MacBook pro vs Thinkpad

[bumtsch]

We have Lotus Notes at the office, and it must be an ancient version, because if it's an HTML mail with an embedded image, the only way to save it (at least the only one I know) is to mark, copy and paste it into Paint

AUGHHH it feels like reading my work log! :P

[echo.ranger]

I can't speak to a comparison with the Macbook, but I do have a TP Edge 14" (Core I3-330M) and it works fine with Traktor Scratch Pro 2, my S4, and my 2 Technics doing DVS. One problem you may have (as I did) was the latency spikes every ~30-60 seconds for 2-3 seconds at a time. I was able to resolve that by uninstalling the Intel Active Storage Matrix drivers and the Thinkpad Synaptics touchpad drivers (Windows then defaults to its standard mouse pointer driver, which works just fine). After that, no more latency spikes with 192 buffers in Traktor. With the one you posted being an I5-480M you might even have a better buffer setting than I

Not trying to pick sides one way or the other, but from personal experience the Edge 14 works well for a DVS/S4 setup.

[ctrld]

I would like the following not to be misunderstood as some kind of tech brag. just stating (sad) facts.

I've just received a brand-new 27" iMac at work. it's the current "top of the line" model and has specs similar to those of the maxed-out IBM W701 laptop I purchased almost a year ago (that alone is pathetic). i7 quadcore (I believe the CPU on the iMac is actually a bit faster), 12GB RAM, 1GB graphics. of course it's perfectly tweaked because our admins are damn good at what they do.

now imagine my surprise, and I bullshit you not, that when I did a side-by-side comparison doing everyday tasks (which in my case involves almost the full range of adobe creative suite 5.5 programs), my 11-month-old fucking LAPTOP turned out to be faster (handling the exact same project files) than this "top of the line" imac, a full-sized DESKTOP machine.

bottom line: if you don't know how to tweak your machine, and you have too much money, buy a mac and be happy in your walled garden. but if you're willing to put a little effort into tweaking your computer to perform a specific task (such as running audio software), a PC will outperform a mac of similar specs at a fraction of the cost.

[other1]

And I don't have to turn off wifi

darn! u got me!

I can actually use it with wifi on as well, it's just that old habbits die hard u know

and I have no problems tethering it with my Nexus One as i play so i just works

[ellgieff]

I would like the following not to be misunderstood as some kind of tech brag. just stating (sad) facts.

I've just received a brand-new 27" iMac at work. it's the current "top of the line" model and has specs similar to those of the maxed-out IBM W701 laptop I purchased almost a year ago (that alone is pathetic). i7 quadcore (I believe the CPU on the iMac is actually a bit faster), 12GB RAM, 1GB graphics. of course it's perfectly tweaked because our admins are damn good at what they do.

now imagine my surprise, and I bullshit you not, that when I did a side-by-side comparison doing everyday tasks (which in my case involves almost the full range of adobe creative suite 5.5 programs), my 11-month-old fucking LAPTOP turned out to be faster (handling the exact same project files) than this "top of the line" imac, a full-sized DESKTOP machine.

bottom line: if you don't know how to tweak your machine, and you have too much money, buy a mac and be happy in your walled garden. but if you're willing to put a little effort into tweaking your computer to perform a specific task (such as running audio software), a PC will outperform a mac of similar specs at a fraction of the cost.

*sigh* This may be true. It's just not relevant. For work, your computer is going to spend most of the day sitting there, waiting for you.

Wasted CPU cycles don't benefit anyone.

Also: "of course it's perfectly tweaked" wouldn't actually make it past a review of your paper.

At the OP: buy what you prefer. It would surprise me if either of those machines was noticably different in terms of actual use. As a personal prefernce, I've switched to Mac because I spend enough time troubleshooting my own software, I don't have the energy for troubleshooting someone elses.

[kingsplayer2]

op here,

ive been a pc guy my whole life but we use macs at school. i want the mac because ive never really had any reliability programs with them at school but aside from my shitty laptop neither have i with windows... the spillproof keyboard is making it a tough decision haha. as much as i hate to, ill probably end up with the mac

edit: ok i caved got this monster http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Apple-MacBoo...8135889?_tab=1

560 bucks

[bumtsch]

If you still have some spare change, get some extra ram and a silicone keyboard cover

[fullenglishpint]

If you still have some spare change, get some extra ram and a silicone keyboard cover

+1

[MiL0]

This is a tricky one.

I prefer Thinkpad hardware (better spec, better value and better looking... IMO) but you're limited to running Windows/Linux. The Mac option is probably less value for money but you have the option to run Windows properly with Bootcamp so it's more versatile.

It's really an impossible question to answer - totally down to personal preference really.

[TommyQuiet]