Macbook Pro vs Thinkpad SL

I recently bought a SL 400 and pretty happy with it...I am not a business user but this seemed a better value proposition than a HP or a Dell

The recent release of the Macbook Pro line got me thinking

I know comparing a PC to a Mac is soemwhat ont a great idea but I have a business PC

and the Macbook for 999 or the Macbook Pro seems to be a great laptop

I have the option to return my SL series but am unsure if the Macbook is worth the money I will be spending (considering I ill not get the Blu Ray or the dedicated graphics)

SL 400 config - P8600 2.4ghz, 250gb hdd, 2gb ram, 256mb video card, blue-ra rom, bluetooth, wireless N

The Mac seems to have a pretty decent integrated graphics but are they better than the g 105m the Thinkpad has?

I am confused...any advice would be appreciated..

 

I'm not sure exactly which MBP configuration you are talking about, but if it does have integrated graphics, it will not be as powerful as your current laptop. It will be thinner, less bulky, and better built than the SL-series laptop though.

 

I was looking at the 13 inch ones as they are the closest of what comes in price to the Sl 400 I got (I got it for 950 after tax)

Im just analyzing if its worth spending the extra 10-200 bucks on a Mac which does not have the Blu Ray, dedicated graphics or HDMI (although it has DVI). It does have a kickass battery life though.....

 

Do you like OSX? Do you find your SL400 bulky or otherwise unsatisfactory? If not, you are probably better keeping what you have.

 

I can see arguing for a mid-grade, discrete GPU over a 9400M . . . but what exactly can a G 105M do that a 9400M can't? I doubt there's a noticeable difference. Notebookcheck.net lists them as practical equivalents, and their gaming benchmarks seem to bear that out.

Crysis (low)
G 105M: 23-24 fps
9400M: 30-32 fps

F.E.A.R (medium)
G 105M: 76 fps
9400M: 60 fps

In terms of what the laptops do for you, I think the more important question is whether you care about losing Blu-Ray.

$.02

 

Technically the 9400M is an integrated GPU as it shares system memory. However, it is the most powerful integrated GPU currently available and offers far superior gaming performance (at the cost of higher wattage) than the Intel x4500 MHD.

 

Oh? Interesting I never knew that.

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It depends OP, if you like the form factor of the Mac over the Price/Hardware ratio of PC, go for it.

 

IMO, the Macbook Pro compares more closely to the ThinkPad T series than the SL series, from a features and construction perspective.

You can get the white (plastic, rather than aluminum unibody) Macbook for $949 after educational discount. However, you can get a ThinkPad T400 with most of the toys for a little less.

It ends up boiling down to whether you think OS X is an added value to your computing experience, or whether you need to work in a mixed environment of Macs and PCs as a work requirement (where a Macbook Pro would benefit you, since it can run dual operating systems). If it doesn't really matter to you, I think the T400 ends up being a better value.

P.S. No disrespect to Macs; I am a former Apple certified technician. I think they have their pros and cons like any other platform does.

EDIT: I just logged into Lenovo's CPP site and checked; it actually cost me MORE to configure an SL400 to specs I'd be interested in than it did for the better ThinkPad T400. And, I couldn't get some of the better features of the T400 (e.g., Intel 5300 wireless, WXGA+ display). I'd seriously consider comparing the configuration of your SL400 to the same options in a T400 if you're on the fence and have time to return the system you have.

 

Thanks a lot!
This really helps.....
I'll compare the T series for sure but the T series has no HDMI and the Blu Ray option is a hefty $630 (as they offer a writer but not a ROM)

I am happy with my SL, but yes I do find it a bit bulky....
Great point on the dual systems, I will need Windows as I am definitely not carrying 2 laptops wherever I go....

I guess paying $1099+tax for the pro even after the educational discount (and getting a free itouch which may be sold for like 150) the pro costs like $1050 to $1100 (incl tax) and it comes at the cost of losing a Blu Ray and HDMI.
I do get better portability and battery life ( but I dont travel much!) so I guess I'll just keep the SL or look at the T which seem to be better value propositions as you'll described

 

The only good way, IMO, to get a Macbook Pro is to go through the refurbished section of their store. Same warranty, features, and appearance as a new machine, less cost. Kind of like buying a certified pre-owned Lexus; you can't tell it from new.

Doubtful that there's any 13" Macbook Pros in that section of the store yet, though its predecssor, the 13" Macbook (aluminum unibody) is probably there both refurbished, and on clearance.

Apple Refurbished Store