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Apple MacBook Pro VS Alienware M17X

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maverick786us

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I was for a high end gaming laptop having following specifications

1) Core i7
2) 17 inch screen 1920 X 1200 Resolution
3) HD 5850 or something equivalent

Since I am an learning iPhone Programming which can only be done in MAC OS using Objective C.

Now MacBook Pro 17 inch and Alienware M17X have the same H/W specification and I've heard that with an Apple PC once also install Windows. However the other way around is not possible.

So out of these 2 notebooks, which one should I go for?
 
Yeah, with Apples free boot camp utility you can run windows natively on a Mac.

Running OSX on a PC is possible, but complicated and probably unstable.

If you need OSX for productivity, you need a Mac.
 
Lots of contradiction in this thread.

If you want to get a high end gaming laptop, go for the M17x, no questions asked.

If you want to program using OSX then get a used 2006-2007 white macbook which goes for around 300-400 (I've seen it).

Do not get the 17" macbook pro. I can't stress this enough. You will not be able to game on it in the future it's a POS. Buy a used white macbook for programming on the side.
 
Listen to Armoured.

If money is no object, you can get the equivalent of a 5870 (firepro m7820) - AND the best damn laptop panel EVER made.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/notebook-news-reviews/503121-hp-8740w-review-full-metal-jacket.html


The reviewer there has many images of the machine, along with some taken by another user. Look at those viewing angles, look at that color.

A couple posts below there is a direct comparison between the 10 bit ips panel on the elitebook and the mx17s TN RGBLED (both 1920x1200 btw). The TN performs admirably when viewed head on, but still loses. At larger viewing angles it gets destroyed. I mean truly obliterated.


So, unless you need a dual gpu solution or are cost constrained (as most people are), the elitebook is the better option for the screen. Games will look better, images and graphic work will be much more accurate if the screen is calibrated compared to other screens. I can't think of anything better. That screen completely outclasses all other laptop screens to the point of embarrassment for other laptop makers.
 
A MacBook Pro is not a high end gaming system, and never will be. Apple just doesn't make gaming systems. If you just need OSX for development but don't care for it otherwise, get a cheap macbook like everyone else recommended.
 
tybert7 said:
Listen to Armoured.

If money is no object, you can get the equivalent of a 5870 (firepro m7820) - AND the best damn laptop panel EVER made.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/notebook-news-reviews/503121-hp-8740w-review-full-metal-jacket.html


The reviewer there has many images of the machine, along with some taken by another user. Look at those viewing angles, look at that color.

A couple posts below there is a direct comparison between the 10 bit ips panel on the elitebook and the mx17s TN RGBLED (both 1920x1200 btw). The TN performs admirably when viewed head on, but still loses. At larger viewing angles it gets destroyed. I mean truly obliterated.


So, unless you need a dual gpu solution or are cost constrained (as most people are), the elitebook is the better option for the screen. Games will look better, images and graphic work will be much more accurate if the screen is calibrated compared to other screens. I can't think of anything better. That screen completely outclasses all other laptop screens to the point of embarrassment for other laptop makers.
Click to expand...

Holy crap man, just read that HP review. That is one insane laptop. HP should be pushing that awesomeness a little more to the creative community, that screen is unreal.
 
Armoured said:
13" mbp - good
15" mbp - exceptional
17" mbp - POS
Click to expand...
That doesn't make sense. The 17" comes standard with a slightly faster processor and twice as much video memory. How then could the 15" be "exceptional" in comparison?
 
Heh, I can deff afford it using my ADC discount. I just don't want it because it's a POS and I already have a 15" mbp and a M11x.

Oh by the way - it's still a POS.
 
Well, thanks for the detailed explanation. I'm sure it's exceptionally helpful to the OP.
 
Armoured said:
13" mbp - good
15" mbp - exceptional
17" mbp - I want it but can't afford it, so I'll just call it a POS
Click to expand...

No it's not a POS and it's not that expensive for what it is. Plenty of people can afford them and don't want them.;)
 
tybert7 said:
Listen to Armoured.

If money is no object, you can get the equivalent of a 5870 (firepro m7820) - AND the best damn laptop panel EVER made.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/notebook-news-reviews/503121-hp-8740w-review-full-metal-jacket.html

A couple posts below there is a direct comparison between the 10 bit ips panel on the elitebook and the mx17s TN RGBLED (both 1920x1200 btw).
Click to expand...

finally they are putting WUXGA in laptops again... did you know i used a midrange dell D800 in 2004 that had a 1920x1200 screen. sure IPS is great but in a laptop it is not needed since normally only one person is going to be using it straight in front of it so viewing angle isn't a problem.

those are different spectrum laptops there. The mac is nice but the touchpad is USELESS in windows... its choppy and the mulit touch is not responsive at all.

I would recomend getting a dell latitude/precision thats pretty well spec'd out and getting a used mac for dev work.
 
It's true that the 17-inch MacBook Pro won't be a gaming notebook, but it will play games decently. Its main advantage is simply efficiency: it's one of the lightest and thinnest 17-inch notebooks and lasts for several hours on battery.

The real issue with the 17-inch model is simply that it's not the best deal if you're just looking for a certain level of performance and a reasonable display; the 15-inch can handle that pretty easily.

Since you want to learn iPhone programming, a MacBook Pro is your only option, but I'd look into the 2.53GHz Core i5 model; it'll get you the 17-inch model's performance, but it'll save you about $300. You can configure it with a 1680x1050 screen if you need to eke out some extra screen space.
 
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