Yeah I hear those horror stories all the time on Mac enthusiast sites. 😀 I would admit you get better support from Dell if you know what you are talking about.
I do know what I am talking about. At least, with my problem
🙂 The Dell reps. did not, though, and after lengthy discussions (multiple calls), we finally found a solution. My colleague was not so lucky. The guy was actually a Dell fan (after switching from Gateway), but was so furious (still is years later) he changed to Apple. It was his excellent experience with Apple (and other family members) that helped convince me to switch recently.
I don't hold this against Dell. They are stuck with that crappy business model shared by so many manufacturers. I have had similar issues with Compaq and Asus customer support. When you field out highly technical work to people in foreign countries AND do not give them the training or authority to do more than go through their annoying scripts, you get crappy service. The difference between Dell and Apple customer service is crystal clear. Living, breathing people who often (not always) know what they are doing and can help you immediately.
That said, I've never had Dell check liquid sensors to try and deny me access to a warranty plan I had purchased. Or refuse to service my machine because someone may have once smoked in the same room as my computer.
They are welcome to check the liquid sensors all they want. And, I challenge them to deny me service because of smoke damage (I don't smoke, but I think it is unlikely they'll be able to enforce a nutty policy like that on even the heaviest smokers). I haven't had any serious issues yet, so I cannot say. I can only go from my experiences so far with other Apple devices, and the experiences of colleagues and family members. Good luck finding someone who has kind words for Dell (or any other PC manufacturer I can think of).
IMO Windows and Mac OSX both have strengths and weaknesses. So I utilise both.
Sure. But, for the work I do Windows is much less efficient. Apple seems to have some really fabulous features for multiple language support. I prefer to use it.
But there's no way I would commit to using one OS more than the other. I'm happy expanding my knowledge and accomplishing the things I want to do from each platform.
Sure. But, I can only use one computer at a time (as my main one) and I definitely think my MBP is better (for my needs). I am not anti-Windows. Windows is fine. I just don''t want to use it anymore. I think that Apple has done great work integrating everything, and Windows is simply not able to keep up. Windows 8 (at the moment) looks like a nightmare.
Lion promises to deliver some really incredible features as well. I have used a whole lot of Windows laptops over the year, and I've never had anything even close to this trackpad. Lion will take it to a whole new level.
I honestly wish the OP luck with his Dell. Personally, though, I've been down that road and I know where it leads, so I haven't got much interest in it.
