MacBook or Windows Vista Laptop

I bought a customized iBook a year ago with the fastest processor they had, more memory and a bigger hard drive for under $1000.

 

I agree, if you're the slightest bit tech savvy I don't think you'd have many problems w/ viruses or OS crashes w/ Windows. I have had 2 laptops break on me in the past 4 years though. I will NEVER buy HP/Compaq again. What a POS experience I've had w/ their laptops!

I don't think anyone is 'attached' because they spent $1000. As a buyer you've obviously found something compelling enough to decide to spend that much in the first place, not the other way around. Like I said, it's just a different experience, like driving an automatic or manual car. It's up to the driver to decide if it's worth the price difference.

BTW, I just tried to configure a similar notebook to the Macbook w/ Dell. I came up to $1100, but that's w/ 1 extra gig of ram and 80gb more hd space. So that is a reasonable difference for some users. But you can't compare a Macbook (the lowest end Apple notebook, hardware comparable to a ~$1200 Windows machine) w/ a $500 Windows notebook. That said, I'm definitely not trying to skew someone's buying habits, just clarify some misconceptions. The few times I post on Mac message boards is because of the mindless fanboy bashing of Microsoft. It's like an iCult over there.

Jeff: way off topic, but another DAW was brought to my attention, it's called Reaper. Pretty interesting story behind it, it's only ~4mb in size , has received a great review in Sound on Sound, it's FREE (no one will force you to pay for it) and I've heard people raving about it. Might be interesting to check out if you're into experimenting w/ different music software. Looks like this could join the ProTools, Logic, Cubase, DP monopoly. I've just installed it yesterday and will probably play around w/ it in weeks to come. Unfortunately the OSX development is lagging behind the Windows version.

 

I found your post somewhat fishy, so I checked it out. A base 15" macbook pro is two grand. a 15.4" Dell Vostro with the same 2.2 Ghz Intel Core Duo2, 2 Gigs of RAM, 120 GB HD, Dual layer DVD burner, and the exact same video card is $1,200. However, I configured that Dell from a base model that is going for $599 right now. The biggest single upgrade was the processor at $300. Why anyone would willingly pay that high of a premium for a somewhat faster processor is beyond me. You could just buy the $599 Dell today with a 1.6 Ghz Core Duo 2 and have plenty of machine for 99% of all computing tasks. A year and a half from now, that 2.2 Ghz processor (if it is still available) will be a base model, and you could buy another Dell with that chip in it for probably the same $599--that is, if the future follows the same path the computing industry has been following for some time now. With the time value of money, and over the lifespan of the laptops, you would have spent half of what you spent on the Apples by buying two Dells....one of which you could give to a family member or friend.

If you love the Apple interface, and if feels it makes you a thousand dollars more productive, then by all means, go for it. That's easy to justify. But to say that similarly configured machines cost the same is just wrong...........Apples are a LOT more expensive.

 

That's true. I've found the Macbook Pros to be WAY overpriced. (Going off memory here...) Not just compared to Windows machines, but the Macbook too. Add a dedicated video card, 1 gb of ram, and a bigger hard drive and you're probably out $600 more. The desktop equivalent MacPro is also out of this world. But I do find the Macbook much more competitive on the hardware/price points.

 

Why's it not worth it?

 

I have a Vista desktop and i hate it...

i guess im just not completely used to the change and new interface...

i hate having to confirm every damn thing i do on the computer too

get it with XP so much simpler

 

There are still a lot of driver issues, so unless you're going to use that laptop without any peripherals, it's going to be a big headache. And so far, there is nothing that Vista does that makes it worth switching from XP, IMO.

Random example: One of my contractors just bought a new desktop with Vista for his father. They plugged in a standard Microsoft USB mouse. The screensaver wouldn't come on. My contractor knows people who work at MS, so he just called them and asked them to ask around. They said that the way Vista looked at that mouse, it always sensed that the mouse was active. There is no fix coming. He fixed it by getting a Logitech mouse that uses a different protocol, but still...

 

I've seen you type this in a few threads, but in terms of Macbook Pros and something like a Dell Inspiron 1720, I can configure that Dell right now with the same or better hardware (same graphics card, same processor, same memory, same HD, and a DVD drive) as a MacBook Pro 17" and beat the price of the MacBook by about $800-$900.

To get a similar price you'd have to go down to the MacBooks (which are a better deal than the Pros from the looks of it although you get a smaller screen and generally slower processor) and then you'd probably still get trounced in terms of what you get as hardware.

 

I've had a computer running Vista at home for months - it runs fine. Oh, and with a Microsoft keyboard/mouse combo. I just built a new quad-core PC that I'm typing on... it's running Vista with no problems. I have no idea what "protocol" your mouse uses - mine uses a USB interface. Most driver issues are associated with 64-bit Vista, and why the average person would want to run that is beyond me.

 

Or turn UAC in Vista off...

 

What advantages do you see?

 

As far as interface and what you physically see, not much (unless you're into eye-candy). But underlying technology? The security system is better, advantages in memory usage, you can use a flash drive for a bit more memory if you need it without pulling your pc apart, DirectX 10 (for newer games), and it seems to be even more stable than XP (I can't confirm - I hardly ever had any problems with XP). I'm also going to turn one of my Vista PC's into a media center pc/pvr (hopefully soon). For me it was mostly because I need a new PC, so I needed to install an OS - I had no reason to go backwards from the most recent OS which happened to be Vista.

 

Even when comparing the Pro though you have to take other things into account, including size and weight. They are extremley thin and light compared to the Dell laptops. It is much easier to tote around a 17'' Macbook Pro than it is to carry a 17" Dell, assuming you are going to be on the move with it. It may not be something YOU are willing to pay extra for, but there are many that will and this isn't the case with just Macs. When size and weight are taken into account there really isn't that much difference in price. The problem is that you won't find a Dell that has the same size as the Macbook Pro.

 

Here's another attempt at configuring something similar to my Macbook: $1100, 2.0ghz core 2 duo, 1gb ram, 80gb hd, dvd/cdrw. I've made an attempt to find the cheapest match:

HP: $1421 (someone else give this a shot, there's got to be a cheaper CTO that I missed)
Best Buy: $1200 (HP, 1.8ghz, 2gb ram, 120 hd)
Circuit City: $1100 (Sony, 1.8ghz, 2gb ram, 160 hd); for some reason they had a similar Toshiba for $1500, crazy

So the sweet spot for Windows machines seems to be 1.8ghz, 2gb ram, 120+gb hd. Because OSX is running on predetermined hardware you figure it runs slightly faster compared to XP/Vista on similarly spec'd machines. But add in 1 extra gb of ram and possibly double hd space is a sizable increase on a Windows machine. I managed to buy 2gb of ram for $50 recently though. Just some food for thought, I still think the consumer level product is very competitive.

But for those looking for an internet/email/word processor machine probably won't notice a big difference between a $600 notebook and a Macbook, so in that case you're going to have to find OSX plus the aesthetics worth the difference to justify the price.

 

i have vista on my laptop. its nice..but..
you need lots of ram, at least 1 gig. i got a dirt cheap laptop from dell, it only came with 512 ram, then i had to get another 512 cause it was running slower than Juwan Howard on a fast break.

 

Slickdeals has a pretty good deal on dell laptops right now. No way in heck I'm paying 1200 for a laptop unless it's got super gaming capabilities and even then the 2 below with dedicated video would be able to pull off some medium gaming.


Dell Home has Inspiron E1405 for $1133 - $584 coupon code Z90W2HH?S0849L - 3% using DPA account = $532 with free shipping. Thanks g.g.
To get your 3% DPA discount:

1. During checkout, select Credit Card as method of payment
2. Click on Change Payment Type
3. Click on "Choose" link under "Credit/Debit Card"
4. Click on the "Click Here to Take Advantage of this Offer" next to the 3% icon
5. Sign in if you already have a DPA, or sign up for a new one

Specs

• Intel Core DUO T2350 (1.86GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
• 14.1 inch Wide Screen XGA TFT Display with TrueLife(glossy)
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) 160GB
• Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
• 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
• Integrated Audio
• Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps)
• 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
• 1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service

Good upgrades to consider:

• 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery [addl$50]

If you are looking for a Core 2 Duo configuration with a 15" screen and a Windows XP option instead, consider the following Dell Vostro 1500 Deal:
Dell SB has Dell Vostro 1500 laptop with Windows XP Home or Vista Home Basic for $599. Thanks codeyf [Discuss]
Specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5470 (1.6GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• Genuine Windows XP Home Edition, or Windows Vista Home Basic
• 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display
• 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
• 120G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• 8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/o Roxio Creator
• 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
• Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card
• High Definition Audio 2.0
• 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
• MS Works 8.5-Eng: Basic Spreadsheet, Word Processing & Calendar Program
• Norton Internet Security 2006 90 Day Subscription
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.08
• 1 Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Mail-in Service
• 10GB for 1yr Online Backup by Dell Datasafe
• 1 Year Dell Automated PC Tuneup
• Starts at 6.33 lbs

Upgrades to consider for Vostro 1500

• 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display with TrueLife add $0

As another alternative, consider the following Dell Inspiron 6400 configuration
Dell SB has Inspiron 6400 for $1069 - $470 coupon $BS$9X1ZB6181$ = $599 with free shipping. Thanks Selma [Discuss]
Specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
• Genuine Windows XP Home
• 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife (glossy)
• 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
• 120GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
• 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
• 256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory
• Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
• Integrated Audio
• 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
• 1 Yr Ltd Warranty, 1 Yr Mail-in Service, and 1 Yr Tech Support

Good upgrades to consider:

• 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery [add $49]

 

if i had to choose between a macbook and a dell xps m1330, i would pick the dell.

you can even get them with the built in 3g broadband.

 

One bad thing about macs is that sopcast and tvu dont run on them.

 

If you buy an HP laptop, you'll help keep Houstonians AND Clutchfans members employed (I know there are a few of us here). Civic pride, people.

Are you really gonna pay an extra $150 for the mobile broadband option and another $60 a month on top of it for WWAN service? No, seriously, I'd like to know. This issue pertains to my job.