Alternatives to Macbook Pro?
First of all, I am a huge fan of Apple products and own a Macbook pro purchased in 2007. I've never even imagined using a computer that is not made by Apple despite the fact that I use Windows quite a lot because of all the architecture softwares (D*mn it, you Autodesk!) . Here I am, looking for an alternative laptop to a Macbook pro. My belief has been that there's no alternative to the Macbook pro, so I didn't know where to start. After surfing around dell, sony, etc, I thought it would be fool of me not to ask you guys who may know well both Mac and other laptops.
My beloved macbook pro's battery said goodbye to me, but I didn't want to buy an one-hundred-dollar new battery because I've been thinking I need a more powerful laptop anyway. The new unibody Macbook pro 17" looked really good, but I found out that it has a built-in battery, and that Apple doesn't even sell a battery separately. I'll have to bring the laptop to the apple store and let them change the battery. (Mr.jobs, I can do the job. Please let me do it myself, saving some dollars. By the time the battery's depleted, the warranty is expired anyway!) Also, Apple is so closed that I can't trust any third party products for Apple.
After buying a $3000 laptop, the customer has to pay $200 every two-so year without any legitimate option? What is this, am I a drug addict, and they are the only drug dealer in the town? I feel like they think that their customers are all moronic zealots. (yeah, I was actually.)
Please let me hear what you guys think. Any word will be appreciated. You can give me some other options to purchase, or you can call me an idiot who doesn't know anything about the laptop and tell me to stick to the macbook pro--please don't forget to give me a reason to stick around the apple store besides calling me an idiot, though.
Macbook Pro, Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)