Laptop choice for development: MacBook Pro 17 vs Dell Studio XPS 16 vs HP Envy 15 [closed]

Question

First things first - let me state that I am not intending to play games on this - I have narrowed down to these 3 purely based on specs and its individual brand reliability in the market. I intend to primarily use:

• Visual Studio 2008 Pro a lot (develop and deploy on Windows platforms)
• SQL Server 2005
• Oracle 10g
• Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Microsoft Expression Studio
• Google Sketchup

I currently use a desktop PC (Core2Duo 2.66Ghz with 3GB DDRII memory) running Vista Business 32-bit - and I have to admit that, especially for Visual Studio, its quite sluggish to a point where it affects productivity.

Furthermore, I intend to only use the notebook on a table - with a cooled surface, like granite :) - so I would appreciate people's input with regard to heat issues.

Im aware that the Dell's primary exhaust gets blocked by the lid when open, but some reviews don't seem to place extraordinary emphasis on heat issues resulting from this.

My options for the Dell/Alienware:

• Core i7 720QM
• 4GB DDRIII memory
• ATI mobility 3670 (512)
• 128GB Solid State Drive
• 16-inch Full HD RGB-LED LCD display (1080p)
• 3-year next-business-day support

My configuration for the Apple MBP:

• Core2Duo 2.8Ghz (Im assuming the T9600)
• 4GB DDRIII memory
• 128GB Solid State Drive
• standard 1 year support

The one advantage I think of with the MBP is that I can have the addition of OSX (though Im unsure what I would use it for, but purely to play around with a much-boasted-about OS)

What are your thoughts on this, especially regarding build-quality, heat, performance and battery-life?

Much thanks! ~shalan

Answer 1

You can't go wrong with either OS. I think having both is great and now you can even have Osx on a pc. Well i have both, an dell precision m6400 and an MBP 17 inch unibody and from past experience i like them both a lot. They both have their ups and down but mostly depend on the hardware. The only downfall about the MBP is that theres not too much option on the video card vs a pc platform. Like many says about the MBP is suppose to be good for editing and photoshop-ing but with the 9600mgt you can't do much and can't render much with that card. On the other hand the precision m6400 comes with the quadro 3700m which is made for software that required demanding 3d rendering and editing. So when you really think about it, MBP use the same standard component as every other pc but is an OSX platform and the name is what makes it unique.

Answer 2

Out of the list - I would suggest the MBP - I think overfall it is the best built machine. I don't know how the mouse would peform under Windows (without a dedicated right click button). Might be worth researching. You wouldn't have to give up much space for OS X to just play with and learn. And hell, you might even like it enough that when you are doing development, instead of rebooting into Windows you could load it into Parallels or Fusion ... just a thought not sure how it would work out.

One Notebook not on your list is an HP. The HP Envy looks a lot like the MBP and has received a lot of good reviews from what I remember. I am using the HP Compaq business line and have been very happy with it.

Answer 3

I am an OSX user and Unix fan, but if you don't know what you would do with OSX, I wouldn't recommend the MBP. Remember that you will have to buy and install Windows for the MBP, and share your hard drive between two OSes. I think OSX is great but it's not for everyone. It's more important that you have a computer that is good for what you really need.

Answer 4

Just bought a HP Envy 15 for exactly the same purpose and now just about to return it.

It only has 1.5 hour battery life with the standard battery.

HP will only support Windows 7 Home Edition (the installed OEM version). We found this out after installing an SSD drive and then kept getting BSOD on standby and resume with Win 7 Enterprise edition.

Another annoying issue is the lid will not open as wide as most laptops - meaning it is pretty useless when on your lap when you are sat upright - such as on a train.

Answer 5

As a Windows developer who just spent 2 years on a Macbook 2.0Ghz and a Macbook Pro 2.4Ghz, I have to disagree with the posters above espousing the grand build quality of the Apple products. I would consider neither the Macbook or the Macbook Pro to have substantially better build quality than the Dell Inspiron 9200 I purchased 6 years ago.

For a while I preferred the Mac because it offered CPUs you just couldn't get from another vendor. But, as other people pointed out, that is no longer true. Even when Apple releases i5 and i7 laptops, I'm guessing the i7 720-QM found in the Dell Studio XPS 16 will cost $3000 to have in a Macbook.

I should also add that I'm tired of waiting for Apple to add little things like an eSata port, that other vendors have been sporting on their laptops for years.

Lastly, I'll add that I find Mac OSX to be vastly overrated. Again, I used OSX as my primary operating system for a couple of years, so I'm speaking from experience. Perhaps, at a time when Vista represented the pinnacle of Microsoft's offering then it seemed to be a great option. But honestly, Windows 7 is a nice operating system. Especially if you're primarily a Windows developer. If you want to experiment with Unix/Linux, try Ubuntu. Anyway, I could probably write a book on my disillusionment with Apple.

Answer 6

I suggest the MacBook Pro, especially since you have a version of Windows ready to install. If you're not taxing the CPU too hard it gets upwards of 6 hours of battery life. The performance and build quality are also outstanding.

Answer 7

OK, thanks to Insanity, I have shortlisted the Envy. So now its between:

• Dell Studio XPS 1645
• HP Envy 15-1099XL
• Apple Macbook Pro 17 (Im not concerned so much about OSX here, and I dont wana get into an argument with Mac fans, but the hardware specs are really good - and I can dual boot with Windows 7 to take full advantage of system resources)

From what I've read thus far, there are some advantages and disadvantages with all options...

1) The only difference between the Dell and the HP is:

• The Envy does NOT have a backlit keyboard (not a real trainsmash, but would be nice if it did)
• The Envy handles heat a helluva lot better than the Dell.
• The Envy does not have a built in DVD drive (I think this is actually a blessing)

2) The only difference between the MBP and the other two is:

• Maximum processor is a Core2Duo 3.06Ghz (45nm)
• MBP has no e-SATA port

Im leaning heavily towards the Envy, but somewhat inclined to go with the Macbook, unless soemone thinks the MBP (with Win7 dual boot) really isnt a good option for Windows platforms development. I'll also be testing and deploying on Linux.

Thanks again guys!

Answer 8

When I last snooped around about laptops I was considering a Dell or an HP. Ended up with a Lenovo for the following reasons:

• I was told by more than one source that the Dell's keyboard is not ergonomic and was inconvenient to work with. Not worth the low price if you are going to use it a lot for development
• The HP was just expensive

Answer 9

I would prefer the Macbook Pro because it gives you the most flexibility in which platforms you can develop for - not only Windows. Mac, Linux, but the iPhone, which is a huge market today.

Answer 10

I am also considering the Dell Studio XPS 16 (1645) -- although its ~2hr battery life is pathetic compared with the MBP and Envy (both around 7hrs).

Now I'm betting it might be worthwhile to see the upcoming HP Envy 17 (a new 17" model):

http://bit.ly/6VFNVz

HP may finally debut a backlit keyboard on the Envy line. Like you, I also don't have great portability needs in a laptop, but it is nice to know your ~$2K+ performance laptop will last more than 2hrs in any event. The Envy line also sports an optional bottom-snap-on slice battery" which more than doubles their battery life to around 16-18 hours.

The new HP Envy 17 will likely debut at the CES show opening this week!

Answer 11

Buy the MacBook Pro. If you wait a little while, you'll get one with a Core i7 CPU (specs are leaking out, and the noises are getting much louder about Core i7 MacBook Pro models being released any day now).

They're the best-made laptops with the best battery life. I've taken them apart (I am an Apple Certified Mac Technician), and I've also taken Dell, HP, and Lenovo laptops apart in a past life. Everything else is built like trash compared to the Apple laptops (with the possible exception of the Panasonic Toughbook 30, which is ugly as sin and heavy as a cinder block, but absolutely indestructible, with great battery life).

Go here and watch the two videos (unibody and battery): http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

They care. Other manufacturers don't, and HP laptops aren't nearly as well-built as they used to be.

In addition, Consumer Reports latest roundup of computer support has Apple on top, with second-best trailing far (20-25%) behind.

Answer 12

* Dell Studio XPS 1645
* HP Envy 15-1099XL
* Apple Macbook Pro 17 (Im not concerned so much about OSX here, and I dont wana get into an argument with Mac fans, but the hardware specs are really good - and I can dual boot with Windows 7 to take full advantage of system resources)

Answer 13

Wow, some really great responses here! thanks to evryone that contributued! I must be honest, I think my infatuation with the MBP has been because of its aesthetics and solid build quality (unibody construction). The Dell Studio XPS was always on the cards, but I was still skeptical about the heat issues, the build quality, and the fact that it was still "new" on the market.

That is until I got a chance to speak to another Dell Dealer who told me about the Dell Precision M6500...WOAH! what a machine! Its the successor to the M6400 which has been around for quite some time. This isn't a consumer laptop, and generally favoured by CAD and engineering professionals. Solid chassis, good heat management (from what Im told), generous storage capabilities, up to 16GB of Memory (if u even need that much), and a lot more!

The only thing I haven't heard much talk about is the battery life.

Anyways, I think Im sold and Im placing my order next week with the following spec:

• Silver Base
• Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate (64Bit OS)
• Intel Core i7-820QM (1.73GHz, 8MB, Quad Core)
• 8GB (4x2GB) 1066MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory
• 1GB GDDR5 for ATI FirePro M7740 (with 1GB dedicated memory)
• 320GB Serial ATA (7200RPM)
• 8X DVD+/-RW Drive Slot Load with Optical Media Included
• 17in Widescreen WUXGA (1920x1200) Antiglare Silver with White Led LCD Panel
• Integrated 2 Mega Pixel Camera With Microphone for Silver Base
• Swipe Fingerprint Reader
• Internal Qwerty Backlit Keyboard

Let me know your thoughts! Cheers for now

Answer 14

All things considered, I also gotta think of my near-future needs and the M6500 seems like a more than capable machine to handle both current and future requirements.

The machine itself weighs in at about 3.86kg, but as I mentioned, I don't need hectic portability....just one machine that I can take to and from the office. My only* concerns with this machine are of course battery life (which I cant see any mention being made of). The Core-i7 mobile chip may be a slight overkill for my needs, and certainly will impair the battery life performance.

Would anyone recommend that I stick to the Core i7-720M (which is a quad core/8-thread, 45Watt chip) or perhaps downgrade to Core i5-520M (which is a dual core/4-thread, 35Watt chip)?