MacBook over a Dell Studio?

[Ryuukumori]

Thank you everyone.

Are there problems with the following in the current MacBooks?

1. Screen "blacks" heavily washed out
2. Aluminum warping over time (and heat?)
3. Boot camp drivers completely compatible with the MacBook hardware

If I buy in July, I would want to get a free printer and iPod for the promo. I will sell the iPod since I already have a 32GB iPod Touch, so with the education discount as well, what price am I looking at for the high-end MacBook?

Dell sounds reliable too, but I fear it will crap out since hardware comes from multiple sources. Although the warranty sounds amazing, I really don't see a need for warranties since I take good care of my things. That is, I am used to having no "extended" warranties because I know how to build a computer. Maybe AppleCare is worth it? You tell me.

Oh, one final question! Sorry for this...

Macs are, indeed, expensive. Everyone pays a premium for the apple logo on the back... literally. Has anyone gone out in the "deep end" to buy an Apple computer, despite knowing deep inside there are cheaper options (Dells, custom desktop rigs, etc)? That is the toughest shell to crack when purchasing, knowing there is always a better deal somewhere when you look through Apple's colorful "prism."

Anyways, it will be a long shot back from my early childhood years, really, really hoping to step in the right direction when I leave home for college this fall. I really would like a computer with most capability to talk to family and friends as far as Japan. Thanks again.

 

[tubbymac]

Are there problems with the following in the current MacBooks?

1. Screen "blacks" heavily washed out
2. Aluminum warping over time (and heat?)
3. Boot camp drivers completely compatible with the MacBook hardware

1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes

I can tell just by tone of your posts though that you'd be much happier with something new. WE all know you'll be bored silly with another PC computer. YOU deep down know this too. Stop torturing yourself through analysis paralysis and make that final leap.

It's like you're standing outside a strip club and badly want to go in but are trying to come up with a billion reasons why you shouldn't go in. You just need somebody to kick you in the butt and push you through the door.

JUST DO IT

 

[Abstract]

It will help you make friends . JK

But not the type of friends you'd want anyway. Who the heck likes someone because they have a Mac? A lot of Mac users are really lame. iAvoid them.


I think that if you're not buying a Mac for OS X, then don't buy a Mac. There's not much point. Dells have some better screen choices (higher resolution for me), far better warranties, and just better overall configurability. If you want to use Windows quite a bit, then you may as well go with another brand. If I was to buy a PC laptop, I'd look at Lenovo or Sony. However, whenever I'm interested in buying a computer, I go to Apple's website and take a look. I don't look at other hardware because I don't see a point. I already know I'm going to buy a Mac because of OS X, so I just need the single website to go to.

And no, Boot Camp drivers aren't 100% compatible with everything. People have reported issues. After all, Apple made those drivers so that you can run Microsoft Windows on a Mac. Microsoft certainly didn't write them for Apple, so you're bound to get some issues. However, for almost every common app, game, or task you'll ever run on Windows, you will never run into an issue. All these "common" things have been well sorted.

Dell sounds reliable too, but I fear it will crap out since hardware comes from multiple sources.

Apple's hardware is from multiple sources as well, and probably the same sources.

 

[paolo-]

Sure, you're paying more simply because there's an illuminated white plastic apple on the back of your laptop. And seriously, you could get about the same job done with a PC, for the most part. Some people try to say things like the R&D and design of the computer or the quality of manufacturing is so much superior to put a reason behind the higher price.

Bottom line, apple has a much higher profit margin than any other computer company. They only produce a few computers and sell a lot of them, so the R&D and design aspects aren't a big burden. Think how many different models dell or acer have, they all need to be designed and heavily tested before they go out to the market, contrarily to popular belief. And for the manufacturing, it's a quality product, there's no doubt about it. Mind you it's not flawless and will fail at some point.

Another thing to keep in mind is apple's ethics. More that I think of, more apple pisses me off. Just the way they milk off every penny they can get out of their clients. With the heavy use of DRM, pay to get ring tones done for the iPhone when it's so damn simple and integrated in the software, pay for software updates TWICE on the iTouch, so many obscure proprietary interfaces... (I don't have a problem with paying more upfront but those kind of things are just laughing at the public, in my opinion)

Bottom line, it's a great computer and os x is absolutely incredible. But don't kid yourself, apple is putting lots of money in their pockets due to their high margin.

 

[pinoyplaya]

I have been a PC user ever since and yesterday I just got my very first Mac Computer. I love it to death. I will never go back to PC again... well actually.... I will keep my Gaming Rig that I built. But aside from that, from now on, I will be purchasing Apple Products for personal computers. Unless Apple in the future wont be as reliable as they are today.

But I will still continue to build performance top of the line PC. I can only wish for Apple to release their OS for PC

Just think of what will happen. Mac OS everywhere!

 

[ProwlingTiger]

I've read countless articles pointing out that you're not paying more just for the Apple logo. Numerous research studies have indicated that Apple hardware lasts longer and Apple customer support is superior.

For some, yeah the price is a burden. But I think that if you take the plunge, get a Mac, you'll find that OS X is the real deal-sealer. I've never wanted to go back to Windows (though I do from time to time for some programs).

 

[Ryuukumori]

Very interesting! Hearing both sides of experiences, the good and bad... ripe and rotten.

I am looking forward to using both in the future. But my eyes are setting on the fresh MacBook. July... we wait for a spec boost. XD