Technology ThinkPad T400 vs. MacBook Pro 13

[rx515]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am looking to get a laptop for school this year and I am torn between these two. The base model MBP 13 is $1100 with the Ed discount plus you get a free Ipod Touch (which I would sell) and can get $100 rebate on a printer.

The T400 set up with the same specs would be around $870 with some coupon codes I found on web.

I like the size the MBP. I have never handled a T400. I would imagine they would be a little bigger considering the 14.1 in screen. They also appear to be very sturdy. Any current T400 owners have any input?

I've haven't used OSX extensively in the past, but I'm not too concerned about learning it. I am also a fairly creative guy and have done a lot of music, photo, and video editing in the past on my PCs so it would be nice to do some of that stuff too. I figure I will eventually install XP on it using boot camp. I saw other posts that said some the medical software may be windows only but bootcamp will get me past that. Is it a big hassle to switch between? Can you access files on the mac partition?

Anyone else make a similar decision or have any input?

 

[Slevin]

I am looking to get a laptop for school this year and I am torn between these two. The base model MBP 13 is $1100 with the Ed discount plus you get a free Ipod Touch (which I would sell) and can get $100 rebate on a printer.

The T400 set up with the same specs would be around $870 with some coupon codes I found on web.

I like the size the MBP. I have never handled a T400. I would imagine they would be a little bigger considering the 14.1 in screen. They also appear to be very sturdy. Any current T400 owners have any input?

I've haven't used OSX extensively in the past, but I'm not too concerned about learning it. I am also a fairly creative guy and have done a lot of music, photo, and video editing in the past on my PCs so it would be nice to do some of that stuff too. I figure I will eventually install XP on it using boot camp. I saw other posts that said some the medical software may be windows only but bootcamp will get me past that. Is it a big hassle to switch between? Can you access files on the mac partition?

Anyone else make a similar decision or have any input?

I'm a mac guy since 02 and always recommend Mac's but if you want to get a mac and use windows if necessary I would rather use VMware fusion because it doesn't require you to logout and log back in to use XP, you can run XP ontop of OSX. But if you do decide to use boot camp know that in September (don't know if it's early or late) with the release of snow leopard (new version of OS X, available for $29) you will have the ability to read and write files from XP to OS X and back. It'll work in such a way that when in XP you can only read items on the OS X partition but you can save them on the XP partition then when you boot back into OS X you can read those files you saved in XP.

Like I said I would hate to have to restart to use Win which is why I use VMWare. But to answer your question you would have no issue running Win programs on OS X

 

[iphetamine]

I'm a mac guy since 02 and always recommend Mac's but if you want to get a mac and use windows if necessary I would rather use VMware fusion because it doesn't require you to logout and log back in to use XP, you can run XP ontop of OSX. But if you do decide to use boot camp know that in September (don't know if it's early or late) with the release of snow leopard (new version of OS X, available for $29) you will have the ability to read and write files from XP to OS X and back. It'll work in such a way that when in XP you can only read items on the OS X partition but you can save them on the XP partition then when you boot back into OS X you can read those files you saved in XP.

Like I said I would hate to have to restart to use Win which is why I use VMWare. But to answer your question you would have no issue running Win programs on OS X

Or you could use Parallels.

Btw, Slevin, have you used Parallels before?

 

[Slevin]

Or you could use Parallels.

Btw, Slevin, have you used Parallels before?

I originally used paralles but since moved to VMware. I just personally like how VMware works and that they have a good product with proven results in virtualizing other OS in the past.

 

[movax]

The Thinkpad is built like a tank. It will still function properly long after its hardware has become obsolete. And as a plus, you're not locked in to anything like you would be with a Mac.

As for accessing Mac partitions from Windows, you want some type of HFS/HFS+ driver - there's a commercial package called MacDrive, and a free alternative called HFSExplorer. I think Apple released RO drivers w/ the Snow Leopard DP too.

 

[TMP-SMX]

What are you locked into by owning a Mac? It's not exactly as if other notebooks are exactly upgradeable beyond RAM and HDD. Macs have native support for Mac OS X and Windows (and technically Linux). A Windows-based machine? Yes with a hacked Mac OS and certain known-compatible components but not supported.

 

[rx515]

Anyone have any experience with T400? The one thing holding me back on it is that I haven't be able to handle one and inspect the size/shape. (They dont have them in stores that I am aware of) I kind of mocked it up on some paper based on the specs but it still doesn't give me a great idea. Also, I was planning on getting the 9cell batt if I went with the T400 and I expect that would add significant size/weight.

 

[TMP-SMX]

Seems like Lenovo gives a pretty good discount for higher ed. However, as you said that 9 cell is going to stick out of the back of the computer and add a bit of weight. Looking at older versions of the T400 the difference between the 6 cell (5lbs) and 9 cell (5.4lbs) is roughly 6 ounces. Though the T400 normally comes with a 4 cell standard and is about 4.7 lbs. So the 9 cell adds about .7 lbs (11.2 ounces). Though this is all estimations I'm not sure how accurate these are.

The machine is probably very comparable to the low end 13" MBP as both have integrated graphics. (Though the MBP will be lighter with comparable battery life to the 9 cell.) Both are about the same cost.

 

[rx515]

Thanks for everyones input. Based on the size/weight of the macbook pro and the likelyhood that I will be carrying it around, I think I am going to go with the macbook pro. Hopefully I wont miss windows too much and will probably do bootcamp/VMware anyways. I am going to get the base model but am consider buying 4gig RAM and upgrading myself. Think this is necessary?

 

[Slevin]

Thanks for everyones input. Based on the size/weight of the macbook pro and the likelyhood that I will be carrying it around, I think I am going to go with the macbook pro. Hopefully I wont miss windows too much and will probably do bootcamp/VMware anyways. I am going to get the base model but am consider buying 4gig RAM and upgrading myself. Think this is necessary?

Upgrade the ram, it might be helpful and it's a slight pain in the ass to get it done after you get your mac. Apple's prices on RAM are competitive right now so might as well go through them.

and check out the videos here if you are new to a Mac
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/

Also I suggest iWork of Office cheaper and does all that you need.

 

[movax]

I don't remember if the new MBPs are DDR2 or DDR3 (probably the latter), but 4GB of RAM will definitely be enough for a good, long while. (not to mention, if you're planning on running Windows in a VM, more RAM the better).

I'm pretty sure 2x2GB is the sweet spot for SO-DIMMs; putting 2x4GB into a laptop is expensive. I'd say compare Apple's prices against newegg prices, and go from there (though, at least buying from Apple guarantees compatibility. I know some manufacturers' DIMMs don't play nice with Macs).

 

[rx515]

The base comes with 2X1GB, for them to upgrade it to 2X4gb is $90. i can pick up 2x2GB compatable DDR3 RAM on newegg for like $60. It looks like a pretty easy process to swap it out. Dont know if I'd do this right away but maybe down the road.

 

[TMP-SMX]

The base comes with 2X1GB, for them to upgrade it to 2X4gb is $90. i can pick up 2x2GB compatable DDR3 RAM on newegg for like $60. It looks like a pretty easy process to swap it out. Dont know if I'd do this right away but maybe down the road.

I recommend you do it yourself and you do it now. Remember that you pay tax on that Apple purchase and that you end up with only the RAM (no original sticks). Not only that, but if you have the computer upgraded by them it is considered a configured to order machine and you can't return it unless there is a defect with it. Buy from Newegg as you said. The Mushkin set is $49.99 after $10 MIR, free shipping, and no tax. Throw in 2% and $5 cash back that makes for a great deal. I highly doubt that the price of DDR3 will drop below $49 any time soon. It has precipitously dropped but even DDR2 bottomed out in the low $40-high $30 range.

As for difficulty of changing the RAM, it is not difficult at all. All you need is a simple #0 phillips.

 

[movax]

As for difficulty of changing the RAM, it is not difficult at all. All you need is a simple #0 phillips.

The hardest thing will be keeping that screwdriver from scratching that pretty aluminum finish on accident 🙁 Also, the screws will be factory tightened to spec - expect to put a little force into it, but not so much so that you will cam out and strip the screw.

You can toss the old sticks onto eBay even, and maybe make like $15 after fees.

 

[iphetamine]

Changing ram is pretty easy, whether on macbooks or laptops.

Check this video out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6cuyF9s2CE

 

[TMP-SMX]

I have the original Aluminum MB (Antique) as I call it. The only difference is that instead of the battery door you have a few more screws to remove in the new model. It's very simple and the screws aren't exceedingly tight.

I wouldn't recommend selling the old sticks on ebay. The problem with this is that while RAM is user-replaceable, you don't want Apple assuming you screwed something up with the RAM install when the specs don't match what your order page says. I've heard stories of RAM not being returned if it is third-party during repairs. I'm not sure how true that is. The same goes for the HDD if you upgrade that.

 

[deleted87716]

I recently bumped my 15" PowerBook up to 2GB, ordered from Other World Computing for around $30. Installing them was a snap, and the performance boost was noticeable, even with the Leopard upgrade. If you have an older Mac and intend to keep it a while longer, I highly recommend maxing out the RAM. It's the cheapest way to make your computer feel young again.