I live with a dude who has the exact laptop you guys are discussing issued by the clueless IT folk at his company. It's horrible, like, laughably bad, when compared to the attention to detail that goes into your typical Mac. There's a pretty large margin between an actual MacBook Pro and something being "not *as* high quality." Again, if that's something you want to put up with for the next four years, rock on.
Agreed! I've had my dv6 for going on 2 years and it's running strong. I've had to replace the battery once and that's it. Actually my battery was covered in the 2 yr warranty I got with it. Plus, it cost me less than a Macbook, is more powerful, and is compatible with the "world". It's not like Apple products don't have their share of problems. And, yes, Pavillions are similar to the Macbook line, but look better. My laptop looks like it was built for a man. And I've put it right next to a Macbook Pro 15", and you can clearly tell that they're to different computers...obviously. And to say they're copying is a baloney sales point. It's not like tech/design gets copied.
I think it's something I can put up with, considering I can't afford twice as much, no matter how much I'd like to. Besides, it's better than my current desktop, which I built myself. I'm just not experienced with laptops.
Look into either refurbished Macs or explore whatever student discounts your university might be eligible for? There's nothing worse than being stuck with a terrible computer. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro Quite a few machines there that are within your price range that would all be better than some squeaky HP monstrosity, even if it meant using your desktop for a little longer than you'd like to.
I've already tried all that - this may surprise you, but I'm not stupid. On paper at least - the linked laptop leaves a similar MacBook in the dust - from RAM, to video card, to the resolution. AND costs a grand (NZ$) less than the cheapest deal on the MacBook could find. Refurbished included. I know there's more to it than specs - but is build quality worth (on average) over a grand to me? I say no.
Well, if you can settle for mediocrity, then rock out with that HP battleship. I think everyone needs to have that huge bad laptop experience before they realize how important built quality and portability are in a computer. I did it with a 16 pound Sager "gaming" laptop I paid nearly $6,000 for. No one could talk me out of it, either. Part of life, I suppose.
I'm really not arguing with you - I just don't understand. To my inexperienced eye, the HP has a much better resolution, twice as much RAM and a video card that's 4x as powerful. And costs significantly less. Now, I know Apple is Apple - my iPhone is unquestionably amazing - but I don't want to pay several thousand to get identical specs on a MacBook. The way I see it (I'm not saying I can't be wrong) is I'm getting a much better deal with HP.
I don't get it either because a Macbook costs quite a bit more and has quite a few problems as well. I have a HP laptop and I've pretty much had no problems. the closes thing to one is my battery wearing out, but I can also attribute that to how I use my computer. I'm in a University and I've seen all different types of computers. No one is complaining about all the problems that their Windows computer have. I guess it's just because they/we don't know about the "oh so mighty" quality that Apple computers bring to the table. I really don't understand how the device is mediocre. So my laptop that cost less than my friend's and has more power/features is mediocre!? Is the fact that it's still running like a champ what makes it mediocre?
There are very few tasks a college student would use their computer for that would be processor or GPU limited. Sure, the HP has better specs on paper, but clock speed and video RAM are largely irrelevant these days. As a student, you want something that's both highly portable and gets good battery life, two things that evaporate as soon as you start shopping for what the PC world calls "desktop replacements." A MacBook Air weighs half what that HP laptop weighs. That's significant, especially when you consider your laptop will likely have a permanent home in whatever bag you haul around. You can get a decked out 13" MacBook Air via the .edu discount program for your budget of $1600. Install Windows, Ubuntu, or whatever other silly OS on it and you'll still have a computer that'll be much better to bring everywhere for the next four years. If you want to play games buy an Xbox.
Had my dv6 for some time now, definitely a good experience. If gaming was was not a concern, the mac would be a great option, however, this is not the case, and so the dv6 is a high quality, affordable option that will satisfy Echoseven's needs. You sound like one of those people who won't even try any Microsoft products, simply because they're Microsoft products (Microsoft being HP, in this case).
Then why shouldn't he just get a cheap netbook? I know ppl that use these at school and have no problems at all. NONE! And at less than 3lbs, it's not that heavy IMHO. And, like I've said before, I can get it through a typical college school day. Also, as a college student, I know first hand that I can through an entire quarter without ever moving my laptop from desk. Plus, college and scheduling is wishy washy. I've had a class at 8 in the morning on a Tuesday with my next one not until noon. I've even had one (and the only) class on Thursday that was 2 hours and 45 minutes. And again, I've seen - FIRST HAND - Macbooks not get there full 7 hours that is projected.
Thing is, I want to replace my desktop. I was considering building a brand new one - which would cost less than the laptop, and getting an iPad for taking notes and other uni stuff. I had a PS3, but sold it because I didn't play it much - a problem the laptop would solve. I'll spare you the details. I want a single "thing" that will do everything - play a game on decent settings every once in a while, have medium portability and be a computer. It would be on my shoulders for only two 20-minute stints a day, when I walk from my car to university. Basically, if portability is the only advantage of a MacBook, it means nothing to me. Build quality, yes, that means more, but I'm still not convinced into paying a lot more.
If that's the case I'd wait until Wednesday to see what happens at the iPad 3 press event. An iPad 3 and a well-specced desktop might be a pretty killer combination, especially if you throw a bluetooth keyboard into the equation.
If money was no object I'd say to go with the Razer Blade I've been eyeing that one myself even with the crazy pricing, but as it's the real world and we all have limited budgets so I'd say just go for the best specs you can for the money. I really don't believe macs have any advantages at all over a windows PC these days, I don't think I've even had a crash since the Win XP days and it's a lot easier to update windows hardware as it ages.
The only way you're getting an all-in-one is if you get a Win8 device. The iPad 3 will never be a full replacement. People have clearly said that the Slate 7 functions as a full computer, a tablet, and can play most games. There's actual proof from review sites. I posted a Tom's Hardware link the other day and it clearly shows the capabilities of the Slate 7. The thing only costs $1200 for a full computer and a tablet. It's the closest you'll get to all-in-one until October.
That goes without saying, lol. A week ago I was itching to get the iPad, but now I think I'd prefer the laptop. Guess I'll decide based on what Apple unveils in a few days. I don't want an all-in-one! I want a portable computer that is good enough to play games. If I wanted just a tablet, I'd get an iPad. No contest.
I'll put it this way. I sold my iPad at the start of this year, bought my dv6, and it has almost completely replaced my desktop and Xbox, whilst being plenty portable enough, and not at all falling apart.
I could've swore you said you wanted an all-in-one in one of your last posts. I'ts late and I guess I made an error. Oh, when you said you wanted a "single thing". This is pretty much the reason I'm switching to a tablet when Win8 is released. I already have a TV (for a bigger screen), a wireless mouse, and a keyboard case will cost $30 or less. And you can get an external CD/DVD drive for $30-60. I do use the one on my current laptop but not much. And i plan on using my current laptop as an external hard drive. But, yeah, if you don't want a tablet at all, you should just stick to getting the dv6.
I won't recommend getting a mac to anyone. It'll spoil you for life. Once you've owned one, you won't be able to use any other non apple laptop/desktop ever again. It's not shitty until you know there's something infinitely better out there. So dont get a mac and live under the delusion that win laptops are good enough.
