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Windows notebook similar to MacBook

E

eLbanana

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 16, 2008
31
0
Hello together,

I am looking for a good Windows Notebook. Currently using my Macbook pro late 2009 and still gonna use this beast but for several reasons i need an additional Windows Notebook.
What i am looking for? Same quality as my Macbook. For example the trackpad. I never saw a better trackpad on windows notebooks then on the macbooks. And using 2 finger scrolling works really bad on my fathers Dell. So do you guys know good quality Notebooks for Windows? It should be thin, powerfull and have a good trackpad. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance ;)
 
eLbanana said:
Hello together,

I am looking for a good Windows Notebook. Currently using my Macbook pro late 2009 and still gonna use this beast but for several reasons i need an additional Windows Notebook.
What i am looking for? Same quality as my Macbook. For example the trackpad. I never saw a better trackpad on windows notebooks then on the macbooks. And using 2 finger scrolling works really bad on my fathers Dell. So do you guys know good quality Notebooks for Windows? It should be thin, powerfull and have a good trackpad. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance ;)
Click to expand...
One option is to install Windows on your MBP via Boot Camp. Or buy a 2nd MBP and install Windows on that.
 
GGJstudios said:
One option is to install Windows on your MBP via Boot Camp. Or buy a 2nd MBP and install Windows on that.
Click to expand...

Good point but i need an additional Notebook. I don't want to buy a Macbook for only installing Windows on it.. its kinda weird and just money wasting.
 
eLbanana said:
Good point but i need an additional Notebook. I don't want to buy a Macbook for only installing Windows on it.. its kinda weird and just money wasting.
Click to expand...

You could buy a used or refurbished MacBook, but I guess, I get what you are getting at.

As for comparable trackpads, you most likely have to pay more for that, as every Windows based laptop I tried over the last years (friends and shops), all had abysmal trackpads. Even my 2004 iBook had a better one than current ones, though as I obviously haven't tested every Windows based laptop, I can't be that sure.
 
eLbanana said:
Good point but i need an additional Notebook. I don't want to buy a Macbook for only installing Windows on it.. its kinda weird and just money wasting.
Click to expand...
Buy yourself a 2012 MacBook for OS X and install windows on your current one.

If you want to go and buy a windows laptop, go in to stores and see how the trackpads and keyboards feel. None will feel exactly like a MacBook trackpad. And what someone else likes may not work for you.

For non-Apple I've only really used a relatively new Toshiba laptop for a bit and the trackpad seems alright on it.
 
HP Envy IMHO is one of the better mainline manufacturers Windows offerings.
 
most people, which I know, who use their notebook for their work (engineering, architecture, .....heavy workload etc...) use Lenovo Thinkpads... They are built rock-solid and yes.... thats it :)

I personally like them, especially because of Nvidia Quadro GPU's and their archaic look :)
 
eLbanana said:
its kinda weird and just money wasting.
Click to expand...
Subjective. I wouldn't consider it a waste. Like some others have said, my MBP is the best Windows laptop I've owned. Granted, YMMV as with any subjective matter. If you think an MBP is a waste of money then definitely post your budget. I wouldn't recommend getting your hopes up on finding something truly comparable.

Bear said:
If you want to go and buy a windows laptop, go in to stores and see how the trackpads and keyboards feel. None will feel exactly like a MacBook trackpad.
Click to expand...
Even the MBP trackpad isn't the same under Bootcamp.
 
eLbanana said:
Good point but i need an additional Notebook. I don't want to buy a Macbook for only installing Windows on it.. its kinda weird and just money wasting.
Click to expand...

I would recommend u Dell.
They work very well and last for very long time.
I have one 6 year old Dell computer, running it awry day for about 6-8 hours and there is no singel problem with it
Very good quality as Apples but they have a better covereg as i know.
They cover accidental dameg too, so let say if u will kick ur computer and it will stop work they will either fix or raplace it even if it was ur fault while with Apple, well....

Depend of ur needs u can couse from Dell Persision, Alienware, XPS modells

but my strong advice would be just wait until Dell gets Ivy Bridge too...:)
my 2 cents...
 
Last edited:
chilly7 said:
I would recommend u Dell.
They work very well and last for very long time.
I have one 6 year old Dell computer, running it awry day for about 6-8 hours and there is no singel problem with it
Very good quality as Apples but they have a better covereg as i know.
They cover accidental dameg to, so let say if u will kick ur computer and it will stop work they will either fix or raplace it even if it was ur fault will with Apple, well....

Depend of ur needs u can couse from Dell Persision, Alienware, XPS modells

but my strong advice would be just wait until Dell gets Ivy Bridge too...:)
my 2 cents...
Click to expand...

I agree on waiting for IB, but as for Dell as a brand. I doubt I would recommend it to anyone. It might be suitable for casual work but I doubt most of them last as long as 6 years.
Mine is a regular, student Studio edition which isn't even 3 yo. It has been overheating for at least a year, their is mechanical malfunction and sometimes my volume button think it's fun to go to max volume without me giving the command.

As for Alienware, they might be good but I doubt they live that long. They are made for extreme performance, which includes overclocking your processor and pushing other components to their limit. I doubt that that's healthy for your laptop.
 
I would recommend a Sony Vaio. I had a Vaio before I bought my MBP and it really was a wonderful machine. While Vaios do come with a bit of bloatware, once you delete it all its a pretty solid machine. Plus sony's have a good track record and are solid builds. You can get a nice solid machine for a decent price which is always nice. Here is a nice one for example http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...hite/4700091.p?id=1218515252417&skuId=4700091

There are even Vaios that you can get if your on a tighter budget. All in all though you would be happy with one, they are just really great products and will be the most similar is reliability to a MacBook.

Here is a budget version of a Vaio
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...Blue/4851136.p?id=1218548297764&skuId=4851136
 
zenbook, or any ultrabook

in terms of shear reliability and uniqueness however: lenovo
 
Swain said:
I agree on waiting for IB, but as for Dell as a brand. I doubt I would recommend it to anyone. It might be suitable for casual work but I doubt most of them last as long as 6 years.
Mine is a regular, student Studio edition which isn't even 3 yo. It has been overheating for at least a year, their is mechanical malfunction and sometimes my volume button think it's fun to go to max volume without me giving the command.

As for Alienware, they might be good but I doubt they live that long. They are made for extreme performance, which includes overclocking your processor and pushing other components to their limit. I doubt that that's healthy for your laptop.
Click to expand...

Alienware is very powerful and wery candy looking, but they are not cheap that cheap.
I think if Alienware would get a liquid cooling system it will solve the problem all problems.
p.s. i don't know what moddel do u have?
I know Dell Percision Laptops are similar to MacBookPros but hardware wise they are more powerful and very sold working
 
chilly7 said:
I would recommend u Dell.
They work very well and last for very long time.
I have one 6 year old Dell computer, running it awry day for about 6-8 hours and there is no singel problem with it
Very good quality as Apples but they have a better covereg as i know.
They cover accidental dameg too, so let say if u will kick ur computer and it will stop work they will either fix or raplace it even if it was ur fault while with Apple, well....

Depend of ur needs u can couse from Dell Persision, Alienware, XPS modells

but my strong advice would be just wait until Dell gets Ivy Bridge too...:)
my 2 cents...
Click to expand...

I work on a Dell, and it's pretty robust...but the trackpad sux.
 
If you want a Windows laptop that is similar to a Macbook Pro then the HP Envy is definitely the one to go with.
 
Wow, thanks for this overload on responses. :) Gonna definitely drive to a bigger store this weekend and compare them.

I don't have a predefined budget but HP Envy is way to expensive.. for that price I can really get a new Macbook.:apple:

This Asus fake macbook air cost as much as the real macbook air... don't get their marketing strategy...
 
eLbanana said:
I don't have a predefined budget but HP Envy is way to expensive.. for that price I can really get a new Macbook.:apple:

This Asus fake macbook air cost as much as the real macbook air... don't get their marketing strategy...
Click to expand...

Realistically? It shows you that Apple's really aren't that overpriced for what you get. A high end Windows machine will be as much, and sometimes more than a MBP.

What has happened is that Windows laptops have simply become a commodity where $399 will buy you some molded plastic that resembles a computer.
 
I have been using a new 15" MBP & ThinkPad year after year for work. Other than style, they're equally high quality, durable laptops. You can save several hundred dollars buying a new ThinkPad. It's because they use a conventional business model which allows them to offer their laptops on sale from time to time. Even at retail the savings is substantial.

The latest ThinkPads have excellent trackpads. The two basic differences have to do with the size & OS. Obviously, Windows 7 does not use the variety of gestures as OS X does, but the pad is very accurate, easy to use, and very consistent.

Based on your post, I'd advise you to go with a ThinkPad.
 
For build quality, I personally suggest the new Samsung Series 7 Chronos. I mean look at that industrial design! Beautiful!

http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/25/15-inch-series-7-chronos-with-ivy-bridge-surfaces-online/

http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/office/mobile-computing/notebook/NP700Z5C-S01CA

934363-N6RFMJP.jpeg
 
macbook pro i5 said:
Quite frankly we dont care wether you dont like the colour on this is laptop is for OP,oh and I suggest a sony Vaio they personally are the best Windows PC's.
Click to expand...

i would disagree with u, but that is ur right to express ur opinion as long as it does not offend anybody

p.s. the color choise as it might look at first not importent but actualy it is really importent. Because the colour choise really influence the mood state.
As for me, i really hate black and red computers because they make me depressed and make me think that 99% of people have the same boring black computers. I would like to have something unique And i like thouse colors Snow White or Silver

Of cause other people might have a different preference for colours
 
chilly7 said:
i would disagree with u, but that is ur right to express ur opinion as long as it does not offend anybody

p.s. the color choise as it might look at first not importent but actualy it is really importent. Because the colour choise really influence the mood state.
As for me, i really hate black and red computers because they make me depressed and make me think that 99% of people have the same boring black computers. I would like to have something unique And i like thouse colors Snow White or Silver

Of cause other people might have a different preference for colours
Click to expand...

I would actually like to apologize for being so rude towards you:eek:
 
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