no, go for the lenovo, the Mac over priced///

slow is a relative term

With the MBP you can run both Windows and OSX. If that doesn't matter to you, and you want to run Windows-only software (like Max or AutoCAD or Solidworks or something), then get the Lenovo. Neither 120GB nor 160GB are really enough HDD space, so you'll be using an external drive or upgrading at some point anyway. MBP has a backlit keyboard and LED display. 2GB RAM is not enough. You want 4GB, but don't get it from the manufacturer. You can get it much cheaper from Crucial or OWC and it's dead easy to install yourself.

So the Macbook might be faster, despite the Lenovo's specs?

Yes... Processor speeds on Macs and PC's are apple and oranges. Look at the clock speeds, not the GHz.

And yes, OSX is worth it, but only if you actually use it. If you only plan to run Windows, then get the Lenovo. But then, UC is probably recommending the Mac for a reason.

And by the way, this topic has been covered about a million times in the past. The search function is your friend.

LiG, I did search. I've been reading previous discussions for weeks now (though not solely about laptops), but I started a new thread because a lot of them are a couple years old and technology has changed.

i have the t60p and i have no complaints about the this computer at all, in fact its been amazing. and IBM's customer service is top notch. windows on the other hand.....

the Lenovo is the way to go unless you want to jump on the 'i want my computer to be silver and cute' bandwagon...just kidding, tough choice but think about your program options. Do you use rhino and autocad etc.. cause running bootcamp or parrallels is not the same as running windows on a pc.

That hasn't actually been correct for several years now, LIG. Macs and PCs use absolutely identical processors. You are thinking of the old PowerPC processors. And actually, GHz is the clock speed.

LQQK, running Windows through Bootcamp on a Mac is actually identical to running Windows on a PC. The hardware is the same, the software is the same. Running through Parallels, however, comes with a speed penalty.

the remaining difference with a macbook iss the through speed on the bus. The through speed on a standard front side bus will max out your disk to processor connection, so if you plan on doing software rendering or using any programs with virtual RAM disk properties (like the adobe suite) the macbook will be well worth the investment.

no, that's not quite right either. Both the T61p and the MBP are running on an identical 800MHZ frontside bus.

Don't know if it's the same in the US, but in the UK if you buy a Mac through your university you get a pretty decent discount (20-30% I think). Not sure if you've factored this in, but it could make a difference.

are you looking at buying the macbook through the refurbished part of apple's site? if not, look there for a better comparison of prices. same warranty and they have a computer that matches what you want for a bit less, even compared to the student discounts.

if all things were equal for you, get the mac - that way, as noted, you have both platforms available, as well as all the other built-in goodies.

i am using a t61p with almost identical specs... it runs very well... and rendering using vray and mental ray is fairly smooth. Only thing is I wouldn't get the WUXGA screen since you can hardly see anything with that resolution on a 15 inch. The battery life is fantastic btw. but screen is a little dim when not plugged in for my taste.

I am also using a T61P woth identical specs. I agree with tzenyujuei, 1680X1050 is more than enough - no need to go further.

The difference between macs and pcs today has been radically reduced compared to what it was a few years ago. Right now it pretty much amounts to two things: design and a different operating system.

Warranty has been one of the deal breakers for Apples (admittedly, I've not looked in a while, in case it changed). I need onsite, next day part replacement (not 4 day).

That said, I grow to hate Vista more and more each day. I don't like OS X, either, mind you, but XP was just fine (I was forced to upgrade when a replacement came with it).

God, why can't MS just make a very, very simple OS that is stable and work. Shit, I'd pay more for something bare bones and reliable!!


I may be a convert at some point. My rant probably doesn't help, but if you've read old posts, I've always chimmed up for Dell (which I still love their business side).

If Autodesk would make software for Apples, I think a ton would switch.

As far as compatibility goes, I don't know what software I will be using next year. And because I haven't worked with hardly any architectural software in the past, I'm not partial to anything yet. Are any of the mac programs far superior to PC ones?

Laru, I am quoting the educational discount on the Macbook with the 3yr warrantee. Refurbished macs only come with the 90 days/1 year plan and buying the extended warrantee puts it back up to $2 grand.

Lastly, although macs seem to last a bit longer, wouldn't the technology be dated in a few years anyhow?

off the top of my head, here are some things i like about the macbook:

- runs windows natively
- runs os x natively
- faster graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT)
- LED-backlit screen, means it's brighter and doesn't fade over time
- thinner & lighter (1", 5.4 lbs macbook vs. 1.2", 6.3 lbs for the lenovo)
- built-in camera
- built-in microphone
- built-in bluetooth
- multi-touch trackpad... handy for scrolling
- "magsafe" power cable will prevent computer from crashing to the floor when you trip on the cord
- i think it's better looking

My Powerbook (now called MacBook Pro) is now 5 years old and still runs better than our new hp pc's at work... adobe cs3 is noticeably faster. I haven't yet updated a single piece of hardware in it. I had one problem (used to be common, then they redesigned and fixed it) with my screen that was fixed literally overnight and have never had it since. That shook out in the first year. It's also worth more at age 5 than a comparable Dell or Toshiba (check ebay for example). As I resell my computers when I buy new ones, that counts for something for me. As I see it, the Mac is simply a better investment--but I also, as LiG pointed out, enjoy using OSX, so if you will NEVER use OSX then save yourself the up-front cash and go with what you know, I guess.

I’ve been using a Macbook Pro for a few months, even though I’m fairly happy with it; I haven’t converted to an Apple fan. Mac OS X is definitely not more stable or better than Windows XP. Apps crash as frequent, if not, more frequent than on windows. Some software like Microsoft Word or even Photoshop launches faster on Windows than on Mac OS X. So, don’t believe the hype. You will also have a hard time getting software to work with Mac OS X.

The only reason why I bought the Macbook Pro is for its specification and the fact that I can run a few software on Mac OS X that can’t run on Windows. Always pick the software first, then the hardware. Plus the size, weight and design of a MBP plays a vital role. But, keep in mind that everything works on Windows and just a few thing work on Mac. I recenlty bought a Nokia N95 just becuase it works on Mac OS X. Unfortunalty it doens't sync with Entourage (another deal breaker) will every phone including the Iphone syncs perfectly with Microsoft Outlook.

My Macbook Pro is set up this way: I run bootcamp Windows XP as well as Mac OS X. I don’t run parallels due to the performance hit. On bootcamp, I run Revit Architecture, Structure, MEP, 3ds Max, Rhino, Autocad, Naviswork, SketchUp. On Mac OS X, I run Office, the Adobe package, Final Cut Express, and all the other native Mac OS X software like Itunes, Iphoto, ICall etc. On the Mac OS X side I store all my data as well as two separate extrernal hard drives. This is because Mac OS X has a larger HD and you can re-install Mac OS X if it crashed and archive all your data. The most important thing is to consider both platforms as two separate computers. So my agenda, address book and email, syncs on both platform. It doesn’t make sense to be working on Windows and having to reboot just to check your email.

So, my advice to you is get the Macbook Pro just for it’s spec s, size and weight. Not just for Mac OS X. Windows is much straight forward, easy and stable. Work on both patform and see what suits you better. If Windows seems to be a better choice for you, you can always convert the MBP to a full Windows machine and vice versa.

then there's also the political aspect of what you buy.

buy apple and you support a leading edge American company that prides itself on being innovative.

buy lenovo and you are supporting a company partially owned by the Chinese government that bought itself a PC business.

just a thought.

both apple and lenovo computers are based on the technical expertise of manufacturers in china.

they may both be made in china, but where do the profits go?

and before anyone asks, i'm not an american.

The best thing to do is to check out what other students are using and to buy your computer when you really need it. If you buy it now there will probably be an update in june/july/august since intels processor roadmap is public knowledge you can kind of plan when to make your purchase. I would say that the Mac provides greater flexibility and weight is a big factor if you are carrying it back and forth to University.