Macbook Pro - good deal?

Although, I'm a Windows junkie and a geek, I decided to get a Macbook Pro.

Here are the specs:

2.4GHz Intel Core i5
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 15-inch Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display

A total of 2,093

After spending a good 30 minutes on the phone with the Apple rep, I was a bit hesitant to pull the trigger. He offered free shipping (2-3 days) and reduced the total price to $1,986 (tax included).

I am still 50/50 on the whole deal. I know that I can run Windows on it, but my current ThinkPad R61i with Win 7 x64, 4GB ram, 250GB hdd is running great. My main reason for getting an Apple machine is to get to know OS X.

Any thoughts on the price?

 

Well, if you just want to learn to use OSX and get to know it why not get a cheaper used previous generation MBP? I wouldn't consider 2 thousand dollars for a mediocre laptop a good deal.

 

Like you, I also am a Windows junkie. I've been using a Mac for about 3 years, and recently picked up the 13" MBP. I run Windows 7 virtually using VMWare Fusion and it runs marvelously, even when I open up Visual Studio. OS X is very nice, and has lots of things to learn about it. There's tons of software available that is equivalent to what is available in the Windows world.

On the price-front, you got an upgrade to the shipping and saved a bit on tax as well. So the price to me looks very good.

 

It is often said that you should buy a Mac only if you intend to use OSX as your primary operating system. It really doesn't sound like you do. If you don't have a specific need or desire for OSX, $2000 is a lot to pay for a computer that doesn't really have anything special about it. The Studio 15, Envy 15, T510, and W510 can all provide much better bang for your buck in various ways.

 

Why don't you start off with the cheaper 13" non-metal body Macbook? It has OSX too...

Even better, you can just buy an older model from 2006 and install the latest OSX version. They are like $400-$500.

 

For years I never liked Mac, and finally I picked one up because like you I figured I could run windows off of it as well. Not even a week after getting it, I wish my pc's would have some of the same features.

Now jumping head first with a large purchase like you might be a bit much as others suggest, I got the cheapest 13" model.

 

maybe buy a Mac mini? or a Macbook... and save some money, if you just want to get to know OSX.

 

I would get the MBP 13" or the Macbook, but I just HATE the "glossy screens" and the Anti-Glare option is only available in 15" & 17".

 

that's a lot of money just to "get to know" OSX.

what applications are you using that would prohibit you from simply switching?

rare is the mainstream app that doesn't have an OSX version.

 

why would Photoshop hold you back... there is native Mac versions.. and very often Abode will swap licenses for people switching from Windows to Mac.

 

Photoshop is available on OSX, though. I'd think Adobe would transfer your license over to the Mac version if you were to get one.

so why not just go full OSX then?

edit: beaten.

 

A Mac runs Windows well in a virtual environment... with Fusion, I get great results in running Windows 7.

 

Your analogy makes no sense. The hardware in a Mac is identical to PC hardware in every respect. The same Intel processors and chipsets, the same nVidia graphics cards, the same USB controllers and Ethernet controllers and PS/2 keyboards, the same Synaptics touchpads, the same Broadcom wireless cards, the same Hynnix or Fred's Discount RAM, the same LVDS-connected LCDs, the same Philips or Sony batteries, the same everything. Hell, the cases are even made by Quanta and ASUSTek, the same companies that makes Dells, HPs, ASUSes (duh), and others. The difference is that OSX looks for the little marker on the BIOS/UEFI that says "this is a Mac" and won't install if it isn't there.

Apples aren't special magical computers. They're just PCs with very limited driver support and a special OS.

 

the only problem is.. your gross generalization there is just not true.

Its impossible to be true, since even 2 "PCs" can be very different in hardware.

And even trying to take it at face value and compare every single Windows laptop out there to Macs, there is still errors in your statements...

The only people that believe the type of stuff you said there are ones that don't know much about electronics... they might know a lot about computer specs, but not about electronics in general.

 

You're right but from a high level view, OS X can run on a PC ... I mean, all the requirements are already in place.

The issue however is it won't run as fluently as it does on Apple machines due to the minute difference in details as you mentioned. You know optimizing clock cycles, optimizing memory latency, data xfer on the buses and all that other stuff I didn't pay attention to during my ECE classes.

Oh and OP, for what it's worth ... I was in the same spot some months ago. I ended up buying a 13" MBP to try out OS X ... I won't be buying a PC laptop again.

 

You know what, whatever, not going to feed the troll.

 

+1

I think its funny when someone says that a Mac has exactly the same parts as a PC in one sentence just to contradict themselves later. If a driver isn't in OS X its because the part isn't the same as in a Mac. I cringe at the thought of trying to do a multitouch on some of the tiny touch pads I've had to use on PC's.

 

Yup, there was a bit of edit and delete that had to be done 'cause y'all was talkin' about a little sumpin' sumpin' that ain't legal.

 

Clearly I meant "the exact dimensions, aesthetics, serial numbers, and vendor IDs of all hardware are exactly the same on all computers." Obviously. I'm sure I didn't mean "the underlying architectures of the hardware are the same, and not specific to Apple's computers in any way." Right?

Right. Here troll, have a cracker.

 

Sounds like you have a decent laptop already one piece of technology worth waiting for the next update for me would be USB 3.0, I personally would wait for the next gen (remember next refresh at least 1 year away if not more).

 

I have the exact same model with matte screen and nothing more. I got to say, MBP is surprisingly well made in just about every level. I have been using a Windows desktop for a long, long time. This is my first Mac and Laptop. I bought the Sony Z at first. It was everything I expect from a Windows laptop. Well some hardware problem occurred, I had to return it. Then I went with the Macbook despite the high cost, and I was pleasantly surprised.

The multitouch is far better than that of the Sony, both hardware and software wise. I have used a uniboy MBP before, but not until I own one and inspect it closely did I appreciate how well made it is, from the inside and out. Something even more stunting is that the boot camp drivers are just as well if not better than the drivers comes with a PC laptop.

All I have to say is that the MBP is the best laptop I have used. It is well supported for both Mac and Windows. Only draw back is the price and limited graphic capability (The much smaller and lighter sony has 330m 1GB, shame...).

 

What kind of hardware problems were you having? I'm trying to decide between the 13" MBP & the Sony Z. Thanks.