Need a New Laptop

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sandaz93

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I blogged about this recently, but thought I might as well put it here to. Thanks to the people who recommened laptops.

My old laptop, an HP from 2004, has finally died and it's time for a new one and was hoping I could get some good recommendations. My 2 friends are Mac evangelists, and are pushing me to get a Macbook Pro. At Microcenter, where my friend bought his, they have have Macbook Pros, 13 inch Intel Core 2 Duo, for $1000 + Tax. I've never owned a mac in my life, and the supposed 10 hour battery life is a definite plus. But $1000 for a computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo is kinda expensive, considering a Dell laptop with i5 processor is about $1000. At the University i go to, almost 60% of the students have macbooks, though. I really don't want to buy another computer for another 4+ year. Just wondering what the general consensus on CAG is on apple laptops in general. I have a netbook, but I really want to replace my laptop. However, I could potentially use my netbook for a few more months.

This is the specific Dell Model: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-14/pd

Here is the Macbook: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MC374LL-...8402371&sr=8-1

Please, if you think another laptop is better, please recommend it.
 
I understand that Macbooks are becoming a standard in college but the dell you linked to is definitely a better deal "IN MY OPINION".

the fact you can get a Core i5 or i7 processor for under $1000 in a laptop is awesome.

Plus the graphics power of the dell is high than the Mac's.

personally I would go with the Dell.
 
What to you want the laptop for, what do you intend to do with it? Gaming, graphic design, just typing papers and surfing the net?
 
According to Squaretrade, the largest provider of third party warranties, Toshiba and Asus are the most reliable, with Sony right behind them, and Apple in fourth.

My recommendation would be to find a Toshiba or Asus with the specs you want.
 
Personally, I have owned 2 Apple laptops. A powerbook G4, and a 1st gen Intel Macbook, and I don't think I would buy one again for myself. The price to performance ratio is just too out of wack. There's no arguing that the macbooks are beautiful, well designed machines. But for a college student on a budget... unless someone else is footing the bill, get something with more bang for your buck.

Also, don't let professors or other people tell you that you need a mac to do graphic design, video editing, or audio work, thats a load of bs. While a lot of people that work in those industries do work on macs, a lot don't, and almost all the software is cross platform. (the exceptions being Apple's 1st party software: Final Cut Studio / logic studio)

That being said, it doesn't hurt to have experience using macs for your resume, but that's what computer labs, friends, and hackintoshes are for.
 
At the University i go to, almost 60% of the students have macbooks, though.
Click to expand...

Unless that 60% is getting laid nonstop for that very reason, I don't see how this statistic factors into your decision making.

~HotShotX
 
[quote name='hotshotx']unless that 60% is getting laid nonstop for that very reason, i don't see how this statistic factors into your decision making.

~hotshotx[/quote]

lol!
 
[quote name='The Omniscient Lemon']Have you looked into the HP ENVY? It's pretty much a beefed up Macbook Pro that runs Windows. Only real downside is the crapware, but that's easy to get rid of especially if you have a copy of Windows 7 to do a fresh install.

Right now you can get a $400 discount from Dealzon:

http://dealzon.com/deals/hp-envy-14-laptop

http://dealzon.com/deals/hp-envy-17-laptop[/QUOTE]

You mean it's a wannabe Macbook Pro that can't run OSX.
 
[quote name='JasonTerminator']You mean it's a wannabe Macbook Pro that can't run OSX.[/QUOTE]

You mean that it's a very good laptop that isn't ridiculously overpriced as a Macbook Pro and runs an OS that is just as capable as OSX for what he wants it to do?
 
[quote name='JasonTerminator']You mean it's a wannabe Macbook Pro that can't run OSX.[/QUOTE]

No need to be the MacBook fanboy here. We all know MacBooks are nice, but overpriced. The HP ENVY is much better for the price. Don't be so blinded by the fanboy in you.
 
[quote name='JasonTerminator']Who says I'm a Mac fanboy?

I'd describe myself more like an ENVY hater.[/QUOTE]
Really? Why is that? I would own an ENVY 14 already if they didn't remove the 1600x900 resolution screen as an option. I'm guessing they are saving the screens for a refresh.
 
[quote name='The Omniscient Lemon']Really? Why is that? I would own an ENVY 14 already if they didn't remove the 1600x900 resolution screen as an option. I'm guessing they are saving the screens for a refresh.[/QUOTE]

I don't like the ENVY line because it's basically HP saying "We stole Apple's design, and it turned into the best laptop we ever made! YEAH!"
 
Macbooks are a trendy status symbol, don't fall into the hype. I like macbooks but I like them more for their looks than their actual content. I've used both a macbook and a plethora of regular laptops from asus to dell to hp's. It really all depends what you'll be using your lappy for. Being that you are a college student, you'll be mainly focused on web browsing and office like apps with the ability to conveniently transport? Will you be doing anyting else other than that?
 
Just a thought, I bought a MSI G series laptop, the gx640. For work and play. Took a bit of a chance, and its been a few months and i love it. Plays every game i have for pc, black ops runs super.. and for work... if it can play all the best pc games, it can handle Office.
 
I was recently in the same boat and decided on a Windows machine. Having used both Mac and Windows machines extensively at the end of the day I just couldn't justify the cost of the Apple computer. I would agree that some of the beauty of a MAC is the OS itself as it runs very smoothly but the choices feel too limited. One big setback is that I couldn't really get the powerful graphics card I wanted (to be able to play games) in a Macbook unless I went top of the line. I actually ended up getting a Dell (Alienware) M11X but I also managed to get it for about $650. So for the cost and the ability to play my Steam games on the go I'm very happy.

My ultimate suggestion though is do some of your own research as things change quickly and you'll be happier in the end that you did. P.S. - Don't overlook battery life...easy mistake.
 
[quote name='sandaz93']Just wondering what the general consensus on CAG is on apple laptops in general.[/QUOTE]


Well, the "G" part of the CAG in me says go with anything but Apple.
 
[quote name='Lawyers Guns N Money']Well, the "G" part of the CAG in me says go with anything but Apple.[/QUOTE]

Why? You can play Valve and Blizzard games on Macs. Are there other PC games out there?
 
[quote name='JasonTerminator']Why? You can play Valve and Blizzard games on Macs. Are there other PC games out there?[/QUOTE]

There are a ton of games available on the Mac. Some people just want others to conform to their standard. I don't like MAC but if you do...fine. You will find some games on there.
 
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[quote name='JasonTerminator']Why? You can play Valve and Blizzard games on Macs. Are there other PC games out there?[/QUOTE]

Sarcasm, I hope. If you're not a big computer gamer, Macs are fine. But there are plenty of windows-only games out there that you will miss out on if you limit your gaming to Mac-compatible. Bioware and Stardock are a couple that come to mind right offhand. Why limit yourself to Mac compatibility (at a higher price, no less) for the "style" of Apple?

[quote name='Megazell']There are a ton of games available on the Mac. Some people just want others to conform to their standard. I don't live MAC but if you do...fine. You will find some games on their.[/QUOTE]
You will find games on any platform. Mac, Linux, DOS, whatever. The majority of computer gaming is done on windows-based PCs. And I'd venture to bet that the majority of other OS gaming (mac, whatever) are also going to be available on PC. This has nothing to do with me wanting someone to "conform" to my standard. It's a simple opinion based on computer gaming as it stands today.
 
Sorry for responding so late, but I tried a mac at the apple store and decided against it. However, I went to the Sony store and tried the VAIOs and they were pretty damn nice. I haven't actually tried the dell yet...i dont know where I can test one. Anyway, what is your opinion on Sony Vaio laptops?
 
Viao's are horribly overpriced. Dells are okay, they can be hit and miss. Ideally I've had good luck with Acer/ASUS laptops
 
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