Is the MBP worth it?

[dyn]

I spent equally as much time on the phone with Apple over issues. Why do you assume they are immune? Lot's of myths out there.

In fact the laptop that lasted me the longest with zero problems was a Compaq...and they are supposed to be junk.

You wanted people to be more critical of things and he is. He does not have the same experience as you do or as I have with Dell and that was his point. Some people stick with Dell, some with Apple, some with Lenovo, etc. Why? Because of previous experience they have had with that brand and other brands.

Personally I'd get a Dell if I wanted a Windows or Linux desktop machine because they do the job and are reasonably priced. I hate the fact that the prices on their website are completely off compared to the real price, it's very misleading to customers. Other manufacturers/OEM's do a better job at that (like Apple). Regarding monitors I'd go for Dell because they are far better and cheaper than the ones from Apple (outdated and glossy is not something I want) but Samsung seems to be a very good one as well (and cheaper but you'll loose some features Dell has like native DisplayPort).

When looking at UNIX machines than you have Sun (now Oracle), IBM and Apple as the big brand names. When looking at UNIX laptops you end up with Apple, there are no other competitors I know off (there may be others though). When looking at price Sun can sometimes match the low price tag from Apple machines so when UNIX and low price are what you want it's Apple you need to look for.

Btw, if you look at Lenovo Thinkpads and configured (!) Dell machines the prices match Apple's or go even beyond it. Same goes for Sun. But Acer notebooks or noname notebooks can be a lot cheaper but it will come at a price regarding (build) quality. It really depends on the components and brand you choose. This makes comparing prices and specs rather silly.

Moral of this story: it depends on what you want and what values the most to you. You need to decide on what you want to get but others can help you with that choice. In the end you're buying it and using it, not someone else! As far as the MBP goes, it's a great laptop with a glossy screen that you either love or hate.

 

[macinside]

Frankly, as much as I tend to dwell on tech specs out of habit, I wouldn't even bother thinking of the anything but the beastly Mac Pros as computers.

Macbooks, Minis and iMacs are more like quality of life appliances. They truly go meta to sum of their parts.

I still have my PCs around for specialized apps, but it's my Macs I gravitate towards for everyday life. As silly as it may sound to someone who hasn't taken the leap yet, my life has gotten quite a bit better since adding them into the mix.

It is better to not think of your previous computers experiences at all. Heck, even Numbers (Apple's version of Excel) is kinda fun to play with on a Mac. Excel used to give me nightmares, no joke.

A lot of the Mac experience is sort of like playing The Sims for real, in a way, 'cuz a lot of the apps and the general experience do make ordinary seeming things more fun. A little bit like you might see something done in a movie, a little bit Minority Report (or other tech fantasy) like.

It's also nice having something so well engineered for once. Apples are the German cars of the tech industry. All sentences are dotted, all t's are crossed. As they say, "god is in the details". These are detailed machines. Many of these details you won't notice or fully appreciate until you've lived with it for awhile, just like a housemate or lover.

Anyway, since you only live so many years, I say ... go for it. At least once. Again, it's something you really live with for awhile to fully appreciate.

 

[BornToMac]

yes

 

[neteng101]

I spent equally as much time on the phone with Apple over issues. Why do you assume they are immune? Lot's of myths out there.

Issues such as? You're perfectly vague in your responses without specifics, that's why no one takes you seriously.

 

[Dcuellar]

I have stuck with Apple for a few reasons.

First, I made the switch because I was tired of every other Win OS being crap.

Second, I was tired of buying laptops every year. I have never kept a laptop for as long as I have had my 2006 model. It is still working perfectly and I sold it for $600. What other computer could I have sold for that much after 4 years of use?

Third, I truly believe in the saying, "You get what you pay for." They ARE more durable. They do have a revolutionary trackpad. (god, I hate using other trackpads now.) They do a have a gorgeous screen. They ARE extremely easy to use. It's true I've never had a virus in the 4 years I've used a Mac. It's true their software are great, including FinalCut Pro (Love!!). In the same 4 years I have owned my Mac my mother has gone through 3 PC laptops. She just made the move this past October and is loving it.

Fourth, as if I needed a fourth, I can install Windows OS through VMWare. I definitely would not go back to a PC because of the OS, but if I did prefer Windows I do have an option.

The only reason I could see someone justifying going back to a PC from a Mac is the price. Even then those people are not thinking about the long term. The resale value alone should be enough to consider.

But hey, that's just me...

 

[satchmo]

Get a refurbished 13" MBP for about $200 less. It's still be more than a PC laptop, but not by much and waaaay better.

 

[macjunk(ie)]

When you are looking out for a well designed laptop, prepare to pay a premium; whether it is an Apple or a Sony or someone else. So, don't compare these machines with other run of the mill machines. The real question here is...how much of a premium you are willing to pay for a well designed laptop.

I would say the value of a Mac lies between "worth it" and "expensive". I am not an Apple fanboy or a Windows hater but I am a fan of good design and common sense; it is just that in this decade, Apple seems to be on the right side of common sense and design: aptly demonstrated by OSX, iMacs and MBPs.

And come to think of it, Lenovo machines are not very cheap either...last I remember, the T410s were similarly specced as the 13 MBP and were just as expensive. Not to mention, a laptop in aluminum and a glass trackpad ... all under 1" will significantly cost more money than a laptop encased in mostly plastic.

If you have a look at some of the other manufacturers, every time they attempted to bring out a premium laptop, prices were bumped up too. Case in point : the Sony Vaio Z and Dell Latitude Z. While the Vaio is not exactly MBP like, the Latitude Z is; but the hardware on it sux big time and hence the premium you are paying for this machine is much more than you would pay for an Apple.

Designing a laptop like the MBP is tough. Apart from the Envy, show me one non-Apple laptop which is as nicely designed as my 2007 15" MBP (forget the unibody ones)!! I will not dwell into the Envy as too much has been said already.

So the premium you pay for an Apple laptop, IMO, is not very high. You would probably pay a higher premium IF you had a similarly specced/designed Windows laptop....come to think of it...there are none in this space!! Hence Apple does not feel the need to reduce the premium it charges on its machinery.

 

[jbachandouris]

I have been reading these forums for the last few weeks asking myself the same question. A 13" 2.26GHz with 2GB of memory is $929 on Apple's outlet store refurbished. The new MBP is $1199-100 (mom is a state employee)=$1099. $170 to buy new. I know more memory, faster processor, better battery life, and bigger hard drive.

But, my HP laptop still works and although I have $1800 limit on my Apple CC (12 months no interest), I do not have a job right now (laid off) and its kinda hard to justify either one.

 

[underblu]

i just got a 17 MBP. Having tried a bunch of Windows notebooks, let me say nothing comes close in terms of overall performance (I include battery life in this equation) and quality.

And let me say I am anything but a Mac fanboy. I still use a powerful XP desktop. While XP ain't as pretty as OSX it is very functional and has been rock solid stable for me. Quite frankly I like being able to upgrade my desktop when I need too: motherboard, processor, without buying a whole new box.

With that said windows notebook manufacturers should be ashamed of themselves as to why they can't make a laptop as sleek and durable as Apple. Get the MBP, you wont regret it.

 

[SaaGua]

And you really see that as such a horrible thing right? Life just wouldn't be worth living anymore if our laptops were not aluminum :|

+1

"Like with a house.. You can buy a house with hardiplank, paper thin walls/Sheetrock, low grade carpet and hire a cheap architect/builder or you can spend a little more and you can get more.. like what you get with a Mac. "

Oh please, your analogy is flawed. While dirt cheap building materials are not suitable for a house, there are plenty of homes with normal priced building materials that are perfectly fine and safe. You don't have to spend $5000 on a toilet to get better quality. There are plenty of lower priced alternatives to a Mac out there, if you just look with unbiased eyes.

"Thank god apple is driving the competition and the other mfg. Have stepped up there game."

Really now? Apple driving the competition? So the meager offerings of the current refresh is really driving the competition, eh? I don't think so.

I really think the 13" refresh could and should have been better.