5 ms·

Which Windows laptop could replace a MacBook Pro?

15 points by jsingleton 10y ago

Clubber 10y ago
I used Thinkpads before switching to Macs in 2008 or so. I still have my 2013 rMBP and don't plan on replacing it anytime soon. The Thinkpads are/were great Windows computers. I'm not sure if that is still the case. I have one for work and the F2 key is already detaching and my nub mouse stopped working this morning. I suspect after being accustomed the MacBooks, any Windows machine will have irritating issues you will have to get over.
- herbst 10y ago
  +1 for thinkpad. Also running linux on it makes it even better :)
- godzillabrennus 10y ago
  Thinkpad quality seems to vary greatly model to model.
  - wuschel 10y ago
    I owned both X61 and T61. Great design, possibilities of modification, strong CPU, and good build quality that lasted for ages (I am still using the X61, now in its 8 year). The model policies for the current models seems to have changed, though.
- tonyedgecombe 10y ago
  I bought a T460 to replace my desktop a couple of months ago, I'm very pleased with it so far.
mandeepj 10y ago
Surface book
WorldMaker 10y ago
A good tip for anyone considering a Windows laptop to replace a MacBook is to look for a Signature Edition [1]. The easiest place to do that is a Microsoft Store (online or retail), but you can also ask your local Staples, Best Buy, and some of the other big box stores if they have Signature Edition machines for sale (often only through special orders, but you can sometimes still talk them into price matching or coupon specials in that case). Microsoft requires a clean Windows install on Signature Edition machines, and that really makes a huge difference. In some cases you pay a small premium as the adware and bloatware do sometimes subsidize the hardware. [1] https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/categoryID.69916600 https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/categor...
rkwasny 10y ago
For a developer? None. but you can try with a Linux laptop
- Bdiem 10y ago
  Which Notebook is a "good" linux machine? All my "linux on NB" experiences so far have been kind of compromised with lack or quality of drivers - resulting in poor overall performance. E.g.: no/poor/intermittend wifi/BT, excessive battery drain, loud fans.
  - joecool1029 10y ago
    Anything that's a pre-Skylake CPU with intel GPU shouldn't suffer from these issues. Skylake has been kinda a nightmare for power management and discrete GPU's (nvidia/amd) are a mixed bag, would avoid for a notebook. It's been a long time since I hit a <10 year old model with wifi issues aside from crappy broadcom (in my mbp) that still works fine just occasionally needs patching. Intel, atheros, ralink, realtek... should all be vendors that work fairly well.
- tonyedgecombe 10y ago
  "For a developer? None." Do you really think there are no developers running Windows?
cylinder 10y ago
Annoying that I probably have to switch back to Windows just a few years after switching to Mac. Most Windows laptops are awful these days. When my MacBook dies, I'll probably build a desktop PC and pair with either a Chromebook or Surface device.
BuildTheRobots 10y ago
A friend pointed me towards System 76's Oryx [1] laptop yesterday and it looks stunning. Ships with ubuntu, nVidia 10 series gpu, matte 4K screen, upto 64GB RAM and space for 2* m.2 and 2* 2.5" drives. Wired gigabit ethernet and AC wireless, HDMI + 2DP and 3 USB 3-A, 2 * USB3-C ports. On paper this seems to wipe the floor with a MBP - and I'm sure you could also install Windows should you wish. https://system76.com/laptops/oryx https://system76.com/laptops/oryx

15 points by jsingleton 10y ago

I used Thinkpads before switching to Macs in 2008 or so. I still have my 2013 rMBP and don't plan on replacing it anytime soon. The Thinkpads are/were great Windows computers. I'm not sure if that is still the case. I have one for work and the F2 key is already detaching and my nub mouse stopped working this morning. I suspect after being accustomed the MacBooks, any Windows machine will have irritating issues you will have to get over.

herbst 10y ago
+1 for thinkpad. Also running linux on it makes it even better :)
godzillabrennus 10y ago
Thinkpad quality seems to vary greatly model to model.
- wuschel 10y ago
  I owned both X61 and T61. Great design, possibilities of modification, strong CPU, and good build quality that lasted for ages (I am still using the X61, now in its 8 year). The model policies for the current models seems to have changed, though.
tonyedgecombe 10y ago
I bought a T460 to replace my desktop a couple of months ago, I'm very pleased with it so far.

mandeepj 10y ago

Surface book

WorldMaker 10y ago

A good tip for anyone considering a Windows laptop to replace a MacBook is to look for a Signature Edition [1]. The easiest place to do that is a Microsoft Store (online or retail), but you can also ask your local Staples, Best Buy, and some of the other big box stores if they have Signature Edition machines for sale (often only through special orders, but you can sometimes still talk them into price matching or coupon specials in that case). Microsoft requires a clean Windows install on Signature Edition machines, and that really makes a huge difference. In some cases you pay a small premium as the adware and bloatware do sometimes subsidize the hardware. [1] https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/categoryID.69916600 https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/categor...

rkwasny 10y ago

For a developer? None. but you can try with a Linux laptop

Bdiem 10y ago
Which Notebook is a "good" linux machine? All my "linux on NB" experiences so far have been kind of compromised with lack or quality of drivers - resulting in poor overall performance. E.g.: no/poor/intermittend wifi/BT, excessive battery drain, loud fans.
- joecool1029 10y ago
  Anything that's a pre-Skylake CPU with intel GPU shouldn't suffer from these issues. Skylake has been kinda a nightmare for power management and discrete GPU's (nvidia/amd) are a mixed bag, would avoid for a notebook. It's been a long time since I hit a <10 year old model with wifi issues aside from crappy broadcom (in my mbp) that still works fine just occasionally needs patching. Intel, atheros, ralink, realtek... should all be vendors that work fairly well.
tonyedgecombe 10y ago
"For a developer? None." Do you really think there are no developers running Windows?

cylinder 10y ago

Annoying that I probably have to switch back to Windows just a few years after switching to Mac. Most Windows laptops are awful these days. When my MacBook dies, I'll probably build a desktop PC and pair with either a Chromebook or Surface device.

BuildTheRobots 10y ago

A friend pointed me towards System 76's Oryx [1] laptop yesterday and it looks stunning. Ships with ubuntu, nVidia 10 series gpu, matte 4K screen, upto 64GB RAM and space for 2* m.2 and 2* 2.5" drives. Wired gigabit ethernet and AC wireless, HDMI + 2DP and 3 USB 3-A, 2 * USB3-C ports. On paper this seems to wipe the floor with a MBP - and I'm sure you could also install Windows should you wish. https://system76.com/laptops/oryx https://system76.com/laptops/oryx