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Converting a MacBook lover

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Hi All

My fiance and I need a new laptop, but there's a hitch. She loves apple (Macbook, macbook pro) while I'm happy with a PC - although she is open to converting. The main advantage of NOT getting a macbook pro would be having similar performance for about £800 less!!:money:
So I need some options. Priorities:
*Looks good
*Decent build quality
*Decent performance

I've looked at the Sony VAIO E series as a possible:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-VPCEC2S0E-notebook-i5-430M-Processor/dp/B003N195TK

Anyone got any other options that I could convince my DW-t-b would be a better buy than a mac? All suggestions welcome...
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Comments

  • Darksun
    Darksun Posts: 1,931 Forumite
    If one of the reasons she prefers Macs is the operating system, you could introduce her to Ubuntu or another Linux distro, it'd probably be more familiar to her than Windows.

    You can (in theory) get OSX to run on non apple hardware, however it's not supported and of questionable legality.
  • Chorlie
    Chorlie Posts: 1,029 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Photogenic
    I bought my first Mac (MacBook Pro) a few months ago, always had Window based Laptops before.

    It's hard to justify the cost, but I'll never go back now.

    I just turned it on for the first time in a coffee shop next door to the Apple Store and before I'd finished my coffee it was all up and running & connected to the Internet.

    It takes about 30 seconds to boot up and under 10 to close down, it looks great works quick, battery life is good, don't have to worry (to much) about viruses and everything just works straight off.

    I'm 100% a Mac convert, if you can afford a Mac buy a Mac, I now know why all my friends kept telling me to buy a Mac.
  • mdb99jh
    mdb99jh Posts: 379 Forumite
    Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately I don't think we can afford a Mac (or at least we don't want to spend that much!) so I'm looking for alternatives.

    With regards to operating system, she is familier with windows (she uses it quite a bit) so that shouldn't be a problem - she just likes her "beautiful" Macs!
  • diable
    diable Posts: 5,258 Forumite
    mdb99jh wrote: »
    Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately I don't think we can afford a Mac (or at least we don't want to spend that much!) so I'm looking for alternatives.

    With regards to operating system, she is familier with windows (she uses it quite a bit) so that shouldn't be a problem - she just likes her "beautiful" Macs!

    You don't really "love" her then do you :cry::cry::cry:



    :rotfl:
  • kwikbreaks
    kwikbreaks Posts: 9,187 Forumite
    You do know that every single glitch your new Windows PC has will be your fault don't you.

    Just give in and find some way to buy what she wants.
  • mdb99jh
    mdb99jh Posts: 379 Forumite
    kwikbreaks wrote: »
    You do know that every single glitch your new Windows PC has will be your fault don't you.

    Just give in and find some way to buy what she wants.

    This is true! On the flip side I reckon that any mac problems will probably be my fault too, at least with a PC I'll have a shot at fixing them...
  • mdb99jh wrote: »
    Hi All

    My fiance and I need a new laptop, but there's a hitch. She loves apple (Macbook, macbook pro) while I'm happy with a PC - although she is open to converting. The main advantage of NOT getting a macbook pro would be having similar performance for about £800 less!!:money:
    So I need some options. Priorities:
    *Looks good
    *Decent build quality
    *Decent performance

    I've looked at the Sony VAIO E series as a possible:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-VPCEC2S0E-notebook-i5-430M-Processor/dp/B003N195TK

    Anyone got any other options that I could convince my DW-t-b would be a better buy than a mac? All suggestions welcome...

    So basically similar performance but the non-Mac product comes with a free £800 High Definition Samsung 50" TV - tell her she can have the Mac if she pays [ an additional ] £800 quid ' bragging rights / bling money ' back into the kitty out of her own earnings.

    Then spend the £800 you will have saved on a single season ticket [ footy ] for yourself. :)
    Disclaimer : Everything I write on this forum is my opinion. I try to be an even-handed poster and accept that you at times may not agree with these opinions or how I choose to express them, this is not my problem. The Disabled : If years cannot be added to their lives, at least life can be added to their years - Alf Morris - ℜ
  • Hammyman
    Hammyman Posts: 9,913 Forumite
    mdb99jh wrote: »
    Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately I don't think we can afford a Mac

    If you want something built as good as the aluminium unibody Macbook Pro, you're going to be paying nearly as much.

    Yes you can buy an Acer or a Dell with the same CPU, RAM, HDD or better for several hundred quid less but in a year to 18 months, something will have broken.

    I'm currently selling a Toshiba Tecra on Ebay. Its spec is the same as my Macbook Pro and build quality comparable (as much as its possible to be for a plastic case) except it has a larger HDD and built in 3g modem. When new, its RRP was TWO HUNDRED POUNDS MORE than my aluminium unibody Macbook Pro.
  • almillar
    almillar Posts: 8,621 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    HP have all-metal laptops too, but you're missing a trick.
    If you can't afford new, why aren't you buying 2nd hand?! Look around on Gumtree/eBay, but be careful and come on here for advice if needed.
  • magyar
    magyar Posts: 18,909 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Sorry to carry on the 'maybe you should get a Mac' train! But have you had a look in the refurbs section of the Apple store? Plus as Almillar says above, second hand is a good option. Mac owners do tend to look after their equipment so although they hold their value quite well, they should be in good nick.
    Says James, in my opinion, there's nothing in this world
    Beats a '52 Vincent and a red headed girl
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