Dear Geeks, What Laptop Should I Buy?

[Audioslave]

So I'm getting my a laptop, and there's two I'm trying to decide between.

It's either a HP some-thing-or-other (3gigs of RAM, 320gig hard drive)
or
The newest Macbook


Now I'm trying to decide what's better go with. The Macbook is an extra $500, but I heard nothing but good things. The HP has more hard drive and RAM, but it comes with Vista.

I'm thinking; is it worth it to buy the Macbook, or would it make more sense to get the HP and get XP, Linux and/or (a pirated copy of) Mac OSX?

Is there anything else I should be looking for?

[Hell_Tiger]

I'd go for the HP and install XP on it. It'll run very nicely with 3 GiB of RAM and you won't have to worry about compatibility issues.

But if you're a Linux user, nothing's stopping you from installing it on a Macbook either. In fact, some Linux distributions work better on Mac Laptops (Fedora 8 doesn't recognize my Toshiba Satellite HDD controller)

[Spastic]

Well I would go with the HP if you want to play any kind of video game at all, but you can go for the Macbook if you want a crappier computer (spec wise) for a more expensive price.

You have to be careful with some laptops, if you revert back to XP the laptop may not have drivers for certain things. Things like sound, video, that sort of stuff.

[Hell_Tiger]

Well I would go with the HP if you want to play any kind of video game at all, but you can go for the Macbook if you want a crappier computer (spec wise) for a more expensive price.

You have to be careful with some laptops, if you revert back to XP the laptop may not have drivers for certain things. Things like sound, video, that sort of stuff.

If you know what you're doing, this shouldn't be a problem. In most cases, there exists 3rd party drivers for XP if the manufacturer doesn't offer them.

[OoooF4LiFe]

Yeah, I would definately check into the XP driver issues. But honestly, vista's not as big a pile of shit as everyone makes it out to be. I mean, if your devoted to get it to crash, then by all means you can do it. Crashed my roommates brand new laptop in like a half hour I think. But realistically, you shouldn't have any issues.

3GB is a strange amount of ram to be selling stock. If you intend on sticking with vista, then it couldn't hurt to bump up to 4GB. Only reason I could think is they're expecting people to revert to xp, in which case they can't use all 4GB. But thats retarded.


Really just depends on what you need it for really. But personally I would take the HP either way, gaming or not.

[MistyTehMoose]

What are you using it for? Macs are really good for things like music/movie editing programs, and art programs like flash and photoshop.

[Audioslave]

Sorry, I meant to specify, I'm a bit stoned.

First off, I'll probably run Linux regardless. Chances are I'll run a split (possibly of all three?)

I'd be using it primarily for school work. Though I do a fair bit of fucking around; occasional music editing, etc. I like being able to run a crapload of programs. I'm an opensource/freeware nut and I'm constantly downing a bunch of software I can't use on my crappy half-gig of RAM.

[Audioslave]

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10107094&catid=

That's it there. It's on sale for $999 and I get a free printer.

[B-rock]

What are you using it for? Macs are really good for things like music/movie editing programs, and art programs like flash and photoshop.

Well, the operating system doesn't make the programs run better. It's the guts of the computer, they just have a little better graphics card. My laptop has 128 MB devoted video memory (meh, its decent). But remember, Leopard and OSX are just operating systems. Windows can do any of those things also, if you wanna go for looks and show off then get a Mac.

Vista wise I actually went from Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate. My computer has been running perfect (mostly cuz it got rid of stuff HP, Dell, Compaq etc...put on there like trial versions) My processes when I start up are at 36. You just gotta know what you are doing...basically study your computer and you can customize it any way you want it. Like those pop ups that say "Are you sure you want to open this program?" I got rid of. Turning off Aero basically it is easily customizable and a lot more things work with Windows as compared to a Mac.

Conclusion (to my best unbiased ability):

Mac - Get if you just wanna open the box and have it work for an extra $500, and get a little less good specs but good customer support.

HP - Get if your willing to spend a little time playing with (if you wanted to upgrade/downgrade the system you can get Ultimate for ~$100 via eBay), more compatible with today's software and want a machine that is going to work with a lot of things

One last comment, Vista isn't as bad as people make it. They want to find problems so they will find them.

[MistyTehMoose]

Sorry, I meant to specify, I'm a bit stoned.

First off, I'll probably run Linux regardless. Chances are I'll run a split (possibly of all three?)

I'd be using it primarily for school work. Though I do a fair bit of fucking around; occasional music editing, etc. I like being able to run a crapload of programs. I'm an opensource/freeware nut and I'm constantly downing a bunch of software I can't use on my crappy half-gig of RAM.

Freeware is a lot easier to find on Windows as opposed to Macs. Just make sure you get at least 2 gig of RAM, preferably 3. That way your computer shouldn't struggle with multiple programs.

[opn4bzns]

I'd go for the HP unless you're happy to pay $500 for the design of the Mac and OS X, because that's all you'll get for the extra money.

[Hell_Tiger]

Since you seem experienced, you might be interested in buying an ASUS laptop (http://ca.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=5). They are pricier, but much better quality than HP, and more fit for gaming.

[ilovebrownies]

Get the HP, and put Ubuntu Studio (http://ubuntustudio.org/) on it.

[BlackHood]

Out of curiosity, would any of the windows based applications (Photoshop CS3, Office 2007) actually work on Ubuntu? It seems lots of software companies have stopped producing linux alternatives, but I can't work out if thats because the Win products are compatible, or they just don't care anymore!

[ilovebrownies]

Well theres always WINE, which is a compatibility layer for Linux. Last time I cehcked, none of the CS3 programs work with it but CS2 is pretty solid. MS Office I'm pretty sure works, but why use it when you've got OpenOffice.org

[MistyTehMoose]

Since you seem experienced, you might be interested in buying an ASUS laptop (http://ca.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=5). They are pricier, but much better quality than HP, and more fit for gaming.

He never asked for a laptop that plays games.

[castles_in_the_sky]

I would definetly go for the HP. and I agree with hell tiger to install XP on it.

In my opinion.... Vista sucks. I have a toshiba which just crashed on me because of vista.


I am kind of biased though seeing as I am not a big fan of apple products...

[MistyTehMoose]

Yeah, I would definately check into the XP driver issues. But honestly, vista's not as big a pile of shit as everyone makes it out to be. I mean, if your devoted to get it to crash, then by all means you can do it. Crashed my roommates brand new laptop in like a half hour I think. But realistically, you shouldn't have any issues.

3GB is a strange amount of ram to be selling stock. If you intend on sticking with vista, then it couldn't hurt to bump up to 4GB. Only reason I could think is they're expecting people to revert to xp, in which case they can't use all 4GB. But thats retarded.


Really just depends on what you need it for really. But personally I would take the HP either way, gaming or not.

Why the fuck would you bump up to 4gig? The average OS only uses 3gig (which is why it came with 3gig), so anything more than that would be completely useless. Unless of course he is looking to get 64bit but that's pretty useless to a student as well.

As for Vista vs XP, it comes down to personal preference. I personally prefer XP but we all know eventually they are going to stop supporting it.

[OoooF4LiFe]

Why the fuck would you bump up to 4gig? The average OS only uses 3gig (which is why it came with 3gig), so anything more than that would be completely useless. Unless of course he is looking to get 64bit but that's pretty useless to a student as well.

As for Vista vs XP, it comes down to personal preference. I personally prefer XP but we all know eventually they are going to stop supporting it.

I was under the impression that Vista can use more than the 3.11 or whatever that XP is limited to. I figured as long as he's going to be saving $500 on the laptop, might as well not have to kick yourself a few years from now wondering why you didn't get the extra stick.

And your right, for the most part nobody will really ever need to swap to x64. My buddy who's going to uni for arch. design is bumping to x64, and thats one of the few things that it would really make a difference for. Massive file sizes/multiple programs.

[MistyTehMoose]

Vista uses 3.12G max of RAM. It's a little bit over, but it isn't really worth the cash.

[OoooF4LiFe]

Ahh. Didn't know that. Was pretty certain that Vista raised the bar to 4G max because it's a resource hog. Never really had any beef with Vista as alot of systems I've seen it on are stable, but I guess I can add this to the tally.

Scratch the extra stick idea.
Thanks for the info Misty.

[B-rock]

I personally am using Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit on my laptop (its an upgrade) so I am at 37 processes, 7-14% CPU usage (core 2 duo 2.0ghz), 40% physical memory with 3gb RAM. So that will give you a rough idea on what it runs.

I just have this Firefox window open and the task manager if your wondering what I have open

Oh and responding to castles in the sky,

I actually upgraded my windows from Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate (as I stated) and I love it. The only problems that I have had with it are the ones that I caused.

I actually went on my friends computer that had xp on it...I was confused as hell (not using an xp in a while) and had a lot of problems setting up his network and stuff...so my point is that just because its new to you and if your looking for problems or maybe you dont have any common sense, doesnt mean that there is something wrong with the computer...its probably just the user (not trying to offend anyone)

[Derelict]

Don't get a Mac unless you feel like paying for the brand name, is all I have to say. A Mac with the exact same specs as my laptop was $900 more, with only $400 more in software. All the shit they brag about for Macs is available for less for a PC. You might not get the step by step instructions a Mac would give, but that's not worth $500, in my opinion.

I have an 15" HP dv6000. It was $1300 after taxes, and I haven't looked back. Haven't had a single problem with Vista once I turned off the permission prompts, either.

[Mirrorman]

Haven't had a single problem with Vista once I turned off the permission prompts, either.

The ones that ask if it is allowed to do something after every single thing in vista? How did you do that?

[B-rock]

The ones that ask if it is allowed to do something after every single thing in vista? How did you do that?

If you look at my previous thread "Vista tweaks, tunes and hacks" it brings you to a site that tells you how to do that and more

[Mirrorman]

If you look at my previous thread "Vista tweaks, tunes and hacks" it brings you to a site that tells you how to do that and more

Ok, thanks. I'll take a look at it when the site goes up again.

[Audioslave]

Okay, I think I'm picking it up today.

If anybody wants to throw in any other recommendations, I'd be sure to look into them.

[ilovebrownies]

So are you going to put Linux on it? If so, which distro?

[Audioslave]

Too late. Got a nice-ass HP for $900, with a free printer.

[RessXalcor]

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10107094&catid=

That's it there. It's on sale for $999 and I get a free printer.

Holy shit, that's my laptop I got it for $600 in circuit city. It's alright I mean I only use it to go to the internet and that's it.

[Audioslave]

Ended up going with this (http://www.shopping.hp.com/series/category/notebooks/dv9700t_series/3/computer_store)

$100 cheaper and it was a better deal.


EDIT:...which is the same one you have. My bad, I was considering another laptop. It was on for $899

[Beven]

nice nice, went with the laptop that I'm currently on ;D, except mines pimped out to the max ;o

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/eventlog.php)
Reason: Don't type like that.

[opn4bzns]

The ones that ask if it is allowed to do something after every single thing in vista? How did you do that?
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/2633/uacvh6.png
It's not exactly difficult.
Vista uses 3.12G max of RAM. It's a little bit over, but it isn't really worth the cash.

32 bit Vista uses 3.12gb of RAM, yes, but unlike XP, 64bit Vista isn't rubbish.

[Derelict]

Some Vista doesn't have that in its control panel, opn4bzbns. If you click on the accounts you can change it. At the top of the start menu is your user picture. Click that. It should be right there.

[ilovebrownies]

Too late. Got a nice-ass HP for $900, with a free printer.

You didn't read my post. You said earlier that you would probably run Linux on it regardless.

[Audioslave]

Uh...I did read your post. I do plan on putting Ubuntu on it. What are you trying to tell me?

[ilovebrownies]

I just thought the 'too late' was aimed at my post. Nevermind.