The MacBook Pro 12" Just Arrived....

[Amuraivel]

It just happens to be made by Dell:


http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2965&review=XPS+M1210+Review

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

This one's more expensive than Apple's MacBook...look at the configurations on Dell's site.

Oh, and it doesn't have Mac OS X. But it does have a 64 MB dedicated / 192 MB shared graphics card...on higher-end models. :rolleyes:

[bbrosemer]

How dare the be called the MBP, it looks like someone stuck a giant piece of plastic on the top and called it a camera at the top, it also looks like you could quite easily kill someone with that if you hit them with it. Needless to say its a Dell personally, I know I cant speak for everyone but, lets think about this wanting to play games on a 12 inch screen where is dell going with this why are they putting this powerful g-processor in such a small box they should have went with the widescreen like the MacBooks

[bbrosemer]

Also Ill take a remote anyday over "MediaButtons"

[Amuraivel]

I'm not saying the design is anywhere near Apple's--it is almost like Dell tries to design crappy looking hardware, and yes, even with GMA the machine is overpriced...it is the MacBook Pro 12"--I just wish Apple would have made it.

[emotion]

Apple are gonna do better than I thought with the new macbooks if this is what the competition are up to.

I mean look at it.

I've had two dell machines (work, not my choice) and they've been mediocre machines in every respect.

[doowrehs]

I despise Dell as much as anyone, and yes - at the end of the day you're stuck with Windows; but come on, this thing does have some nice touches. 4GB RAM capacity, dual-layer DVD writable drive, direct s-video ouptut, memory card reader, etc. Yes - I know including all these options would push the price up close to a MacBook Pro, but I still think it's impressive that they can squeeze all that in to what is still a relatively small package.

[gloss]

It's a neat little machine. Lots of power, very small. Probably runs hotter than hell.

I think around here people's Apple-Lust blinds them to the decent qualities of other machines. o.O

[Moshiiii]

That thing looks like crap.

[FF_productions]

Dude it runs Windows...
:(

[wickedG35]

It's a neat little machine. Lots of power, very small. Probably runs hotter than hell.

I think around here people's Apple-Lust blinds them to the decent qualities of other machines. o.O

Probably not as hot as the newer line of Apple notebooks. Seriously, lack of heat is something Apple should never boast about. Also, showing off a new Dell notebook on a mac forum is like going on the PETA forums and asking them if goat meat is ok to eat =)

[Capt Underpants]

That is what Apple is missing. If Apple made a computer like that (with Apple styling, of course), it'd be an instant replacement for my 12" PB.

[MacMan93]

DAMN! Since when does a 2006 notebooks's battery look like somthing from 1989?!?! That is just SAD!. My PowerBook 1400 looks more sleek and good looking then that THING!


Dell XPS Thing = MacBook Pro 12".........NAH! More like....
Dell XPS thing = Mac Portable (Mac Portable still has better features :cool: )/

[kildraik]

It was kind of sickening that they even compared that XPS to a MacBook... It has a very strange and unneccesary look to it... Almost looks as if it should have armor plating...

[NVRsayNVR]

MONSTROSITY ?!?

:rolleyes:

[emotion]

I despise Dell as much as anyone, and yes - at the end of the day you're stuck with Windows; but come on, this thing does have some nice touches. 4GB RAM capacity, dual-layer DVD writable drive, direct s-video ouptut, memory card reader, etc. Yes - I know including all these options would push the price up close to a MacBook Pro, but I still think it's impressive that they can squeeze all that in to what is still a relatively small package.

Yeah I see what you're saying. I agree.

The cool thing now is that it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Apple could release something like this now because of the Intel switch.

[bbrosemer]

I could put for 4gigs of ram in my MBP too but o yeah it would cost me nearly as much as the computer did with 2 gigs... So I think I'll pass on that one.:confused:

[bbrosemer]

Just one more thing that computer is not realitively small in comparison to any Mac, other then the Power Mac. Its a thick brick, that could easily kill a small child if it was dropped on them. Most people who would buy that Dell thinking its cool looking wouldnt even know 1/2 the features it comes with. A smart computer user is going to stick with either 1)A mac if their a Apple Fan Boy like myself 2) A thinkpad or custom built PC laptop. Dell really needs to stop trying to make a computer for everyone and just focus at entry level customers because those are most of the people buying dell's anyways.

[emotion]

Just one more thing that computer is not realitively small in comparison to any Mac, other then the Power Mac. Its a thick brick, that could easily kill a small child if it was dropped on them. Most people who would buy that Dell thinking its cool looking wouldnt even know 1/2 the features it comes with. A smart computer user is going to stick with either 1)A mac if their a Apple Fan Boy like myself 2) A thinkpad or custom built PC laptop. Dell really needs to stop trying to make a computer for everyone and just focus at entry level customers because those are most of the people buying dell's anyways.

I'm not sure Dell needs to stop doing anything at all. They're doing pretty well.

[p0intblank]

How can someone actually let a bad design like this one out the door and into the public? :(

[mkrishnan]

Wow, it's the year of the integrated webcam, I guess. Sony had been doing it for several years without success, and all of a sudden, everyone and their black sheep brother Apple is doing it. ;)

I think the previous 12" notebook from Dell -- the white and silver one -- looked cuter, though. I think the Asus does too. But still, seems pretty nice for Dell.

[bbrosemer]

They are doing well I agree but, how many people do you see walking around with XPS laptops, I'm saying dell would be better off focusing on entry level customers. High end Laptops I still feel are going to be one by custom build companies. My MBP is great but they average kid doesnt know crap about computers other then that disc that Dell gave them with their comp reinstall Windows XP when they crash it.:p

[emotion]

They are doing well I agree but, how many people do you see walking around with XPS laptops, I'm saying dell would be better off focusing on entry level customers. High end Laptops I still feel are going to be one by custom build companies.

The high end is owned by lenovo/ibm and sony as far as I see it.

The XPS stuff is new but all I see all over academia (uk) is high end dells (increasingly though I see a lot of Apple laptops).


My MBP is great but they average kid doesnt know crap about computers other then that disc that Dell gave them with their comp reinstall Windows XP when they crash it.:p

y'know windows bashing is increasingly making apple users look like idiots.

[ManchesterTrix]

Just one more thing that computer is not realitively small in comparison to any Mac, other then the Power Mac. Its a thick brick, that could easily kill a small child if it was dropped on them.

It's lighter and smaller than a 12" iBook let alone a MacBook.

[fatties]

Just one more thing that computer is not realitively small in comparison to any Mac, other then the Power Mac. Its a thick brick, that could easily kill a small child if it was dropped on them. .


surely if we hate our macs and a certain small child that much we can drop that on and kill them too?:p

i just think its dead dead dead ugly. and whats the delio with the stupid camera? its not as if they are the firs pc to put a camera on their laptop, sony have been doing that for years and even though they run windows and are not necessarily that well built (having said that i have to write a paper on my vaio tonight, so it will probably feel revengeful and loose 'random' bits off the paper like last time) they were still pretty pretty machines with a nice camera stuck INSIDE, not sticking out of the case. i wonder if the camera will fall off if you drop it.

[bbrosemer]

Hey... Is anyone wondering if the drivers that run that camera will run the isight in XP as well...?

[bbrosemer]

Im just saying the average person who uses their computer to download music off the internet and uses limewire is bloating their PC, most peopleput so much crap on their computers without even knowing because they have admin accounts and just click run whenever they see an app, Im going to be a soph in college next year and I cant even tell you how many times I had to go fix my friends pc's becasue they download so much crap. With OS X at least you have to enter a password before you realize that you are installing an app. Windows badly needs this and kids need to stop having admin accounts on their comps, that is what helps the proliferation of viruses on windows based machines.

[nitynate]

That's disgusting.

[miniConvert]

Still no integrated WCDMA (3G) in the UK :( I just can't buy myself another laptop until real go-anywhere connectivity is built in. If Dell get there before Apple do then, regardless of the pretty design and fantastic OS, functionality will get my wallet.

[emotion]

Still no integrated WCDMA (3G) in the UK :( I just can't buy myself another laptop until real go-anywhere connectivity is built in. If Dell get there before Apple do then, regardless of the pretty design and fantastic OS, functionality will get my wallet.

Can't you bluetooth to your phone for that functionality? Just wondered.

[bbrosemer]

You definetly can depending on the phone.

[njmac]

wow, that's one of the ugliest laptops I've ever seen..... I sure hope the original poster was joking:confused:

[miniConvert]

Can't you bluetooth to your phone for that functionality? Just wondered.
Yes, and rapidly run out of mobile battery. I also have a 3G Datacard... having a big chunk of plastic sticking out the side of a laptop really makes it look bad. Reception is also poor.

Internal WCDMA/GSM networking will take advantage of integrated antennae in the screen, along with not needing a fugly PCMCIA solution or a separate device such as a mobile phone, where speeds only reach the maximum supported by Bluetooth.

Some PC makers have already announced their imminent intention to integrate WCMDA/GSM chipsets that will support HSDPA at 1.2Mbps+, including Dell who has made a deal with Vodafone. Apple was ahead of the game on integrating WiFi, so I have my fingers crossed they'll do me proud here...

[Amuraivel]

No I am not joking.

Yes, this is the the deformed runt little sister that you feed dog food, and keep in a closet. The design is almost intentionally bad.


But my point is, that the features the laptop offers are what the 12" MBP should be. I don't think anyone can disagree with the fact that the Intel 950 is just not a viable chip for those light gamers. The option highspeed drives, and faster chip in a smaller an lighter package than the MB, make it the MBP 12".

The question is really why Apple there isn't a MBP 13" with a X1400 Radeon and Express 34, and backlit keyboard, all in an aluminum package.

[macpastor]

Notice that graphics are shared up to 256? I would like to see shared
graphics on the MacBook to this too. Although I would prefer a dedicated
graphics card, this is OK...

[Amuraivel]

The memory is not shared.

It has 64 dedicated, and borrows probably another 24-48 from the system. The 256MB is just marketing hype.

The intel chip barows all its RAM from the system.

Ram is only useful if the GPU can use it.

The 7400 gets decent 3dMark05 scores ~2000
Intel gets ~500
MBP 15" ~2500

[milo]

What's the appeal of this?

Sure, it's slightly smaller, but with the better battery (which still didn't even give him 3 hours of use) it's 4.8 pounds, almost as much as the MB. Who cares if it's smaller if it weighs almost as much?

You can barely compare this to the MB. Comparing it to the pro is an absolute joke.

[Amuraivel]

Barely compare? Sure it is ugly as sin, and more expensive

DVD-DL > SuperDrive MBP
Dual Audio Output (cute, i like listening to music with my wife)
Res.=Res. MB
Smaller Footprint (important for me, I work in the train, anything wider than the)
Lighter (albeit marginally)
Better camera / good speakers
2.16 = MBP
Wi-Fi finder = n/a
WAN = n/a
3dMark05@2100>550 MB
up to 4 Gigs RAM > MBP
Merom upgradeable, say that to your soldered MBP >MBP
pci-express slot = MBP
modem
S-video
pricey yes, but does have a few features.
10/100<10/100/1000
etc.

I think apple made good choices, e.g. mini-DVI, dropping the modem--but they are not pulling all the tricks

It is not that farfetched to compare it with the MacBook.

Battery is always the trade off with a dedicated GPU, you could underclock the hell out of it if you wanted longer running times.


I have a PowerBook, but there is performance hardware beyond Macintosh. I am sorry to say that this product in an applish variant.

[mkrishnan]

Some PC makers have already announced their imminent intention to integrate WCMDA/GSM chipsets that will support HSDPA at 1.2Mbps+, including Dell who has made a deal with Vodafone. Apple was ahead of the game on integrating WiFi, so I have my fingers crossed they'll do me proud here...

When you say integrate WCDMA/GSM chipsets, do you mean that the chipset handles high speed standards from both sides of the fence? Right now, in the US, when laptop mfr's include built in EVDO modems or EDGE modems, are the companies pretty good about allowing this hardware access to their networks even though they didn't sell it? I'm just asking vis-à-vis the handset market in which unlocked phones are unheard of on the white market here....

[iamhammill]

The specs don't make up for the horrid case. Dell needs to hire some better engineers.

[lilstewart]

That camera looks fugly.

[Subiklim]

That thing is too flipping thick to be compared to any mac laptop. Specs are nice, it's kinda ugly but I'd rather mac make an ugly MBP 13.3" than no 13.3"

[Lixivial]

At least it doesn't have that god-awful gradient'd back like the full-size XPS does. Man...

Anyway, this does have some nice features -- the camera is more powerful and it rotates, and it actually has expansion ports, unlike the MacBook. Either way, this image is the very reason I prefer Apple laptops over many PC variants:

The lights! Why all the lights? (http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/12569.jpg) Oh, that's right, because gamers like their electric blue LEDs. :(

[macsrockmysocks]

That camera looks fugly.

That's just what I was about to say. I love the way the new Macs have the iSight flush with the screen/computer for the iMac. It just looks so much cleaner. BTW, the Dell is really unattractive.

[Veritas&Equitas]

y'know windows bashing is increasingly making apple users look like idiots.

Ain't that the truth. It's amazing how many Mac users b!tch and moan about BSOD and viruses, etc, when I haven't had one crash in over 3 years, and not a single virus. And when it comes to hardware, I've found that the majority of Mac users really have no idea what they are talking about, they just talk about the "sexiness and superiority" of a Mac, almost attempting to make themselves feel better about their purchase. Don't get me wrong, I love my Powerbook, and love the productivity it gives me...but it just amazes me sometimes that certain PC systems may blow a MBP or MB out of the water in terms of performance, and many fanboys on here somehow find ways to pull a "superior fact" out of the subpar performance of their machines.

It's just the blind fanboyism that is really getting to me lately...sorry, just ranting...

[Subiklim]

It's just the blind fanboyism that is really getting to me lately...sorry, just ranting...

Couldn't agree with you more. OS X is the operating system for me, but it's just dumb to say that it's superior in every way to XP. Some people need XP, it's all a matter of personal preference. I've gotten a BSOD as much as I've gotten the WSOD on the mac. Once.