I have just started looking into the laptop market and have been having quite a bit of trouble finding a 15" laptop that compares to the MacBook Pro. As i have recently been working as a technician of a Mac Pro/G5 array i have discovered that OSX is not as great as i thought it would be and am really shying away from getting a MBP ( i just plan on throwing XP or Vista on it ASAP and keeping it that way ) switching to OSX would require that i buy 2 copies of all of my software (one for desktop and one for laptop) and that is just outrageous.
The biggest problem is that the m1330 just isn't big enough for me, as screen size is extremely useful when editing photographs. A 15" XPS that isnt a giant brick and looks as good as the m1330 or better would be great. I really dont understand why there isnt an XPS in the range, as it seems 15" is about standard for a laptop.
You should wait for Leopard to come out. I have been playing around on the dev releases from our school's IT department and it is a joy to use. It really makes perfect use of all the power in a new Mac, and I think it is a lot more compelling than 10.4. I like the promise of the true 64 bit performance too. So I'd wait and see how that grabs you before turning to Windows forever.
They're pretty top-notch, and comparable to MBP's.
I understand how you feel too, I don't see OS X Tiger as much of a use to me. I only use it for a few OS X-only programs.
I find myself using Vista on my Sony Vaio laptop more. It works great, and I've had no problems with it. Vaios are an awesome brand. It's too bad though that it's one of the least well-known. Unfortunately, PC consumers tend to go towards cheap, discover problems (usually the hardware specs, not Windows), and instantly think Macs are the answer. Sigh.
I really suggest a Vaio. They're a great alternative to MBP's.
I've had it for a while, and I don't think it's bulky in the least...but then again I came from a 17" Dell, so I'm probably the most reliable source...haha...
I did love my Dell though, took one hell of a beating and kept ticking, my step mother is using it now...but I needed something faster, and the XPS I was looking at was the m1210...and well...let's put it this way, for that price I got my Asus and a 37" Sharp LCD TV :) haha
There should be reviews on Cnet.com with profile pics and such? I know the Best Buy by my house used to have a demo of the Asus I have, didn't see it last time I was there though...
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I have just started looking into the laptop market and have been having quite a bit of trouble finding a 15" laptop that compares to the MacBook Pro. As i have recently been working as a technician of a Mac Pro/G5 array i have discovered that OSX is not as great as i thought it would be and am really shying away from getting a MBP ( i just plan on throwing XP or Vista on it ASAP and keeping it that way ) switching to OSX would require that i buy 2 copies of all of my software (one for desktop and one for laptop) and that is just outrageous.
The biggest problem is that the m1330 just isn't big enough for me, as screen size is extremely useful when editing photographs. A 15" XPS that isnt a giant brick and looks as good as the m1330 or better would be great. I really dont understand why there isnt an XPS in the range, as it seems 15" is about standard for a laptop.
Check asus computers :) I ordered my G1 from btotech.com, it has a 15" screen! LG's are pretty nice as well...
Asus computers all look slightly bulky in the pictures i have seen of them. It would be interesting to here what you think about one once you have it.
You should wait for Leopard to come out. I have been playing around on the dev releases from our school's IT department and it is a joy to use. It really makes perfect use of all the power in a new Mac, and I think it is a lot more compelling than 10.4. I like the promise of the true 64 bit performance too. So I'd wait and see how that grabs you before turning to Windows forever.
Have you taken a look at Sony Vaios?
They're pretty top-notch, and comparable to MBP's.
I understand how you feel too, I don't see OS X Tiger as much of a use to me. I only use it for a few OS X-only programs.
I find myself using Vista on my Sony Vaio laptop more. It works great, and I've had no problems with it. Vaios are an awesome brand. It's too bad though that it's one of the least well-known. Unfortunately, PC consumers tend to go towards cheap, discover problems (usually the hardware specs, not Windows), and instantly think Macs are the answer. Sigh.
I really suggest a Vaio. They're a great alternative to MBP's.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=16154
I've had it for a while, and I don't think it's bulky in the least...but then again I came from a 17" Dell, so I'm probably the most reliable source...haha...
I did love my Dell though, took one hell of a beating and kept ticking, my step mother is using it now...but I needed something faster, and the XPS I was looking at was the m1210...and well...let's put it this way, for that price I got my Asus and a 37" Sharp LCD TV :) haha
There should be reviews on Cnet.com with profile pics and such? I know the Best Buy by my house used to have a demo of the Asus I have, didn't see it last time I was there though...
Good luck in your search :)