NS computer geeks. I need a laptop...

I was just offering some options to you.  If you want an MBP, then by all means get it.  It's the PERFECT, durable, reliable, quality setup that will run you through 4 years of college with no problem.  There are plenty of Windows laptops that match performance, but when it comes to construction and component quality... the MBP is at the top of the pile.  Sure, you could find 'superior' components, but there's a reason that MacBooks shine brightly among others. 

This is coming from a gaming PC fanboy so you know, but if you're on the move, a solid MBP is the way to go.

SSD FTW. I have a 60 GIG SSD on my Asus  ( i only had 350 bucks to spend before the hate storm comes) and it is the best upgrade i've done so far. The speed my computer has compared to my 350 gig HD  is just asounding. Takes under 5 seconds to load, and less then 2 to shut down.  All my programs become so fast.  Plus all the heat that is created by the HD is just gone. No moving parts.....no heat.

Now i've been looking at some AMD upgrades, and possibly an even bigger SSD.

A PC can be just as good if not better then a MAC with the proper upgrades, and proper software.  If your smart your PC will never get a virus, and will never have the need for a virus scan. I just needed to get some knowledge thrown my way about the way computers function.

The light-up keyboard on a mac is for people who can't type. It's like having light-up pedals on your car.

Haha true, but its nice for volume and finding functions

Btw if you want a MBP wait till the next one is out.

that's totally wrong. I mean obviously you don't need it for typing up emails or word processing and stuff, but I think a lot of the time I find myself needing a light-up keyboard. I mean if all you ever do is type with two hands then sure you have a point. A lot of programs have lots of function keys, often you are either writing or using the mouse with one hand and the keyboard with the other. not to mention a lot of key combinations used in these programs will tire your hands much faster if you are using the proper technique.

I know astronomers who traded in their thinkpads for the alien laptops just because the keyboard can glow a very feint red which is perfect for them. ((well also they are powerful, but like apple, you pay a premium)

Not

I hope that worked out, I tried writing it all with my eyes closed just to see hahah.

i have had a mbp for the past 3 years, and decided to speed it up a bit. I ordered a 256 GB Crucial M4 SSD. THis thing is blazing fast now. There is a huge speed difference. If I were you, definitely spend the extra $200 and buy an ssd

Alright. I THINK I have found a worthy competitor.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/samsung-samsung-series-7-15-6-3rd-gen-intel-core-i7-3615m-laptop-np700z5c-s01ca-silver-np700z5c-s01ca/10202712.aspx?path=8272511083968dbff62c5dcb55ea9f1ben02

I went into the store. It was a future shop, but the guy I talked to knew what was up. I looked through all of the shitty computers and asked straight up if there was anything close to as good as a macbook in terms of quality.

He said there was one computer in the whole store and brought me to it. It is an AWESOME looking computer. It does have the offset keyboard, with the numbers on the side, but I can get used to it.

Has a very brilliant matte screen, higher specs than a macbook in all respects other than of course the OS, light up keyboard, HUGE clickpad. Most importantly though, I could lift it up by the corner and there was no flex. It seems solid.

frankly, if they sold one without windows premium I would have bought it right then and there.

Does anyone have any experience with samsung laptops? I am probably gonna end up buying this.

The keyboard could be better constructed, it 'looks' good but doesn't 'feel' good, they have a distracting, plasticy feedback to them and there is an issue with the spacebar.

Im in the same situation as you, needing a new laptop. i've narrowed it down to the HP Envy 15, HP Pavilion 15 or the Dell XPS 15z. anybody have any insights to these computers?

I checked out the pavilion. Don't like it at all. It feels cheap.

The envy and the dell xps were the two closest macbook clones I looked at. The envy was better looking, and had a nicer keyboard (the xps has funky shaped keys that make them smaller for no reason). The envy was also much more solid feeling. The 15z is for sure a better built laptop than most, but I would still say the envy felt better.

However what I found all around was these were trying to hard to visually look like a macbook, rather than trying hard to produce a nice looking, solid feeling computer.

That is why I am very interested in this one I posted earlier. It seems like they wanted to build a nice, well thought out computer. I do agree that the keyboard seems a bit more "plasticy" than a macbook, they could have given the keys a little more resistance, however I typed on it for a couple of minutes at the store and it was still a very respectable keyboard. Not an issue for me.

looking at buying this laptop.   i just want it for everyday use:  videos, netflix, music, some infrequent/non-intense gaming (like age of mythology, starcraft etc)

is this a good deal @ $515

I'm not going to tell if it's good for you, i'd need way more info but that resolution on a 15 inch screen is rather poor.