MacBook Pro vs. the PC competition

By Michelle Thatcher, CNET.com and Craig Simms on 01 September 2009

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For years, the Mac vs. PC debate has been fuelled mostly by subjective ranting; the platforms and the components were so different that it was impossible to compare fundamental characteristics such as performance.

Macs have been on Intel processors for some time now though, making analysing Mac versus PC hardware a bit more like comparing (ahem) apples to apples. Not to mention more and more PC vendors are copying Apple's style and features in order to stay competitive. Things are more alike than they've ever been.

To that end, we're pitting the MacBook Pro 13-inch against the closest PC competitor we've seen to date — the Asus U80V. Both models feature a Core 2 Duo at 2.53GHz — although the Asus contains a T9400 with 6MB L2 cache and 35W TDP, while the MacBook contains a P8700 with 3MB L2 and 25W TDP. Both have backlit keyboards and multi-touch touchpads, have 802.11n and Bluetooth support, and cram in a DVD writer. Batteries are close, with the Asus being rated at 60-Watt hours, the MacBook at 58. True, the Asus has a 14-inch screen while the MacBook is 13-inch, but they do weigh almost the same, the MacBook at 2.04kg, the Asus at 2.15kg.

There are differences, of course — the MacBook Pro has a 250GB hard drive, 4GB RAM, runs OS X 10.5.8 and features an Nvidia GeForce 9400M, while the Asus comes in at 500GB, 2GB RAM, runs Vista Home Premium SP2 and packs an ATI Radeon HD4570.

We've compared them not only on performance and battery life but on characteristics such as design, features and price. All to answer one fundamental question: if you have a PC and a Mac with near identical components, which laptop reigns supreme?

Topics: apple, vs, mac, pc, macbook, macbook pro, U80V, asus, vista, os x, Snow Leopard, leopard

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Comments (61)

  • I'm a PC, and I am still standing. commented on 15/11/2009 12:01 Report abuse

    You guys don't see the big picture here. Apple only wants people to be branded as apple. Microsoft creates windows, they don't build or make pcs. Dell does, toshiba does, sony does. You can find competively reseanable pcs at affordable prices. Where can you find a macbook that's competitive? Everything in the store is expensive. I have been using a pc most of my life and it's only now that I would do a double take to look at the snow leopard. When it comes to a thing of beauty apple takes the cake, but the world has been doing pretty fine with pcs. Just about anything a mac can do a pc can do it better. Besides, Steve Job keeps getting richer! Don't have an apple care plan and see how much of your **** you have to pay for a repair!

  • bill commented on 13/11/2009 15:31 Report abuse

    Macs and PCs both have their own strengths.

    Most of the posters on here and just like all of CNET are just a bunch of fanboys. I have respect for both companies.

    I just think one main reason for the mac to have more popularity is the ease for use (hence, meant for those that can't use a computer) and the looks. Sometimes I do pity windows because many of the windows products don't look as great and the Mac products stand out more.

    However, if you want a PC to look better you can, if you know how. If you want to make your PC better, you can. Mac is Mac.

  • Erland commented on 09/11/2009 08:58 Report abuse

    Great review, but surely that price for the apple is rubbish? A quick look at their online store reveals that you can get it delivered free for $1599 or $1999 for the 4GB RAM version.

    Surely this is pretty critical, as it would mean the MacBook Pro winning round 8...?

  • Trazeur commented on 04/11/2009 19:49 Report abuse

    Here it is, plain and simple: Macs are better than PC's. Mac's are designed and built to perfection, they're aesthetically pleasing, and
    they're not too slow.

    Yup, they're waaay too expensive. OSX is simple, perhaps too simple, and many of the features have been stolen from Linux systems and Microsoft. 'PC' is a very broad term, but basically, Windoze sucks. My perfect computer would be a MacBook Pro, with OSX ( for showing off ), Ubuntu ( for any real work ), and XP ( only for gaming ).

    I think we need to start considering a third option, though. Linux distros are catching up, fast. Is this debate soon going to turn into Apple v Microsoft v Linux? Who knows...

  • AziziK commented on 02/11/2009 12:42 Report abuse

    I have a Mac. I call it my "beautiful piece of fluff". Macs work the way Steve wants them to work, not the way I want them to work. The thing is I don't know Steve and he doesn't know me.

    See, if Steve knew me, he would know that I would like to hotkey toggle my laptop screen like even the basic PC laptop can do. No Steve, I don't want a workaround.

    Steve doesn't know that mapping to my network printer at work is next to impossible especially with Novell involved. To date Steve refuses to give me drivers so that my Mac works with government network.

    Everything on my Mac is slower than it ever was on my PC laptop. Bill isn't exactly perfect but at least I knew how he worked. Even the littlest things are a workaround always with Steve because he insists on "thinking differently", to my detriment.

    I could go on but you get my idea. Steve builds pretty machines - it would be nice if he could make them useful as well.

    Oh Steve, I wish for my Mac's sake, that you would put in a hotkey to lock my screen. No, not another workaround thanks. Thats all I've been having since I bought a Mac.

    AK

  • bigfish commented on 22/10/2009 09:07 Report abuse

    this comparison wasn't fair. I am a graphics professional...and I can tell you that an evenly stacked mac vs pc isnt even a fair comparison. The pc wins. Ive worked on both and in various programs; photoshop, after effects, maya etc. The pc will almost always do things faster...just the way it is. Yes the mac os x is infinitely better than windows...at least you have that.

  • JakeD1 commented on 21/10/2009 16:42 Report abuse

    If you prefer Macs, that's fine by me. But you have no right to tell me to get a computer which would pose so many disadvantages to me. Here are the reasons I will stay with Windows (i like vista!!!)
    - I'd have to get Mac versions of all my games and software. That stuff is expensive!
    - What if i wanted to upgrade the RAM or hard drive? I'd have to take it to 'the store' I like to build my own PC's.
    - I'd have to learn a whole new OS interface. OS X is so confusing to me and the single button touchpads and mice don't make it any easier.
    - Finally, I don't like the conformity that Macs have. All Macs are just about the same and they don't let me do what I would want them to. I don't hate Macs, they hate me. Now I don't care, go back to your Macs. I'm off to get Windows 7 and install it on my homemade PC along with Ubuntu, Vista and Windows 98. I'll be fine, thanks.

  • iluvmac223 commented on 14/10/2009 23:29 Report abuse

    Mac rules, all those people that luv them too should know. Oh and you people who love windows should stop trying to fabricate ways ive trying make the competition sound unfair YOU SUCK, its just because you can't see windows LOOSE, well guess what sunny jims windows LOST allright and damn did it real lose big! MAC WON, FAIR AND SQUARE. You pay more money for a better, faster, sleeker, efficient, powerful, lighter and just overall BETTER COMPUTER!! Get a real computer get a MAC! :)

  • Zorrek commented on 09/10/2009 22:22 Report abuse

    20 years in IT I've used Mac's and PC's.

    It's this simple
    Mac's are for MORONS.
    PC's are for Pro's especially if you don't install Windoze.

    Oh and remember you one button mousecatools Apple didn't write OSX, they just made a GUI that sits on top of Free-BSD and that's the only reason it even works.

    A PC does it cheaper and Faster!
    It really is that simple !

  • Sid commented on 08/10/2009 15:54 Report abuse

    I have used a PC for more than 20 years, last month i installed osx on to my PC. WOW. Its like a new machine.
    So i ordered a new Macbook Pro.
    The difference is very obvious to me now. Pc's are for people, Macs are for professionals.

    Its just the way it is...

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