Solved! Asus vs MacBook Pro

[countdown621]

Hello,

I'm looking for a portable machine that is powerful enough for video editing and Flash animation. I'm hoping for one of the new Intel i7 processors. I've heard Asus has good builds - but then Mac is...well, Mac (Final Cut, woohoo!). What graphic card/RAM combo should I be looking for, and would anyone recommend a particular Asus machine? And do ya'll like your new i7 cores?

Budget: ~$1800
Usage: video editing, 2D animation
Color preference: the color of fast.

 

[Maziar]

Hello and welcome to the forums
If you are going to use Final cut,then your only choice is MBP and within your budget,you can get the MBP 15" with the basic configuration(2.4Ghz i5 CPU).
As for windows alternatives,you can get notebooks like ASUS G53JW in the same price range, but it has worse build/display quality and significantly lower battery life too.

 

[countdown621]

Hello and welcome to the forums
If you are going to use Final cut,then your only choice is MBP

As for windows alternatives,you can get notebooks like ASUS G53JW in the same price range, but it has worse build/display quality and significantly lower battery life too.

I'm not concerned about battery life (this will be a workstation type computer; I just move a lot and don't want to pack up a desktop), but how do the i5/i7 compare? Is the speed of an i7 with a good graphics card and lots fo memory a big enough jump from an i5 MBP?

 

[amk09]

I'm not concerned about battery life (this will be a workstation type computer; I just move a lot and don't want to pack up a desktop), but how do the i5/i7 compare? Is the speed of an i7 with a good graphics card and lots fo memory a big enough jump from an i5 MBP?

The answer to your question is, YES!

i7 + Better Graphics Card > i5 MBP

 

[Maziar]

An i7 quad core CPU with a VGA like GTX 460M performs better than i5 MBP in multi-threaded tasks and game.

 

[christiangordon]

MAC $1800
15" LCD
4GB RAM
320GB HDD 5400rpm
2.4Ghz i5
nvidia 330m


Asus G73JH-B1 $1739
17" LCD 1080p
8GB RAM
1000GB HDD
i7 740QM
ATI 5870 1GB DDR5

very similar with GTX 460m
ASUS G53JW-A1 $1450


http/www.newegg.com/Store/BrandSubCategory.aspx?Brand=1315&SubCategory=32&name=Laptops-Notebooks&Order=PRICED

 

[Stryyder]

Toss up between the 460m and the 5870 I like the 5870....

http/www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5870.23073.0.html

 

[countdown621]

Thank you, people! Excellent replies all. Clearly the Asus i7 is a better fit for me.

 

[christiangordon]

Thank you, people! Excellent replies all. Clearly the Asus i7 is a better fit for me.

Great choice! Now you will get to decide whether you want a 15 or a 17 inch screen. If you are stationed at home most of the time and not traveling daily I would get a 17.