Macbook Pro or Alienware 5790

[fstfrk13]

Hello BG, i'm going off to georgia tech in the fall and i'm getting a new laptop. i have a $2000ish budget and i need a computer that can run games and engineering programs. I have narrowed it down to two, a macbook pro and an alienware 5790.

Alienware 5790: http://www.alienware.com/product_detail ... KU-DEFAULT

Macbook Pro: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/W ... YlJ/1.?p=0

If i was to get the 5790, i would upgrade to a 2.16ghz core duo, 2 gig ram, and 160gb hard drive. And it comes with an 256 mb ATI Radeon® X1800 The only downide is i have to use vista.


If i got a pro, i would use the education discount to upgrade for 2 gigs of ram. The pro also comes with a 2.16 ghz duo, 120 g hard drive, and a 128mb ATI X1600.

I am leaning towards the 5790, but my parents think Alienware is kinda sketchy since they have never heard of them.

Help me choose BG.

[yayaok]

alienware are expensive... go for the mac
i own one, honestly i dont think it performs its cost worth
can get stuff for cheaper and just upgrade

[Gatsby]

Why buy from a boutique outlet? Alienware may have good items but you have to pay and arm and a leg and your first born to get a good return on your money.

You may want to consider going through Dell and their deals page (http://www.techbargains.com for link)

But if your dead set on the selection of those 2 laptops, may want to consider the Apple. My only concern (I did chemistry stuffs in college) is if engineering programs are easily attainable for the mac. I don't think the current crop of games works natively on OSX but if you bootcamp XP it should work.

[Ninjadik]

I would go with macbook pro. But for some courses, they require you to run stuff but its not like you cant run both OS's on your macbook.

[Isiolia]

Might try asking people at the school. If they want/expect you to have a computer, they may have minimum specs to get. Or at least give you a good idea of what specific software you may need to run, etc.

Personally I'd be more inclined to buy a desktop and a laptop. Get something smaller that you can comfortably tote around for a laptop, and get a good gaming desktop that will be more powerful and affordably upgradeable in the long run.
The ability to separate out tasks or just have a backup computer in case something happens is also good.

I'd probably go with the Macbook Pro of the two mentioned, simply because I know that (other than the 17"), they are reasonably good machines in terms of size/weight. The Alienware is a 17" screen, 8 pound monster.

Main thing with Apple though is the lack of accidental damage coverage. Laptops are one of the few things where extended warranties can really pay off. Specialized parts = major cash in a couple years if something breaks. Another good reason not to dump a ton of money on one.

[abadd]

Go for the mac, alienware is overpriced dogshit.

[VZX]

Get something else where you hear least complain from people using it.

[SephYuyX]

Dont buy a laptop.

[Ichthyos]

What major do you intend to declare? If you're going to be programming at all, it's a pain to do it in Windows imo because the only POSIX shells are non-native. You can install Linux on either laptop of course, but if you're running OS X you already have a native shell to work with. And like people already mentioned above, you can dualboot Windows on your Macbook Pro if you have some apps that require it.

[Kerberoz]

Don't buy a laptop unless you absolutely have to, and if you must,
http://ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm

[theo]

Eh, don't buy an alienware. As others have mentioned its not worth it for what you get. You're paying for the name more than anything.

As long as you're ok with dual booting the Macbook on a regular basis, because I'm assuming some or all of your engineering programs will require windows, then I'd say go with the Mac.

[Raineer]

The problem here is Alienware is a horrible example of PC tech/quality. There are *many* mainstream alternatives that are so much better (any top-shelf HP/Dell/Lenovo would fit the bill)

If you like Mac's interface then go Mac.

[Ninjadik]

You said this is for school so you will be lugging it around right? It may not sound like much of a difference but...

Alienware weighs in at 8lbs while the macbook pro weighs 5.6 lbs. It makes a huge difference when your lugging it around all damn day.

Edit: So many votes for alienware yet no one has posted its advantages over the macbook...

[fstfrk13]

i'm a mechanical engineering major. I overlooked that the alienware weighed 8 pounds. I will be lugging it around to classes so that is a big con. Most people i know love thier macs and alot have recommended them for college. The mac sounds good except that i would have to find a copy of xp or something. I have used vista and i didn't really like it. I have a POS compaq laptop that barely runs ffxi now, so i guess i could always lug it around and buy a desktop. guess i should look at some desktops. Thanks for the input guys.

edit: oh yeah, has the new mac OS come out yet?

[ertyu]

Macs = lolshit

Alienware = expensive as fuck

go with a dell. I have a dell laptop thats top of the line but it weighs like 9 pounds. I don't ever take it to class (I'm a sophomore at ASU). The way I did it was buy a crappy POS laptop that could barely run itself and just put word on it. Take class notes and e-mail them to myself so I don't have to lug the big one around. There is no way that you will ever /need/ a computer during class that they wont provide for you. Do yourself a favor and don't get a mac though.

[Sonomaa]

maingear.com
these guys fucking rule

[Septimus]

Edit: So many votes for alienware yet no one has posted its advantages over the macbook...

People who buy Macs become smug, self-absorbed asshats who feel that they are better than the rest of the populace.

It is a proven scientific fact.

I didn't vote, but I imagine that is the reason.

[Halleberry]

what about HP laptops? those commercials are pretty appealing.

[Semitry]

Macbooks only come with one button on the trackpad? You'll probably be using a lot of *nix type engineering programs which use left/right and middle mouse buttons often.

Ever consider a tablet? Take notes on it, if you're sleepy, turn on the mic, and take a nap then review the lecture later!

[Jefe]

Do yourself a favor and don't get a mac though.

QFTFRT, somebody give this man a cookie! Mac are for girls and... like Arnold would say "girly men."http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7747/hehzc4.gif And yes, like someone above said, for some reason mac owners always have to trash talk other pc (now my turn!). I thought it was a myth, but the other day an apple dude was bitching about my Vaio o_0