I got mine for $440 after bing cashback and $10 BB reward card. 
It's definitely not perfect, but for the money I can't really complain.
It's definitely not perfect, but for the money I can't really complain.
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$499 PC > $1800 Macbook Pro (performance wise)??
- Thread starter eddiehaskell
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Sooo Mad
I saw this yesterday and thought to myself WOW this is a great deal, my 2.4 SR MBP is going to bite the dust in encoding times !
And this morning when I went to my local BB....
SOLD OUT ! even online !!!! It suck so bad. I may be out of touch with pricing, but an i5 for 500 ? I don't think ANY laptop comes close to this level of performance, heck there are desktops in the 500 dlls rang that only offer c2d ! who cares if it's not a pretty Al case, just install your fav linux distro and have fun, I envy those of you who did get it.
On another topic;
COME ON APPLE ! give us recent hardware ! I want to be surprised, this nov when my ACare expires I'm replacing my laptop, and I expect TWO revisions before that time mmmkay ?
I saw this yesterday and thought to myself WOW this is a great deal, my 2.4 SR MBP is going to bite the dust in encoding times !
And this morning when I went to my local BB....
SOLD OUT ! even online !!!! It suck so bad. I may be out of touch with pricing, but an i5 for 500 ? I don't think ANY laptop comes close to this level of performance, heck there are desktops in the 500 dlls rang that only offer c2d ! who cares if it's not a pretty Al case, just install your fav linux distro and have fun, I envy those of you who did get it.
On another topic;
COME ON APPLE ! give us recent hardware ! I want to be surprised, this nov when my ACare expires I'm replacing my laptop, and I expect TWO revisions before that time mmmkay ?
It's about 50% thicker than the Macbook Pro line, it has a screen that is much lower resolution (and almost certainly lower color gamut given how excellent the MacBook Pro screens are), the battery life is probably very poor, the build quality will be much lower (NOBODY comes close to Apple's physical build quality), the trackpad will be smaller without the 4 finger gesture support, plastic everywhere, etc.
That's not even getting into the fact you're paying for Apple's OS X software which is much better than Microsoft's Windows 7.
There is a difference. Honestly, I'd much rather have the 13" MacBook Pro - go in between on price and get a much better all-around value. The 13" MacBook Pro screen is much closer in resolution to that Gateway's screen than the 15" MacBook Pro's...
That's not even getting into the fact you're paying for Apple's OS X software which is much better than Microsoft's Windows 7.
There is a difference. Honestly, I'd much rather have the 13" MacBook Pro - go in between on price and get a much better all-around value. The 13" MacBook Pro screen is much closer in resolution to that Gateway's screen than the 15" MacBook Pro's...
I think apple just needs to get core i3 and i5 processors out there into more of its machines sooner rather than later and to keep the price reasonably competitive then comparisons across the platforms will probably be easier to make. Still who would buy a netbook for example if for not much more you could get the latest processor in a full sized notebook. Pretty tempting.
I feel sorry for people who value a battery 2nd battery, backlit keyboard, and metal (dentable) case at $1100... never mind the otherwise better specs.
Maybe you have millions in the bank, but the consumers that the MBP are targeted towards would be crazy to get a MBP at $1600 when there's an i5 for $500.
This is Apple being greedy, snobbish, and I hope it one day bites them in the butt.
Maybe you have millions in the bank, but the consumers that the MBP are targeted towards would be crazy to get a MBP at $1600 when there's an i5 for $500.
This is Apple being greedy, snobbish, and I hope it one day bites them in the butt.
I got mine for $440 after bing cashback and $10 BB reward card.
That is sweet. I searched for this and came to the conclusion, from other posters, that best buy no longer had a deal with bing cash back. So, congrats!
This is nonsense. If you've had bad luck with Dell then that obviously stinks for you. I have had very good experiences with Dell. There is plenty of evidence in these forums of Macs being crap, but I don't believe it, I have had several and the Imac I use now for most of my computer work is awesome.
Yes, the Macbook Pro is thinner and much cooler looking. The screen res is 1366x768, not much different than the 13 MBP but lower than the 15 MPB. What would be nice on the 13 MBP is a 1440x900 option, but it isn't offered. I don't know about the color gamut, the screen is very pretty but if someone makes a quantitative comparison i would hope the MBP would be better. The battery life is 2.5-3 hrs of typical usage. Good enough to watch a blu-ray movie and then some. The MBP has a better battery for its power use. Build quality? MBP might be better but a hell of a lot of people have had problems with mac build quality, e.g., nvidia card in earlier 15 MBP. The trackpad is smaller but actually pretty big compared to previous gen laptops and it does do multi gesture (such as zoom)- I don't know about 4 finger gestures but the MBP probably has it beat there (this seems silly though, is it a race to see who can have the first trackpad with 10 finger gestures?). Lots of plastic, yes.
But I think you have missed the entire point of the original post. If intel is selling these processors in bulk to computer manufacturers who can stick them in $499 laptops, why on earth can't Apple hop on board and put them in their much more expensive computers? I like all these little "the MBP is better at this and this and this" points you make, but, and it is a big, big but, I think the processor is the most important part of the computer that I use. If Apple wants to save money on the processor, why not just jump ship and go with AMD?
I ended up buying one of these. Oh man, decisions decisions. For the same price (well, maybe even less!) I can keep the Macbook White Unibody I just got, or sell it and keep this Core i5 Arrandale Gateway + a Dell Mini 10v netbook (hackintoshed with Snow Leopard). Very tough decision for me.
I can get the Mac OSX experience on the Dell Mini 10v netbook, but its just not the same.100% (Atom CPU slow, no slick multitouch trackpad). Windows 7 is nice, I don't mind it at all so running that on the Gateway is fine. But the build-quality of the Gateway and the touchpad + keyboard probably leave a lot to be desired as compared to the Macbook White Unibody.
Just to echo everyone's sentiment it stinks that if a PC mfg can squeeze in this new tech for $650 (around the retail regular price of this Gateway) why can't Apple keep up and put Core i3/i5's in their $999+ laptops? Oh well hopefully they refresh soon.
I can get the Mac OSX experience on the Dell Mini 10v netbook, but its just not the same.100% (Atom CPU slow, no slick multitouch trackpad). Windows 7 is nice, I don't mind it at all so running that on the Gateway is fine. But the build-quality of the Gateway and the touchpad + keyboard probably leave a lot to be desired as compared to the Macbook White Unibody.
Just to echo everyone's sentiment it stinks that if a PC mfg can squeeze in this new tech for $650 (around the retail regular price of this Gateway) why can't Apple keep up and put Core i3/i5's in their $999+ laptops? Oh well hopefully they refresh soon.
No freaking way! Didn't think I'd see this d00d again! Eddie, how are you doing, buddy? We still remember you at m.net very well!
Cheap display: 1366x768
1.5" thin = LOL
Battery life?
They only have a few per store, for a limited time. It's call BAIT AND SWITCH.
1.5" thin = LOL
Battery life?
They only have a few per store, for a limited time. It's call BAIT AND SWITCH.
All I know is, Windows has file-level fragmentation. Individual files get scattered over the hard drive. No OS is fragment-proof, but other OSes, like OS X, keep files whole.
The swap file is a file and if it gets corrupt, performance plummets.
The registry is a file (four - two for the main system and two for the user, assuming you have just one user.) These have their own problems on top of file-level fragmentation: When you install apps, the registry will grow in size, depending on system-based settings, user-based settings, et cetera. Once you remove an app, the registry settings either stay put (sloppy) or it removes the entries leaving big gaps that cannot be compressed.
Over time, these cause massive slowdowns and recreating the local user profile or, preferably, a full reinstall of the OS is warranted -- reactivation and all and reactivation was so p!ss-poorly implemented...
I'm surprised the video card has dedicated memory for that price. Though it is Intel...
Sounds like you're known around here and I personally don't entirely believe you're looking for any serious information or debate. Otherwise my post would be 4 times longer.
The swap file is a file and if it gets corrupt, performance plummets.
The registry is a file (four - two for the main system and two for the user, assuming you have just one user.) These have their own problems on top of file-level fragmentation: When you install apps, the registry will grow in size, depending on system-based settings, user-based settings, et cetera. Once you remove an app, the registry settings either stay put (sloppy) or it removes the entries leaving big gaps that cannot be compressed.
Over time, these cause massive slowdowns and recreating the local user profile or, preferably, a full reinstall of the OS is warranted -- reactivation and all and reactivation was so p!ss-poorly implemented...
I'm surprised the video card has dedicated memory for that price. Though it is Intel...
Sounds like you're known around here and I personally don't entirely believe you're looking for any serious information or debate. Otherwise my post would be 4 times longer.
I got mine for $440 after bing cashback and $10 BB reward card.
Except to waste your time and ours by trolling, perhaps?
Just say you want Apple to lower its prices AND give you a pony too.
Well, I was happy to pay $2500 for a notebook with 2.8GHz CPU and a useful 1920x1200 display. No PC laptop comes close with the video resolution, which is important to me. Then again, I develop for the web. I don't play toddler games.
While Windows 7 is better than Vista...at the heart of it, it's still Windows.
As much as Apple does things that drive me nuts with OS upgrades, at the heart of it, it's still Unix.
Considering I get all the Unix goodness, plus I can run Windows in a VM, for me the choice is clear.
You can put lipstick on a pig, but AFAIC, Windows suffers from the same architectural deficiencies it always has and that make it a royal PITA to use.
Apple puts together a decently spec'd machine and has a very good OS. Support is much better and Apple holds it value. At the end of 3 years, my Mac still has some resale value. With the current power of computers, it will probably also still perform decently. Hell, I've got a old Sun U60 that I still use in my lab (2x450mhz 2 gb ram, 10k rpm drives) yeah, it's not the fastest but it runs Solaris 10 just fine. Unix is a lot for forgiving on the spec end of things.
It's about the value, not the price.
First off, i don't look at my keyboard when i type. Anyone else?
Secondly, my screen gives off plenty of light so it's really a non-issue.
Im on a 4 year old macbook. I've used my sisters new macbook pro, the lights are cool to look at, but really have no bearing on the user unless they can't type. my .02
well, don't argue with price. actually, comparing to price, mac is not very efficient not only for performance but also pricing itself. if you have $1000, I bet you could have very high end laptop in the market. so you can do whatever you want. but with macbook ($1000), well, you can't because it has very lame graphic chip which is not even dedicated. todays, performance means that the balance between CPU and GPU. but mac is failed to achieve. I know, mac design is just beautiful. but it is not art works or I go to museum to watch gallery. it's reality. even I have used mac for 15 years, nowadays I don't care about mac anymore. I need more horse power for my work. mac doesn't fit it well unfortunately. it is not just UI beauty or easy to use.
WTF? I have had a 1600x1200 or higher resolution display on every one of my laptops since 2004, and it has never been a Mac, or a 17" monstrosity.
Hell right now Lenovo has a 15.4" model with 1920x1080 resolution that is LED backlit, and displays 96% of the sRGB gamut. Apple on the other hand is stuck at 1440x900 unless you go up to the 17" model.
Yep....
The thing people have to keep in mind with Apple products is, they just don't update them nearly as regularly as most PC vendors. I mean, every time I turn around, Dell or HP or Toshiba has another bunch of new models out and the last ones are discontinued.
A given Mac notebook tends to stick around for practically a year or so before seeing much of a real update.
The Macbook Pro 15" they offer today is pretty much due/overdue for a product refresh -- so at the moment, a lot of Windows laptops seem like they're kicking its butt, feature for feature. You can bet the next Macbook Pro will feature a newer generation of CPU among other goodies that put it back in the running with the "latest stuff" everyone else is selling, though.
Meanwhile, they'll still appeal to people who are happy to pay the premium for something intended to legally run the OS X operating system .... as at the end of the day, that's really the primary justification for anything "Mac".
The thing people have to keep in mind with Apple products is, they just don't update them nearly as regularly as most PC vendors. I mean, every time I turn around, Dell or HP or Toshiba has another bunch of new models out and the last ones are discontinued.
A given Mac notebook tends to stick around for practically a year or so before seeing much of a real update.
The Macbook Pro 15" they offer today is pretty much due/overdue for a product refresh -- so at the moment, a lot of Windows laptops seem like they're kicking its butt, feature for feature. You can bet the next Macbook Pro will feature a newer generation of CPU among other goodies that put it back in the running with the "latest stuff" everyone else is selling, though.
Meanwhile, they'll still appeal to people who are happy to pay the premium for something intended to legally run the OS X operating system .... as at the end of the day, that's really the primary justification for anything "Mac".
But that's the thing. Apple is never ahead when it comes to hardware these days, and haven't been since the G4 days.
When Apple refreshes their line, they're going to bump up to i5/i7 processors which other PC manufacturers have had for several months now. Big whoop.
That is a really nice deal for the package. However, my main fret with Gateway, HP, and Dell laptops is that they are cheap. When I say cheap I mean build quality cheap. The hinges don't seem to hold the screen tight, the casing is made out of cheap plastic, etc. Now I know that they can be purchased and will last you a very long time if taken care of, but in my opinion I want to feel the laptop. I want it to be sturdy.
I once had a IBM Thinkpad that was a tank. Sturdy hinges, tough exterior, and solid components.
The problem with today's laptops are that they are all glossy and cheaply made. Toshiba and IBM / Lenovo seem to be the only quality manufacturers of laptops besides Apple.
Either way I would enjoy that laptop at it's price point!
And for all the Windows haters, I have for the past couple years run a successful Windows installation with no viruses and no anti-virus software cost. So I wouldn't factor that into the equation when purchasing a Windows machine.
I once had a IBM Thinkpad that was a tank. Sturdy hinges, tough exterior, and solid components.
The problem with today's laptops are that they are all glossy and cheaply made. Toshiba and IBM / Lenovo seem to be the only quality manufacturers of laptops besides Apple.
Either way I would enjoy that laptop at it's price point!
And for all the Windows haters, I have for the past couple years run a successful Windows installation with no viruses and no anti-virus software cost. So I wouldn't factor that into the equation when purchasing a Windows machine.
Do tell, what "architectural deficiencies" make it a royal PITA to use? Please don't say the registry. You don't ever touch the registry, and nowadays it is robust, fast, and self correcting. Registry or prefs. Big deal. So what else is it?
Sure, resale on Macs are higher because they are a product and not parts. Also people who buy PC's tend to know the REAL value of these parts. It's only because an idiot is willing to pay a lot for an old core2duo laptop that it has any "value." I don't mind paying way less for a better workstation and getting 3+ years out of it then parting it out, or just giving it away, over paying a premium for a mediocre machine that will fetch a decent-ish amount later. You're still spending more money on Macs, without question. Especially when you take in the premium PLUS the loss you take on the resale. "Retaining value" is an extremely poor justification for buying a mac as a result.
As much as I like OSX overall, it does have it's own deficiencies (bugginess, sluggishness, very strange UI choices, lack of core functionality for file management, video playback etc.) that bring it down. In fact I am just about at my breaking point when it comes to Apple. Overpriced, underpowered, unreliable machines with a clear lack of support for "pro" users and content creators. Very frustrating, and Apple won't be able to keep screwing their users and expect to have a good reputation. Consumer electronics alone won't keep them going (unless they allow you to make iPhone programs on Windows haha).
Argh...as an Apple user this kind of talk is embarrassing. It really isn't.
The only reason you people believe that is because Steve Jobs says so, and Apple marketing.
Umm, if I were trolling would I say that I plan on selling this laptop and buying a macbook pro when they are updated (preferably when the back-to-school promo starts)?