Getting a new laptop soon.

[Derelict]

I was looking through a magazine that has the different specs for different brands of laptops and the Macbook Pro seemed to beat out every other one. Is it worth it to get a Mac? It's not like I have anything against Macs, but a lot of the stuff I use probably won't be compatible for a while. They're changing that pretty quick, I know, but I don't want to have to wait another year.

The HP Pavilion came a pretty close second and had more features (such as a fingerprint reader. Irrelevant and not something I require but it's so cool), but I absolutely hate Vista. Is that worth it?

I need some input from you computer savvy people out there. I know next to nothing about computers.

Also, I will be using it for music, MSN, various internet activities (mostly porn), school, and gaming (just a bit though, so I don't need a hardcore gaming computer). Basically I'm looking for the best all-around laptop that's both portable and affordable. My price cap is $2,500.

[s3b]

Well I was looking around laptops a week or two ago, for video editing and stuff, and I came across an HP notebook that was just as good as my desktop for only about 1,000$.

I'd go with HP, but thats only because I'm biased since every macbook I've ever got on has been slow... but then again, the Macbook does have PhotoBooth...

But if all you're doing is a little surfing and gaming, I'd say it doesn't really matter what kind of laptop you get. 2.5k is a lil much for an all-around, in my opinion

[Derelict]

$2,500 is just what I'm limited to. Obviously if it doesn't come to that much I'll have some extra cash. My parents gave me $2,500 for a grad present to spend on a new computer.

[InTransit]

I've only got experience with 3 kinds of laptops, HP, Toshiba & Macbooks, and out of those I'd suggest the Macbook.

My last laptop was a HP. At about 2 yrs old, everything just died on it. It had a battery life of about 10seconds, ran REALLY REALLY slowly, and the wireless died. This all happened at the same time, and apparently mine wasn't the first one to do it (just to clarify, this is a work computer so we had a few). My work's stopped buying HP's all together because of these kind of issues.

Currently I have a Toshiba Tecra. Having the widescreen and fingerprint scanner is awesome. Battery-wise, it lasts about 4 hours, but it's already starting to get a bit slow starting up (this is running XP, not Vista). I don't really like the touchpad on it, it moves at different speeds, is impossible to get it accurate. So if you're going to be doing stuff on it without an external mouse, I'd say don't get it.

I don't actually own the Macbook, my Dad has one for his work, and everything I've heard about them is great.

[Derelict]

I've pretty much heard nothing but good things from people who own MacBooks. According to Consumer Reports Canada the 15.4-inch Apple MacBook Pro is the best non-widescreen laptop on the market at $2,050. The HP Pavilion of the same size is roughly $800 less but has an hour and a half shorter battery life and a slightly worse display. I'm still pretty conflicted, but as of right now I'm leaning towards the MacBook.

[RessXalcor]

Hey if you have the money for a macbook go ahead, but they are overpriced and overrated. And some games that you are probably looking for will have that PC DVD, meaning you have to MAC DVD instead. Also note that some games that come for PC dvd are way cheaper, I saw a copy of a video game thats 20 dollars but in a mac store(I was forced to stay there because my brother forgot his Iphone box behind) it was 60 fucking dollars. Way too overpriced, seriously who the fuck does Steve Jobs thinks he is? Get an HP, but if money is a problem get an acer, they have good specs and tend to cost less than a thousand

[opn4bzns]

I was looking through a magazine that has the different specs for different brands of laptops and the Macbook Pro seemed to beat out every other one. Is it worth it to get a Mac? It's not like I have anything against Macs, but a lot of the stuff I use probably won't be compatible for a while. They're changing that pretty quick, I know, but I don't want to have to wait another year [...]

I wouldn't bother getting such an expensive laptop for basic stuff like that, a regular MacBook or some pc would be sufficient, and a lot cheaper.

As for the Mac vs PC thing, it's pretty much just personal preference now that Macs can run Windows, but in my opinion little things about OSX will probably annoy you, assuming you're a pc user.

I don't actually own a Mac, but they're all my school has so I use them most days for a few hours and they're nicely designed, but just annoying in small ways. For example, if you're looking at a folder or file in finder, pressing enter renames it instead of opening it. Ok, you can just use the mouse, but it's weird that anyone would want to rename things more often than open them.

[CharlieH]

Get a Sony Vaio. I don't have one personally, but i've heard good things about them. Apparently you get more for your money, but less of the shit. (like a fingerprint scanner, i mean, what the fuck!!)

[Blackflash]

emachine because they are really fast

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/eventlog.php)
Reason: You continually shit up the Tech Forum, please stop.

[poematik14]

The problem with Macs are that they are way way overpriced for what you are getting. My friend blew 2500 bucks on a MacBook Pro that had specs that most mid rage laptops have.

I mean, if you like how they look and etc. then go for it. Other than that, your money can be spent much better.

[Derelict]

Get a Sony Vaio. I don't have one personally, but i've heard good things about them. Apparently you get more for your money, but less of the shit. (like a fingerprint scanner, i mean, what the fuck!!)

Except it's almost always a third more expensive than the next best.

[Spastic]

My best advice Derelict is to shop around and see what you want. I would recommend www.tigerdirect.com if you haven't already checked out their laptops.

[Jiggz]

I've got a Macbook Pro and it's awesome. But that's because I make use of every last iota of its processing power. I run visual, audio and DVD burning software all at once and switch effortlessly between apps. If you're not going to use it for stuff like that then I don't think it's worth it. I've been looking around, a PC laptop with the exact same spec as my Mac (2.4Ghz core 2 duo, 2gigs Ram geforce 8600 GT) goes for around R2000 less than the Macbook Pro. (Divide that by 7 for US$).

I could be an idiot and say shit like, "but it's a Mac so it's worth it", but if you're used to working on a PC then learning the different interface will slow you down a little at first, which could become an annoyance.

There's no point in switching to Mac unless you really want to or you need to make use of Mac specific software. This is especially the case if it's just a standard Macbook. Those are for people who make Word documents and PowerPoint presentations but want to come across as rich enough to spend superfluous amounts of money on a computer that's just as well endowed as a cheaper PC laptop.

[Cristo]

I could be an idiot and say shit like, "but it's a Mac so it's worth it", but if you're used to working on a PC then learning the different interface will slow you down a little at first, which could become an annoyance.


Why does everyone say this?

It must just be me that's awesome or something, because when I first got my iBook G4 3 years ago I had no problems figuring out Mac OSX. Honestly, by half an hour I had most of it under control, and honestly I like to think that Mac OSX is a LOT more user friendly, it's not nearly as confusing or convoluted, ok yeah you press enter and it decides to re-name the folder rather than open it (WHY?!?) but that shouldn't be a deciding factor in which laptop you use.

But I definitely recommend a Macbook, not only are they great - they look good too. And if you want to game, do like my friend, dual boot Windows.

[Spastic]

I really do not recommend a Macbook if you want to game Derelict. The Macbook won't have near the firepower a normal laptop would, but it will cost more for some strange, inexplicable reason.

[INTUNEevolution]

With macs, you're just buying the operating system that is super user-friendly, but the technology it comes with is absolute shit. Outdated, weak hardware, constantly updating software. It's just moneymoneymoney for Apples.

Get a Fujitsu. No problems here.

Get a Sharp if you're okay with it breaking down relatively quickly haha.

[opn4bzns]

Why does everyone say this?

It must just be me that's awesome or something, because when I first got my iBook G4 3 years ago I had no problems figuring out Mac OSX. Honestly, by half an hour I had most of it under control, and honestly I like to think that Mac OSX is a LOT more user friendly, it's not nearly as confusing or convoluted, ok yeah you press enter and it decides to re-name the folder rather than open it (WHY?!?) but that shouldn't be a deciding factor in which laptop you use.

That was just an example of the little differences, some people are completely fine switching to OSX, but personally I think little things like that would make a Mac hard to live with (for me, at least).
I really do not recommend a Macbook if you want to game Derelict. The Macbook won't have near the firepower a normal laptop would, but it will cost more for some strange, inexplicable reason.
It's generally referred to as the Mac Tax. They charge more because they can, and since you can only really run OSX on Apple hardware they haven't got much competition for anyone who wants or needs OSX.

[Cristo]

I think you should get an Area-51 m15x (not the m17x, it's too much money for just an extra 3").

That's a pretty kickass, top notch, good looking laptop right there.

Might be a bit out of anyone's price range, God's even for that matter.

http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/area-51_m15x/area-51m_overview.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51M15X-AI1&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

[notafan]

Every laptop I've ever had has basically fucked itself except for a MacBook Pro. I've had a Vaio and an HP btw. MacBook's seem to work very well and have some nice and convenient, but little things that make life that much easier. I'm not a fan of Mac Computers but their laptops are second to none.

[Chaplin]

I have a Macbook, which is what I am operating on now and it is a great system IF you don't need lots of memory or great video cards or more RAM. If you're looking for a solid computer that doesn't have anything that flashy but runs great and is super smooth, the Macbook or Pro are both great choices.

[poematik14]

Im in the same boat as the OP. I'm looking at the Asus G2s series:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220284

Also, Toshiba makes some nice notebooks as well.

Im pretty sure Im getting that one laptop in the link for my birthday.

Oh, and dont get a Mac. The OS changes every 9 months and you are guilted into upgrading (100 bucks). Just go with Windows and you don't pay for upgrade s for 5-6 years.