Need a few suggestions for notebooks

[Shigeru]

First off I'm an ICS major. I'm almost at the end of my college career and was considering purchasing a laptop but i am having a really hard time deciding. It's main purpose would be programming of course. The main languages I program in are C/C++. I only touch Java or C# when i have to for a class. It would also be used for light gaming when I'm bored at school. Nothing too intensive though. Now days i usually only play Warcraft 3.

Because I am in school, I get a discount through Apple so I have been heavily leaning towards a Macbook/Pro. OSX is unix based so that becomes extremely convenient when writing in C/C++ since I can run most things on there instead of always having to connect to my school's unix server. I'm planning on taking a High Performance Computing course next semester so it would really help if i had a unix environment i could access offline. I figured if i ever needed to do work in Visual Studios or something i could always use Bootcamp for my Windows needs.

I am wondering if anyone else could throw out a few suggestions for laptops. The Macbook Black would cost around $1400 while the Pro would cost $1800 so I'll use those prices as a basis for comparison. I'll probably end up throwing on Slackware so i guess it really doesn't matter if it's Windows or Mac.

 

[TheStu]

I used a MacBook when i was studying SoftEngr, and it was a boon to have the unix pinnings. I didnt have to download special software to ftp, or to ssh into our prof's PowerMac Server. After I installed XCode (actually spent most of my time coding in either emacs or eclipse) I had all the compilers I needed. And for those incredibly rare times that i need windows, I installed it in VMWare Fusion.

I never felt too tied down by the screen even though it is 13". I found that I could usually have 3 emacs windows open next to each other without sacrificing too much width on any of them. Furthermore, the ability to install and run any OS (legally) is a definite help. No teacher can ever again say "You cant use that it doesnt have x" I had this one prof that sort of mocked my choice, saying "Why would you get an Apple? We will be using Visual Studio for this" I happened to have Windows open in VMWare at the time, so I started up VS.Net, spun the laptop around and remarked "You mean this Visual Studio?" A few months later when he got himself a new personal laptop, it was a macbook.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

I can't emphasize screen resolution enough. You'll want the extra pixels when your coding huge projects.

 

[TheStu]

Balance that extra resolution with the added physical size that it will require. I wouldn't want to lug around something any larger than a 15" laptop, which puts you solidly in MacBook Pro arena. However, if you are going to be coding on this thing, then I suggest you get out to stores, check out the merchandise, find out if you like the keyboards, if you like the trackpads (or if they are so abyssmal that you will have to have a mouse on hand).

 

[Shigeru]

Thanks for the replies. 15" is about my limit on screen size too. While i do want a big enough screen where i'm not always straining my eyes when looking at line after line of code, I think 17" is a bit overkill. I've worked on different Macbooks while fixing them for people and I have no complaints about the keyboards or trackpads. Any other areas of concern i should address while shopping around?

Oh, almost forgot. How is the battery life on the Macbooks?

 

[TheStu]

When new i got around 3.25 hours of battery life. That was with wireless on, brightness up, listening to music, surfing the web and writing documents. 4+ hours if I had wireless off, brightness down, and only doing word processing.

Like I had said earlier, if you aren't sold on the MacBook or MacBook Pro, then do try to get out to a store like circuit city or best buy in order to test out other machines. Their keyboards/trackpads and screens.

I personally love the trackpad on teh MacBook. Very smooth, 2 finger scrolling, 2 finger right clicking, and HUGE. Too many other manufacturers neglect the trackpad it seems, and thus a user is forced to spend more money on a mouse that they have to carry with them everywhere, consuming one of their USB ports.

 

[esun]

At this point, I would also recommend a Mac, especially for a coder, and especially if you like the trackpad. Personally, I've become addicted to the Thinkpad pointer control, but if I wasn't, I'd almost definitely purchase a Mac next. One recent issue is that Windows Vista really, really doesn't get along well with Cygwin (quite frankly, XP and Cygwin also had issues, but not nearly as bad as Vista and Cygwin). Cygwin made the lack of a UNIX backend tolerable, but not anymore.

 

[postmortemIA]

15.4" with 1680x1050 or 17" with 1920x1200.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
15.4" with 1680x1050 or 17" with 1920x1200.

You don't want the res too high, or you can't see the text. if he is coding then it is ALL text! High res is great for movies, and games, and for seeing lots of documents at once, but only if you also take into consideration the screen size.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
15.4" with 1680x1050 or 17" with 1920x1200.

You don't want the res too high, or you can't see the text. if he is coding then it is ALL text! High res is great for movies, and games, and for seeing lots of documents at once, but only if you also take into consideration the screen size.

Actually, you got it opposite, high-res means nothing for regular DVDs, doesn't help with games - best res for laptop gaming would be up to 1280x800 because you can't replace gfx card and you do want to keep laptop around.


....but for coding real estate beats text size. If you can't read it, visit the doctor, adjust DPI lil bit, etc. You can always make text bigger, but you can't ever go beyond native resolution.

 

[TheStu]

I didnt say it helped with games, i said it was great for games. You can see more of the environment that way.

Here is an example of why too high of a res is bad...

Lets say you have a WUXGA screen on a 15.4" laptop (1920*1200). You cannot read the text in your coding windows very well, so you up the DPI, or the default text size until you can see it. Except then you realize that what you have to increase the size of the text to (if one were to hold a ruler up to it and measure it that way, rather than through pixel height) is the same as what it would be if you had left it alone on a smaller res screen. And the only reason I bring this up at all is because if he were to get a MacBook Pro, he cannot go any higher than 1440*900 on the 15" screen (unless he replaces it himself, which is a hard process) and that IMO is plenty high enough.

 

[postmortemIA]

so problem is in mac book, bingo, it is not flexible enough with resolutions. Again, if you can't read it it doesn't mean others can't either. Dell's E1505 and E1705 were long popular because the resolutions available. Upping dpi!=offset of resolution

 

[TheStu]

I am a little tired of this argument, mostly because ultimately I was cautioning the OP against getting a res that is too high. It all really leads back to the idea of going into an actual store to get a feel for the different screens

 

[Shigeru]

Thank you for all your input. I will definitely take into account the screen size and resolution when shopping around. That's something i never really considered until now.

One important question about the Macbooks. What's the current state of the lifecycle? Since they are now offering an Ipod nano with the purchase of one I'm assuming it's getting towards the end of the life cycle and they are trying to get rid of as many as possible before introducing their new line?

 

[TheStu]

They seem to do this every summer... or at least for the past 2-3 years.

I would say that the MacBooks are about due for a refresh. Aside from the bump to Core 2, they haven't really had much of an upgrade since they were released. The MacBook Pros on the hand, have gone Core, Core 2, Core 2 SR... X1600, 8600M... CCFL backlighting, LED backlighting. So they have had some fairly significant updates.

If the MacBooks were to be refreshed next Monday (throwing out a day) then I would expect them to get the Santa Rosa treatment (So X3100 onboard graphics) and maybe, repeat maybe LED backlights.

 

[AmigaMan]

if you don't get a Mac, at least get a laptop that works well with Linux. As a software developer, I prefer Linux to Windows and OSX over both. I was seriously looking at a Thinkpad T60p before I bought my MBP. If you don't need the extra graphics HP, then the T60 would be a better choice. But if you can and want to, get a MBP. It's simply an awesome machine.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
if you don't get a Mac, at least get a laptop that works well with Linux. As a software developer, I prefer Linux to Windows and OSX over both. I was seriously looking at a Thinkpad T60p before I bought my MBP. If you don't need the extra graphics HP, then the T60 would be a better choice. But if you can and want to, get a MBP. It's simply an awesome machine.

It is simply a PC at twice the cost.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
if you don't get a Mac, at least get a laptop that works well with Linux. As a software developer, I prefer Linux to Windows and OSX over both. I was seriously looking at a Thinkpad T60p before I bought my MBP. If you don't need the extra graphics HP, then the T60 would be a better choice. But if you can and want to, get a MBP. It's simply an awesome machine.

It is simply a PC at twice the cost.

Find me a Dell, Sony, HP, Toshiba, anything that has a 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa), LED Backlighting, 8600M GT, 15.4" screen that costs $899. You know what, I'll be fair, $999

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
if you don't get a Mac, at least get a laptop that works well with Linux. As a software developer, I prefer Linux to Windows and OSX over both. I was seriously looking at a Thinkpad T60p before I bought my MBP. If you don't need the extra graphics HP, then the T60 would be a better choice. But if you can and want to, get a MBP. It's simply an awesome machine.

It is simply a PC at twice the cost.

Find me a Dell, Sony, HP, Toshiba, anything that has a 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa), LED Backlighting, 8600M GT, 15.4" screen that costs $899. You know what, I'll be fair, $999

MacBookPro is not MackBook. MacBook comes with onboard graphics (intel)

Mack Book Pro is $1,999- cheapest edition. Yes, I can get two E1520 for that; they have similar/same graphics...

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Originally posted by: Shigeru
Thanks for the replies. 15" is about my limit on screen size too. While i do want a big enough screen where i'm not always straining my eyes when looking at line after line of code, I think 17" is a bit overkill. I've worked on different Macbooks while fixing them for people and I have no complaints about the keyboards or trackpads. Any other areas of concern i should address while shopping around?

Oh, almost forgot. How is the battery life on the Macbooks?

Get a 15.4'' with WSXGA+ resolution (1680 x 1050). Not too small, but just right in my opinion.

Your school may offer discounts on certain manufactures so perhaps you could find a nice deal on a Macbook. I have to agree with postmortemIA though. Apples do carry a price premium with their Name and OSX (Not meant to continue this thread-crapping). Both have their advantages and such, but if your need to run Windows then just save the hassle and buy a PC. Take a look at Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
if you don't get a Mac, at least get a laptop that works well with Linux. As a software developer, I prefer Linux to Windows and OSX over both. I was seriously looking at a Thinkpad T60p before I bought my MBP. If you don't need the extra graphics HP, then the T60 would be a better choice. But if you can and want to, get a MBP. It's simply an awesome machine.

It is simply a PC at twice the cost.

Find me a Dell, Sony, HP, Toshiba, anything that has a 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa), LED Backlighting, 8600M GT, 15.4" screen that costs $899. You know what, I'll be fair, $999

MacBookPro is not MackBook. MacBook comes with onboard graphics (intel)

Mack Book Pro is $1,999- cheapest edition. Yes, I can get two E1520 for that; they have similar/same graphics...

Tell me how you got those numbers... and I know that the MacBook is not the MacBook Pro, I was describing the MacBook Pro.

I just priced a Dell 1520, it has a 256MB 8600M, but other than that, and that the MBP has LED backlighting, they are identical specs.

Dell 1520= 1634
Apple MBP = 1799 (Education discount) or 1999...

So, unless the MBP costs $3268 for the cheapest one, you aren't getting two of them. Yes, the Dell is cheaper, but not by a whole lot.

So, honestly, I am interested, where are you getting this price from where you can get 2 1520s (new) for the same price as 1 MacBook Pro (equally specced.... none of this well, the dell has a 2.0GHz processor, and thats close enough)

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
if you don't get a Mac, at least get a laptop that works well with Linux. As a software developer, I prefer Linux to Windows and OSX over both. I was seriously looking at a Thinkpad T60p before I bought my MBP. If you don't need the extra graphics HP, then the T60 would be a better choice. But if you can and want to, get a MBP. It's simply an awesome machine.

It is simply a PC at twice the cost.

Find me a Dell, Sony, HP, Toshiba, anything that has a 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa), LED Backlighting, 8600M GT, 15.4" screen that costs $899. You know what, I'll be fair, $999

MacBookPro is not MackBook. MacBook comes with onboard graphics (intel)

Mack Book Pro is $1,999- cheapest edition. Yes, I can get two E1520 for that; they have similar/same graphics...

Tell me how you got those numbers... and I know that the MacBook is not the MacBook Pro, I was describing the MacBook Pro.

I just priced a Dell 1520, it has a 256MB 8600M, but other than that, and that the MBP has LED backlighting, they are identical specs.

Dell 1520= 1634
Apple MBP = 1799 (Education discount) or 1999...

So, unless the MBP costs $3268 for the cheapest one, you aren't getting two of them. Yes, the Dell is cheaper, but not by a whole lot.

So, honestly, I am interested, where are you getting this price from where you can get 2 1520s (new) for the same price as 1 MacBook Pro (equally specced.... none of this well, the dell has a 2.0GHz processor, and thats close enough)

Still you are BS-ing, even worse.

not everybody is in school... but everybody is able to get a deal at Dell..

Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Basic) $799.00 + $0.00 = $799.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Basic) $824.00 + $0.00 = $824.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz//2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,199.00 + $0.00 = $1,199.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz//2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,249.00 + $0.00 = $1,249.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Basic) $849.00 + $0.00 = $849.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1.5GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Basic) $924.00 + $0.00 = $924.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/1.5GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Basic) $899.00 + $0.00 = $899.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Basic) $849.00 + $0.00 = $849.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Basic) $924.00 + $0.00 = $924.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/160GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,024.00 + $0.00 = $1,024.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz//1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,074.00 + $0.00 = $1,074.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Basic) $974.00 + $0.00 = $974.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/160GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,074.00 + $0.00 = $1,074.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/160GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Premium) $949.00 + $0.00 = $949.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz//1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,124.00 + $0.00 = $1,124.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/120GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $874.00 + $0.00 = $874.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $849.00 + $0.00 = $849.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/120GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $949.00 + $0.00 = $949.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/120GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $824.00 + $0.00 = $824.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/120GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $999.00 + $0.00 = $999.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/80GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $924.00 + $0.00 = $924.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $774.00 + $0.00 = $774.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $949.00 + $0.00 = $949.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $799.00 + $0.00 = $799.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $749.00 + $0.00 = $749.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $899.00 + $0.00 = $899.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/80GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $874.00 + $0.00 = $874.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 (Intel Core 2 Duo (1.5 GHz) , 1 GB DDR II SDRAM , Vista Basic) $824.00 + $0.00 = $824.00

Text

CDW Corporation Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.00 + $0.00 = $2,799.00
J&R Music and Computer WorldJ&R Music and Computer World Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.00 + $25.51 = $2,824.51
CompUSACompUSA Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.99 + $0.00 = $2,799.99
MAC ConnectionMAC Connection Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,644.00 + $0.00 = $2,644.00
PC ConnectionPC Connection Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,644.00 + $0.00 = $2,644.00
PC Universe Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,821.28 + $12.92 = $2,834.20
Abt Electronics Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.00 + $0.00 = $2,799.00
Sparco.com Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,687.87 + $24.68 = $2,712.55
Vanns.com Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.98 + $0.00 = $2,799.98
California Computer Center Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,539.00 + $0.00 = $2,539.00
OnSale.com Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,794.00 + $0.00 = $2,794.00
Next Warehouse Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,969.06 + $0.00 = $2,969.06
Abes Of Maine Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,595.55 + $0.00 = $2,595.55
UbuyDigital.com Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,479.99 + $30.00 = $2,509.99
MacMall Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,794.00 + $0.00 = $2,794.00
Infinity Micro Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,538.89 + $0.00 = $2,538.89
audioMidi Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,795.00 + $0.00 = $2,795.00

Mac

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
if you don't get a Mac, at least get a laptop that works well with Linux. As a software developer, I prefer Linux to Windows and OSX over both. I was seriously looking at a Thinkpad T60p before I bought my MBP. If you don't need the extra graphics HP, then the T60 would be a better choice. But if you can and want to, get a MBP. It's simply an awesome machine.

It is simply a PC at twice the cost.

Find me a Dell, Sony, HP, Toshiba, anything that has a 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa), LED Backlighting, 8600M GT, 15.4" screen that costs $899. You know what, I'll be fair, $999

MacBookPro is not MackBook. MacBook comes with onboard graphics (intel)

Mack Book Pro is $1,999- cheapest edition. Yes, I can get two E1520 for that; they have similar/same graphics...

Tell me how you got those numbers... and I know that the MacBook is not the MacBook Pro, I was describing the MacBook Pro.

I just priced a Dell 1520, it has a 256MB 8600M, but other than that, and that the MBP has LED backlighting, they are identical specs.

Dell 1520= 1634
Apple MBP = 1799 (Education discount) or 1999...

So, unless the MBP costs $3268 for the cheapest one, you aren't getting two of them. Yes, the Dell is cheaper, but not by a whole lot.

So, honestly, I am interested, where are you getting this price from where you can get 2 1520s (new) for the same price as 1 MacBook Pro (equally specced.... none of this well, the dell has a 2.0GHz processor, and thats close enough)

Still you are BS-ing, even worse.

not everybody is in school... but everybody is able to get a deal at Dell..

Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Basic) $799.00 + $0.00 = $799.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Basic) $824.00 + $0.00 = $824.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz//2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,199.00 + $0.00 = $1,199.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz//2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,249.00 + $0.00 = $1,249.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Basic) $849.00 + $0.00 = $849.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1.5GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Basic) $924.00 + $0.00 = $924.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/1.5GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Basic) $899.00 + $0.00 = $899.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Basic) $849.00 + $0.00 = $849.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Basic) $924.00 + $0.00 = $924.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/160GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,024.00 + $0.00 = $1,024.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz//1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,074.00 + $0.00 = $1,074.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Basic) $974.00 + $0.00 = $974.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/160GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1.5 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,074.00 + $0.00 = $1,074.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/160GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Premium) $949.00 + $0.00 = $949.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz//1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 1 GB , Vista Home Premium) $1,124.00 + $0.00 = $1,124.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/120GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $874.00 + $0.00 = $874.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $849.00 + $0.00 = $849.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/120GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $949.00 + $0.00 = $949.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/120GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $824.00 + $0.00 = $824.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core Duo T5450 1.66GHz/120GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core Duo T5450 (1.66 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $999.00 + $0.00 = $999.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/80GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $924.00 + $0.00 = $924.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $774.00 + $0.00 = $774.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $949.00 + $0.00 = $949.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $799.00 + $0.00 = $799.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/80GB/1GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 2 GB , Vista Home Basic) $749.00 + $0.00 = $749.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/120GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $899.00 + $0.00 = $899.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer (Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5GHz/80GB/2GB) (Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz) , 4 GB , Vista Home Basic) $874.00 + $0.00 = $874.00
Dell, Inc.Dell, Inc. Dell Inspiron 1520 (Intel Core 2 Duo (1.5 GHz) , 1 GB DDR II SDRAM , Vista Basic) $824.00 + $0.00 = $824.00

Text

CDW Corporation Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.00 + $0.00 = $2,799.00
J&R Music and Computer WorldJ&R Music and Computer World Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.00 + $25.51 = $2,824.51
CompUSACompUSA Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.99 + $0.00 = $2,799.99
MAC ConnectionMAC Connection Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,644.00 + $0.00 = $2,644.00
PC ConnectionPC Connection Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,644.00 + $0.00 = $2,644.00
PC Universe Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,821.28 + $12.92 = $2,834.20
Abt Electronics Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.00 + $0.00 = $2,799.00
Sparco.com Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,687.87 + $24.68 = $2,712.55
Vanns.com Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,799.98 + $0.00 = $2,799.98
California Computer Center Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,539.00 + $0.00 = $2,539.00
OnSale.com Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,794.00 + $0.00 = $2,794.00
Next Warehouse Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,969.06 + $0.00 = $2,969.06
Abes Of Maine Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,595.55 + $0.00 = $2,595.55
UbuyDigital.com Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,479.99 + $30.00 = $2,509.99
MacMall Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,794.00 + $0.00 = $2,794.00
Infinity Micro Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,538.89 + $0.00 = $2,538.89
audioMidi Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 17-Inch Screen) $2,795.00 + $0.00 = $2,795.00

Mac

How on earth am I BSing, if anyone is it is you. YOu compare bottom of the barrel Dell Insprions, with the highest end Apple MacBook Pros. The specs dont even come close to matching (ok, they all seem to have 2GB RAM and large enough hard drives) but you are talking about 1.5 and 1.66GHz Dells, and 2.4GHz Apples. And we are in fact comapring apples to apples here since they both are intel procs. And i don't know about you, but I think that I would notice a 60% increase in speed.

I am not going to get into an argument about the OS, but anything with Home Basic should be taken off the list that you provided. Anything that has less than 2GB of RAM, with less than 120GB of hard drive space and less than 2.2GHz santa rosa should be taken off the list... gosh, your list just got sort of empty huh?

I was asking for an actual spec on spec comparison. You come back with, "Not everyone can afford Olive Garden, but everyone can afford food from the trashcan" that isn't even a fair comparison, and neither is yours. And I don't care if not everyone can get the student discount, the OP can, and that is the whole point. You come in with your initial point about high res, and we get to debating that, then you come in with your 'macs are too stinking expensive' shtick, as if that horse hasnt been beat to death, and you cant even defend your point decently.

Listen, at this point, we have threadcrapped enough. If you have any intention at all of actually bringing a useful argument to the table, actual concrete evidence that any equally specced Dell 1520 can be half the cost of the MacBook Pro, then I will listen, and concede defeat... shoot, I already said it would be cheaper, but I stand by my original point that for coding, regardless of the language, the Mac is the way to go. Name 1 other laptop that will let you run every single major OS (OS X, XP, Vista, the many flavors of linux) LEGALLY, and I will concede defeat.

 

[postmortemIA]

Evidence is there, base model is up to $1100 cheaper than base model of mbp... if you add stuff to the based model - they are configurable, based model is chosen but you can add stuff to it - it will came around 1/2 price...

if base is $800-850, faster CPU$150 more, and graphics $150, and better screen $50 - $1150.