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    MacBook (Pro) for Windows Programming

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by jmFightSpam, Jun 1, 2007.

  1. jmFightSpam

    jmFightSpam Notebook Consultant

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    Hi,

    I have a Thinkpad T61 on order right now -- got a great deal, basically $1300 for a fully loaded T61. I still have time to cancel my order if there is something better out there.

    The notebook will primarily be used for programming and book writing (along with other basic business needs).

    I am a Windows programmer. I wouldn't mind stepping into the Mac world if it makes sense, but Windows is my bread and butter.

    Does the MacBook or MacBook Pro run Windows Vista close to as well as a PC Notebook via Parallels or BootCamp? Do you get all the Vista features?

    Or am I better off just sticking with my T61?

    Thanks.
     
    jmFightSpam, Jun 1, 2007
    #1
  2. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Why would you want to run Vista if you are a Windows programmer? Windows Vista has introduced new restrictions on a number of compilers and is furthermore incompatible with a number of others. I would strongly recommend you stick to XP for now.

    Anyway, if you run Vista via the latest version of BootCamp, performance would be pretty much identical to a PC notebook with similar specs. There might be the occasional driver issue hampering gaming performance a bit, but that is only occasional.
    If you were to use Parallels VM to run Vista in OS X, you will lose all 3D acceleration. So, you will not get Aero or Flip3D, and Vista will be sharing RAM and CPU with OS X, so performance wouldn't be ideal at all, especially since Vista uses much more resource than XP.
     
    Budding, Jun 1, 2007
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  3. KelchM

    KelchM Notebook Evangelist

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    Personally, the main two contenders for my new laptop are the MBP and the T61. I think I have more or less decided on the MBP because I want OSX.

    The MBP hardware is also slicker and more eye pleasing than the T61 could ever be with it offset screen and all. If you have the money, I say go for the MBP.
     
    KelchM, Jun 1, 2007
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  4. mtor

    mtor Notebook Deity

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    I have to agree go for the MBP
     
    mtor, Jun 1, 2007
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  5. jmFightSpam

    jmFightSpam Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the replies.
    Are refurbished MBPs good or would you spring for a new one?
     
    jmFightSpam, Jun 1, 2007
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  6. system_159

    system_159 Notebook Deity

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    refurbs are great. It's just like buying a certified pre-owned car. It goes through immense testing and repairs at apple, so it's basically like buying new. You get the full warranty on it too!

    As for programming, I agree on sticking with XP for a while longer. I'm a software engineer(doing ground station work for NASA right now), and running xp in parallels is great for light writing and debugging of code. When I need full power I switch to boot camp. I ran several speed tests on my mbp and on the pc tower sitting right next to me. The PC is a C2D @ something like 2.6ghz, with 2GB, and a somewhat old AGP video card(early 9800 type). The macbook pro actually scored the same or better on almost all the tests I ran. That should tell you something about mac hardware, it's put together a lot better!
     
    system_159, Jun 1, 2007
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  7. wiruzik

    wiruzik Notebook Enthusiast

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    What about battery in refurbished Macbooks? Do they have new battery?
     
    wiruzik, Jun 2, 2007
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  8. system_159

    system_159 Notebook Deity

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    If the battery was the reason they were returned, then they'll have a new battery. Otherwise it'll be the same battery as before, but that just means apple checked it and it's OK for use.
     
    system_159, Jun 2, 2007
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  9. M@lew

    M@lew Notebook Evangelist

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    I use my Macbook for my programming class in school via Parallels and XP. That works well. I have Vista on my Boot Camp partition if I really need it, but Parallels seems to do the job well.
     
    M@lew, Jun 2, 2007
    #9