Word. The majority of people looking for Macs don't need more than machines to browse the web; you don't need a 2-grand computer to do that. Heck, you don't even need a 1-grand XPS to do that.
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Please help me justify $800 difference between MBP and XPS M1530
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Word. The majority of people looking for Macs don't need more than machines to browse the web; you don't need a 2-grand computer to do that. Heck, you don't even need a 1-grand XPS to do that.
Looks the same to me on the screens I've seen.
The problem is that most people compare the new LED screens to older and more heavily used computers that have thousands of hours of use already put on the CCFL in the LCD screen, therefore its naturally darker and makes the LED look better by default.
But at least Dell will come out to your house and fix it. Apple makes you send it to Flextronics where they only make things worse, then deny it, then make things worse again.
Vista runs every bit as "smooth" as Leopard does on either one of my systems.
Only if you don't swipe your finger in a relatively similar way to the first 4 times when it asked for your fingerprint
Sounds like the MacBook and not the same Wal-Mart machines I've used. The $500-$650 HPs and Compaqs they sell are built better than MacBooks and have relatively similar specs.
Which offers no visual improvement, per Apple's own words.
You mean the design that gets hot to the point where it can affect fertility? Or the build quality that has a knack for coming part or warping for no reason? Not to mention how dent prone the MacBook Pro is...
Certainly doesn't justify the cost. The cost for that feature should be put towards making sure the system doesn't fall apart in your hands.
Which are known to fall apart, fray, and even catch fire!
What uneven gaps?
Looks the same to me on the screens I've seen.
The problem is that most people compare the new LED screens to older and more heavily used computers that have thousands of hours of use already put on the CCFL in the LCD screen, therefore its naturally darker and makes the LED look better by default.
But at least Dell will come out to your house and fix it. Apple makes you send it to Flextronics where they only make things worse, then deny it, then make things worse again.
Vista runs every bit as "smooth" as Leopard does on either one of my systems.
Only if you don't swipe your finger in a relatively similar way to the first 4 times when it asked for your fingerprint
Sounds like the MacBook and not the same Wal-Mart machines I've used. The $500-$650 HPs and Compaqs they sell are built better than MacBooks and have relatively similar specs.
Which offers no visual improvement, per Apple's own words.
You mean the design that gets hot to the point where it can affect fertility? Or the build quality that has a knack for coming part or warping for no reason? Not to mention how dent prone the MacBook Pro is...
Certainly doesn't justify the cost. The cost for that feature should be put towards making sure the system doesn't fall apart in your hands.
Which are known to fall apart, fray, and even catch fire!
What uneven gaps?
Fair enough. Apple can say whatever, but the LED screens are still brighter to me and have a sharper contrast. That's also me comparing them to the brand-new CCFL'd LCD screens I've seen.
I also disagree that those cheap laptops feel better than a Macbook. I've also only seen a few (really old, to be fair) Macbooks with any uneven gaps around. They don't feel hollow or flex in odd places like the several (brand-new) Thinkpads I've had the opportunity to sample. However, I do prefer the Thinkpad plastic/feel over the Macbook plastic. I also dislike the Macbook-style keyboard, but I haven't had the chance to use one extensively. I dislike the XPS keyboards too.
Also, the only Dells that have the solidity/build quality I can compare to an MBP are from the Latitude Dxxx series. I don't like the look, however. Vostros, Inspirons, etc. they're just large and bulky to me.
Dell won't come to your house and fix it unless you buy the in-house warranty haha. I've also read stories of incompetent techs who have come and made problems worse.
In short, I'm not a huge fan of Dells for some reason. They're cheap though, I'll give you that.
I've also had somewhat of a bad experience with Lenovo Thinkpads, so I'm really down to 2 options - MBP and a business-class HP. However, the HP configurations I want are as expensive, or more so, than the MBP, so...
P.S. why are you bashing Macs on a Mac forum?
I personally, don't feel that it's worth the cost difference, but worth noting..
I have 3 other roommates in my humble Orlando apt. and we occasionally bring our lappy's into the living room to write a paper, etc..
Just about every time, I can bring my lovely MB without the magsafe power adapter, but those guys..
They carry out their laptops ( 2 gateways and a Dell ) and power cords, with the bricks 3/4 of the way down the cable, and slide it across the floor.
I make fun of them every time because they look like they're Ghostbusters.
Like they're going to catch a Ghoul in that huge power brick... lol
I have 3 other roommates in my humble Orlando apt. and we occasionally bring our lappy's into the living room to write a paper, etc..
Just about every time, I can bring my lovely MB without the magsafe power adapter, but those guys..
They carry out their laptops ( 2 gateways and a Dell ) and power cords, with the bricks 3/4 of the way down the cable, and slide it across the floor.
I make fun of them every time because they look like they're Ghostbusters.
Like they're going to catch a Ghoul in that huge power brick... lol
LOL - not with the current M$ management...
They flopped with Vista (even Gates stated this in his post-CES interviews)
They won't have the successor to Vista ready till at least 2011
They flopped with Xbox 360 - especially supporting HD-DVD
They flopped with Zune
They just flopped with their attempted take-over of Yahoo!
They just bought Danger Inc. (makers of the Sidekick) = smells of more desperation
M$ = no longer ruling the world... Guess who's stepping to the plate and making BIG waves???
Fair enough. And although that wasn't the intent of what you said, I agree with you that Apple is fast stepping up to become the new microsoft – and not in a good way.
Me, I will propably go for Ubuntu on a nice thinkpad, meself. However, it will still be "switching away from os x"
Edit/add:
Come to think of it, most of those things you mention seem to imply, that just because something doesn't become a huge hit making the product almost a monopoly, it's a flop? I hope that is not what you mean, because with that, you're saying that only the lowest common denominator works, and that said denominator must be the "best thing out there". How does that tie into you being a mac user?
Mac
This is a biased suggestion from a happy Mac user since 1986, as I understand that you want to get good reasons to justify your Mac.
With MacOSX you will not need to worry about viruses, malware and any other malicious software out there in the Windows environment.
And with Time Machine you can have a nice backup of all your work, so in case of any emergency you can recover your data quickly. You will need an external HDD, anyway you can get it later.
With the Mac you will have less trouble and more productivity.
With the Windows machine you may spend several hours trying to make it work, removing viruses and malware, and even making simple things to work like printers, scanners, wifi, etc....
A Mac is trully plug and play!
________
iolite vaporizer
This is a biased suggestion from a happy Mac user since 1986, as I understand that you want to get good reasons to justify your Mac.
With MacOSX you will not need to worry about viruses, malware and any other malicious software out there in the Windows environment.
And with Time Machine you can have a nice backup of all your work, so in case of any emergency you can recover your data quickly. You will need an external HDD, anyway you can get it later.
With the Mac you will have less trouble and more productivity.
With the Windows machine you may spend several hours trying to make it work, removing viruses and malware, and even making simple things to work like printers, scanners, wifi, etc....
A Mac is trully plug and play!
________
iolite vaporizer
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Most of that _used_ to be true. But alas, that's not how things necessarily are anymore.
Well, screen quality varies from screen to screen. Look at the two MacBooks I had! The first one was unevenly lit, with the left side noticeably darker than the right. The second MacBook has a brighter and evenly lit screen.
Even HP offers varying brightness levels you can choose from for their 17" models. So not all CCFL LCD screens are created equal. I guarantee you theres many out there that put the LED LCD in the MBPs to shame.
Well, my HP (which can be built for around $1,000 with a dedicated GPU) is much more solidly built than my MacBook. There aren't any places on it that can simply separate either, like both of my MacBooks have. It doesn't flex or bend, and it doesn't feel soft. Even the plastic over the LCD is stronger.
Thinkpads are no longer built by IBM either. They haven't been for quite some time now. They shouldn't have the reputation they have at all.
I feel that all of the Inspirons and Vostros, and even HP's consumer line (the dv6x00 and dv9x00) are built better than the MacBook Pro. Sure, they're plastic. But they have proper cooling systems (real air circulation). I'll take a 1.5" thick notebook that has a proper cooling system and won't warp, dent, or crack over a 1" thick notebook that gets insanely hot and can warp and dent, or crack from heat in the case of the MacBook.
Sort of like how Flextronics always makes problems worse, right? But with Dell's warranty, you don't have to be without your system for weeks at a time, like me with my Mac problems, while things are made worse!
In-home/on-site support is standard as part of "DellCare".
Also, the Dell Inspiron 1720 with a 256MB GeForce 8600M GT, 2.2GHz C2D, 2GB of memory (could shave $40 off doing it yourself), 9 cell battery, and the most expensive warranty package is still cheaper than the entry level MBP. Plus you get 3 years of accidental damage coverage and 3 years of theft recovery.
But you generally get a lot more for your money with HP. Like standard 3 year warranties in most cases, 2-4x the video memory, etc.
Nothing bashing when pointing out the shortcomings. Especially when you've been wronged by Apple
Heh, Apple fanboys live in their own world. Somehow the Xbox360 is a flop, even though its smacking the PS3 around and is the number 1 "real" console of this generation. Zune is doing relatively well against everything that isn't an iPod.
Nor do you need to worry about those things with Windows as long as you run Windows Update once a month and don't click YES to install anything when you're browsing those shady sites.
Time Machine is nice. But it does require an extra investment. Me? I just backup things to my iPod and keep truly important files on multiple DVDs for redundancy.
Spend several hours making it work? How? I've never had to spend several hours making Windows work. Both OS X and Windows take just as long to get up and running after a fresh install when you take downloading updates and installing software into account.
Removing viruses? From where? You won't have to worry about viruses and malware as long as you don't install anything those shady websites you shouldn't be looking at want you to install.
Spend hours trying to make wifi work? Thats funny, I just hit the hardware switch (if my wireless is off) and XP automatically automatically scans for available networks. If there are any available, I click the balloon and pick which network I want to connect to. If there are known networks, it automatically connects. Just like OS X but with a different UI.
Printers and scanners? Uh.. with every printer and scanner I have purchased in the past for XP, all I had to do was run the CD it came with and connect the USB cable when the installation software asked for it. With Vista, its just like OS X. Connect it and it works.
Nothing bashing when pointing out the shortcomings. Especially when you've been wronged by Apple
Good enough
The OP will probably find the XPS sufficient ..
I'm not an Apple-hater so therefore I'm a Fanboy?
Thanks for that clarification.
Like you; one can have an opinion. Posting ignorant comments like you do; only detracts from the point you're trying to make. Might want to actually read my complete post before making accusations.
Just for your edumication:
"Fanboy (sometimes spelled fanboi) is a term used to describe an individual who is devoted to a single fannish subject, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an obsession. Fanboys remain loyal to their particular obsession."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanboy
A year or two ago I would have definitely jumped in here feet first and exclaimed that oh yes, the Mac is far superior. That was then and this is now.
Now Dell's build quality, especially on its XPS notebooks, is far higher than it has ever been. They have top notch hardware in them and look pretty good too.
They come with Windows Vista also, which (unlike many here) I think is a pretty good piece of software. The Media Center functions are great and you'll find that the computer runs just fine. I've been running a Windows box in my house for about 2 years under XP which has no viruses and no rubbish on it, nor does it require antivirus software.
These days I don't think it is worth the learning curve for someone used to Windows who clearly likes gaming on Windows getting a Mac.
Go with the XPS, you can better customise it to suit your needs and it really will be a great machine. I do suggest you look into the XPS M1330 as that's currently the best machine Dell sells IMO.
Now Dell's build quality, especially on its XPS notebooks, is far higher than it has ever been. They have top notch hardware in them and look pretty good too.
They come with Windows Vista also, which (unlike many here) I think is a pretty good piece of software. The Media Center functions are great and you'll find that the computer runs just fine. I've been running a Windows box in my house for about 2 years under XP which has no viruses and no rubbish on it, nor does it require antivirus software.
These days I don't think it is worth the learning curve for someone used to Windows who clearly likes gaming on Windows getting a Mac.
Go with the XPS, you can better customise it to suit your needs and it really will be a great machine. I do suggest you look into the XPS M1330 as that's currently the best machine Dell sells IMO.
Well, for me it is.
I'm working in Mexico during this week, and a coworker has an HP laptop running XP, and he is a Microsoft Certified Specialist, eventhough he can't surf the web properly because something keeps opening a window telling him that a malware is affecting his computer. Only like after 20something clicks on that annoying message he gets into any website.
He has played with regedit since and reading different websites to understand what is going on, instead of delivering productive results.
Meanwhile I am doing anything I want with my MacBook.
Please give facts to sustain your point.
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Yamaha Blaster picture
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Upgradablity
Personal Opinion.. based on your technical ability, the option to upgrade the CPU is a nice feature. I have two MBP's, Mac Mini, Sony SZ and XPS M1530. All the machines have upgradable CPU's except the MBP's. The Mini being the most difficult to upgrade but at least it's an option.
Personal Opinion.. based on your technical ability, the option to upgrade the CPU is a nice feature. I have two MBP's, Mac Mini, Sony SZ and XPS M1530. All the machines have upgradable CPU's except the MBP's. The Mini being the most difficult to upgrade but at least it's an option.
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the superior design of the mac is a "feature." it's not easy(or cheap) to get all that in to such a small package.
At the end of the day, I would never buy a PC for three simple reasons
1) if the PC is more powerful at the same price, so what? I'm an average user who doesn't even max out the power of a 2 ghz core duo 95% of the time.
2) if the PC is cheaper for the same price, big deal. I'm not rich, but I can afford to spend a few hundred more. Which brings me to
3) the mac makes me happy, and the PC just frustrates me. I put XP on my MacBook, and it's not bad. Very useable. But it's also far more complex, less intuitive, and less powerful than OS X. The hardware and software are seemlessly integrated, the OS and the mac are both beautiful, and using the computer is just fun and easy. I can't say any of the same things about PCs.
the superior design of the mac is a "feature." it's not easy(or cheap) to get all that in to such a small package.
At the end of the day, I would never buy a PC for three simple reasons
1) if the PC is more powerful at the same price, so what? I'm an average user who doesn't even max out the power of a 2 ghz core duo 95% of the time.
2) if the PC is cheaper for the same price, big deal. I'm not rich, but I can afford to spend a few hundred more. Which brings me to
3) the mac makes me happy, and the PC just frustrates me. I put XP on my MacBook, and it's not bad. Very useable. But it's also far more complex, less intuitive, and less powerful than OS X. The hardware and software are seemlessly integrated, the OS and the mac are both beautiful, and using the computer is just fun and easy. I can't say any of the same things about PCs.
Glad you're handling it so well. Still hanging out on Apple forums. Trashing their products. Clearly you've moved on.
PC's get the job done (Have your cake) Mac gets the job done and allows you to have fun while doing it (Have your cake and eat it). Life is simple, no? I have to share this little story too.
My freshman year of college move-in day to the dorms we all went through a line and signed paper after paper "I won't do this.." "I won't do that..." then at the end there was an IT booth where you had to answer two questions: 1) "Are you bringing your own computer?" 2) "What OS are you using?" Of course I sad "Mac" and I was passed to the next booth, but all the windows kids were handed disks and a thick manual to install antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-adware, network access utilities, yada yada. Moral of the story: It was just very satisfying to skip all that unnecessary bull and get on the internet right away...
My freshman year of college move-in day to the dorms we all went through a line and signed paper after paper "I won't do this.." "I won't do that..." then at the end there was an IT booth where you had to answer two questions: 1) "Are you bringing your own computer?" 2) "What OS are you using?" Of course I sad "Mac" and I was passed to the next booth, but all the windows kids were handed disks and a thick manual to install antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-adware, network access utilities, yada yada. Moral of the story: It was just very satisfying to skip all that unnecessary bull and get on the internet right away...
HAHA what more reason do you need??
On a serious note, one thing not being addressed heavily in this thread is Service. Heaven forbid, but what if something should ever go wrong and need fixed? How easy will the process be? That's why I had no problem shelling out $250 for Applecare, because I knew it was a good investment. And please don't quote this and say "well you shouldnt need applecare if they're really that good." But the fact is, things happen that cant always be controlled. and yes, I've had a bad apple myself, but in the end they made it right (and thensome.)
It's all going to boil down to personal preference, as well as available funds. If $ is a problem, I would say to stick it out as long as possible with a cheaper PC until you can afford to upgrade to Mac.
On a serious note, one thing not being addressed heavily in this thread is Service. Heaven forbid, but what if something should ever go wrong and need fixed? How easy will the process be? That's why I had no problem shelling out $250 for Applecare, because I knew it was a good investment. And please don't quote this and say "well you shouldnt need applecare if they're really that good." But the fact is, things happen that cant always be controlled. and yes, I've had a bad apple myself, but in the end they made it right (and thensome.)
It's all going to boil down to personal preference, as well as available funds. If $ is a problem, I would say to stick it out as long as possible with a cheaper PC until you can afford to upgrade to Mac.
So get a regular MB. You get the vaunted OS X while not asking too much of your parents.
It's tough justifying $2,000-2,500 for a computer for myself and I own 4 businesses and use the computer 8-10 hours a day!
If you like costly motherboard replacements with your laptop, by all means buy the dell.
I work at Micro Center and we get more Dell laptops than anything else, always with the most expensive issues.
To contrast this, my dad still has a powerbook G3. It's essentially a MBP from 1999. Still works. Very well, I might add. Never had any hardware issues.
please help me justify paying $1,000,000 for a new laptop.
it's luvaglio... and by the name alone.. it spells luxury.
i surf the web, listen to music.. write documents every now and then.
up to now, i find it amusing how people decide based on what other people say.. and NOT ON WHAT THEY REALLY NEED..
it's luvaglio... and by the name alone.. it spells luxury.
i surf the web, listen to music.. write documents every now and then.
up to now, i find it amusing how people decide based on what other people say.. and NOT ON WHAT THEY REALLY NEED..