Wife hates her 8 month old 13" MBP...what to replace it with?

Hi everyone.

Back in June we decided to get my wife the 13" MBP unibody. I loved mine and loved my old TiG4 and she thought that she wanted to try the MAC.

It has been a battle the whole way as she is a Windows power user and finds she really doesn't like a lot about the Mac. All this is fine and I want to fix the problem instead of listening to complaints.

Amongst her biggest complaints are the high gloss glare ridden screen on the MBP. Photo editing has become impossible for her on the Mac because the brightness levels don't balance between her desktop PC (22" Samsung Matte Display).

Matte screen is a requirement.

She doesn't use all the trackpad gestures, but does like to scroll so i need a trackpad that does have some good...almost Mac like scrolling gestures.

A good keyboard is a requirement.

She does like the magsafe plug although I know nobody else has anything similar?

Anyhow...need your guys thoughts and opinions a suitable replacement.

My thought was to get a Lenovo T400 or 500 for the keyboard, durability and price point but would like to hear different options.

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

 

Uhm...thanks I guess.

Was hoping to hear from folks in a similar situation.

 

I think you are spot on with the Lenovo T400/500. The only thing she might miss is are the looks of the MBP compared to the bland looking Thinkpad.

There's a new HP 14" elitebook that could also work. I believe the elitebook 8440 is the model.

 

Thanks CanadianDude!

My only doubt about the T400/500 is the quality of the LCD. I'll look at the HP, I wasn't aware of them.

 

A better wife.

 

does she want a matte macbook pro?

if so, i *think* (don't quote me on this) that you can still get matte versions of the 15" at least.

if she doesn't want a mac for other reasons, you'll need to keep looking obviously

 

Are you serious?
And I thought this one was good since she value function over form...

 

She could continue to use Leopard, but really Windows would be best for her.

My price point is $1200 max, so the 15" MBP is beyond my limit even though it does come with an antiglare screen.

 

Tough crowd around here...I get one post with a link to the general forum and another suggesting a new wife.

Nice.

 

Well to pile on some more...rather than get a new laptop, if you/her are actually serious about photo editing I'd suggest getting a hardware monitor calibration tool. Then all your screens will be color correct regardless of platform and matte/glossy.

 

Yeah, if she was serious about photo edition she should already have one. Since most monitor colours are out of whack to begin with.
http://www.pantone.com/pages/products/product.aspx?pid=562

 

I feel ya. That's the Apple forum for ya. Another option to look at is the Dell Latitude e6400. It also comes with a matte screen.

I was going to suggest one of those anti glare filters, but they actually mess with the colors from what I see.

 

The link to the general forum was a way of suggesting to use the "What notebook should I buy?" section. They have a questionnaire that will help everyone to understand your needs and wants.

Honestly a matte display, with a track pad that has scroll, and a mention of photoshop is kinda vague on what kind of machine you want.

 

Why not just install windows on it?

 

the matte screen mbp is out of his budget. the operating system was not the primary issue anyway.

 

aren't there matte screen films available? It may not be the best solution but it's the cheapest solution available.

 

I think you got the reaction as your asking Mac users about a PC replacement. Wouldn't this be better suited to the Lenovo forum?

 

Or just filling out the questionaire and posting that will generate responses from more people rather than just mac users.

 

you go to a Mac forum and say "Soandso hates their Mac, what PC should they get" and expect.. what exactly?

 

As someone already suggested, why not just install Windows on it? Mac runs Windows 7 perfectly and I switch back and forth using Bootcamp or Parallels (depending on what I'm doing) Also, if the screen is such a big issue, you can easily sell the Mac and use the money to get a Lenovo with the matte screen.

 

again, the primary issue was the screen not matching her desktop screen. windows 7 has nothing to do with that and isn't a solution to the problem.

i also agree that more people will be able to help you if you fill out the "what notebook should i buy" form and post it there. i'm sorry you were discouraged, but honestly i feel like most people who chimed in with a nonresponse just did it because they didn't know how to help you.

 

All you need is the color syncing software that was posted earlier in this thread.

 

the dell small business line of computers are quite nice for the price.

Matte screens are really hard to come by in the general consumer models these days. you'll probably want to stick to a business class notebook to get the matte options most places.

Though on the bright side it does sound like she isn't in need of a super high power graphics card.... so that should save you some money in the end.

 

He obviously wanted the opinions of the Mac people as to what they would buy if they didn't have their Macs, theres no need to be so rude. At least some of the Mac people figured this out.

 

Thanks Guys...to those that replied in an adult fashion without sarcasm.

I did indeed want specific responses from Mac users. In the past I know that users having bought MPB's often went back to PC's but continued to monitor / dare I say troll the Mac sub-forums.

I love my MPB and was not trying to start a flame war or anything controversial.

Those of you with a wife or significant other whom is not the technology gadget lover you are...it's a difficult place to be...they want your help and suggestions, but don't always agree with your reasoning on the virtues of a specific device after the purchase or recommendation.

Think I am going to sell my wife's MPB and get her a T400 or the HP (which doesn't seem to be out yet). This solves many problems and makes my life easier as well as hers.

I understand the color analyzer might help somewhat (even though the MPB would still be a gloss screen), but there are other issues as well and having her on a single OS platform would be best for everyone.

Running Windows on the MPB would be an option if not for the high glare screen....although, I did try bookcamp for her with Windows XP and the trackpad drivers are very poor with no fixes that i was able to find in even the Windows Vista or Windows 7.

Again, thanks to those who did try to help, I appreciate your time.

 

To get a "workable" notebook screen for graphics/photo applications, it's going to cost some money. For a matte one, even more money. You really can't compare a TN notebook panel to desktop monitors. Often even the cheapest desktop monitor (TN) will be better than what is considered "good" notebook monitors.

If you are looking for a PC recommendation, which I guess you have already decided on, it's best to post in the What notebook should I buy section. Be sure to fill out the FAQ as thats the quickest and most painless way to get a recommendation. The HP and Lenovo business lines (T410 is available for order now) have just been refreshed, and I'd guess Dell will soon do the same. It might be worth the wait.

Fill out the FAQ (stickied) in the what notebook should I buy forum and I am sure you will find the help.

 

You're asking in the wrong forum and you're all wounded over the lack of help like it's our fault.

You're asking what Windows laptop is best for a graphics designer, and there's a forum to help with that. It was the first response actually, and you dismiss it because it's not the way you wanted your question answered.

 

So basically you want a high quality matte screen in a 13" notebook?

I don't see many options besides the Sony Z. The screen is said to have a 100% gamut. If you shop around it can be under $1500. Like here:
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/de... - Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53 GHz -_SOS-VGNZ790DAB
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0320430

The Z will be refreshed soon. This means it's possible to get good deals on the older model.