Question:
Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
Hi !
I am Rohit..I am looking forward to buying a new laptop..I have shortlisted 3..Here they are with their CUSTOMISED configurations..I currently reside in India..I will be getting the laptop through my friends in USA / Singapore..I will be using it in New Zealand..Please have a look and advice..
1) Apple MacBook Pro
17" Widescreen (1680*1050)
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz
160GB SATA HDD @ 5400rpm
3GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM (1*2 GB, 1*1 GB)
SuperDrive 8x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 256MB SDRAM
2) HP Pavilion dv9000t
17" WSXGA + BrightView Widescreen (1680*1050)
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz
240GB SATA Dual HDD @ 5400rpm (120GB*2)
2GB DDR2 SDRAM (2*1GB)
HD-DVD ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600
3) Sony Vaio VGN-AR270 with Blu-ray
17" WUXGA TFT with XBRITE Technology
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz
240GB SATA Dual HDD @ 5400rpm (120GB*2)
2GB 533 DDR2 SDRAM (2*1GB)
DVD+-R Double Layer DVD+-RW Drive with Blu-Ray Disc Support
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 GT
Here is the FAQ..I have written the answers..
1) What is your budget?
Upto $4000
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Music, movies, internet, the usual project presentations, games (mostly car-racing..not the ones like
F.E.A.R or DOOM 3 which require high graphics)
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Will be taking it to the University..But 17" screen and the size won't be a problem..
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
mostly car-racing..i am not a big fan of games like Doom 3 or F.E.A.R.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I prefer Apple, Sony Vaio, HP..nothing else..
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Anything above 2 hours would be fine..
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
My friends would be buying it in USA / Singapore and then bring it to India..
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
India..my friends will be buying it in USA / Singapore..Though i will be using it in New Zealand..
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Either of the 3 given below..
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or
spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
i strictly want a matte/non-glossy screen..
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
yes..to some extent..
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
anytime in november or december..i will be using it for around 3 years maximum..
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
anything above 100GB..and speed no less then 5400rpm..
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
I need a DVD-RW
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
The Vaio AR and HP DV9000 both have glossy screen. i found the HP to be the most reflective out of the 2. the VAIO has some sort of purple tinge; like the one u get on glasses, hence the name AR (Anti Reflective). but eversince u want matte screen then your choice would be...
the Macbook Pro or the HP N* (Nw/Nx/Nc) series; which is HP bussiness line of notebook; and exclusively has matte screen, they are of very high quality.
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
I like the HP options. XBright and BrightView are glossy screens. The 15" ThinkPad T60 with FlexView screen has excellent viewing angles for the presentations though it is not widescreen.
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
Well, it's hard for me to recommend anyone a 17" notebook, especially if they'll be taking it to univ classes. The things get heavy.... very fast. Add a few books in there, and it feels like you're carrying 40lbs.
Anyway, the 17" mbp is pretty good. I don't know what the battery life is on that unit, but the 15" can pull 4 hours with low brightness (which is still very bright). If you'll be taking a lot of notes, the MBP has an amazing keyboard. The best I've ever used.
Again, dont' go for sony's blu ray drive. IT's a waste of money. More than likely we'll see it fail as every technology push sony has tried. So you may end up spending a lot of money for a drive that will be fairly useless in a year or two.
I'd say if you want to use OS X or give it a try, then get the MBP. I imagine it's also lighter than the HP. Overall, I'd say don't go with the Sony.
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
I would go with either the HP or the Vaio. The MBP sounds tempting with the 3GB ram. You could get that later on the the other two machines.
Gaming and Apple still don't sound right together to me.
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
I would go with either the HP or the Vaio. The MBP sounds tempting with the 3GB ram. You could get that later on the the other two machines.
Gaming and Apple still don't sound right together to me.
Why's that? Isn't the x1600 more powerful than the nvidia go cards?
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
The X1600 in the Macbook PRO is heavily underclocked to maintain reasonable operating temperatures. You will see a considerable difference in performance between an MBP x1600 and a similarly configured system from a different company.
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
The X1600 in the Macbook PRO is heavily underclocked to maintain reasonable operating temperatures. You will see a considerable difference in performance between an MBP x1600 and a similarly configured system from a different company.
That is incorrect. Only the CD MBP were heavily underlcoked. The C2D MBP are only slightly underlocked. I believe the readings were like, 10mhz under the normal clock speed.
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
Well, it's hard for me to recommend anyone a 17" notebook, especially if they'll be taking it to univ classes. The things get heavy.... very fast. Add a few books in there, and it feels like you're carrying 40lbs.
Anyway, the 17" mbp is pretty good. I don't know what the battery life is on that unit, but the 15" can pull 4 hours with low brightness (which is still very bright). If you'll be taking a lot of notes, the MBP has an amazing keyboard. The best I've ever used.
Again, dont' go for sony's blu ray drive. IT's a waste of money. More than likely we'll see it fail as every technology push sony has tried. So you may end up spending a lot of money for a drive that will be fairly useless in a year or two.
I'd say if you want to use OS X or give it a try, then get the MBP. I imagine it's also lighter than the HP. Overall, I'd say don't go with the Sony.
since u said that things can get heavy fast..please recommend a good quality backpack to carry the MBP and some books/stuff..hows the Brenthaven Backpack in the Mac Accessories section? is it worth $180 ??
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro/Sony Vaio AR Series/HP dv9000t (FAQ added)
Also, somebody review the MacBook Pro 17inch Intel C2D ~~~