Q&A: Is it true I can get what a Macbook does for much less with a PC instead?
Question by Applejaxx228283: Is it true I can get what a Macbook does for much less with a PC instead?
I want something sleek and portable just like the Macbook Air for school. People say that there are better alternatives. Can you give me some suggestions?
Best answer:
Answer by Matthew
Asus makes a very slim, very light computer that is just as poerful, and in some xases more, for less than a macbook.air.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Yes, Mac’s are extremely overpriced. I would recommend a Toshiba z830. Amazing little computers and are extremely light, top end one is kinda pricey at around $ 1800 AUD but have pretty decent specs. Just look at ultrabooks in general and you should find that there are few PC’s that will ever outprice a Mac
December 4th, 2012 at 8:22 pmMacbooks are double the price for an equal set of specs in a smaller size.
I just answered a MacBookPro 13″ ($ 1100) very similar to 14″ Samsung NP300E4C-A03US at $ 500 at Tigerdirect.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjcrHzSqXBawhoDYeD4u8uvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20121021124729AA8pjjQ
The Samsung is thicker, agreed.
The MacAir is basically a ultrabook. Has no optical drive. If you want to spend that kind of money, the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon is a very fancy business level system built a heck of a lot better at about the same price.
The rule is smaller and thinner gets either much more expensive or gets dismally poor performance or some kind of balance between them. There are direct competitors to the Macair now like the Lenovo U410.
Apple leaves out a lot of information about their products and hides specs wherever possible.
Here is detail:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air
Here is about CPU and graphics power:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
You still need a good carrying case, because drop a MacBook on the floor and get hit with a massive repair bill. A MacBook Air does the same things as a $ 300 netbook.
You have to decide which MacAir to do a comparison.
Lets say base model 13″
HD 4000 graphics
i5-3427U CPU passmark 3725
4GB RAM soldered
128GB SSD
Bluetooth and Wifi (no ethernet hardwire without a dongle)
50 watt hour decent battery (not serviceable)
3 pounds
about 13″x9″x0.68″
2 USB 3.0
Thunderbolt (mostly for dongles)
SD card slot
$ 1200
Every company has Ultrabooks now, all of them less than MacAir in price with equal or better features. Since $ 1200 doesn’t scare you, to get something really cool is either the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 carbon or Lenovo Thinkpad X230 convertible tablet.
X230 – The screen flips around to be both a laptop and a tablet:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=37&Code=X230T_ADVANCED_SAP&category_id=89ECFD45CA0654775864CDBAD2606AC7#.UISZK8VX0QE
Base model with core i5 is $ 1100
i5-3320M passmark 3874 faster than MacAir by a little
Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) vs Mac with OSX
12.5″ Multitouch HD (1366×768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2×2 Antenna or 3×3 antenna, Intel® HD Graphics 4000, 4 GB DDR3 – 1600MHz (1 DIMM) User upgradable, backlit keyboard option is $ 40, UltraNav™ with TrackPoint® and buttonless multi-touchpad, Fingerprint reader is $ 20 option, 720p cam is $ 30 option, 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm, 6 Cell ThinkPad Battery X67+ is $ 10 extra, Bluetooth $ 30 option, Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2×2 BGN), broadband available,
Spill resistant keyboard, roll cage design.
12.0” x 9.0” x 1.23”, 3.67 pounds
The X1 Carbon is the best ultrabook available, and shows starting at $ 1250
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087¤t-category-id=0E6E3D0084869C3EB4172DA2F965A301&action=init#.UISdMsVX0QE
Similar in many ways to a MacAir, but a premium carbon fiber construction drop-tested and can open a full 180 degrees.
45Wh, Integrated, RapidCharge up to 80% battery life in 35 minutes
Display 14.0″ HD+ Anti-Glare (1600 x 900) (300 NITS) Wide Viewing
Weight is 3 pounds, and dimensions 13.03″ x 8.9″ x 0.74″ with the 14″ screen
If you just want “like a MacAir only cheaper, Lenovo has Ideapad U300 and U400 of the same design as MacAir.
December 4th, 2012 at 8:52 pmAs always, you pay for what you get. For about $ 1500 you can get a comparable Mac or PC. Although you can get a $ 500 PC that works well, it just isn’t quite the same thing as an expensive computer. A MacBook Air or an ultrabook is probably perfect for school. Lots of universities like to work with Macs though. Play with them both, decide which you like. It’s the only way to decide.
December 4th, 2012 at 9:34 pm