Price Wars! Apple MacBook Pro vs. Alienware Area-51 m9750

by Rich Menga on Aug 15, 2007 | 53 comments

Two premium-brand portable computers go head-to-head to see which one puts more drain on your wallet. Is the Mac more expensive? Watch and find out.

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Jangle
Plus I’ve never heard of overclocking a mac to 5GHZ and blows away any mac.
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
You’ve never heard of overclocking a Mac to 5GHZ, because Apple already overclocks their chips in lab settings. That’s why I had a 2.4GHZ Core 2 DUO before the average PC got his. WORD! HAHAHAH! You look stupid now!
http://www.frostedside.com/blog/ Rich Menga
POWERSHAKER, do NOT infer or call anyone stupid. You just crossed the line because that’s a personal attack on someone and has absolutely nothing to do with computers. Comments of that nature will NOT be tolerated at PC Mech.
If you have a point to make, cease immediately with the personal insults – now.
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
Why overclock a chip anyway? After all, most dual cores like I have don’t even use both cores in programs as it is. I don’t understand your reasoning. I’m running Neverwinter Nights on one core. What gives? The thing is Mac users are willing to pay for their speed, whereas PC users try to beat the system and over clock their processors – thereby voiding their warranties by the way. Real smart! Hooray!
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
Oh, sorry, Richie. Didn’t mean to call someone names. Just get into the battle a little too deep sometimes.
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
Richie, I didn’t say he WAS stupid. I said he “looked” stupid saying that. There is a difference you know? But, I take it back. I’m sorry. Good grief. It’s just when I think of Apple users, I think of Peace and Love hippies, and when I think of PC users, I think of little nerds with glasses pounding away at google.com to find that long shot .DLL file or driver.
ejen
Hello, all. Frankly, we are all lucky to have Macs and PCs. They can both work in harmony. Macs are not better than PCs and PCs are not better than Macs; they are all COMPUTERS. They crunch numbers, and frankly, they don’t care if they are a Mac or PC. I have worked on both, and I am satisfied with both. I grew up with Windows, but it doesn’t make me a bad person (like some person in this forum alludes to…). I am sure that Powershaker can say the same. Macs = PCs, period. I’d just like to add my input (which, of course, will may be disagreed upon by certain users) into the discussion, and say that Mac users are just as geeky as Windows users. Humans are humans and people are people. We have our own likes and dislikes. There is no need to antagonize people on either side, because we all have our own preferences. Also, if a certain user who frequents this forum a lot (and I mean A LOT), Alienware supports its users to overclock chips, and their engineers will help you overclock chips. This is just my personal opinion. I know that Powershaker is going to disagree with everything that I just said, but I just wanted to say my opinion without being repressed by this user. Ok? Good. Macs = PCs, period.
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
True. It is a matter of taste. I just have had Windows machines, and I am certified. I know how they run. I know the problems that are common among PC users. I also know the problems that are common among Mac users. I’ve lived in both those worlds: PC and Mac. After all of that, I have a taste for Mac, because I just see that the Windows world neglects the idea of taste. They have none. Of course, like ejen says, it’s a matter of taste. That’s true. I just don’t understand why someone would have a taste for a PC Windows machine. I just never will. Maybe they like building their own, but for the average, every day user, who isn’t certified, I think they would be much better off going with a Macintosh. I mean, my mother had problems all the time on her Windows PC. Now, she flies on my Mac. I wonder why? I believe Macintosh computers expound on something that is to come in the entire PC market. One day – not too far off – computers will be easy to use, network themselves and the only real people with jobs will be the people building them possibly, or maybe PCs will even build themselves. Time will only tell.
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
Yes, they are all computers like ejen says. If you’re happy with it, that’s all that matters, right? If it gets the job done, so be it. I mean, after all, there’s a lot of little African babies who would love to have a small bowl of rice instead of a computer. Don’t think Master SHAKER doesn’t keep it in perspective. lol
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
Then again, even your ancient iMac can find a happy home among the little children of the world: http://youtube.com/watch?v=C3mY9MNgcHM
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
What happens when two little children get their first Macbook: http://youtube.com/watch?v=a5M0CYZxYyY&mode=related&search=iMac%20kids%20children%20gift%20family
ejen
POWERSHAKER: I must admit that that last video that you posted was pretty cute!
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
I can forgive you for your Windows propaganda if you will just vote RON PAUL 2008.
David Risley
POWERSHAKER,
This is the owner of PCMech. Look, man, keep your comments RELEVANT to the content. This is NOT a web forum. You are starting to get completely off point. Ron Paul? So, pipe down or I’m going to have to make you the first person I’ve ever had to ban from posting comments on this site.
Thanks, and do not bother replying. Just heed my advice.
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
*throws David a quarter* Listen kid, go call your Mama and tell her you met a real computer hacker.
http://powershaker.ifastnet.com POWERSHAKER
Oh, just kidding. I’ll keep it on par, Mister Risley.
Andre “Epi*0_o”
FIRST OF ALL. NOT ONLY IS THE MACBOOK PRO CHEAPER BUT…
1) video card on MAC = 8600GT VS alienware 7950GTX, the mac is one generation ahead.
1) FSB = 800 on mac VS 677 on alienware. (meaning you can put faster memory in the mac too, though it ships with 667).
2) You get the choice of MAC & anything else with a mac.
3) Processor is faster.
4) the design is much nicer and not as bulky
5) light keyboard
sorry but mac pwns this contest.
ejen
I would have to heartily disagree with the last commenter’s response.
1) Yes, I concede that the Nvidia 7950 GTX is DX9 based, but because it uses GDDR3 memory coupled with a faster and twice the memory throughput, larger memory addressing (7950′s 256-bit vs. 8600′s 128-bit), more RTUs, shaders, etc. , and simply twice the fill rate, I am afraid that the 7950 GTX still pwns the MacBook Pro’s 8600 GT.
1) You unfairly say that the Alienware does not support 800 FSB. I can say it can because I own an Alienware with 800 FSB memory, and I am typing on it right now.
2) You get the choice of Alienware and all the rights and privileges of walking around with a marvel of engineering in your hand. And a design that will turn heads.
3) LOL. Oh my gosh. Look! 2.4 GHz vs. 2.33 GHz. 70 MHz difference! There must be WORLDS of difference in performance! *chuckle*
4) I can’t contest this one. It is bigger, and more rugged…but I wonder why. Is it because it pwns the MacBook Pro left and right in games, and contains a state-of-the-art cooling system?
5) Sure, a lighted keyboard is nice, but I do not personally like it.
I don’t think that you can clearly state that the MacBook Pro cleanly beats the Alienware, because if you go to notebookreview.com and look up the notebooks to see their benchmarks, I am sure you will say that the Alienware is A BEAST OF A MACHINE, while the MacBook Pro is geared toward those who don’t want to use Windows and those who don’t want or need so much power.
Epi*0_o
responding to what to the last response.
I think you are correct, i didnt do enough research on the 7950gtx, i agree with you that it is in fact a better card. I also didnt realize the alienware was 800, the guy in the video mentioned a 677 FSB, so i was going off of that. In that respect i would honestly say that the computers are about in terms of what you get for price.
I dont even own a mac (yet) but i do love them. For a gaming laptop i WOULD get a alienware, because that what they are made for. But i want OS X, plus an awesome system so it looks like the macbook pro is the only choice for me .
from what i understand alienware is a LEET company.
http://www.tech.inbrilliant.com Daniel
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article PC Mechanic, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
MF
Hey
I just pretty much read this entire worthless argument and felt the need to comment. I’m writing this from a macbook pro, but I won’t pretend this is a gaming rig and say that gamers should buy this over an alienware.
What people like Powershaker don’t seem to understand is that there are people in this world with different needs from theirs. I bring my macbook pro to school, and game a little, so it’s a great laptop for my needs. If I were a pro/hardcore gamer, this might not do the trick because the graphics card is too weak. Add to the fact that apple has intentionally cut down the memory on the 8600 and underclocked them, it is definitely not a dedicated gaming laptop, although it is still quite good at playing most games.
A little off the topic, fanboys like Powershaker taint anything they put their hands on. He’s already told us virtually all there is to say about him, from his religious beliefs to the fact that he is pro-republican. I wouldn’t be surprised if Powershaker was infact 12 years old, because most of his comments are incredibly immature and unfounded.
I for one think that voting for Ron Paul would be a big mistake, seeing as how the republicans have already screwed up the united states quite a bit already. The dollar is falling big time and the country is in ridiculous debt. Powershaker, maybe you should ask yourself why you think Ron Paul is fit to be the next president, and one of the reasons should not be because he’s your neighbor. If people thought for themselves, this country would be much better off.
Again, I see how many PC users think that all mac users are a bunch of clueless idiots, but don’t let the loud ones speak for the rest of us.
Zae
Here’s the thing I’m in the grey area stage. I’ve heard that Macs are great to work on I do a lot with Photoshop and video editing. I need something that is both portable but not so slow that it’s like pulling teeth to get a movie rendered or edit a photo or flyer. I know the Macbook pro probably are great machines and are probably better than just your average everyday laptop that you get at Best Buy. Which would you recommend those that have both? The Alienware or the Mac. I like windows I’ve used it forever and a Christmas? Is it hard to learn a new OS? What would you say are the pros and cons of each book? I know there’s been a lot of mudslinging around here on this board but I just want some straight answers? Which would be better for me? Price and performance wise for what I need it? For Video and Picture editing? Maybe an occasional game here and there can anyone say Star Craft 2
ejen
Wooot!! I finally own the Alienware Area-51 m9750! I can honestly say that the experience from getting the box to using the computer was amazingly smooth and I am so glad that I got the computer. When I move it around in the air, it looks like a sleek spacecraft moving through space. It is also very unique to hold and not as heavy as some peopel attempt to portray! It is truly an amazing machine! I am so glad I got it!
Wat
I like both Mac and PC. My first computer was a Mac (back in the day).Now I wanted both system. Mac pro for school and AlienWare M17(extreme) for gaming. I know everything is relied on processor,memory,HDD,Vidcard hmmm well everything just has to ballance out. I play COD4, COD5 and I Preffered AW M17.
The two debate between Ejen and powershaker is awesome. There are a few things that I didn’t know and they pointed out. Yah sometime it got out of hands but thats what you get for debating on a broad issued (mostly opinionated).Lastly I just realized that these post was a year old. lol silly of me.
Take Care.
Greg
As other people have posted, Both machines are great machines they suit different needs. Honestly if I want to play games I am going to get some sort of desktop. I have seen the alienware and its HUGE. I mean its ok if you don’t mind the weight. I am a network administror and I am in wiring closets all of the time, thus I need something light and portable. Either way you look at it, I never run windows as my base OS, even though I am an exchange. SMS(SCCM), MOM(SCOM) administrator, go figure.
I personally have a problem with the clunky Windows XP OS, that does very easily get viruses. I do like Vista better though, and it is much more secure then XP. I am also not going to sit here and tell you that Macs are immune to trojans, but on the other hand you aren’t going to pick one up just from navigating to the wrong site as you would with XP. I know from the hundreds of virus I have cleaned over the years. I think Windows Vista is definitely a step in the right direction, but I don’t know if you noticed it but they have put a strong attempt to copy os x/linux. Here are a few things they have copied, Run as administrator is equivalent to running an app using su or sudo, if you know about unix/linux you know that is root. If windows was the superior operating system, why would they copy this structure? Also the new folder structure in Vista closely mimics that of OS X, They got rid of documents and settings and got a Users folder just like unix/os x/linux. They also got rid of my pictures, my music, and my videos folders and replaced them with a plain music and video and pictures folder as in linux and mac os x. They copied the OS X widgets and called them gadgets. They also copied spotlight with made widows desktop search. If it weren’t so much at once it wouldn’t be that bad.
Some other things to note, I hear you guys complaining about Macs being proprietary but you also must realize that part of the reason windows has so many blue screens is that it has so many hardware choices and the drivers sometimes conflict, although, linux doesn’t have these problems and supports. That was also why vista was so poorly supported at first.
All of that being said. Vista is a much better OS then XP if you know how to use a computer, I think for the average user it is a bit complex, and has a lot of features turned on that truly slow down the OS. The settings are now a bit harder to turn off. I hear with Windows 7 they fixed much of this limiting the UAC(su). I think Microsoft’s best bet is to team with one of the flavors of linux and offer a truly robust operating system.