Awhile back, i posted on the Dell precision 6400 series laptop computer which utilized a Intel QX9300 mobile extreme processor. I read some reviews that were less than gracious about that machine and decided to wait to see what would be rolling down the pipeline. A week ago, i found that HP also has a quad-core laptop available in the HP HDX 18t Premium Series. This laptop has much better user reviews, however, I didnt find many that were specifically related to the quad.
So my main question (as noted in the title) is when is Apple going to start offering a quad laptop? I know that buying an Apple is as much a "status" statement as it is about the machine itself. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to be able to afford an Apple, and be cool enough for one, but I'm miffed that I can buy TWICE the machine for the price of a Macbook Pro 17". So here's the rundown comparison in dollars:
Macbook Pro 17" $3,567.00
- 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
- 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
- SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- MacBook Pro 17-inch Hi-Resolution Antiglare Widescreen Display
- None
- Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
- None
- None
- None
- None
- None
- None
- None
- None
- None
- Apple Remote
- None
- None
- AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro (w/or w/o Display) - Auto-enroll
HP HDX 18t Premium Series $3,681.98
- • Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
- • Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad Processor QX9300 (2.53Hz)
- • 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- • 640GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (320GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
- • 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M - For DDR3 Memory
- • 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
- • Blu-Ray +/-R/RW with SuperMulti
- • Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
- • Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
- • HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
- • Full Size Backlit Keyboard
- • 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- • 3-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with HP Pick Up and Return
Ok so main differences...
MB Pro: 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Quad core not available) vs PC: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad Processor QX9300 (2.53Hz)
MB Pro: 4GB RAM DDR3 vs PC: 8GB RAM DDR3
MB Pro: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB (1GB Video not available) vs PC: 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M
MB Pro: Single Hard Drive (Dual not available) vs PC: Dual Hard Drives
MB Pro: SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) (Blueray Not Available) vs PC: Blu-Ray +/-R/RW with SuperMulti
MB Pro: No TV Tuner (not available) vs PC: Integrated HDTV Tuner
MB Pro: 6.6 lbs vs PC: 8.82 lbs
MB Pro: 17-inch (viewable) LED-backlit glossy widescreen, 1920 by 1200 pixels vs PC: 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
From my perspective, the MAJOR downside to owning the PC is having to have Vista... but at least it is Vista 64-bit, which Ive heard is better than the 32-bit version (albeit not by much).
Now, this isnt a Mac bash!!! I personally love Macs and would love to have enough money to be able to buy one. But when you consider the specs, and when you consider a $4000 machine... there just isnt a comparison. For computing power, I've got to go with the pc. If someone wants to give me a Mac, I would TOTALLY take it... but as a developer, all hype aside, I need the power... especially if Im dropping the dough.