w7j or macbook black?

I need a new notebook for work. I'll use my desktop at work, but when I travel I need something handy. My Thinkpad is about done and I don't want anything really big. I've never owned a Mac, but really want to switch and with bootcamp out it seems like a win/win. But I thought I'd put it out there and see what everyone thought.

 

If you really need OS X, go for the Macbook, otherwise go for w7j.

I had my Macbook for 3 months before I sold it. The build quality is not as good as my previous Thinkpad. I didn't really like the keyboard either but that's more of a personal preference.

The bottom line is, there is NO reason to get a (overpriced) mac unless you absolutely need their software (OS X and the apps).

I love OS X (especially Textmate since I'm a web developer), but in the end I'd willing to sacrifice the software for better hardware (I'm currently looking to buy a W3J).

 

Well I really like the idea of the iLife software suite. iDVD and the like. I'll have my personal stuff on the notebook as well (family business) so it would be nice to author DVD's without having to buy a book bigger than the Bible.

 

Also, I thought that there was no ability to ugrade memory. I'm reading the w7j owner's lounge thread and someone's got 1.5gb's.

 

The 512MB memory is onboard and you can add an extra 1GB RAM stick.

For Macbook however, you can have a maximum of 2GB RAM because both sticks are replacable.

 

do you do any kind of gaming?
at work during slower times, everyone connects their laptop to play Warcraft III.. we got several Acers with x1600s, a macbook G4, the new macbook and a Dell XPS M1210 playing.. and everyone laughs how laggy the guy with the macbook is when multiple swarms appear on his screen.
i also must add that while both notebooks do get warm, the macbook doesn't have much in terms of ventilation. There are virtually no legs (there's some stubble that supposed to be legs but the thing sits flat on a desk anyways and there's no vents on the bottom or sides).

 

Hmmmmm.....not much gaming.


The memory limit on the Asus is annoying. But 1.5 gb isn't much different than 2gb.

 

2 x 1GB sticks means you get dual channel.

 

True. Now I'm starting to think about the wj3.

 

When prices come down, can't you put a 2gb stick in the free slot of the W7J...?

~ Brett

 

If you need/like OS X and it's apps and don't need a dedicated GPU I'd say go with the Macbook.

That being said, I wouldn't worry about the lack of dual channel memory on the W7J... you're not really going to notice the extra bandwidth on your usual office or network apps anyway.

I wouldn't worry overly much about build quality between the two either... they're both manufactured by Asus. canglan's comment about the Macbook not having the build quality of the Thinkpad is true, but very few notebooks do.

 

True. You buy a thinkpad because it's tougher than your car sometimes. Mine surely is.

Thanks for the input.

 

If you dont NEED the power of t he W7J........then you need to play more games

 

This isnt true, the macbook is very competitively priced...assuming you dont upgrade to 2Gb of memory with apple.
Add in the fact that many people can get education discount and the macbook actually comes out cheaper then a similarly config'd w7.

I am also split between the two.
OSX is the main draw card, for office and productivity its just so far ahead of xp...and there isnt much in vista that makes me want it over OSX.

But the w7 is lighter and perhaps better looking....either way I think you'll have a good/great notebook. Just depends on your usage plans
a

 

z35f if you don't need the video card in the w7j..lighter and cheaper too, and will have better battery life to start off with..you should push 7hrs with the 9cell

 

Here in this section of the forum, people will say go Asus. In the apple forum, they will tell you to get a macbook.

Being in this forum, my vote goes Asus. I also say that unless you need a mac for software reasons, go Asus. Better hardware(no underclocking as well), better prices if you know how to buy a computer, and it will run much cooler.

 

I think your opinion about people in this forum being biased, is biased.

I personally run OS X at work, and linux at home. Haven't owned a machine with Windows since '95.

 

I agree with the posts above, it all comes down to the OS you want to run. Also, if you want the W3J you need to decide whether or not to wait for the refresh (Nov. ish). Otherwise some online retailers are offereing $100 off Yonah W3J models, so that may make the price more competitive.

 

Well of course it is. What in this world is not baised? I can't think of one thing. Even your statement of your opinion about my statement about the forum being biased, being biased, is biased. Haha... that's really funny... being biased, being biased, is biased. Woot!