What to buy - 17" MacBook or HP dv7 Quad ?

[Frankie]

I currently use my company HP Compaq nc6320 for my private use, but they are expecting us to take all private applications off these machines.

The fact that I still have the use of the company laptop means I can take my time searching for a new machine, so here comes my question.

Is the 17" MacBook Pro worth the extra $1000 compared to the HP dv7 i7 Quad ?

MacBook Pro - http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC226LL/A?mco=MTM3NDcyOTc

HP dv7 i7 Quad - http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/192684

The only thing I don't really like about the HP dv7 is the flashy Bling look.

 

[Synaesthesia]

Firstly, I would wait until 26 January at least, when Apple should announce new laptops based on Core i3 and i5 technology.

Next, read the CNet reviews, and decide which one you like.
CNet HP Pavilion dv7 review
CNet Macbook Pro 17" review

Check out the full specs and decide what you want:

The Macbook Pro's advantages are: much better screen, it is higher resolution and has the best colour gamut of any laptop screen. It is also the lightest and thinnest 17" laptop. It has a great and sturdy unibody design. It also comes with OS X and iLife. Performance and multitasking is excellent, especially under OS X but not quite as fast as the HP's Core i7. It has a backlit keyboard and excellent trackpad.

The HP Pavilion has a faster processor, as well as a blu-ray player built in. It should be cheaper too. In the CNet review they don't quite like it's trackpad but it seems fine.

In summary, if you want perfection, get the Macbook Pro, else get the HP

 

[Frankie]

Firstly, I would wait until 26 January at least, when Apple should announce new laptops based on Core i3 and i5 technology.

Next, read the CNet reviews, and decide which one you like.
CNet HP Pavilion dv7 review
CNet Macbook Pro 17" review

Check out the full specs and decide what you want:

The Macbook Pro's advantages are: much better screen, it is higher resolution and has the best colour gamut of any laptop screen. It is also the lightest and thinnest 17" laptop. It has a great and sturdy unibody design. It also comes with OS X and iLife. Performance and multitasking is excellent, especially under OS X but not quite as fast as the HP's Core i7. It has a backlit keyboard and excellent trackpad.

The HP Pavilion has a faster processor, as well as a blu-ray player built in. It should be cheaper too. In the CNet review they don't quite like it's trackpad but it seems fine.

In summary, if you want perfection, get the Macbook Pro, else get the HP

Thanks for the comments.

The HP is about $1,300 cheaper and I never use the trackpad, so I'm leaning towards the HP so far, just wished it didn't have the bling appearance.

The MackBook Unibody sounds great, but I haven't had issues with the bodies of my last few laptops, so not sure that this would be a key point for me.

 

[Synaesthesia]

The 15" Macbook Pro is a lot cheaper and has the same resolution as the HP, so it's also a good option.

 

[purejimcn]

had an hp before my macbook pro, thought i loved it but i definitely love my macbook pro more. you will get a lot more battery life out of it aside from the other advantages mentioned above.

sadly it is more expensive, if money is not a problem then i would definitely go for the macbook pro, I am positive it will last a lot longer as well

 

[bwana]

Firstly, I would wait until 26 January at least, when Apple should announce new laptops based on Core i3 and i5 technology.

I'm not betting that will necessarily be the announcement they make on the 26th but I would wait in any case.

 

[Frankie]

Well, I waited past the 26th, and a few new models did come on the market, but all the i7 cpu machines with 17" screens are still too "bling" for me.
I almost bought the new Sony Vaio, but the 16.4" screen just doesn't work for me, so today I forcked out far more than I ever thought I would, and bought the 17" Macbook Pro ($2,499.99 ) and the Magic mouse ($69.99).

This is my first post with the new machine, and damn I have a good few things to learn - cant even find the "end" button.

Im liking the new machine and the screen is great, but now I need to shop for a compatible office package.

Not sure I'm going to like the mouse and might give it back, which wont be too much of an issue because the touch pad on the Mac is way superior to most others.

 

[Basilrsa]

I was also looking at the MacBook Pro but eventually settled on a DELL Studio XPS 1640. (Much cheaper)
What a great machine with a a great full HD screen, Blue ray player, etc.
The big plus is a 4 year, next day on-site warranty.
But I do love my IPhone 3Gs.

 

[purejimcn]

Well, I waited past the 26th, and a few new models did come on the market, but all the i7 cpu machines with 17" screens are still too "bling" for me.
I almost bought the new Sony Vaio, but the 16.4" screen just doesn't work for me, so today I forcked out far more than I ever thought I would, and bought the 17" Macbook Pro ($2,499.99 ) and the Magic mouse ($69.99).

This is my first post with the new machine, and damn I have a good few things to learn - cant even find the "end" button.

Im liking the new machine and the screen is great, but now I need to shop for a compatible office package.

Not sure I'm going to like the mouse and might give it back, which wont be too much of an issue because the touch pad on the Mac is way superior to most others.

good choice buddy, im sure u wont go back to anything but a mac again

 

[Frankie]

good choice buddy, im sure u wont go back to anything but a mac again

I've only had it for six days, and I've been working long hours leaving very little time to play with my new toy, and it's only the last couple of days that I've started to agree with you that it's looking like I made the right choice paying more than double of the price of my alternate choice.