MBP or Dell XPS.....

[Zadillo]

I've been thinking about this issue too. I have to admit, I had been seriously leaning towards the XPSM1330.

However, I've been reconsidering, and will now most likely go with the MBP.

This review made me think about something in particular:

http://www.reviewpub.net/2007/07/dell-xps-m1330-.html

The "under 4 pound" weight seems to only be with the 4 cell battery, which you now can't even configure the XPSM1330 with if you choose the 8400M GS (apparently the power drain is too high or something). With the 9 cell and the AC adapter, you're looking at a travel weight of 5.5 pounds.

And the MBP is 1" thick across the board, whereas the XPS gets thicker at the back, especially with the extended battery.

I'm also not so sure about the keyboard. I tried the Inspiron 1420 keyboard at a dell kiosk (they didn't have the XPSM1330 out yet), which I've read is very similar to the XPSM1330 keyboard, and honestly it didn't feel all that great to me. I definitely like the MBP keyboard over it.

And from my experience with an SZ460, the footprint of a 13.3" laptop isn't all that different from a 15" laptop.

Apparently even with the 9 cell, the XPS battery life is around 4 to 4 hours 30 minutes.

So, I had been looking at the XPS in the thought that it would be much lighter, much more portable and offer much better battery life. But frankly, it doesn't seem like it would be dramatically better in that regard than the MBP.

And of course, the MBP gives you a full 8600M GT, not an 8400M GS which is much less powerful.

And the biggest factor for me is OS X vs. Vista. One of the reasons I gave up on my SZ460 is because Vista was such a dog. I'm much more looking forward to running OS X 10.5 than getting a machine with Vista.

I am sure the XPSM1330 will be nice, and it seems to be getting very positive reviews. It seems more appealing in some ways than the XPSM1220.

But for me at least, it doesn't offer enough benefits to me to choose it over an MBP.

 

[Wolfpup]

Don't get my wrong, I'm not really on board with Apple's current hardware. I had so much trouble with my Macbook, that I washed my hands with it. I don't even own any current Macs. I think Apple has some serious quality control issues.

I forgot to ask-what problems did you have with your Macbook?

 

[Wolfpup]

The "under 4 pound" weight seems to only be with the 4 cell battery, which you now can't even configure the XPSM1330 with if you choose the 8400M GS (apparently the power drain is too high or something). With the 9 cell and the AC adapter, you're looking at a travel weight of 5.5 pounds.

Regarding that, you can select the 6 cell battery, which I think is normal sized and fits in the unit completely.

Theoretically the Macbook Pro is more computer for the money, but I pretty much trust Dell's hardware more than Apple's.

 

[Eidorian]

Regarding that, you can select the 6 cell battery, which I think is normal sized and fits in the unit completely.

Theoretically the Macbook Pro is more computer for the money, but I pretty much trust Dell's hardware more than Apple's.

I have the same amount of trust between Apple and Dell hardware.

 

[mick4394]

I forgot to ask-what problems did you have with your Macbook?

1. Wouldn't sleep when closing the lid -->> Replaced Logic Board

2. When they returned it from the logic board replacement, the tech who did the work did a shoddy job, and I had to send it back to have the case replaced because of all the scratches that the tech put on it. -->> Replaced the entire case.

3. Spontaneous bottom case cracks -->> Replaced Bottom Case

4. More spontaneous case cracks -->> Replaced Macbook

Really, when I read that list back, it's nothing compared to the horror stories that I've heard from other users. But, it's way worse than it should be. Really, it wouldn't even bother me that much, but in the seven months I owned the thing, two of those months were spent without the computer.

 

[Wolfpup]

1. Wouldn't sleep when closing the lid -->> Replaced Logic Board

2. When they returned it from the logic board replacement, the tech who did the work did a shoddy job, and I had to send it back to have the case replaced because of all the scratches that the tech put on it. -->> Replaced the entire case.

3. Spontaneous bottom case cracks -->> Replaced Bottom Case

4. More spontaneous case cracks -->> Replaced Macbook

Really, when I read that list back, it's nothing compared to the horror stories that I've heard from other users. But, it's way worse than it should be. Really, it wouldn't even bother me that much, but in the seven months I owned the thing, two of those months were spent without the computer.

Good grief. And that does sound tamer than a lot of the other things. I'm probably just scaring myself. I mean my old Power Mac and iMac, and my two iPods all more or less work fine...

 

[Zadillo]

Regarding that, you can select the 6 cell battery, which I think is normal sized and fits in the unit completely.

Theoretically the Macbook Pro is more computer for the money, but I pretty much trust Dell's hardware more than Apple's.

Right, and with the 6 cell, it's 4.41 pounds. Not bad, certainly, but only a pound lighter than an MBP.

Regarding trusting Dell's hardware more than Apple's; just from what I've seen from Inspiron 1520 and 1420 buyers lately, I don't know that Dell's anything perfect either........ some really major problems being reported (loose hinges, screen problems, headphone hiss, etc. etc.). Presumably the XPSM1330 will be better, but even so.

-Zadillo

 

[Wolfpup]

Right, and with the 6 cell, it's 4.41 pounds. Not bad, certainly, but only a pound lighter than an MBP.

Regarding trusting Dell's hardware more than Apple's; just from what I've seen from Inspiron 1520 and 1420 buyers lately, I don't know that Dell's anything perfect either........ some really major problems being reported (loose hinges, screen problems, headphone hiss, etc. etc.). Presumably the XPSM1330 will be better, but even so.

-Zadillo

I guess I haven't been following those that closely. Doesn't surprise me as several Dell notebooks I've used had HIDEOUS audio (though it's sort of moot since you can use an X-Fi card on them). I actually would have bought one, but they lack a DVI/HDMI port. (Of course I would have bought a MBP on launch day if it had an easily replaceable hard drive-PUT A FRIGGIN OPENING RIGHT UNDER IT! That's all they'd have to do and I'd be happy.)

The Macbook line is freakishly light, although personally I don't really care, as it's no big deal to me whether a system is 4 pounds or 15.

 

[mick4394]

Right, and with the 6 cell, it's 4.41 pounds. Not bad, certainly, but only a pound lighter than an MBP.

A pound makes a pretty big difference when you're toting the thing around all day.

I've heard the same sort of comparison from MBP owners trying to get MB owners to get MBPs, "It's only an inch wider..."

 

[Zadillo]

A pound makes a pretty big difference when you're toting the thing around all day.

I've heard the same sort of comparison from MBP owners trying to get MB owners to get MBPs, "It's only an inch wider..."

Right, fair enough.

I'm not saying it doesn't make a difference. Just that a 1 pound difference doesn't necessarily make up for the differences between the XPSM1330 and an MBP.

-Zadillo

 

[Zadillo]

I guess I haven't been following those that closely. I actually would have bought one, but they lack a DVI/HDMI port. (Of course I would have bought a MBP on launch day if it had an easily replaceable hard drive-PUT A FRIGGIN OPENING RIGHT UNDER IT! That's all they'd have to do and I'd be happy.)

The Macbook line is freakishly light, although personally I don't really care, as it's no big deal to me whether a system is 4 pounds or 15.

Yeah. I had strongly been considering an Inspiron 1520 as well, since I was able to configure a pretty good machine for around $1450 including tax and 3 year warranty/accident protection.

But when I finally got a chance to see and use one in person at my local Dell kiosk, I was disappointing. The big thing is that the thing is really a behomoth; it's incredibly large and bulky and weighs close to 7 pounds. It's sort of my same problem as with the Asus G1S.

I also was disappointed in the screen - it seemed very grainy (one of the common complaints on the Dell forums), but also didn't seem all that bright - as much as people here complain about the MBP screen issues, this one seemed to have a sort of off-white tint to the whole screen; a blank web browser looked more grey than bright white).

And the keyboard didn't do much for me either.

I will say that the new Inspirons at least had a better overall feel than the old ones.

-Zadillo

 

[mick4394]

Right, fair enough.

I'm not saying it doesn't make a difference. Just that a 1 pound difference doesn't necessarily make up for the differences between the XPSM1330 and an MBP.

-Zadillo

Keep in mind, the M1330 is also a much more affordable machine than the MBP. The M1330 has a much more consumer friendly price than the MBP, which is about as high end as it gets.

 

[Zadillo]

Keep in mind, the M1330 is also a much more affordable machine than the MBP. The M1330 has a much more consumer friendly price than the MBP, which is about as high end as it gets.

It's only "much more affordable" than an MBP at its most basic configuration (with 1GB of RAM, slowest possible 1.5GHz CPU, integrated graphics, no LED-backlit screen, etc.).

Once it is configured with, say, a 2.2GHz CPU, an 8400M GS, LED-backlit screen, 2GB of RAM, etc. it is much closer to the $2100-2500 range (depending on coupons, etc.).

I will certainly acknowledge that Apple doesn't offer a basic MBP configuration comparable to what you can get in the $1200-1500 range of the XPSM1330, but a lot of the "goodies" of the XPSM1330 are missing from that as well, which puts in more along the lines of Apple's 13.3" MacBook anyway.

-Zadillo

 

[mick4394]

It's only "much more affordable" than an MBP at its most basic configuration (with 1GB of RAM, slowest possible 1.5GHz CPU, integrated graphics, no LED-backlit screen, etc.).

Once it is configured with, say, a 2.2GHz CPU, an 8400M GS, LED-backlit screen, 2GB of RAM, etc. it is much closer to the $2100-2500 range (depending on coupons, etc.).

I will certainly acknowledge that Apple doesn't offer a basic MBP configuration comparable to what you can get in the $1200-1500 range of the XPSM1330, but a lot of the "goodies" of the XPSM1330 are missing from that as well, which puts in more along the lines of Apple's 13.3" MacBook anyway.

-Zadillo

Right you are.

 

[Zadillo]

Right you are.

Btw, I'm not saying the XPS isn't a good deal or anything. It seems like Dell has a real winner on their hands, and I've read almost nothing but positive reviews of it.

I think it's biggest competitor though is probably Sony's SZ series. I think it would be cool if Dell could also adopt the switchable GMAX3100/8400MS integrated/dedicated graphics that the SZ6 series has.

-Zadillo

 

[mick4394]

Btw, I'm not saying the XPS isn't a good deal or anything. It seems like Dell has a real winner on their hands, and I've read almost nothing but positive reviews of it.

I think it's biggest competitor though is probably Sony's SZ series. I think it would be cool if Dell could also adopt the switchable GMAX3100/8400MS integrated/dedicated graphics that the SZ6 series has.

-Zadillo

Anytime any company comes up with a good machine, it's good for all of us. Hopefully this will push Apple to get a smaller, high end, machine out the door.

Truthfully, this M1210 is my first Dell, and I'm just off of that Macbook fiasco. So, we'll see what I think of this machine in a couple of months. Once I get off the new computer high, I may not be so in love with this computer.

One thing is for sure, though. The magnesium alloy casing of this computer won't be cracking anytime soon. This thing's a tank compared to my old Macbook.

 

[ktbubster]

I have the same amount of trust between Apple and Dell hardware.

That being said. If you do have a problem with your computer Apple support is about 50000 times better then Dells.

Not that that is saying much as a baboon with a carrier pigeon would be more helpful and a whole heck of a lot faster then Dell's support.

 

[Wolfpup]

That being said. If you do have a problem with your computer Apple support is about 50000 times better then Dells.

Not that that is saying much as a baboon with a carrier pigeon would be more helpful and a whole heck of a lot faster then Dell's support.

And Dell's #2 behind Apple in support, according to Consumer Reports. A distant second (Apple gets mostly top/red ratings, Dell gets mostly mid or below I think).

What's scary is you hear all these horror stories even about Apple.

One nice thing about them though is usually they seem to admit to huge hardware problems. Like last year with the Macbooks and Macbook Pros, I felt comfortable that they'd come forward within a few months and start fixing stuff, because I'd seen it time and again-and they did. Silence for a few months, and then a quiet notice and updates. That's (unfortunately) more than most companies do.

Yet I'm still scared to go with a Macbook Pro! I'm so scared of cracking that thing open for the drive, and the audio, and the shocks, etc.

 

[boardtrick]

what do you want from your computer?

i'm entering the fray now...tomorrow i plan to purchase the first computer NOT built myself since my first PC, a Packard Bell in 1994...and it's going to be a MBP. i've worked with lots of operating systems from OS/2 and FreeBSD to Windows, Linux and OS X. I've built intel and amd systems and, in my opinion, it's all about what you want to do with the system. I'm buying a MBP for Final Cut Studio, but I run a PC specifically for games and Adobe Audition (winXP, not vista)

Somebody said earlier in the thread, there are advantages and disadvantages to both systems as well as between Apple and Dell. I've fixed many of my friends' Dell laptops and at my job I've fixed G5 and Intel Xeon Mac Pros that have crashed; it happens. I usually suggest to people to forget about the OS, and ask yourself exactly what you expect from your new investment.

 

[Joshua8o8]

MBP all the way! if you want your computer to make things difficult for you, get the dell for sure, if you want a pleasant computing experience, get the apple.

 

[reflex]

Do let me warn you. Vista is really pretty crap. Looks aside and all, it just isn't a completed OS and it is not very snappy. If you do go with the PC get XP installed on it.

The snappiness of Vista depends on your video card and available memory, more than anything else. I've got it installed on two computers, my MBP and a custom-built desktop.

On the MBP, with its X1600 and 2GB of ram, it's always been extremely responsive.

On the desktop, it was horrible until I put in a decent videocard (Radeon 9800Pro instead of 9200) and upgraded the memory to 1GB.

That said, XP is indeed snappier because it doesn't have the Aero interface. But switch that off in Vista and you get similar performance.

Sorry if this is slightly off topic in a Mac forum.

EDIT: as for the OP's question: if you want to run both OSX and Windows, you'll definitely need a mac.

 

[katorga]

The "under 4 pound" weight seems to only be with the 4 cell battery, which you now can't even configure the XPSM1330 with if you choose the 8400M GS

That would kill it for me. I hate laptops with extended batteries, especially ones that extend below the laptop that make it sit at an angle.

All in all the 1330 looks neat, but not once you put the goofy 9 cell on it, and it really really needs the 9 cell to be worth a dam.

 

[Wolfpup]

That would kill it for me. I hate laptops with extended batteries, especially ones that extend below the laptop that make it sit at an angle.

All in all the 1330 looks neat, but not once you put the goofy 9 cell on it, and it really really needs the 9 cell to be worth a dam.

As has been mentioned, you don't need the 9 cell battery, just the 6 cell, which doesn't extend out of the computer.

 

[QuasarZ71]

I know this thread is old but I would like to say a few unbiased pros and cons here. I support both systems in a university setting. I have both PC and a Mac that I use every day.

Operating Systems:

MBP can run both Mac OSX and Windows but you will need to drop some extra cash for the Windows OS.

Dell XPS or any other non-Mac computer cannot run OSX without emulators and/or hacks which I believe falls out of the OSX license unless there is some loop hole I do not know about.

Windows XP been around and is pretty stable. Most of the problems I have in XP now are because of bad hardware or 3rd party crapware. Microsoft has a lot of exploits and they are being patched all the time.

Vista - ewww, but it's getting better as more 3rd party software and drivers come out. It's really slow.

Mac OSX has always been pretty stable. Apple also releases a lot of new updates and patches. Seems like OSX stops getting fixes and 3rd party support 2 versions back from the latest version which forces people to upgrade the OS every 2-3 years.

Warranty:

I only use warranty services on hardware failures so this may not speak to everyone.

I typically see the same number of hardware failures in both machines.
Mac's warranty does not have a accidental damage condition so if you break it you are on your own. Dell's complete care adds that option but is an extra cost.

With MBP you will be shipped a box to then ship the MBP into a service center to be repaired. They will then ship it back repaired but lacking any real description of what was done. This normally takes about a week of down time.

Dell will send out a tech the next day and usually repair the computer at your location. Most of the tech that have been dispatched to my place of business with tell me what they are replacing and why.

Dells phone support technicians usually have a heavy accent and can be hard to understand.

Price:

Delluniversity.com is nice to save you some money if you are a student, teacher or even a prospective student.

Mac's education store is nice to save you some money if you are a student, teacher or even a prospective student. (The link is all the way at the bottom of the page in tiny letters)

If you get a Mac you can run both Operating systems so it saves you from having to buy a Mac and Windows machine.

Mac's upgrades while building a machine do not make sense to me. To go from 2gb of ram to 4gb it cost $360 at the education store when you can buy a 4gb kit of crucial ram for $100 for their website with lifetime warranty and guaranteed compatibility. There are others that sometimes make me believe that the apple company thinks its consumers are gullible. It must work of they wouldn't keep doing it.

Hardware:

They both offer the same quality hardware. Like I said earlier they both seem to fail as much as the other.

Dell offers more choices in hardware. This can be confusing at times though.

I have had Mac sales reps state that they are a software company that happens to make the hardware to run their software. That is just an interesting side note.

Windows is really annoying on a Mac touch pad if you are use to the right click. A Bluetooth or USB mouse is a must...really is for me with most notebooks anyway.

Software:

There is just more software for the PC than the Mac but a Mac can run windows so this isn't much of an issue anymore.

There is some good Mac software you can't get for the PC.

Conclusion:

Everyone has their own opinion and both companies wouldn’t be in business if they didn’t have their own market.

I know there are things I surely left out on both sides since this is coming from someone who mainly supports both computers and doesn’t have the same perspective as an end user.

You can play World of Warcraft on both but I noticed it runs better on the windows XP side of my Mac. This is the only cross platform games I have personally tried this with.

 

[Cousin Dirk]

All I know is, given the choice I'd NEVER buy a Dell. My experience of them has been horrible, from the cheap feel of the parts to the regular failure of the VGA out on most models of laptop I've encountered to the pain-in-the-ass tech support.

I took great pleasure in filling out a customer satisfaction form today that stated quite clearly that it would be a cold day in hell before I'd recommend Dell to anyone.