bobbobson Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Can someone give me a recommendation for a current model laptop that is OS X compatible for less then $1000? I was going to buy a Mac Book until I looked at what else I could get for the same money What I want is a current model laptop that will run OS X with NO issues and preferably without on board video, I don't care what the video is I would just prefer something that doesn't use my RAM for video memory Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mschilling Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Did you check the Apple refurbs? Macbooks were under $1000, and have no problems and get better battery life than probably any hackintosh. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/#findComment-969659 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbobson Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 What are the conditions on refurbs though? Do you still get the option on 3 years apple care? Theres a 2.4ghz core 2 duo that would be tempting, my only issue comes with the on board video of the GMA3100 which I guess you can work around with RAM being as cheap as it is I'm aware of the battery life issue especially with more media intensive laptops, it's not the hugest issue I guess. The only time it'd be on battery would be a little time at university other then that it'd be plugged into the wall I'm just not the hugest fan of onboard video but I guess when I'm not doing anything hugely intensive it doesn't really matter that much I'd still like to see what else is out there Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/#findComment-969680 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mschilling Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 If you're priority is video, you hit on the exact reason that the refurb laptops exist right now. The big push with laptops is better video. The latest MBPs have two separate video boards to run depending on whether you need better graphics, or better battery life. Snow Leo will make the switching of video boards more integrated and sano, but you will need a core2duo cpu. You have to decide what your priorities are for a laptop. The 3100 video isn't bad for a laptop, unless you're using it for something demanding. Regular use it's ok. As for the condition of the refurbs, I'm convinced that they are repackaged new units that they are dumping on the market to get rid of them. I bought a touch from the refurb site, and there is no way it had ever been even handled before it was sold to me, it was that clean looking. I would have no hesitation to buy a macbook from the refurb site. They are a good value considering how well they work with sleep (amazing!) and the fact that you can forget about the computer, when it comes to maintenance and updates. Some people enjoy the challenge of updates, but it depends on the individual. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/#findComment-970104 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaE-V Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Gen an XPS M1530 or an M1330 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/#findComment-970157 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbobson Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 If you're priority is video, you hit on the exact reason that the refurb laptops exist right now. The big push with laptops is better video. The latest MBPs have two separate video boards to run depending on whether you need better graphics, or better battery life. Snow Leo will make the switching of video boards more integrated and sano, but you will need a core2duo cpu. You have to decide what your priorities are for a laptop. The 3100 video isn't bad for a laptop, unless you're using it for something demanding. Regular use it's ok. As for the condition of the refurbs, I'm convinced that they are repackaged new units that they are dumping on the market to get rid of them. I bought a touch from the refurb site, and there is no way it had ever been even handled before it was sold to me, it was that clean looking. I would have no hesitation to buy a macbook from the refurb site. They are a good value considering how well they work with sleep (amazing!) and the fact that you can forget about the computer, when it comes to maintenance and updates. Some people enjoy the challenge of updates, but it depends on the individual. My priority is far from video, I don't care in the slightest what the video is so long as it's compatible and not on board. My priority in that regard is that it doesn't use my RAM for video, and secondly the marginally better performance of a real video card I think I made that fairly clear Secondly I'm posting because I want hackintosh compatible laptops not to be told I should buy a macbook instead Finally i don't really have the money to buy a MacBook Pro they're well over the budget i stipulated I'll make this simple, I would prefer a laptop without on board video, preferably not bigger then 15" as it has to be portable, and capable of a decent screen resolution I.E greater then 1024 height I'm actually posting from a MacBook now they're nice, but the 1280x800 resoloution is a bit squashed, i'd preffer something that could at least do 1680x1050 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/#findComment-972856 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wman Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 edit: didn't read your last post- was going to recommend a macbook. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/#findComment-972872 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbobson Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 I am looking at macbooks I want to know what else there is that works I've already stated this I shouldn't have to repeat myself Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/#findComment-972876 Share on other sites More sharing options...
trance4jim Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I'm in the same boat.I ran across this custom laptop site.I'm not sure the compatibility of these but check em out. They would compete with the new MacBookPro's. http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_c....asp?PRID=11385 and http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_c....asp?PRID=11582 aquamac has a new driver for the ne nvidia cards.I don't think that everyting in ironed out just yet. I'm not sure how compatible the mobile versions are.I'll let you know if I find solid info. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/136993-the-best-sub-1000-laptop-for-os-x/#findComment-972916 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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