Test drive puts whip to Mac and PC laptops

Compare Laptops (pdf)

Ever since I’ve been able to run Windows on my Apple computers, I’ve wanted to compare the performance of a Mac laptop to a host of other portable computers. What a good way, I reasoned, to determine whether Apple computers really are—as any Mac geek will claim—better than the alternatives.

So I spent a good chunk of the summer test-driving laptops in an attempt to determine how well the latest notebook computers—including the most recent MacBook Pro—operate when running some basic Windows software.

Apple, Dell, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Panasonic, Sony, and Toshiba all responded to my request for a loaner unit, and Microsoft provided me with a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate.

On a basic level, comparing PCs is made easy by Microsoft’s Windows Experience Index, a little applet within Vista that rates a computer’s performance. The resulting score, ranging from 1.0 to 5.9, is intended to help users determine what software they can and cannot run on their computer.

The number itself is generated by performing tests on various systems within the computer: the processor (calculations per second), memory (memory operations per second), graphics (desktop performance for Windows Aero, a slicker experience than the basic display, which offers “glasslike” windows and animations), gaming graphics (3-D business and gaming graphics performance), and primary hard disk (disk data-transfer rate).

Your computer is given the same overall rating as the lowest test score it gets; in other words, your machine is only as good as its weakest component.

A Windows Experience Index score of 2.0, for example, is approximately the minimum necessary for basic business functionality, while a rating of 3.0 or higher is recommended for graphics-intensive use. All software for Windows Vista comes with a recommended score on its box, so you’ll know if that animation program your kid wants will run on your system.

Some techno elitists spurn any use of these ratings, but I think they provide a great, simple method for the everyday user to assess their computer system.

As for the different laptops, comparing them with each other wasn’t as easy as I had hoped, because each system had been designed by the manufacturer for particular uses and users. Fujitsu and Panasonic, for example, sent notebooks that cater to the business crowd, while Dell, HP, and Toshiba provided laptops that were built to handle multimedia. Generally, they all ran Windows Vista adequately, although the systems with weaker processors performed more slowly.

Of the two business laptops, I preferred the Fujitsu LifeBook S6510 ($1,719). It was the smallest machine, and light without feeling flimsy, which was my biggest complaint about the Panasonic Toughbook Y7 ($2,599).

At about 1.55 kilograms, the Toughbook was the lightest of the bunch. Panasonic engineers used plastics to reduce the weight, but the result was that the computer felt like a toy, instead of a machine. The plastic keys got stuck and could be pulled off far too easily. I did, however, appreciate the Toughbook’s circular trackpad.

Both systems ran Microsoft Office fine, but the lack of decent video cards meant that both struggled with games and video playback.

Perhaps the best feature of the Fujitsu and the Panasonic, though, is their durability. Both have been designed to protect their hardware and data in the event that they’re dropped. The Toughbook has the best reputation in this area. Panasonic claims that a glass of water can be poured over the keyboard with nary a spark. I didn’t test this feature, but others have confirmed that the company’s claims are true.

Of the multimedia systems, the Toshiba Satellite A300 ($849 to $1,199) had the best configuration. With built-in Harman Kardon speakers and a crisp, bright display, the Satellite is not only a good all-around machine but a decent game and media player that doesn’t need to be hooked up to external speakers and monitors.

The HP Pavilion dv9000 ($929.99) also provided a nice display, along with high-end Altec Lansing speakers, but it was heavy and was compromised by an older video card. The Sony VAIO NR 498DS ($799) was also limited by its graphics card, though it was well designed and sported a great keyboard.

The Dell XPS M1530 ($999) had a good, solid feel; however, that came with a clunky design. It contained a decent video card, a slower processor, and the smallest hard drive of the bunch.

For those who want the best performance and the widest functionality, the MacBook Pro ($2,599) was the best computer for running Windows. The price tag, about $1,500 more than most of the PC laptops, is high, but if you have the extra money—and don’t mind the quirks that come with running Windows on a Mac (more on this topic next week)—it’s the best choice.

For strict business users, I’d choose the Fujitsu. For gamers and video watchers, the Toshiba provides the best set of specs and performance. For the average home user who’s looking for a system to check e-mail, browse the Web, and watch YouTube videos, the Dell, HP, Sony, and Toshiba are all fine options. Pick the one that looks best to you and is priced to your liking.