Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Alternatives for MacBook Pro 13"

B

Bachi85

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 13, 2010
17
0
Hey everyone,

I was planning to buy a MBP 13" entry-level for quite some month, however I am really disappointed with the update and unsure whether I should buy one.

I have an 4 year old Core Duo 1.6 Ghz which is complete crap, bluescreens all the time and has 40 mins of battery :) So I need a new one and after waiting for 5 months for a MBP update I am not really willing to wait anymore.

Can you guys recommend me a decent alternative to the MBP 13"? Should have the advantages of the MBP (battery, nice design etc.) but better specs, especially graphics and next-gen processor.

Wanted to point out that I haven't ruled out a purchase of a MBP, however I really don't feel good about it. Maybe you could help me to find an answer.

Highly appreciated!
 
The two things you mentioned, battery and design, are the reason that there hasn't been, and still really isnt a solid alternative to macs.

The new line of MBP's (and pretty much all prior) offer us high range, but not the highest, specs alongside AMAZING battery life, cool temps, and the best looking/feeling laptop on the market that will pretty much look and feel the same years and years down the road. A very balanced equation and worth every buck in my opinion.
 
If you have been able to get by on a 1.6 GHz CD then I'm sure the current 13" MacBook Pro would be just fine for you. The current design of the 13" would only allow the use of Intel's integrated graphics, I personally think the C2D with the better GPU is a much better trade off than the i3(which isn't really that great compared to C2D) with Intel's integrated graphics.

If I were you I'd get the base 13" MBP and bump up the HDD space.
 
im in the same boat
Vaio Z is too expensive. Asus has a great range coming up but you'll have to wait a bit. I've heard that there are slimmer models coming up. Though Asus U30Jc is a great choice.
But the way things are looking right now, i think i 'll go for the 1199 MBP since i wanted to try out a mac.
 
Thanks for the answers.

It's not that I came along well with my laptop, infact it is really bad to work with it and I definately need an update. I just had to limit my use of high-specs requiring application... which I want to resume when I buy a new laptop (e.g. some casual gaming, editing etc.).

I completly understand the advantages of the MBP with regard to battery and design, however there must be an laptop on the market which offers similar advantages and better specs. If this is not the case, I have to go with the MBP...
 
Bachi85 said:
Thanks for the answers.

It's not that I came along well with my laptop, infact it is really bad to work with it and I definately need an update. I just had to limit my use of high-specs requiring application... which I want to resume when I buy a new laptop (e.g. some casual gaming, editing etc.).

I completly understand the advantages of the MBP with regard to battery and design, however there must be an laptop on the market which offers similar advantages and better specs. If this is not the case, I have to go with the MBP...
Click to expand...

I was going to add the 13 inch MBP to my collection but i went out and bought an alienware m11x for 899 from best buy.
the only con to it is that it has a 1.3 su7300 which over clocks to 1.73, has a 335m gt. The laptop is awesome, i take it everywhere and a lot of people ask me what it is and where to get one. Its portable and has a decent screen. When i get home i connect it to my 24 inch monitor and have a portable desktop. I find myself using it more then my parents 2.66 macbook pro and my i7 hp envy. I also get around 8 hours of battery.
 
So, what exactly are you doing on your computer that the 13" can't handle? The new graphics chip should be a bit better for games but otherwise you shouldn't run into any problems with the 13". The C2D is old only because there is a newer architecture out, but that doesn't mean it's not a powerful system.
 
Fasailmac said:
I was going to add the 13 inch MBP to my collection but i went out and bought an alienware m11x for 899 from best buy.
the only con to it is that it has a 1.3 su7300 which over clocks to 1.73, has a 335m gt. The laptop is awesome, i take it everywhere and a lot of people ask me what it is and where to get one. Its portable and has a decent screen. When i get home i connect it to my 24 inch monitor and have a portable desktop. I find myself using it more then my parents 2.66 macbook pro and my i7 hp envy. I also get around 8 hours of battery.
Click to expand...

Must be fun lugging around an 11 pound laptop.
 
greg400 said:
Oh, I guess Alienware improved. Hopefully that gaudy design was improved as well, although looking at it right now it hasn't appeared to.
Click to expand...

The designs ok, looks better in person imo, and in a few months they might be getting updated with i3's or i5's. If that happens and they keep the price below 1100, they will have a true contender, and it could be faster then the mid 15 macbook pro.
 
Fasailmac said:
The designs ok, looks better in person imo, and in a few months they might be getting updated with i3's or i5's. If that happens and they keep the price below 1100, they will have a true contender, and it could be faster then the mid 15 macbook pro.
Click to expand...
Right now, that thing has a 1.3GHz processor, 2GB of RAM(may be wrong on this), 160 GB HDD. How that's comparable to a MacBook Pro with a 2.4GHz C2D, 4GB of RAM and a 250GB HDD with 10 hours of battery life is beyond me.
 
greg400 said:
Right now, that thing has a 1.3GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 160 GB HDD. How that's comparable to a MacBook Pro with a 2.4GHz C2D, 4GB of RAM and a 250GB HDD with 10 hours of battery life is beyond me.
Click to expand...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienwa...lack/9732759.p?id=1218162977578&skuId=9732759
It has graphics on par with the high end pro, it has an ok processor, good battery life, 7200 rpm hard drive, 3 usb ports. Its all on personal preference i use it as my second machine and love it to death. Reminds me of the 12 inch powerbook.
 
firsttimemac said:
im in the same boat
Vaio Z is too expensive. Asus has a great range coming up but you'll have to wait a bit. I've heard that there are slimmer models coming up. Though Asus U30Jc is a great choice.
But the way things are looking right now, i think i 'll go for the 1199 MBP since i wanted to try out a mac.
Click to expand...

I think the Asus is performing less than rhe mbp 13.
 
kaiserben said:
I think the Asus is performing less than rhe mbp 13.
Click to expand...

Is there a particular reason you say that?

From what i read, the reviews for the new Asus u30jc look really promising. and this is just i3. I'm waiting for the i5 to come in and then i can make an informed decision.
 
Bachi85 said:
I have an 4 year old Core Duo 1.6 Ghz which is complete crap, bluescreens all the time and has 40 mins of battery :) So I need a new one and after waiting for 5 months for a MBP update I am not really willing to wait anymore.
Click to expand...
A new battery and a fresh install of OSX/new HD for your 1.6 GHz would cost a fraction of the price of a new notebook and probably get you another year or two if you're not doing anything particularly heavy.

Just an option you don't seem to be considering that would address both the problems you cited with your current lappy.
 
firsttimemac said:
im in the same boat
Vaio Z is too expensive. Asus has a great range coming up but you'll have to wait a bit. I've heard that there are slimmer models coming up. Though Asus U30Jc is a great choice.
But the way things are looking right now, i think i 'll go for the 1199 MBP since i wanted to try out a mac.
Click to expand...

I think the Asus is performing less than rhe mbp 13.
The discrete 310m is performing the
same or less than the 320m chipset.
The core i3 is not superior to the c2d
 
Honestly, I don't think you'll find a better 13" notebook than the MBP. The strongest contender is probably HP Envy 13".
 
molala said:
wow, that is really ugly. i couldn't bring myself to buy that. i'd rather save up and get a vaio.

i think another 13-inch MBP update would come around soon. kinda like when the white macbooks got updated in early 2009 - we got three updates in seven months.
Click to expand...

I agree on the update part thats why i still haven't ordered.

Anyway, i found a couple of alternatives

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+VAIO+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+-+VPCS111FM/S/9999128800050001.p?childSku=9701289&skuId=9999128800050001&count=1&id=pcmprd128800050001

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...lver/9740911.p?id=1218165345006&skuId=9740911

and im also very impressed withe sony cw series. If it wasnt 14" i would have already ordered it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back