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Which laptop should I get?

Keep in mind that the Macbook is a smaller and more compact laptop than the R61. Everything else being equal, I prefer a smaller system.
 
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Keep in mind that the Macbook is a smaller and more compact laptop than the R61. Everything else being equal, I prefer a smaller system.
Click to expand...

How is the build quality? I know the Thinkpad will be pretty good. I don't abuse my systems, but I'm going to be carrying this machine around a lot.
 
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Keep in mind that the Macbook is a smaller and more compact laptop than the R61. Everything else being equal, I prefer a smaller system.
Click to expand...

How is the build quality? I know the Thinkpad will be pretty good. I don't abuse my systems, but I'm going to be carrying this machine around a lot.
Click to expand...

consider the T series? should be lighter than the R, and a bit more compact.

you can get a damn nifty 14.1" T61 with better cpu/ram/faster hard drive than the Mac for the same money. theres a world of difference between the R series you are looking at and the mac.

T61:
2.4ghz
2GB (1 dimm)
dvd burner
wireless n
bluetooth
14.1"
wxga+ OR wxga w/camera
100gb/7200 RPM
6 cell battery
$1105

im practically salivating. its a pure shame im broke. this is from the lenovo site, btw, as theyre running sales that beat newegg prices (why youre looking at newegg is beyond me, you can beat the R series price at the lenovo site, i bet, at least, you could 2 weeks ago) also, T series starts under $800 in the first place, fwiw.

/hugs his T40 and runs away
 
Originally posted by: xSauronx
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Originally posted by: Parasitic
Keep in mind that the Macbook is a smaller and more compact laptop than the R61. Everything else being equal, I prefer a smaller system.
Click to expand...

How is the build quality? I know the Thinkpad will be pretty good. I don't abuse my systems, but I'm going to be carrying this machine around a lot.
Click to expand...

consider the T series? should be lighter than the R, and a bit more compact.

you can get a damn nifty 14.1" T61 with better cpu/ram/faster hard drive than the Mac for the same money. theres a world of difference between the R series you are looking at and the mac.

T61:
2.4ghz
2GB (1 dimm)
dvd burner
wireless n
bluetooth
14.1"
wxga+ OR wxga w/camera
100gb/7200 RPM
6 cell battery
$1105

im practically salivating. its a pure shame im broke. this is from the lenovo site, btw, as theyre running sales that beat newegg prices (why youre looking at newegg is beyond me, you can beat the R series price at the lenovo site, i bet, at least, you could 2 weeks ago) also, T series starts under $800 in the first place, fwiw.

/hugs his T40 and runs away
Click to expand...

I'm not interested in spending more than ~$650 for a Windows notebook. The only way I will only pay more if I decide to go with the Macbook (as stupid as that sounds 😛).

EDIT: Not sure on the Newegg comment, but a comparable Thinkpad on the Lenovo site is $100 more.
 
Originally posted by: tfinch2


I'm not interested in spending more than ~$650 for a Windows notebook. The only way I will only pay more if I decide to go with the Macbook (as stupid as that sounds 😛).
Click to expand...

my bad, the R series sale ended on the 19th. they were starting at $455. but theyve done such a sale a lot lately, so it *might* be worth waiting if you want the thinkpad.

but hell, with a macbook you can always put windows on it later, if you want/need it. personally, id far sooner have a smaller notebook, as well. 15.4" is more than im comfortable with.

then again, i dont care much for either Mac OS or windows, so if was going to pay the price premium, id get it all in hardware 🙂
 
I'm a life long PC user. Randomly, I'd mess around on a mac, get frustrated with it, walk away, and hate it.

Then I installed OS X onto my desktop ("Hackintosh"). After actually using it for a couple days, I realized that I had been naive my whole life. Aside from gaming, Mac OS X is simply amazing. I run OS X at all times unless I want to play Team Fortress 2. Hell, I can even run my Mathematica on OS X, natively!

It isn't matter of what Mac OS X or Windows can and can't do; they can BOTH do pretty much the same things. It's really just a matter of how each operating system is used. OS X is by far more intuitive and just easier to use - it's definitely a PLEASURE to sit at the computer, as opposed to a chore. It has nothing to do with how skilled the user is with the operating system; it has everything to do with how refined the OS is. Mac OS X is definitely a luxury. It's a nice one, and it's worth it.

That being said, I think you should consider the MacBook. Yes, it's expensive. I won't lie to you - Apple hardware is _EXPENSIVE_! Here's the question you should ask yourself, however: are you buying hardware, or are you buying the experience? If all you're interested in is the hardware, the Lenovo is a great choice (I'm a former Thinkpad owner myself). If you're interested in maximizing your day-to-day computing experience, the price premium suddenly becomes the "price of luxury" with the MacBook.

So, BOTH of your options are worth the money, in my opinion. Now, which would you rather have?

As a side note, I sold my completely loaded Thinkpad T61 and I'm buying a MacBook Pro as soon as they get a refresh.

EDIT: Oh and since you're a developer, keep in mind that Mac OS X is a Unix environment. This is useful for many projects. Plus, you always have the option of dual booting Windows, AKA "boot camp."

I'm a Computer Science major. After carefully reviewing my needs, I've concluded that the MacBook Pro fully satisfies my needs, including Windows development. The MacBook also satisfies almost all needs - but it lacks discrete graphics, has a lower screen resolution, and slower CPU's. This seems to be perfectly fine, in your case. That being said, if Mac's totally satisfy my needs as a CS student, chances are they'll be good enough for you too.

You'll be happy with a Mac, as long as you're open to new ideas. I, for one, will never go back to Windows as my main OS.
 
When I started studying Software Engineering at school, I weighed my choices, and at the time, the MacBook was my best option. It was the cheapest system in its class (12-14"), with the best specs CPU, HDD and connectivity wise. Plus, the ability to run OS X and Windows natively and legally was a big selling point for me.

Before I got the MacBook, I was a Windows user through and through. Since then, OS X is my primary OS, the one that I prefer to live because, as Slugg said, it is more intuitive and, more pleasurable to use. Mostly because it feels like I can sit down and do what I need to do, rather then deal with the OS. Plus, and I realize this is something that gets harped upon, the fact that there is only 1 known Trojan (not Virus, Trojan) out for OS X, and that requires you to be an idiot means that I have fewer tasks in the background. No need for Antivirus, or any AntiMalware for that matter.

Honestly, the build quality between the two... is difficult to quantify. My buddy just got a ThinkPad T series per my recommendation, it feels quite solid, though I do not like how the standard 4 cell battery is itty bitty, and the upgraded 6 cell sticks out the back. I am also not a fan of the ports that they put on the front of the system, like the Wifi Switch or the 4pin 1394 port. It does feel fairly solid, though I am not sure how one would replace the RAM in it since it does not have anything that immediately jumps out at me as being the RAM compartment.

My MacBook, has been through quite a bit of abuse, and is for the most part still in great shape. I have some cracked plastic, and the sleep light no longer works, but aside from that, 21 months in, I am doing fine. And this thing had to survive college with me, as well as being hauled back and forth across the country in either the passenger seat of my car, or on a plane.
 
Honestly, the only true advantage that Thinkpads have over MacBooks (Pro/non-Pro) is the ability to survive light liquid spills. Apple laptops have practically no resilience to liquid spills, whereas the Thinkpad T series can take a small spill like a champ. I can't speak for the R series - I don't know.

If you have any questions at all about the Windows -> OS X transition, especially for a developer, feel free to PM me 🙂

Side note: Don't buy AppleCare. Buy the computer with a Visa or American Express - you can then register your product with your credit card company, extending the warranty to 2 years for FREE. If you desire accidental damage protection, look into SafeWare. The prices are very good. This same concept also applies to Thinkpads, or any laptop for that matter.
 
Originally posted by: slugg
Side note: Don't buy AppleCare. Buy the computer with a Visa or American Express - you can then register your product with your credit card company, extending the warranty to 2 years for FREE. If you desire accidental damage protection, look into SafeWare. The prices are very good. This same concept also applies to Thinkpads, or any laptop for that matter.
Click to expand...

CC company warranties don't come with some of the perk like speedy repairs, crossshipments, etc that AppleCare offers though. Sure, they can double the manufacturer's warranty, but there seems to be more catches.
 
Originally posted by: slugg
Honestly, the only true advantage that Thinkpads have over MacBooks (Pro/non-Pro) is the ability to survive light liquid spills. Apple laptops have practically no resilience to liquid spills, whereas the Thinkpad T series can take a small spill like a champ. I can't speak for the R series - I don't know.
Click to expand...

The R series have liquid piping also.

I would just get a proper R61. Its only about $200 or so more than the i and you get way more computing power. I just bought a 15 incher with a T9300 for less than $800.
 
if you are going to carry it around a lot, look at the x series , I bought a x61 couple of months back and i love it, i got it new from lenovo outlet for around 699 . very solid machine,
 
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