Toshiba Tecra A11 or Apple Macbook pro 15" i5

[jack.687]

Im in the market for my first laptop and have spent much time researching what i want only to find that there are contradictions upon contradictions about which make does this better and what model is more reliable ect. I have however, managed to ignore these contradictions and short list two different makes of computer that i will consider buying. The Toshiba Tecra A11 PTSE1A-00M005 (http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/products/notebooks/tecra/a11/ptse1a-00m005)
and the new Macbook Pro 15" i5 (http://www.apple.com/au/macbookpro/specs.html)
Heres the conditions for what i need though.
-need to run Sibelius (Music Notation program) at a relatively fast speed
-need to have a good sound card so as to record real time
-need to be able to run microsoft office (2007) and transfer to windows (Should i choose the macbook)
-dimensions cant be any more than 39x25 (cm)
-laptop needs to last a while before going 'out of date'
-really cant spend any more than $2499 (As is the macbook pro)
Note: i have never used a mac before but i have heard the overall efficiency of them is somewhat more reliable than a windows machine. Then again i have heard the same in terms of performance from the Toshiba Tecra line. So i guess my whole question is; refering to the needs stated, which laptop does them better? or if you know of another machine that fits these requirements, please let me know. All comments will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Ethan3.14159]

I recommend the Macbook Pro for any sort of music production. Apple computers are leaps and bounds ahead of PC's in that respect. Now the Tecra line is probably the best laptop series Toshiba has ever made. However, they are geared almost entirely towards business and office purposes. That's why they have the option for a docking station, and numeric keypad on the right. Also, the Macbook Pro is about half as thick as the Tecra and doesn't weigh as much.

If you look at music studios you will notice that the vast majority use Apple computers. Why? Excellent performance with audio software. The availability of professional quality software for Mac is much better than for PC. Also, the Macbook Pros are almost completely silent. Which is a must for professional recording of any kind.

Now, the Tecra is one of the few PC laptops that will run for ages without problems. However, the Macbook Pro will still outpace it by many years solely because of Mac OS X manages resources far better than Windows. The aluminum unibody chassis will make it far more durable in the long run against accidental bumps versus the Toshiba's plastic chassis.