Very true. And the reason why I am getting a Mac for school next year. There have been no ultrabook refreshes lately and both Samsung and Sony anre getting out of the market. That just leaves people choosing between HP, Acer, and lenovo machines ranging from 6 to 12 months old.
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Mac-like notebook, but not from Apple?
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Very true. And the reason why I am getting a Mac for school next year. There have been no ultrabook refreshes lately and both Samsung and Sony anre getting out of the market. That just leaves people choosing between HP, Acer, and lenovo machines ranging from 6 to 12 months old.
I have replaced my laptop and desktop with the surface 2 , it works great and the screen is the best i have seen in a tablet.
you can use one note to do notes on it too, great machine.
you can use one note to do notes on it too, great machine.
My problem with the others is that there is no place I can put my hands on one. From the pictures I would think the new Vaio's would be really nice, but when you get to fondle one, you find that the top sticks out by a quarter inch or so from the bottom so there's basically a top plate and it is really goofy if you are holding it (which I do at job sites).
Define "Mac-like".
You mean "looks like a Mac"? Why do you care? You want people to think you have a Mac?
You mean "runs OSX"? The only way to do that (legally) is with a Mac. You can make a Hackintosh, but you'd better be willing to get your hands dirty and struggle with it. (find the right drivers, etc.)
Anything running Windows, to me is not "Mac-like".
The build quality of most non-Mac notebooks is cr*p. Physically, they don't fit together well, the cases are not very rigid, etc. etc. etc.
I'm sure you can get ones that are better-built, but you will probably pay as much as you will for a Mac. You get what you pay for.
You mean "looks like a Mac"? Why do you care? You want people to think you have a Mac?
You mean "runs OSX"? The only way to do that (legally) is with a Mac. You can make a Hackintosh, but you'd better be willing to get your hands dirty and struggle with it. (find the right drivers, etc.)
Anything running Windows, to me is not "Mac-like".
The build quality of most non-Mac notebooks is cr*p. Physically, they don't fit together well, the cases are not very rigid, etc. etc. etc.
I'm sure you can get ones that are better-built, but you will probably pay as much as you will for a Mac. You get what you pay for.
Sorry but I totally disagree with the OP.
I have been using windows based laptops for years now, I have been building my own gaming rigs for years. This is my first Mac laptop and the quality is unbelievable. I don't know how they are supposed to improve on this? Really I'm not kidding, aside from say a Delete button (Yes I know FN + BckSpc) and perhaps a bump to a 1080p FaceTime camera I can't figure out how else I would improve on it and those are just nitpickings, not flaws.
You can't just say their quality is crap. That's a nonsense statement. I wouldn't have bought their rMBP if I thought the quality was anything less than great - I did look at comparable Dell, Asus, Lenovo machines before I made the plunge. I can't speak for the Macbook Air but the quality of the rMBP is far, far better than any Windows machine I have ever used or seen. 7 months after buying it and it's still exciting and a pleasure to use every day. Every single detail is perfect.
I have been using windows based laptops for years now, I have been building my own gaming rigs for years. This is my first Mac laptop and the quality is unbelievable. I don't know how they are supposed to improve on this? Really I'm not kidding, aside from say a Delete button (Yes I know FN + BckSpc) and perhaps a bump to a 1080p FaceTime camera I can't figure out how else I would improve on it and those are just nitpickings, not flaws.
You can't just say their quality is crap. That's a nonsense statement. I wouldn't have bought their rMBP if I thought the quality was anything less than great - I did look at comparable Dell, Asus, Lenovo machines before I made the plunge. I can't speak for the Macbook Air but the quality of the rMBP is far, far better than any Windows machine I have ever used or seen. 7 months after buying it and it's still exciting and a pleasure to use every day. Every single detail is perfect.
It is surprising that others aren't trying to build their computers to the physical standards of a MacBook. The truth is, Apple products are designed to feel superior. My DD11's Mid-2007 MacBook still works without issue. The only thing that has had to be replaced is an inexpensive plastic piece around the screen and one key on the keyboard.
I'd rather buy a used or refurbished Mac than switch to PC. Even one of the machines that I always use Windows on is a MacBook. I guess you could buy one of those Toughbooks.
I'd rather buy a used or refurbished Mac than switch to PC. Even one of the machines that I always use Windows on is a MacBook. I guess you could buy one of those Toughbooks.
I have a couple PCs older than my 2005 PowerBook and they work fine, though my PowerBook is my main computer. I don't understand the argument that a PC will not last as long as an Apple durability wise. I've never had a computer break or fall apart in any way regardless of brand. I've had hard drive failures, but that's a different issue.
Quality alternative
Hey I think you should take a look at the new Razer Blade if you want something apple ish but with a little added value for money.
Notably it has much better graphics, a UHD touch screen but the battery is the main let down since it's a "gaming" capable computer. It shouldn't be a problem however since the Optimus technology in Nvidia GPU's can turn it off and double battery life
Here's a review of it:
http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/06/razer-blade-14-review-2014/
Hey I think you should take a look at the new Razer Blade if you want something apple ish but with a little added value for money.
Notably it has much better graphics, a UHD touch screen but the battery is the main let down since it's a "gaming" capable computer. It shouldn't be a problem however since the Optimus technology in Nvidia GPU's can turn it off and double battery life
Here's a review of it:
http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/06/razer-blade-14-review-2014/
I think you are missing something.
The US military buys Panasonic ToughBooks because Macs don't last that long in the real world.
http://www.panasonic.com/business-solutions/government-defense-army.asp
http://tabtimes.com/case-study/heal...eploys-specialized-panasonic-tablets-critical
http://www.army-technology.com/news/newslowry-panasonic-toughbook-h2
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/rugged-notebooks-american-military-06767/
http://www.panasoniclaptops.com/2012/02/toughbooks-are-tough.html
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They buy ToughBooks because no conventional notebook will hold up in combat conditions.
Unfortunately, though, ruggedized notebooks (and other portables - e.g. phones, tablets, etc.) are prohibitively expensive for general use, and tend to have significantly-lagging technology.
Getac is pretty good as well.
http://www.techpowerup.com/201000/g...d-notebook-and-x500-rugged-mobile-server.html
Lots of companies make "Mac like" notebooks now but if you want something tougher , you'll have to look into companies like Panasonic or Getac.
Some good Mac copies include some Lenovo ThinkPads and Dell laptops such as the M3800.
For close to $6000, it should be!
Macbook build quality and mechanical ruggedness far exceeds that of most Windows notebooks. Even at similar price points.
Drop a Macbook, and it probably will come through fine.
Drop a typical Windows notebook, and you're left with a pile of plastic.
That said, I assume "Maclike" here means "similar construction", and that's clearly not a "typical Windows notebook". One had best be sure it really is similar construction, and not just cosmetic.
I think YOU are the one missing something... You can't compare a toughbook with a production laptop.
Typical Windows notebooks don't cost $1000+
You could drop a ThinkPad and it would probably be fine as well.
A decent ThinkPad can be about as expensive as the equivalent Apple laptop.
Also keep in mind that some ThinkPads allow users to change the battery , RAM , SSD , etc. without voiding the warranty.
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I've seen people pay near $3k for a Retina MacBook Pro. A Panasonic ToughBook that costs that much would outlast the Retina MacBook Pro but it would be slower and of course it wouldn't have a nice glossy screen.
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I wouldn't buy a Zenbook.
An HP Zbook 14 or a Dell Precision M3800 would be some of my choices.
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