Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Macbook or Dell XPS convince me!
- Thread starter G8AMB
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
We don't need to convince you, you will decide what is better for you.
Be able to run MacOSX and all the good stuff without virus, malware, adware...and also be able to run MS Windows or Linux with the MacBook.
OR...
get the Dell to only be able to run MS Windows or Linux.
You know what you want and what you'll be getting.
Be able to run MacOSX and all the good stuff without virus, malware, adware...and also be able to run MS Windows or Linux with the MacBook.
OR...
get the Dell to only be able to run MS Windows or Linux.
You know what you want and what you'll be getting.
hey i got both mac and pc and i prefer pc. i can use both easily i just like windows more. Mac fans are so hard core when it comes to this argument. truth be told they are both equal and excel in certain areas. from what you seem to want to do, the photoediting etc. go mac unless your familiar with some good photo editing stuff for windows but macs have that crap built int for easy access. Can you get a macbook pro specced XPS, yes. for 2/3 the price of a MBP? yes indeed but will it be a mac nope. The graphics are pretty horrible so even a little might be too much for a macbook. I personally think your should but the baseline macbook pro and bootcamp it up. I think thats the best of both worlds in this case. Powerful windows and mac in one. sorry for the long post but im going through the same what laptop should i buy quest. I got a eee pc to bide my time. good luck. sorry for the ***** spelling
I returned two 15 inch MBPs last summer due to poor display quality. Ultimately, I received a refund. It was a disappointment for me since I'd been a Windows user all my computing life and wanted to try the Mac OS. (I never had problems with XP, and found it to be a stable OS.)
I've had two Thinkpads running XP and both have been completely reliable. I just bought a Dell XPS M1530 with a 1440x900 LCD panel, and the display is much better than the display I had on the two MBPs. The M1530 cost me less than $2,000 for a 2.2 GHz CPU, 3 GB of RAM, a 256 MB dedicated graphics card, a 200 GB 7200 rpm drive, Windows Vista Ultimate and a three year warranty that covers accidents. The keyboard is excellent and it runs cooler than the MBP. It also seems to load programs much faster than the MBP.
I have a Dell XPS desktop that's been running XP for the past 3 years. Both the OS and the hardware have been rock solid. I have a Dell D630 laptop at my office that runs 10 hours a day and has performed flawlessly.
I haven't give up on Apple yet. Someday, I may try again. But comments about Windows crashing more than the Mac OS are really just folklore and marketing hype at this point. And comments about Apple's hardware being better than Dell can't be substantiated by reading posts of individual experiences. My own experience has been the opposite.
I've had two Thinkpads running XP and both have been completely reliable. I just bought a Dell XPS M1530 with a 1440x900 LCD panel, and the display is much better than the display I had on the two MBPs. The M1530 cost me less than $2,000 for a 2.2 GHz CPU, 3 GB of RAM, a 256 MB dedicated graphics card, a 200 GB 7200 rpm drive, Windows Vista Ultimate and a three year warranty that covers accidents. The keyboard is excellent and it runs cooler than the MBP. It also seems to load programs much faster than the MBP.
I have a Dell XPS desktop that's been running XP for the past 3 years. Both the OS and the hardware have been rock solid. I have a Dell D630 laptop at my office that runs 10 hours a day and has performed flawlessly.
I haven't give up on Apple yet. Someday, I may try again. But comments about Windows crashing more than the Mac OS are really just folklore and marketing hype at this point. And comments about Apple's hardware being better than Dell can't be substantiated by reading posts of individual experiences. My own experience has been the opposite.
Does the Dell you mention has something like Front Row and the remote? Has Dolby 5.1 audio so you can connect it to your Home Theater?
The Dell M1530 has an HDMI output and comes with a remote which fits in the expresscard slot when not used. I haven't tried it yet, but there seems to be a 5.1 option. Someone with more knowledge about it can discuss whether the software on the Dell is comparable to Front Row.
Using the same logic, Space aliens are in New York!
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=aliens+in+new+york&btnG=Search
2.1 million hits.
In terms of learning how to tell what is real and not real... start here. It is a good book:
http://www.amazon.com/Being-Logical...bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202534206&sr=8-10
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Have you decided yet?
I was looking at getting A Dell XPS M1530 r 15.4" MBP.
I work on PCs for a living (last 11 years anyways).
My personal systems are a combination of PCs and Macs.
XP Pro is a great OS (now, it's stable, Vista getting better as long as you buy it on a new system, upgrades always bad).
I've got a Dell inspiron laptop (6 years old, built from spare parts), works great most of the time.
My new MBP is going to replace my Dell laptop.
If you're buying a pc laptop, I'd recommend getting a Dell. Warranty, best in industry. ( I've have to deal with most computer manufactures for warranty).
That's not to say that there's been times when Dell support was totally f*cked, but that's with most support.
I've had great support from Dell and Apple.
I like the MBP, because if I need the windows enviroment, I can boot into it or run it in VM. Either way I'm covered.
One thing to think about, wth a PC, you will NEED anti-virus, spyware software should be considered too.
One day, maybe Apple will need Anti-virus, but for now, they can toute that as an advantage.
The MBP might be a tad more expensive (didn't allow that to sway my decision one way or another).
The other PC laptop I would've considered was from Alien-Ware (now owned by Dell, I cried that day).
Dell is the giant, and yes, the replacement part can come from new/used/opened (re-furbished) bins.
But I love their completecare warranty.
Hmm, too much thought and not enough typing went into this comment.
G
I was looking at getting A Dell XPS M1530 r 15.4" MBP.
I work on PCs for a living (last 11 years anyways).
My personal systems are a combination of PCs and Macs.
XP Pro is a great OS (now, it's stable, Vista getting better as long as you buy it on a new system, upgrades always bad).
I've got a Dell inspiron laptop (6 years old, built from spare parts), works great most of the time.
My new MBP is going to replace my Dell laptop.
If you're buying a pc laptop, I'd recommend getting a Dell. Warranty, best in industry. ( I've have to deal with most computer manufactures for warranty).
That's not to say that there's been times when Dell support was totally f*cked, but that's with most support.
I've had great support from Dell and Apple.
I like the MBP, because if I need the windows enviroment, I can boot into it or run it in VM. Either way I'm covered.
One thing to think about, wth a PC, you will NEED anti-virus, spyware software should be considered too.
One day, maybe Apple will need Anti-virus, but for now, they can toute that as an advantage.
The MBP might be a tad more expensive (didn't allow that to sway my decision one way or another).
The other PC laptop I would've considered was from Alien-Ware (now owned by Dell, I cried that day).
Dell is the giant, and yes, the replacement part can come from new/used/opened (re-furbished) bins.
But I love their completecare warranty.
Hmm, too much thought and not enough typing went into this comment.
G
Macbook/m1330/Powerbook G4 12" owner thoughts
I've exclusively owned macs for a number of years now, along with associated ipods, nanos, iphones, etc... I usually get a new laptop every two years, right after the holidays. I have a job that requires me to use Wordperfect and word on a daily basis. Thankfully, my wife owns a macbook that I use all the time for work stuff (with xp).
This year, I was looking to upgrade from my powerbook g4 12". I planned on waiting until the new MPB's were released to consider my options but found a dell special on a M1330. I was hesitant because I use windows xp at work and heard bad things about vista. Nevertheless, with the discount, I was able to get a 2.2ghz, 320 HDD, LED, 3gb ram, 3 year warranty for less than the basic macbook with a combo drive. Nothing I found from Apple could touch the price. The "HDMI out" sold me on it and I pulled the trigger. I have had it now for a few weeks and do not regret my purchase. Vista isn't bad. In fact, it has remarkably mac-like features and the m1330 is much faster than my wife's macbook or my old powerbook. Plus, my tivo works better. Certainly, I prefer some things about mac but stability and speed haven;t been issues so far. Plus, vista works great with my airport extremes and my connected printers.
I love apple and I wish they had released something spectacular in the 13.3" size at macworld. I would have gobbled it up. But they didn't and, with my tivo, I needed more cpu power and space than the MBA could offer. I considered a 15.4 MBP and a 13.3 MB, but I wanted a bigger hdd and I simply couldn't justify the extra expense to upgrade when I know I will replace whatever I bought in two years (despite the 3 year warranty).
Dell (and Vista) may not be for everyone, but my M1330 is flat out the best computer I have ever used.
I've exclusively owned macs for a number of years now, along with associated ipods, nanos, iphones, etc... I usually get a new laptop every two years, right after the holidays. I have a job that requires me to use Wordperfect and word on a daily basis. Thankfully, my wife owns a macbook that I use all the time for work stuff (with xp).
This year, I was looking to upgrade from my powerbook g4 12". I planned on waiting until the new MPB's were released to consider my options but found a dell special on a M1330. I was hesitant because I use windows xp at work and heard bad things about vista. Nevertheless, with the discount, I was able to get a 2.2ghz, 320 HDD, LED, 3gb ram, 3 year warranty for less than the basic macbook with a combo drive. Nothing I found from Apple could touch the price. The "HDMI out" sold me on it and I pulled the trigger. I have had it now for a few weeks and do not regret my purchase. Vista isn't bad. In fact, it has remarkably mac-like features and the m1330 is much faster than my wife's macbook or my old powerbook. Plus, my tivo works better. Certainly, I prefer some things about mac but stability and speed haven;t been issues so far. Plus, vista works great with my airport extremes and my connected printers.
I love apple and I wish they had released something spectacular in the 13.3" size at macworld. I would have gobbled it up. But they didn't and, with my tivo, I needed more cpu power and space than the MBA could offer. I considered a 15.4 MBP and a 13.3 MB, but I wanted a bigger hdd and I simply couldn't justify the extra expense to upgrade when I know I will replace whatever I bought in two years (despite the 3 year warranty).
Dell (and Vista) may not be for everyone, but my M1330 is flat out the best computer I have ever used.
the difference is the OS
the real difference to me is the OS, first of all because it's Unix, second because it works, third because it works a lot better than microshaft windoze, third because it comes with a lot of useful software like mail , ical, address book, fourth because of the level of integration, engineering and stablity etc.. etc.
true, apple hardware too is beautiful outside and quite good inside and perhaps even better engineered.
but if it wasn't for mac os and ultimately for Unix, it would be just junk!
the real difference to me is the OS, first of all because it's Unix, second because it works, third because it works a lot better than microshaft windoze, third because it comes with a lot of useful software like mail , ical, address book, fourth because of the level of integration, engineering and stablity etc.. etc.
true, apple hardware too is beautiful outside and quite good inside and perhaps even better engineered.
but if it wasn't for mac os and ultimately for Unix, it would be just junk!
Modern Windows notebooks have been coming with HDMI outputs since the Santa Rosa platform was introduced, and even some before that.
If you look at the MacBook, you need a mini-DVI to DVI connector, a DVI to HDMI connector, and then you need an optical cable with a mini-TOSlink to TOSlink adapter.
Then you have to connect the HDMI cable to the TV or receiver. If you connect it to the receiver, then you have to go through the trouble of setting up the receiver to accept audio from the optical cable rather than the HDMI cable which, on some receivers, is next to impossible or very difficult to do.
It's basically the same for the MBP, you just need the DVI to HDMI adapter instead of both it and the mini-DVI adapter.
With the Dell (and others) you get HDMI. You just plug the HDMI cable into the computer, plug it into your receiver, and you're good to go. HDMI passes both digital video and digital audio over one cable. If you're watching DVDs, it will pass the Dolby Digital and DTS signal to the receiver for decoding.
Also, if you have one of the modern dedicated GPUs (even the lowly GeForce 8400M GS that Apple should put in the MacBook), that HDMI output will be HDCP certified and the GPU will have full hardware support for VC-1 and H.264. Meaning you can get an HD DVD, blu-ray, or combo drive that does both and use your notebook to play HD movies on your TV.
Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate both come with Windows Media Center. Sorry, but Media Center simply blows away Front Row in terms of looks and functionality. You can get yourself an analog, or digital, or both, TV Tuner in ExpressCard or USB form and (assuming its a Media Center tuner) it will have the full "Media Center" remote, which includes a breakout box with IR blaster that can take full control of a digital cable or digital satellite box. Or it can pull in OTA HD signals.
Media Center really is a great program, especially for recording TV. I use it with DirecTV. I have XP MCE 2005 on my HP (very similar to Vista Media Center, minus the much prettier eye candy) and the HP ExpressCard TV Tuner with the USB breakout box for the IR Media Center remote and IR blaster that controls my DirecTV box. While I'm gone, I just set the HP to fall asleep after 1 minute, after setting up the TV shows I want recorded. During the day, or whenever, it wakes up and records the show and falls back asleep after 1 minute.
Front Row is more like an extremely limited preview of what Media Center can do on Windows.
Plus, if you're using it for DVDs, the built-in DVD decoder in Vista Home Premium and Ultimate takes full advantage of GPU video features. So you get full hardware MPEG-2 decoding, deblocking, hardware upscaling, etc. Essentially, the image quality blows away what you get in Front Row or DVD Player as long as your Windows system has a modern GPU (again, the lowly GeForce 8400M GS that Apple should put in the MacBook can do this, but OS X would have to be reworked to finally take advantage of these features).
buy the macbook for os x. the macbook gets my vote. and i think dells aren't built to last like macs are.
Heh, I find that hilarious.
I've had 2 MacBooks with build quality issues now. One had discoloration issues and both had issues with separation. The second was coming apart where the lid makes contact with the "top case" when close, and the first was coming apart around the hinge due to heat.
I also know friends with MBPs that are experiencing similar separation and warping issues.
Macs of the past may have been built to last, but the current crop are far from stable and not even guaranteed to last a year from my experience. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up on my 3rd MacBook in less than a year due to build quality and Flextronics repair issues.
Hi All,
I am from India.
Can anyone tell me the price of Macbook white in Malaysia with 2.2 GHz speep, 120 gb Ram and a DVD burner...
Pls. also advice if buying from Malaysia is worth.
Actually one of my friends is about to visit Kuala lumpur...
Thanx,
Regards,
Fakhir
I am from India.
Can anyone tell me the price of Macbook white in Malaysia with 2.2 GHz speep, 120 gb Ram and a DVD burner...
Pls. also advice if buying from Malaysia is worth.
Actually one of my friends is about to visit Kuala lumpur...
Thanx,
Regards,
Fakhir
I agree. My Dell XPS m1210 is a capable system, but it runs very hot. Even when running old games like Baldur's Gate II the GPU temperature goes up to about 90 deg Celsius (about 190+ deg Fahrenheit) and the rest of the laptop heats up. Running Oblivion drives the heat output over the cliff.
Go for the macbook pro!
I switched from a windows computer to a mbp 17" and its the best thing i have done in many years!
It´s not all about the specs, but when you are getting a mac you are also getting av VERY nice machine! You pay some extra cash for the nice look and all of those small things that make a mac truly great!
And you already are a user of OS X it will be a boost from your macbook and you wont regret it, i know i dont! It´s maby kinda stupid, but everything just works!
And the magsafe adapter is great! On my xps my power connector got bent because i was putting to much pressure on it and i had to replace the powerplug in the dell. and that took a while
And performance wise, i think os x operates much smoother than xp or vista. It´s like my mac know what programs i am about to open and it opens in like notime! Depends what you are going to use your computer for. if you are a gamer, maby the xps will be nicer if you dont use bootcamp on your mac! (not that many games for osx YET)
I switched from a windows computer to a mbp 17" and its the best thing i have done in many years!
It´s not all about the specs, but when you are getting a mac you are also getting av VERY nice machine! You pay some extra cash for the nice look and all of those small things that make a mac truly great!
And you already are a user of OS X it will be a boost from your macbook and you wont regret it, i know i dont! It´s maby kinda stupid, but everything just works!
And the magsafe adapter is great! On my xps my power connector got bent because i was putting to much pressure on it and i had to replace the powerplug in the dell. and that took a while
And performance wise, i think os x operates much smoother than xp or vista. It´s like my mac know what programs i am about to open and it opens in like notime!
Depends what you are going to use your computer for. if you are a gamer, maby the xps will be nicer if you dont use bootcamp on your mac! (not that many games for osx YET)No, it really doesn't. My MacBook arrived broken & even after repairs it still doesn't close flush. The OS is far from perfect too; still, even after reinstalling it, iTunes crashes every time I plug in my Shuffle. If Apple can't make their own program work on their own OS on their own computer with their own MP3 player, I don't know if I have any faith left at all!
Yeah, that was your fault, not Dell's.On my xps my power connector got bent because i was putting to much pressure on it and i had to replace the powerplug in the dell. and that took a while
This one is genuinely funny, because Vista actually does precache often used files & programs to make them faster at loading, whilst OS X doesn't! But hey, placebo is a good enough reason to buy a Mac, right?
You have a Mac Mini, what more convincing do you need? It's not about how much either Dell or Apple costs, but the value to you. If the Dell has more value to you then you'll be happy.
It's amazing how people get use to dealing with problems, that they have a hard time letting go of the problem(s) when offered something else.
It's amazing how people get use to dealing with problems, that they have a hard time letting go of the problem(s) when offered something else.
- Status