Please help me Choose!

[birdy]

the two MBP and 8570w are almost at same price. MBP comes with
2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 and 8570 with 2.3GHz quad.
MBP 256gig SDD and HP with 180gig SDD
same amount of memory but MBP little faster.

one Important question is can i get same HD out
quality with the adapter as if I had hdmi out?
because I watch a movie every night when away
with my laptop and need this real bad!

Originally Posted by Paul in SoCal

I use an HP Elitebook and it's the best laptop I've ever had. It's built to certified military standards, which means actually better than the MBP. The 1920x1080 resolution (full HD) is gorgeous, retina won't do much when it comes to music, and on a 15" screen you really can't see the difference.

It also depends on the DAW you're using. Of course with Logic you have no choice, but Cubase, for example, runs much better in Windows 7 x64. Also, the FW ports on the Elitebooks actually work with FW interfaces, without the need for an express card.

BTW, isn't the 8560w an old Sandy Bridge model? I think what you want is the 8570w, this guy:

HP EliteBook 8570w Mobile Workstation (ENERGY STAR) - | Official HP

Of course if you find a used/refurbished Sandy Bridge model, it will be almost as good and you'll save a considerable amount of money (I've seen refurbs go for $1,700 or less.)

BTW, don't worry about HDMI, all you need is an adapter for the Display Port. Or a DP to HDMI cable.

[Joe Porto]

Keep in mind that the MBPr does not have a DVD drive, FW port, or Ethernet port. You will need a TB>FW adapter for your profire, and a TB>Ethernet adapter if you use any kind of ethernet connected control surface.

[Bunjji]

Get a regular MBP, the lower end 15 inch one, and upgrade that with third party ram and/or a SSD.

[Masaaki]

I'll give you another option.
Lenovo W530 is on sale, and the base model (Intel i7 3720QM) is around $1200. W530 doesn't have expresscard slot (anymore), so it's hard to use profire 610. But, with the money, you can upgrade your interface to RME Babyface. W530 has lots of upgrade options, but you can install Crucial M4 SSD and aftermarket RAM modules really easy. Since you don't need many input channels, Babyface is a perfect fit, with low latency (and expandable via ADAT if you want to).

[birdy]

Simply choose 2.6GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 here and get it for $2,299
Configure - Apple Store (U.S.)

btw lots of my questions remain unanswered. are any of these laptops able to handle one track (only microphone + Reverb) recording correctly without
delay or dropout with its internal sound card (without My profire)

It's seem that no one proposes anything other then the MBP Retina and 8570w . This is good as choice is between 2 laptops!

I have to decide fast now :(

If i go hp I have to take one of these and don't see the differents!!
http://shopping1.hp.com/is-bin/INTER...mpare-Dispatch


I let you guys choose for me between one of these two hp's and the MBP retina!

Originally Posted by Paul in SoCal

It's absolutely identical. The adapter/cable doesn't do anything to the signal.

A couple of tips about Elitebooks:

1. You can find better prices than buying direct from HP (Google is your friend...)
2. Get a bare-bone system and expand it with third-party products. Huge money savings and huge advantage over the MBP (which has the RAM soldered on its mobo.)

BTW, the 2.6 Ghz MBP costs $2,799. For $2,199 you get a 2.3 Ghz CPU, which I'm pretty sure it's the same as that in the 8570w (i7-3610QM.)

Apple - MacBook Pro with Retina display - Technical Specifications

[birdy]

ok No one here goes for the MBP! you all want me to get the HP!
I would have bought the MBP but if you say HP let's do it!

Paul in SoCal I hope the discount works for Canada too! Shit this laptops
looks bad and display is 1600x900, but must be good if you all like it this much!

Originally Posted by Paul in SoCal

Actually you can configure an Elitebook just as well, if you crave for the 2.6 or 2.7 Ghz CPUs.

HP's Small & Medium Business Online Store

BTW, the 8570w comes with a 20% discount e-coupon (considering the price tag, we're talking a hefty $500 less) :

Have it your way... and save!

Yes, you can record using the internal sound, and if's live 2-track stereo, there will be no latency/delay. But the quality will be nowhere near that of a dedicated interface, regardless of which laptop you buy.

[birdy]

Today I called HP to order my laptop. The one I choose was B8V72UT#ABA model and its 1000$ off! sounded like a nice promo! but Hp is selling it for 2599$ when other sites sell it 200$ cheaper even without any promo!

here is the link to hp page for this laptop:
HP's Small & Medium Business Online Store

are they serious! looks very weird anyway,
Could anyone please point me to a site or shop in U.S to order my elitebook
as HP site looks more like a fraud! You can pm me if you prefer. it will be very nice for me to get your help as I am putting all my hard earned economy in this!

Originally Posted by Paul in SoCal

Resolution is also configurable, under "display." You definitely want the 1920x1080. I noticed that if you want the 2.6 Ghz CPU it's only going to cost you an extra $75.



Well, the e-coupon page does mention Canada:

"To take advantage of limited-time promotions, contact your local HP Financial Services Representative or in the United States, call 1-888-277-5942. In Canada, dial 1-800-HP-LEASE."

[phas3d]

Originally Posted by Paul in SoCal

Well, he wants to output full-HD video (1920x1080) to a flat screen via HDMI and the regular MBP doesn't do more than 1440x900.

Yes it does.

@op get a regular 2.6 GHz MBP and upgrade it from 3rd party. If you decide you're not happy with Mac OS X just install Windows 7 on it.

[phas3d]

That's the resolution of it's own screen it has nothing to do with connecting an external screen. Even with older MBPs you can connect screens with resolution higher than HD. Also, when buying the non retina MBP you can opt for an HD screen.
As for build quality MBP are made from unibody aluminum. That means that all the metal parts are made from the same aluminum chunck and not put in afterwards.
Enough said

[Bunjji]

Originally Posted by Paul in SoCal

No, it does not.

Non-retina MBP resolution: 1440 x 900

Apple - Why You’ll Love a Mac - Compare Mac notebook computers.

And BTW, an Elitebook is built a thousand times better. You can stand on it or sandblast it (see the demo on the HP site), because it's true military-grade. Can you do that with your MBP? Of course not.

The mini display port (and the mini displayport to hdmi adapter) supports full hd

Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support - Apple Store (U.S.)

[phas3d]

Originally Posted by Paul in SoCal

Of course it does. Do you have any proof that the external resolution is higher or is it just wishful thinking? Seems pretty strange that MBP's come with two GPU's...




Yes, you can, and the image is then UPSIZED. That happens with EVERY laptop in the world. That doesn't mean the resolution is true Full HD.



Didn't see any of that on the Apple page. Wishful thinking again?



Like I said, an Elitebook is built a thousand times better and it's true military-grade. You can drop it, stand on it, spill liquid on it and sandblast it and nothing will happen to it. Now try that with your MBP. You simply can't admit that a non-Apple product could actually be better. You see, for most reasonable people computers are tools, not objects of worship.

That's not true. Before you write about something be sure about it. I've been connecting MBPs to displays with higher resolution than HD for years. And no, the image is is not upsized. That's the only proof I need. I've done it

As for the HD screen on the non retina MBP it's there. Just select the 2.6GHz non retina at the apple store and it's one of the options. But unless you were working with video I don't see the point in having a 15 inch HD screen.

I never wrote anything about the build quality of HP products because I don't own one. I do own and have configured many MBP's and if the pre unibody were very sturdy the later are much more. And yes I've seen beaten up MBPs that keep on working.

Why would you sandblast a laptop??? Are you nuts!!!

[Bunjji]

Originally Posted by Paul in SoCal

You do realize that's not actual Full-HD resolution but upsizing of the GPU's 1440x900 image we're talking about here, don't you?

I think the native resolution you are referring to (1440x900) is of the computer's screen. The GPU has a native resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels and supports full HD. I have attached a picture of the GPU specs of all the cMBPs (classic macbook pros) for evidence. Now I hope this argument is over.

[Masaaki]

Originally Posted by birdy

Today I called HP to order my laptop. The one I choose was B8V72UT#ABA model and its 1000$ off! sounded like a nice promo! but Hp is selling it for 2599$ when other sites sell it 200$ cheaper even without any promo!

Is that $2600 after the $1000 discount, or before the discount?

Similarly spec'ed Thinkpad W530 (3610QM, K2000M, 15.6FHD, 8GB1600DDR3, 500GB/7200rpmHD) is about $1900, so if it's before the discount, it's pretty good deal.

[phas3d]

Originally Posted by Bunjji

I think the native resolution you are referring to (1440x900) is of the computer's screen. The GPU has a native resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels and supports full HD. I have attached a picture of the GPU specs of all the cMBPs (classic macbook pros) for evidence. Now I hope this argument is over.

Exactly. The guy's so worked up in bashing computers that he's making a fool of himself

Anyway here is the Apple Store link for the 15" MBP. Under display you can find the HD screen option. Why do I bother

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MD104LL/A?

[phas3d]

There's nothing there mentioning upscaling. If you select dual display it will support better resolution than 1920x1080 on the external display.

[phas3d]

Native means the native resolution of the laptop screen. It has nothing to do with connecting an external screen.
Also i never mentioned "Full-HD" on the laptop screen. Mentioned it for the external screen support. 720p although not being full-HD is considered HD and has a lower resolution than the higher resolution option display.
Anyway this is kinda pointless since Im sure you can find a full paragraph in a coma. If you don't believe what it's written go test it out and let it go...

[Bunjji]

Thunderbolt? Less fiddling? Options? Firewire stability? Maybe he isn't stuck to Cubase . . .

[Bunjji]

A cMBP with 2.3 Ghz processor is 1800, and you can buy a http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barrac...gate+barracuda for 80 and http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengea...r+16+gb+SODIMM for 90. 1800 + 170 = 1970. HP elitebook costs 2050. If he wanted to spend 400 dollars more, he could get an even better processor on the mac side (elitebook tops out at 2.3 Ghz).

[phas3d]

Similar spec computers. One offering the option of 2 OS' therefore more options. Seems an easy picking. Best advice to the op is try them both before buying.

[phas3d]

I don't think the guy's going into enemy territory so who cares about military grade. The computer is for music making from what the op wrote so the difference in graphics card doesn't mater.

Instead of you deciding for him why don't you let him make up his mind.

It seems like you always write about HP laptops.
Are you an HP employee or share holder by any chance???

[birdy]

guys, Thanks for your advice and caring. To be very honest this is an important decision for me and I will be spending hard earned money for what will have to be my laptop for few years. As I mentioned before I will be mostly using this laptop to record my voice (singing) or live performance on already recorded music. Well it's important that I be able to use my m-audio profire (firewire) sound. But I also move a lot and want to use my laptop as entertainment unit. Watch HD movies, and play some games. It will be a laptop that I will be using to do my downloading (sometimes up to 24 hours)
I turn it on and keep using it hours and shut it down at night!

Voila what I want to use it for! I want to enjoy most you can get from a computer
alongside with my audio recording. So it's not only a music making unit.

[Bunjji]

I think you can't go wrong either way, but the MacBook will give you a bit more while sacrificing GPU quality.

[Bunjji]

Two USB 3.0 ports, 8 gb more ram, a BETTER price, equivalent CPU, opton for a better CPU, and the option to use either Windows or Mac OS. What do you get with Elitebook? Protection from all those sandblasters ruining people's studios.

[Bunjji]

The MBP has a firewire port, removable battery, docking with thunderbolt, easy customization, option to use Mac OS, decent screen, decent GPU, and only about 500 dollars more. OP can see what benefits of the Mac apply to him and then make a decision. Goodbye

[phas3d]

Better build says who? You? Looks like projection to me man.
Be honest. How much do you make on HP sales? A lot I guess from your posts.
MBP's are proven to be great computers for years now. Specially since the last update it's an amazing computer.
Good luck in the war zone. Be careful for friendly fire though...

Also, why do you need Windows 7 Pro to make music?

[Masaaki]

Pha3d was talking about the resolution of external monitor, if MBP can display full HD resolution (1920x1080) via cable to external monitors. Of course, premium PC laptop lines, like Eliteblooks, Thinkpads, Toshiba Qosmio, Sony VAIO Z all can do the HD via external monitors in full HD.

Besides, statements about the Mormon chuch read inappropriate and offensive in a public forum. For the record, I don't belong to LDS church, or Romney campaign.

[phas3d]

Again, who cares if it's military grade. There are plenty of sturdy laptops. Unless he goes into war zone it won't make a difference. Build quality isn't the same as toughness. Something you lack in understanding.
The links you provided are surveys mostly about support speed without any clear information on how they were conducted and therefore not that credible. Also Apple always ranks above HP. So why would you sugest an inferior product then?
There is no need to get windows Pro for making music. The home edition will do just fine. Your argument is always about money and you present this costly version. Doesn't make sense.

That said keep projecting your insecurities or learn to respect others opinions. Your call...
It was nice chatting here but I have better things to do.
Cheers



Edit: @OP It's never a good idea having an OS for much more than your music work. I also like to play games now and then but sadly have little time mostly because of work and sometimes trying to reason with "people" that aren't reasonable at all.
I use Mac OS X music work and web surfing. Been doing that for over 15 years with no anti-virus or anti-malware and never caught a bug. There are plenty of happy people doing that with Cubase so don't worry.
For gaming I have Windows 7 installed in another partition through bootcamp.
Best of luck on your choice whatever it may be

[phas3d]

You still haven't answered my question. Do you make money on HP sales? From your speech I'm sure you do.
When I mentioned the Home Premium it wasn't about the HP laptop. Go back and read again. And good luck getting 32GB RAM at a reasonable price.
Funny you should mention school. You sure do write like a 15 year old. So enjoy your weekend and don't be late for school on Monday

Bye

[Bunjji]

Hey guys, you've made pretty much all your points. You should now leave it at that and let the OP decide. So no more posts, ok?