Tim Cook - PAE wrote: > The T60 I bought a few months ago had another option - Intel GMA 950. > > This is supported by Solaris Express, and the rest of the T60 is a > good fit. With the discounts that Lenovo seem to have fairly > regularly, it can be a _much_ cheaper option than a MacBook Pro. > > One thing I would advise all purchasers is to check up on: > > - graphics > - wired ethernet > - wireless ethernet > - sound > - support of very new processor options > > of a laptop before you purchase. Solaris Express does pretty well, > but some careful selection gives it the best chance. > > Regards, > Tim > > > Michael Schuster wrote: >> James Cornell wrote: >> >>> Other good options include the last Thinkpad models made by IBM, the >>> T60 >>> for example. >> >> you need to take care - they come with ATI or Nvidia graphics. Guess >> which I got ... >> >> Michael > I wouldn't say "much" if you're aiming at identical specs. The closest match to a MacBook Pro is an ASUS C90 barebones with upgrades, and then again, it's only around $400-500 USD difference. If you want to use Mac OS X, for work or personal reasons, then I don't really think it's unreasonable to pay for this "tax", granted it's the equivalent to Windows Vista Ultimate but with more capability out of the box.
If you don't need Mac OS X at all, then it's your own choice, and you could save that money and spend it replacing nitpicky parts, or add on compatible components . (Cardbus adapters, etc) MacBook Pros aside from the EFI workaround are one of the most compatible options for OpenSolaris, since the components all have well-tested drivers available. Intel, Atheros, NVIDIA components. These are what you should seek when finding other options. Other options of course is an IBM T60 (Be sure not to get an ATI varient) and Toshiba Tectra. Both configured to close or identical specifications are all going to be the same as the ASUS C90. For $1850 USD + tax you can get an ASUS C90 with identical specifications of a 3rd revision MacBook Pro, although it's worthy to note that the LED backlit screen in the MacBook Pro is more than a perk. If you must have the ability to upgrade everything, don't get a MacBook Pro, get a barebones notebook. The C90 even supports Conroe desktop processors and comes with Intel wireless, which people seem to be having better luck with versus certain Atheros chipsets. James
