Windows machine in MBP13 range?

[gus6464]

Now that the MBP 13 has got cheaper what on earth is in the Windows world comparable? Closest thing I found is the Yoga 2 Pro but build quality on Yoga's is kinda meh.

 

[TheStu]

The MacBook Pro 13 is still using Ivy Bridge, and at $1199 isn't all that great of a price.

Now, the Retina MacBook Pro 13, with Haswell, and starting at $1299 is a pretty great price considering the screen, weight, and battery life.

 

[gus6464]

The MacBook Pro 13 is still using Ivy Bridge, and at $1199 isn't all that great of a price.

Now, the Retina MacBook Pro 13, with Haswell, and starting at $1299 is a pretty great price considering the screen, weight, and battery life.

Yeah I was talking about the new one. I think Apple just killed the old MBP as it's not on the site anymore.

With edu discount the MBP13 is 1399 for 8gb ram, 256ssd, and of course that 9 hour battery.

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro is about 1300 for same specs but the build quality is just too plasticky and the trackpad is no where near Apple quality.

Another option is the Vaio Flip but has a 1080p screen.

 

[EvilYoda]

I've waited months for Apple to announce this update...can't wait to see the reviews on the new MBP. There are a handful of competitors (in a traditional laptop form factor) from ASUS, Lenovo, Samsung, etc. That price decrease, however, is pretty huge. I don't own anything else from Apple but I think it'll be difficult to stack up against the new MBP.

 

[EvilYoda]

Hmmm...researching the competition right now, I'm not finding anything much with Intel Iris graphics. Resolutions are either 1080p or jump up to 1800.

 

[gus6464]

Hmmm...researching the competition right now, I'm not finding anything much with Intel Iris graphics. Resolutions are either 1080p or jump up to 1800.

Yeah the closest thing is Yoga 2 but it has HD4400. There's the new Dell but I think that one won't be cheaper.

 

[Towlie]

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Asus-Zenbook-Infinity-UX301LA-Ultrabook.103027.0.html

 

[Infohawk]

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Asus-Zenbook-Infinity-UX301LA-Ultrabook.103027.0.html

I wonder about the price of the Zenbook will be close to the MBP. Weren't the previous models significantly more expensive than $1,300. If I didn't need a PC for specialized software (and no I don't want to use parallels), I'd get a MBP.

If I recall correctly the specs on the new MPB 13 at $1300 aren't that great (e.g., 128 SSD).

 

[EvilYoda]

Without the ability to buy a laptop and test it out and return it without a restocking fee, I might just wait for the reviews and benchmark comparisons. The new MBP has a better CPU and Intel 5100 graphics while the competition uses ULVs and 4400 for the most part. On top of that, the MBP is claimed to have a 9-hour battery life.

Looks like another 2 weeks without a real laptop.

 

[Towlie]

Without the ability to buy a laptop and test it out and return it without a restocking fee, I might just wait for the reviews and benchmark comparisons. The new MBP has a better CPU and Intel 5100 graphics while the competition uses ULVs and 4400 for the most part. On top of that, the MBP is claimed to have a 9-hour battery life.

Looks like another 2 weeks without a real laptop.

In the same boat. Had a Vaio Pro 13 last month but had to return it due to those wifi issues.

Yoga 2 pro is out but needs reviews, reports of a yellow tint issue and battery seems soso.

Asus is only out in Germany? And also not reviewed. Same with MBP. Samsung Ativ Plus 9 just received a spec upgrade (4GB/128GB too low before) but the price is not very good.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Yeah I was talking about the new one. I think Apple just killed the old MBP as it's not on the site anymore.

With edu discount the MBP13 is 1399 for 8gb ram, 256ssd, and of course that 9 hour battery.

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro is about 1300 for same specs but the build quality is just too plasticky and the trackpad is no where near Apple quality.

Another option is the Vaio Flip but has a 1080p screen.

Yeah not an Apple person myself but that MBP 13" with the 256ssd looks a really nice laptop. Best in its class. For what you get that's a pretty decent price

 

[you2]

Did they reduce the weight on the new MBP ? The sony pro looks sweet due to weight and second battery. I suppose I could go with the MBP but kind of wish it was closer to 3lb than 3.5-4lb

 

[TheStu]

Did they reduce the weight on the new MBP ? The sony pro looks sweet due to weight and second battery. I suppose I could go with the MBP but kind of wish it was closer to 3lb than 3.5-4lb

The new rMBP 13" is just under 3.5lb.

 

[RaiderJ]

Any thoughts on how Windows would be on the rMBP? I'm really considering a switch, but I can't completely leave a Windows environment. Haven't used Parallels myself.

As best I can tell, nothing on the Windows side competes with rMBP for build quality. Might cost you a bit more, but you do seem to get a great value for it. Especially on battery life, which is always a critical metric for me.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Asus Zenbook Infinity

 

[gorcorps]

Asus Zenbook Infinity

Looking around I can't find anything on price, but it may very well be notably more expensive from the sounds of it

 

[gus6464]

Asus Zenbook Infinity

$1800!
http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX301L...nbook+infinity

 

[Kallogan]

Lol first time Apple is cheaper than equivalent windows laptops. Can the ram be easily upgraded on Macbook pro ? 4GB single channel is stupid for iris pro for the cheaper model.

 

[gus6464]

Lol first time Apple is cheaper than equivalent windows laptops. Can the ram be easily upgraded on Macbook pro ? 4GB single channel is stupid for iris pro for the cheaper model.

Ram is soldered. SSD is upgradeable.

 

[sze5003]

I used to have a 15 inch MPB. I liked it a lot I just wasn't using for anything special so I sold it. I think the 13inch with the 256 ssd is decent. But wait a bit and you will see Sony will have something nice. I could see myself getting one just to have around the house.

 

[StinkyPinky]

In the same boat. Had a Vaio Pro 13 last month but had to return it due to those wifi issues.

Yoga 2 pro is out but needs reviews, reports of a yellow tint issue and battery seems soso.

Asus is only out in Germany? And also not reviewed. Same with MBP. Samsung Ativ Plus 9 just received a spec upgrade (4GB/128GB too low before) but the price is not very good.

There's a lack of reviews on lots of interesting laptops. Everyone is out to review shiny new ipads and phones and laptops seem to get forgotten about.

 

[Infohawk]

Any thoughts on how Windows would be on the rMBP? I'm really considering a switch, but I can't completely leave a Windows environment. Haven't used Parallels myself.

As best I can tell, nothing on the Windows side competes with rMBP for build quality. Might cost you a bit more, but you do seem to get a great value for it. Especially on battery life, which is always a critical metric for me.

You lose the power savings with Windows on mac.

 

[Infohawk]

$1800!
http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX301L...nbook+infinity

is this product out? I thought it wasn't coming until November.

 

[FwFred]

Yoga 2 pro is out but needs reviews, reports of a yellow tint issue and battery seems soso.

I have the Yoga 2 Pro. There is indeed a muddy yellow problem on the default performance setting. It looks good on the performance setting, so I'm hoping they can apply that panel mode to the other settings at well.

Battery is just so so. Otherwise, I love the form factor. The high dpi screen can be absolutely great, though be careful about what apps you tend to use. I use Chrome, and it is a bit glitchy in the experimental high-dpi mode.

 

[gus6464]

Well I ended up buying the 13" with 8/256 tonight. The SSD is stupid fast (Samsung), and from the looks of it I can hit the 10 hour battery mark easy with my workload.