Laptop Choice

Sharky7 said:
Certainly a bit overpriced, but then it depends on what you compare it to. You have to spend a fair bit of cash to get a windows laptop then can stand up to it.

Obviously once you find that windows laptop that can it's a taste thing with the OS, and personally I prefer OSX.
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You can install OSX on any laptop if that whats rocks your boat.

The cheapest 15 inch Macbook pro is 1549 quid with the following specs:

15-inch: 2.2 GHz

2.2GHz quad-core
Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz
500GB 5400-rpm1
Intel HD Graphics 3000
AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5
Built-in battery (7 hours)2


for 250 quid less you could buy a glasses free 3D laptop, with a far superior graphics card, faster CPU, bigger HDD, Harman speakers, BlueRay, more RAM.

TOSHIBA Qosmio F750-10Q 15.6" Glasses-Free 3D Laptop - Red buy online | Currys
 
Sharky7 said:
Nonsense, because that doesn't apply to me as I'm an IT pro.
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Are you named feeky?

Vista was enough for me to feck windows off for life, being forced to go back to XP to get my computer to do anything was the straw that broke the camel's back.
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I'd say you're rather useless as an IT pro if you have sworn off windows due to Vista. Windows 7 is a superior OS to vista in all ways and a very good OS. If you have simply rejected it because of a preceeding product, why should your opinion count for anything?

I say that as an Arch Linux user who prefers to build my desktop from the ground up.
 
B19 said:
Are you named feeky?



I'd say you're rather useless as an IT pro if you have sworn off windows due to Vista. Windows 7 is a superior OS to vista in all ways and a very good OS. If you have simply rejected it because of a preceeding product, why should your opinion count for anything?

I say that as an Arch Linux user who prefers to build my desktop from the ground up.
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I had no issues whatsoever with Win7, no freezes, no slowdown, nothing like that.
 
Sharky7 said:
Anyway, we're going off subject aren't we, it's turning into a mac haters haven :)
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No, it's turning into a 'hate on the overpriced recommendations for a budget customer' thread.

Which is well and good.
 
Sharky7 said:
Why do you keep mentioning "desktop replacement", he said I will use it mostly at home? If I wanted a "desktop replacement" I''d be buying an external screen, rather than carrying a fecking 17inch laptop around campus :lol:

Anyway, we're going off subject aren't we, it's turning into a mac haters haven :)
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Because he said he wants to use it mainly at home. A 15 inch laptop is 2.5-3 kilos at most.
 
B19 said:
I'd say you're rather useless as an IT pro if you have sworn off windows due to Vista. Windows 7 is a superior OS to vista in all ways and a very good OS. If you have simply rejected it because of a preceeding product, why should your opinion count for anything?
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Weird argument B19, the vista debacle and being forced to switch back to xp was what sent me to Mac in the first place, and now I'm delighted with macs, hence why I won't return to windows.

I still do plenty of work with windows of course, but I just don't really like them, even windows 7, the mac experience is just better imo.
 
Sharky7 said:
Weird argument B19, the vista debacle and being forced to switch back to xp was what sent me to Mac in the first place, and now I'm delighted with macs, hence why I won't return to windows.
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Thats okay for you, but it doesnt mean that you can claim that a macbook is a far superior product than a corresponding Win7 laptop.
 
Sharky7 said:
Weird argument B19, the vista debacle and being forced to switch back to xp was what sent me to Mac in the first place, and now I'm delighted with macs, hence why I won't return to windows.
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It's not weird. You are basing your opinions on 'windows vs os X' on vista.

Windows 7 is a much better product than vista. Your opinion counts for nothing if you're simply foresworn windows due to vista. Other people aren't saddled with your vista baggage. They just want a good OS and windows 7 is that.
 
Sharky7 said:
Anyway, we're going off subject aren't we, it's turning into a mac haters haven :)
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Because of statements like "Mac is superior".

What I love about the Apple-brigade is the fact that they don't feel the need to argue properly. They feel that "It's a Mac and it runs OSX" should be enough to convince anyone that it's better.

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference, as you've actually admitted to. Running Windows 7 on a decent laptop isn't really different to running OSX on a Mac, unless you prefer one OS over the other. If you don't care about the OS it comes down to price, and we all know who loses that battle.


For the OP: You also said that you need it for uni work. What do you study? Do you need any specific programs for it? In that case you might have other compatibility issues with Mac, which might mean you have to install Windows on it anyway. The school I go to don't support Mac because some of the programs we need aren't made for Mac, so the Mac-user I'm in group had to spend extra money to buy Windows. The last school I went to also taught us how to use some specific programs that didn't exist for Mac. If you had a Mac you could either find a program like it and learn to use it yourself, get Windows for your Mac or have a harder time doing assignments because you didn't have the program.
 
B19 said:
It's not weird. You are basing your opinions on 'windows vs os X' on vista.
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what are you on about?

I said, vista was enough for ME feck windows off for life. I didn't say, vista should have made everyone feck off windows did I?

As I said above, vista turned me to mac, and now when I use mac or windows 7, I much much prefer my mac... simples really!
 
Sharky7 said:
But didn't say "desktop replacement" did he.

The point still stands, if you want "desktop replacement", buy a fecking external screen.
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Yeah, lets buy the cheapest Macbook Air (900 quid), buy an external keyboard, an external dvd/blueray writer, a high speed usb HUB, a display and you've made a mess of your desk. For about 1150-1200 quid.

Good going.
 
Hi guys, I'm going to jump in on this topic for some help of my own.

My laptop has just broken (well it still functions, but I can't close the monitor down), and as it's about 3 1/2 years old now I've decided to ask for a new one for Christmas. The budget would probably be around the same as the OP's (£550 ish) although I can go higher if needed.

My laptop does get heavy usage as I'm a student, but nothing too strenuous (just lots of browsing, Uni work etc) and I like to play the odd game on it, Football Manager etc. But the most important thing is that it can last for a while - I treat my laptops well, but I don't want it turning into a paperweight within 24 months. Oh, I'd prefer it if it was pretty quiet because I'll probably be taking it to the library during exams, and I don't want a 15.6' screen because they're too small.

If anyone could help it would be fantastic, I'm looking myself too but I'm not too aware of what should be avoided, what's a bargain etc. Thanks!
 
Urbanned said:
Hi guys, I'm going to jump in on this topic for some help of my own.

My laptop has just broken (well it still functions, but I can't close the monitor down), and as it's about 3 1/2 years old now I've decided to ask for a new one for Christmas. The budget would probably be around the same as the OP's (£550 ish) although I can go higher if needed.

My laptop does get heavy usage as I'm a student, but nothing too strenuous (just lots of browsing, Uni work etc) and I like to play the odd game on it, Football Manager etc. But the most important thing is that it can last for a while - I treat my laptops well, but I don't want it turning into a paperweight within 24 months. Oh, I'd prefer it if it was pretty quiet because I'll probably be taking it to the library during exams, and I don't want a 15.6' screen because they're too small.

If anyone could help it would be fantastic, I'm looking myself too but I'm not too aware of what should be avoided, what's a bargain etc. Thanks!
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So you want a sturdy 17 inch laptop that can run FM?
 
Sharky7 said:
Obviously once you find that windows laptop that can it's a taste thing with the OS, and personally I prefer OSX.
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Sharky7 said:
I still do plenty of work with windows of course, but I just don't really like them, even windows 7, the mac experience is just better imo.
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So you agree, that a Mac isn't actually better than a decent Windows laptop and that you just prefer OSX?
 
Wowi said:
So you agree, that a Mac isn't actually better than a decent Windows laptop and that you just prefer OSX?
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My point is, you have to spend a lot of cash also to get a windows lappy that's as good, and even then, imo of course, mac is better. Not just the OS, just better built.
 
cinc said:
So you want a sturdy 17 inch laptop that can run FM?
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Kind of. I just want one that has the processing power to be able to run programs etc in say 3 years time, without slowing to a snails pace.

FM isn't the only game I play, but I don't play enough to warrant having a gaming PC. Maybe just having a decent graphics card and ~4gb+ of RAM.

I have no idea if what I'm asking for is unrealistic, btw.
 
Sharky7 said:
My point is, you have to spend a lot of cash also to get a windows lappy that's as good, and even then, imo of course, mac is better.
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And a Mac is cheap? A good Windows laptop isn't more expensive than a Mac.
 
Urbanned said:
Kind of. I just want one that has the processing power to be able to run programs etc in say 3 years time, without slowing to a snails pace.

FM isn't the only game I play, but I don't play enough to warrant having a gaming PC. Maybe just having a decent graphics card and ~4gb+ of RAM.

I have no idea if what I'm asking for is unrealistic, btw.
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If you dont mind refurbished laptops, than its not

HP Envy 17-1050EA Refurbished 17.3" Laptop - Silver buy online | Currys

Its sturdy, but/and a bit on the heavy side.
 
Sharky7 said:
check out the bold and move along...
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Right. So we agree that Mac isn't actually better unless you prefer OSX.

Edit: And you can get Windows based laptops that runs as well as Macs for less money by the way.
 
Urbanned said:
Hi guys, I'm going to jump in on this topic for some help of my own.

My laptop has just broken (well it still functions, but I can't close the monitor down), and as it's about 3 1/2 years old now I've decided to ask for a new one for Christmas. The budget would probably be around the same as the OP's (£550 ish) although I can go higher if needed.

My laptop does get heavy usage as I'm a student, but nothing too strenuous (just lots of browsing, Uni work etc) and I like to play the odd game on it, Football Manager etc. But the most important thing is that it can last for a while - I treat my laptops well, but I don't want it turning into a paperweight within 24 months. Oh, I'd prefer it if it was pretty quiet because I'll probably be taking it to the library during exams, and I don't want a 15.6' screen because they're too small.

If anyone could help it would be fantastic, I'm looking myself too but I'm not too aware of what should be avoided, what's a bargain etc. Thanks!
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Do you really want to be carting a 17" laptop to the library?

Sharky7 said:
You still use one of those? :eek: it's 2011 :lol:
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urm...is it really that uncommon? I burn my own games for xbox and still use dvd's a fair bit.
 
Wowi said:
Right. So we agree that Mac isn't actually better unless you prefer OSX.
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Yes we agree that macs aren't better unless you spend a shit load of cash on a windows computer, making the price difference almost obsolete. And even then, the build quality tends to be better on a mac, and the OS. Yeah sure we can agree on that.
 
cinc said:
If you dont mind refurbished laptops, than its not

HP Envy 17-1050EA Refurbished 17.3" Laptop - Silver buy online | Currys

Its sturdy, but/and a bit on the heavy side.
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I didn't mean sturdy like that :lol: I meant that the processor etc can just handle 3+ years of good, heavy use (program-wise). I don't need the casing to be a tank! Thanks for that suggestion though, I actually quite like that one.

You say it's not very realistic for refurbished ones, is that the same for new ones? What have I asked for that makes it unrealistic?
 
Biscuit1871 said:
urm...is it really that uncommon? I burn my own games for xbox and still use dvd's a fair bit.
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It's been bloody years since I watched or used a DVD of any sort.

The xbox part I understand, that saves you money, although you can't play online then right? which is also pretty shit.
 
Sharky7 said:
My point is, you have to spend a lot of cash also to get a windows lappy that's as good, and even then, imo of course, mac is better. Not just the OS, just better built.
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I've had just as many problems with macs as I have with PC's I have to have both but in terms of laptops a high pc based laptopp for the same price as a high end mac laptop is far superior in everyway. I do love me imac though, even though I have a pc desktop that has pretty much identical specs for a quarter of the price.
 
Sharky7 said:
My point is, you have to spend a lot of cash also to get a windows lappy that's as good, and even then, imo of course, mac is better. Not just the OS, just better built.
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ffs. You are just plain lying now.

You pay more for a mac than you would for a regular laptop with equivalent hardware.
 
Sharky7 said:
Yes we agree that macs aren't better unless you spend a shit load of cash on a windows computer, making the price difference almost obsolete. And even then, the build quality tends to be better on a mac, and the OS. Yeah sure we can agree on that.
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See my edit. Windows based laptops as good as Macs are still cheaper.

Never thought I'd hear the phrase "shit load of cash" from a Mac user talking about a Windows laptop though. Bit odd that.
 
Biscuit1871 said:
Do you really want to be carting a 17" laptop to the library?
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I don't mind it too much. It's not that much hassle. I care more about if it's quiet or not than anything else when it comes to taking it there. I refused to take my current one there (before the screen broke) because it sounds like a helicopter when I run anything more than 2 tabs in Firefox
 
Sharky7 said:
It's been bloody years since I watched or used a DVD of any sort.

The xbox part I understand, that saves you money, although you can't play online then right? which is also pretty shit.
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urm..you can play online. I think you're probably in the minority if you haven't used a dvd/blu ray for one reason or another, for years.
 
gambit28 said:
I've had just as many problems with macs as I have with PC's I have to have both but in terms of laptops a high pc based laptopp for the same price as a high end mac laptop is far superior in everyway. I do love me imac though, even though I have a pc desktop that has pretty much identical specs for a quarter of the price.
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You may have had problems but it's a very well known fact that macs have a better rate of reliability than windows PC's.
 
Urbanned said:
I didn't mean sturdy like that :lol: I meant that the processor etc can just handle 3+ years of good, heavy use (program-wise). I don't need the casing to be a tank! Thanks for that suggestion though, I actually quite like that one.

You say it's not very realistic for refurbished ones, is that the same for new ones? What have I asked for that makes it unrealistic?
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refurbished ones are the ones that are taken back as faulty, and then the manifacturers renew them with new parts and sell them at a lower price.

I'll look for another one then.
 
Sharky7 said:
You may have had problems but it's a very well known fact that macs have a better rate of reliability than windows PC's.
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Because there are companies that make shit laptops.

You are taking the brand from one company and then comparing it to the entire market.

How does mac compare to thinkpads for example? That's a fairer frame of comparison.
 
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