But the dell also has a more powerful processor, graphics card, higher storage capacity, higher resolution display, and in the UK the price is still cheaper. So I want to know what you pay extra for in the MacBook pro.
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Practical differences between macbooks
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But the dell also has a more powerful processor, graphics card, higher storage capacity, higher resolution display, and in the UK the price is still cheaper. So I want to know what you pay extra for in the MacBook pro.
I'm in the US, so I can't speak to UK prices. If you actually look at the same config machine (same ssd size, etc), it ends up being this:
http://www.amazon.com/Dell-XPS-15-T...id=1420950558&sr=8-1&keywords=dell+xps+15+ssd
That's maybe the closest PC laptop out there to equal a macbook pro 15 with nvidia graphics. Apple wins a little on having a fancier processor, but Dell wins on a little higher resolution display. Either way, the mac is still a couple hundred USD more expensive. What are you getting for that extra money?
One could argue that you get a better keyboard, trackpad, battery life, 3x3 wifi, magsafe power cord, etc. These are all good arguments, but that's not really going to convince a PC guy to go with the macbook pro.
You're paying for software. When you get a mac, you get free upgrades to OSX for as long as your computer is supported. For reference, the newest OSX still runs on my old 2007 macbook pro. Basically, you get free upgrades to OSX for the life of the computer. On the PC side, you pay for updates to Windows. OSX also comes free with a lot of good software from Apple, like iphoto, pages, numbers, keynote, imovie, etc.
So, it's not just a hardware thing. You're getting a lot of good software with the whole package.
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I agree. You can get a Toyota Supra or Skyline R34 that will out-race any Ferrari/Lambo/Koenigsegg etc. on the dragstrip but there's no luxury, peace of mind and bliss with them. Reliability with those modified cars is none as well.
It's up to you if you want fast/riddled with issues rather than reliable and dependable.
Anyways, that rMPB and any SSD equipped laptops with Pentium CPU or higher will smoke that Dell of yours in general tasks due to the SSD alone.
So wil the rmbp still be faster, more reliable and better in daily usage? I want something which is fast, reliable and good for home and on the go entertainment. So probably either the 13 inch air, 13 inch or 15 inch rmbp. But I'm not sure which is better?
The MacBook Pro will run OS X, be less frustrating with it's great user interface, provide better workflow, stay free of malware, and after a few years will be running just as good as it did on day unlike Windows, which degrades over time (Winrot).
If you are english you have to take into consideration that what you are going actually to pay for it is much more than what american do in US.
So probably you are right questioning about what you are paying because a difference around 400/500 Euros to get the same item they sell in US is probably implying you are paying more than the simple machine.
To keep in mind the other manufacturers do not differentiate between US product or a laptop with french or spanish keyboard, So to all the considerations mentioned above you need to account that there will be even an additional mark-up for you when you buy it.
1 main difference for me to consider is how an apple product keeps his value over the time. Since IT stuff tends to be obsolete very soon, the secondary market for a macbook is far better than others, that means you can easily sell it after 3 years still keep a good value for the replacement.
This will not happen for any other machine, and that's money repaid back.
So probably you are right questioning about what you are paying because a difference around 400/500 Euros to get the same item they sell in US is probably implying you are paying more than the simple machine.
To keep in mind the other manufacturers do not differentiate between US product or a laptop with french or spanish keyboard, So to all the considerations mentioned above you need to account that there will be even an additional mark-up for you when you buy it.
1 main difference for me to consider is how an apple product keeps his value over the time. Since IT stuff tends to be obsolete very soon, the secondary market for a macbook is far better than others, that means you can easily sell it after 3 years still keep a good value for the replacement.
This will not happen for any other machine, and that's money repaid back.
Define better? Better is quite subjective if you're comparing different MB models. They are all good laptops.
It just comes down to what you prefer.
Do you prefer processing power over portability? Then the 15" is your machine.
Do you prefer portability over anything else? Then the Air is your machine.
Do you prefer the benefits of both? Then the 13" Pro is your machine.
One thing doesn't make the other better or worse. Best way to find out is to go to a Store and try all of the models out yourself.
Probably if I had to guess. They're very popular with students for the portability. The 13" is also considered to be a good value for the specs.
I'd say OS X is very reliable, you don't have to worry about weekly updates from MS, and not worry about antivirus software.
If you want performance the then 15" rMBP has the fastest components, then the 13" rMBP and the slowest machine in the apple stable is the MBA.
Judge for yourself which machine best suits your needs. Personally, I'd go with the 15" rMBP
It's possible, but my sample size is college students. I didn't want to speak for all consumers.
Not to mention a rMBP's trackpad, keyboard, and Mac OS. I think it's pretty similar to compare the 2 (PC's and Mac) because functionality is fundamentally different.
To be fair, the order of your variables is wrong. The absolutely largest part of the cost of a computer is the hardware you get. Specify the same hardware for another brand computer, and the final price will probably be very similar. The relevant question is whether you actually need that hardware.
It depends on your needs. Many people value screen real estate. For a pound (or so) more, the 15" MBP gives you more power, and a larger screen.
The base rMBP has a better cpu and a pcie ssd. The latter is what makes up a large chunk of the price difference.
So this has become another 'Mac is more expensive than pc' thread in disguise. I guess we will have these until the end of time.
Numbers look pretty, but have you actually done some investigation? For one, the CPU in the Dell you linked (a 4712HQ) is by any means not more powerful than the 4770HQ found in the MBP. Check the links and compare the details, you'll discover some interesting differences.
The 4770HQ comes with Iris Pro (as opposed to a 4600 on the 4712HQ) and has a higher TDP and a much higher price point. While not by a large margin, the 4770HQ also benchmarks slightly higher than the 4712HQ, despite the slightly lower clock.
Add to that the difference between a 5400RPM SATA drive and a PCI flash drive, a better build quality, better battery life, free software updates for the lifetime of the machine, free productivity suites, Thunderbolt, a much better trackpad and you've got a pretty convincing price difference right there.
The only thing the Dell seems to excel in is the higher resolution display. Don't get me wrong, the Dell is a good laptop with nice specs, but trust me when I say you get what you pay for at Apple. Whether or not that's worth it to you is a different discussion.
Numbers look pretty, but have you actually done some investigation? For one, the CPU in the Dell you linked (a 4712HQ) is by any means not more powerful than the 4770HQ found in the MBP. Check the links and compare the details, you'll discover some interesting differences.
The 4770HQ comes with Iris Pro (as opposed to a 4600 on the 4712HQ) and has a higher TDP and a much higher price point. While not by a large margin, the 4770HQ also benchmarks slightly higher than the 4712HQ, despite the slightly lower clock.
Add to that the difference between a 5400RPM SATA drive and a PCI flash drive, a better build quality, better battery life, free software updates for the lifetime of the machine, free productivity suites, Thunderbolt, a much better trackpad and you've got a pretty convincing price difference right there.
The only thing the Dell seems to excel in is the higher resolution display. Don't get me wrong, the Dell is a good laptop with nice specs, but trust me when I say you get what you pay for at Apple. Whether or not that's worth it to you is a different discussion.
You're asking so many questions that could be answered if you visited an Apple store. Is there one around you?
Why would anyone buy stuff because of a company's marketing? Learn to understand your own needs.
You are pretty clueless. Build quality? OS? OS and hardware integration? Just go get a Dell.
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A lot of people do buy stuff based on a company's marketing. It's sub conscious most of the time. We buy things because the company's marketing has drilled it into our brains that it's a good product and old products suddenly become useless over night when new versions are released.