Alienware M11x or Apple Mac pro 13

alienware is awesome. i can download all the porn i want.

 

I love Mac's OS and user friendliness and the overall speed of it. I love my 13" MacBook. I wouldn't use anything else! (Except maybe a 17" MacBook Pro...)


But I don't use it for gaming. I have an eMachines desktop for the very limited amount of computer gaming I do....


I wouldn't use a laptop for gaming, but that's just me.

 

people only hate macs who are 1) hardcore gamers, or 2) ignorant and just don't know about macs.

but when it comes down to it, if you don't want the better computer simply because you like the way a PC is setup better (not sarcastic) then stick with a PC.

 

I own an alienware laptop and a macbook and I'd say it's a toss up. I don't play games on the apple so I can't compare them that way. Both machines are very capable when it comes to OS's. If you've never used an apple, it takes getting used to. Since a majority of our computing experience is on a windows machine our habits are going to be skewed when we try to use an apple. The apple is very simple and straightforward where as the alienware can be a little difficult.

 

X2 always built my own desktop, just wish a laptop was as easy. I would go Alienware though between the two.

 

I thought you were trying to compare this:



to this:

Those are completely meaningless reasons.

You can change your login picture, background, and where to dock your start/dock. There are screws on the bottom (side for older models) for you to remove the cover to access the HDD and RAM. If you are referring to the touch pad, you cousin changed that setting. Out of the box, the touch pad only recognizes the click. Businesses (most) do not have them because they simply cannot afford them. Why get a $800 Mac Mini when a slim line Dell can do 20% of what the Mac Mini can do for only $300? Look at production companies, studios, art designers. 90% of them use Macs. Why? Because it works out of the box and are RELIABLE. Check this out:

AutoCAD for Mac


You would not believe the number of customers I get that are excited to see that.

And Macs are for people that want piece of mind and know that their computer will outlast any Win PC.

Exactly. 50% of the customers I work with, end up leaving with a Mac. And guess what? I never see them again unless they're coming back in for classes or purchasing an additional one. All you have to do is simply show them why they will have a better experience.

Yes, they cost more. But so does your Tacoma vs. a Chevy Colorado.

To the OP, it is really up to you.

Let's compare

Alienware M11x:

• Intel Core i7 640 UM (slowest i7 IIRC, and say goodbye to your battery life)
• 2GB DDR3 800MHz RAM
• 160GB HDD
• 1 Year Warranty (Ship in)
• 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M
• 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
• Firewire 400

Apple MacBook Pro 13":

• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz (let's be honest, how much multitasking will you be doing?)
• 4GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM
• 250GB HDD
• 1 Year Warranty (You can walk into an Apple store!)
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM
• 13.3" Screen 1280x800
• Firewire 800

 

There's been a lot of good advice on this thread, I'll throw my 2 cents in as well, since I've got a good background with both OS's and machines.

If you're going to do just gaming, I would say go with the Alienware, it's what is going to make you happy. Gamers will talk about FPS all day long, and the alienware is better for that.

If gaming is not your major concern, and web browsing and graphic/web design is what you will be spending the majority of your time doing, then hands down go with the mac. The operating systems is much more stable, and a lot of the issues that you have to consider with windows, like virus's and malware, are not as big an issue in OS X. That doesn't mean that you can't get virus's on a mac, it just means that 1) Unix is a fairly secure operating system, and 2) the majority of malware is written for windows.

If you are going to be doing any serious adobe work, you might want to think about bumping yourself up to the 15" MBP. It has a more powerful graphics card and will run graphic intensive programs much better.

Lastly, don't forget that you can run windows natively on Apple's using bootcamp. This gives you the ability to dual boot windows and OS X, and not take the performance hit of running windows in a VM via parallels or fusion, which is important if you want to game in windows.

Hope that helps.

 

If you are gonna be running on battery for extended periods get the mac
If you are concerned with reliability and OS stability go mac
If you are doing hard core gaming and graphic design go alienware but the mac will still be up to the task.

 

The last poster failed to list an important factor. Price. Here is some more data.

APPLE 13"
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 memory
250GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics
Built-in 10-hour battery2
Polycarbonate unibody enclosure
Ships: Within 24hrs
Free Shipping
$999.00


Like configuration from alienware:

PROCESSOR Overclockable Intel® Core™2 Duo SU7300 1.3GHz (3MB Cache)
VIDEO CARD 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M
LCD PANEL 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
SOUND OPTIONS Internal High-Definition Surround Sound Audio (5.1)
Adobe Reader Adobe Acrobat Reader
NETWORK CARD Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
AUTOMATIC UPDATES Automatic Updates: On
WEBCAM 1.3MP Web Cam
Standard Nameplate Trigger Standard Nameplate
WIRELESS CARDS Alienware M11x a/b/g/n 2x2 MIMO Wireless
$899

So lets take each component one at a time and review them.
1.SCREEN
ALIENWARE: 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
APPLE: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED 1280 by 800
Here we have apple with a larger screen but less pixels. Neither a true winner here.

2.Processor
ALIENWARE: Core 2 SU7300, i5(renamed new version of core 2 duo), or i7
APPLE: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (no other options)
With the alienware's options here I have to give it the win. The su7300 is the most power saving multi-core Capable processor on the market. The options of i7 will use more power but will increase your performance greatly if you are will to pay. Win goes to Alienware.

3. Memory
ALIENWAREual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz up to 8gb
APPLE:1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM up to 4gb
4gb is plenty of memory but having the ability to upgrade to 8 gigs 2 years down the road is a plus. 4gb @ 800 mhz vs 1066mhz is a negligible performance gain and only consumes more power. Clear winner here is Alienware.

4. Video Card
Alienware: 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M
APPLE:GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256MB
The major performance gains will be seen from this part of your computer. the 320m found in the apple is a dated video card. 256mb is barely enough to play last generation games. The 335m is a big step forward in mobile graphics. Its ability to one button down clock and up clock based on your needs (battery vs performance) makes it right up your alley. VERY CLEAR WINNER ALIENWARE

5.HARD DRIVE
ALIENWARE: SERIAL ATA II 7,200
APPLE: SERIAL ATA
Both laptops come in 250gb configuations and larger. The big difference here is transfer rates of the ata II vs the old ata. In addition at the $899 price point alienware has a 7200 rpm hd vs 5400 of the apple. WINNER ALIENWARE

6. WEIGHT:
4.5 lbs alienware vs 4.7 apple = winner Alienware

7.Battery:
alienware 7.3 (5+ with i7 processor)
Apple 10 hours
Winner apple.

8. Construction: Both feel very stable and dont want to flex when i try to twist them. One is a cool white scheme and the other has an awesome led lit multicolor key. Can make it white to appease the apple in you. Alienware doesnt look quite as childish as the first units did. Personally i would say the alienware wins here BUT looks are all relative. TIE

With alienwares $100 less price point for a superior configuration it makes little sense to buy the apple. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard can be had for $30 to $50 on the apple site. This can very easily be installed on the Alienware. Just put in the dvd and follow the instructions.


For all i know that super hot blonde across the way might be checking you out and she only has sexy time with guys with apple computers. Or maybe she is a nerdy chick and knows her stuff.

 

everyone please stop making recommendations based off brand recognition.

 

^best post in this thread.

 

Apple is for people who are illiterate in computer knowledge.

 

^^This reminds me of when people try to make a come back and FAIL. jk

Your MOM likes apple and goes to college!!!!

 

If you really care about a login screen that you look at for a few seconds? Then you go to your settings and change it, it isn't hard. A clock is a clock, i can see what the time is on the bottom right of my screen. Apple has poorly designed keyboards and mouses, they are too small and hard to type on i was talking about the mouse it has a touch. Case and point " Businesses (most) do not have them because they simply cannot afford them." they cost too much for what a PC can do and will do better at. They are more affordable plus everyone knows how to use them. When i went to High School we learned how to use Computers because they are the most common in work places and the majority of people own them. I can always upgrade my Computer, but when you need to upgrade any Apple computers you will need to buy a whole new MAC. Actually is not comparing a Chevy Colorado to a Tacoma its more trying to compare a Muscle Car(Computer) to a Hybrid(Apple) you can always make the Muscle Car run better but you can't do that with the Hybrid you can only do minior changes to it unless you wanna fuck the whole car up.

 

It isnt a comeback more of what i think

 

I love my macbook but since you want to do some games too I would say go alienware

 

This conversation is counter productive lol

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eA3XCvrK90

 

x2

 

Im not pulling shit, a Computer keyboard is easier to type on. How is it more business savvy? Microsoft Office ownes any Apple Office programs. Windows 7 owns OS X so gtfo when you know your shit. Macs are for gay men, and teen aged girls.