brightness, is sufficient to light up the keys.

ThinkPads have what is called the ThinkLight. It is a small LED at the top of the display which helps illuminate the keyboard. T-series have the more expensive white LED and the rest have an amber LED.

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: computeerrgghh
From my experience, the screen, on full brightness, is sufficient to light up the keys.

ThinkPads have what is called the ThinkLight. It is a small LED at the top of the display which helps illuminate the keyboard. T-series have the more expensive white LED and the rest have an amber LED.

Yep. And my screen, at full brightness, is not enough to light up the keys even in a dimly-lit room (that's the situation right now). Perhaps the 15" FlexView sheds just that much more light.

 

[phisrow]

One consideration in the Thinkpad's favor(at least when on the move) is its superior supply of mouse buttons. Trackpoint + 3 mouse buttons > Touchpad + 1 mouse button. If you are just going to use an external mouse it doesn't matter; but I know that I could never go back, now that I'm used to having the extra buttons.

 

[TheStu]

Have you used a new macbook or macbook pro though? You barely notice the lack of buttons, since 1 finger to move, 1 finger plus click is a left click. 2 fingers to scroll, 2 fingers plus click is a right click. apple+click is a middle click. Honestly I really am not hurting for any extra buttons. Part of it comes from the fat that since the whole button is just one button, I cna click it blind, and it will do what i want. And since the whole trackpad can be the scrolling area (instead of the side and bottom like some of the other OEMs) i dont have to worry about that either.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

To throw two more cents into the mouse-button kitty, I am typing this on a MacBook, which I bought after disliking my ThinkPad T60 WS. I find the whole mouse interface much better on the MB. The TP touchpad is TINY, and flanked by five buttons that are meaningfully higher than the pad. I found it uncomfortable and unpleasant to use. The MB's touchpad is literally twice the size, and proportioned the same as the screen, which is really nice. I LOVE the two-finger scrolling, and since you can also tap with two fingers to right-click I don't really miss the right button.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Most people who buy ThinkPads don't use the touchpad But it is something to be considered if you're a touchpad lover

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Most people who buy ThinkPads don't use the touchpad But it is something to be considered if you're a touchpad lover

Yeah, if I were a TrackPoint guy I probably wouldn't care. Actually my first laptop, an NEC 486/50, has a TrackPoint-type pointing device, and I always liked it fine, but now that I'm used to a touchpad I find that more intuitive. The MacBook's really is excellent.

 

[smitty99]

Two-finger scrolling is the bomb-diggity, and I don't even really know what that means. Try it for a little bit and it will change your portable computing the same way scrolly-wheels on mice changed desktop computing. As far as I know there's no software offering that ability on the Thinkpad, so consider mine a vote for the MPB.

 

[marulee]

Yes, aesthetically. However thinking practically, IBM is much more compatible and user-friendly (?) with the softwares in the market!

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: marulee
Yes, aesthetically. However thinking practically, IBM is much more compatible and user-friendly (?) with the softwares in the market!

The MacBook and MBP are both excellent Windows laptops. I must admit I probably wouldn't buy one solely to run Windows, but they both do so just fine, and are actually very fairly priced as Windows laptops considering their feature sets and build quality. IMO OS X is generally a better OS, so I would probably always use that as my primary, but it's easy to dual-boot an Intel Mac to run Windows as well.