Is it better to get a windows laptop with i7 processor or a macbook pro dual core?

Ravist · 22nd November 2009

My budget is about $2000-2300 on a laptop for school and for production. I will be purchasing it sometime in 2010, before september. Is it better to get a laptop with an i7 processor or is the performance on the macbook pro with dual core going to be very similar to the laptop with the i7 processor?

For the longest time, I was going to go with macbook pro, but now with windows laptops with the i7 processors, I'm not sure which is the better deal for my money. They both are priced around the same range.

littlenemo · 22nd November 2009

If you can wait a bit I'm quite sure apple will release a new macbook pro line with core i5 and core i7 processors in 2010...

Dubster · 22nd November 2009

I'd wait till 2010 and see what Apple does with the MBP line, which are likely to be using these:

Intel To Launch New Mobile CPUs In January

I went by Best Buy to look at the quad-core HP Envy and the thing was insanely, insanely hot just idling (way hotter than my MBP has ever gotten, even when going full bore). There's a Dell quad-core laptop that it looks like Calkwalk is endorsing pretty highly, so maybe that one runs cooler, but I'd at least wait and see if/how Apple competes on that front.

Yorke · 22nd November 2009

I have a i7 PC that I built w/ 3 gigs of ram, and I recently bought a 17" Macbook Pro and this thing easliy keeps up with my PC. I will also mention that I am running a 5400 rpm hard drive, when I bought the Mac I intended to buy another hard drive for it, but so far I have not had to do that.

I will probably end up getting a SSD drive, but so far this little Macbook Pro has been a dream to use, really love it.

Draw the Moral · 22nd November 2009

It would probably be easier to decide what external hardware and software you will want to use, as that should narrow your options a little bit.

Both computers can be good, it just depends on what your needs are, and what fits your workflow.

Do you know what soft/hardware you are going to use?

Also keep in mind that you can run Windows on the Mac. You can't (legally) do the same with PC.

Ravist · 23rd November 2009

well I already have reason and am impressed with logic at the moment. I want to build a mobile studio, I basically plan on getting an analogue physical mixer, monitoring headphones, monitors, and an audio interface like presonus firestudio. I want to be able to make good quality music and travel with my studio all over the world.

22nd November 2009	#1
Ravist Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 41 Thread Starter	Is it better to get a windows laptop with i7 processor or a macbook pro dual core? My budget is about $2000-2300 on a laptop for school and for production. I will be purchasing it sometime in 2010, before september. Is it better to get a laptop with an i7 processor or is the performance on the macbook pro with dual core going to be very similar to the laptop with the i7 processor? For the longest time, I was going to go with macbook pro, but now with windows laptops with the i7 processors, I'm not sure which is the better deal for my money. They both are priced around the same range.

22nd November 2009	#2
littlenemo Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Paris - France Posts: 381	If you can wait a bit I'm quite sure apple will release a new macbook pro line with core i5 and core i7 processors in 2010... __________________ Nietzche : "God is dead." God : "Nietzche is dead."

22nd November 2009	#5
Draw the Moral Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Klamath Falls, OR Posts: 627	It would probably be easier to decide what external hardware and software you will want to use, as that should narrow your options a little bit. Both computers can be good, it just depends on what your needs are, and what fits your workflow. Do you know what soft/hardware you are going to use? Also keep in mind that you can run Windows on the Mac. You can't (legally) do the same with PC. __________________ http://www.bandmix.com/draw-the-moral/ http://www.youtube.com/user/Drawthemoral http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/M...t?id=287926086

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22nd November 2009	#3
Dubster Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 729	I'd wait till 2010 and see what Apple does with the MBP line, which are likely to be using these: Intel To Launch New Mobile CPUs In January I went by Best Buy to look at the quad-core HP Envy and the thing was insanely, insanely hot just idling (way hotter than my MBP has ever gotten, even when going full bore). There's a Dell quad-core laptop that it looks like Calkwalk is endorsing pretty highly, so maybe that one runs cooler, but I'd at least wait and see if/how Apple competes on that front.

22nd November 2009	#4
Yorke Gear nut Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 82	I have a i7 PC that I built w/ 3 gigs of ram, and I recently bought a 17" Macbook Pro and this thing easliy keeps up with my PC. I will also mention that I am running a 5400 rpm hard drive, when I bought the Mac I intended to buy another hard drive for it, but so far I have not had to do that. I will probably end up getting a SSD drive, but so far this little Macbook Pro has been a dream to use, really love it.

23rd November 2009	#6
Ravist Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 41 Thread Starter	well I already have reason and am impressed with logic at the moment. I want to build a mobile studio, I basically plan on getting an analogue physical mixer, monitoring headphones, monitors, and an audio interface like presonus firestudio. I want to be able to make good quality music and travel with my studio all over the world.