The laptop advice thread

[fastbilly1]

You can even game on one if you get the GeForce 750m.

But isnt that macbook 2k+?

I think Macbooks have many great aspects, but the price is such a deterrent I have never given them a honest look for personal use. Even a certified refurb MBP starts at $700 - which is really out of my budget for a laptop (that does not generate income).

But like Ryan said, if they are paying for it, go for it.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

You can even game on one if you get the GeForce 750m.

But isnt that macbook 2k+?

Yeah. That's the $2499 model.

Honestly, I wouldn't have another one if I hadn't gotten this one so cheap. $400 to my buddy and $310 to Apple Depot Repair for a laptop that's still worth at least $1200 was too good to pass up.

I guess you could argue resale values can keep you in the ecosystem of Macs for a pretty reasonable price but I'd still bet it is way more than anybody would ever spend on Windows units.

[Frag Mortuus]

I am not an Apple fan. Being such a PC enthusiast, I can't condone using a computer with such a closed environment. BUT I will give credit where it's due. Apple makes fantastic systems from both a hardware and software standpoint. They are really well built and the systems just work. You are limited by OSX when it comes to customization and by Apple in general in regards to hardware upgrades. But this is because Apple has created an environment where know exactly how software will perform on all of their devices. Which is why people love Apple so much.....because it just works and works well. I would probably LOVE Apple computers if they weren't so expensive.

My advice as a PC enthusiast is to get the Mac Book Pro. I can't recommend to you any Windows product that will perform equally as well.

[ZenErik]

What's your budget? I just got a new MSI laptop yesterday. GS60. Haven't spent enough time setting it up yet to form much of an opinion, but the build is nice. Touchpad isn't quite Apple quality, but I bought this for gaming so I'll usually just hook up a controller or my Razer Naga. Or use the keyboard.

http://www.xoticpc.com/msi-gs60-ghost003-p-6938.html

[Ivo]

All of that said: dear god just learn the Mac OS.

This was mostly repeated throughout the thread.

I'm decent enough at Mac OS actually, but I don't like it as much as Windows and I do find in some cases it reduces my productivity because I need to look up how to do something I know how to do in Windows. Of course that would get better with time as well. In any case, I'm not sure "squeezing" a little bit of better hardware justifies the added difficulty.

Ok beyond the 4 default choices for Windows I presented before, are there really no other hardware makers that can compete, either "same specs+build quality" for less or "same ballpark cost" for more performance in laptops? I find that hard to believe. IBM Thinkpads perhaps?
I'm not really looking for "gamer laptop" specs or form factors (which are typically a bit flashier than I would like).

That said in this particular case it would make it easier as the MBP 15'' Retina is on the "pre-approved" list of choices.
I could of course nowadays also install Windows on the MBP, but that seems a bit silly...

[isiolia]

Ok beyond the 4 default choices for Windows I presented before, are there really no other hardware makers that can compete, either "same specs+build quality" for less or "same ballpark cost" for more performance in laptops? I find that hard to believe. IBM Thinkpads perhaps?

IBM sold most of their hardware business to Lenovo (they still make high end servers/etc). I mentioned the Yoga 2 Pro above. Some models they make are nice, at least.