It seems like when people use the phrase "light user" in the context of one's computing needs, they are usually referring to something substantially lighter than what you're referring to here.
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Talk me out of the 15" Dell XPS
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It seems like when people use the phrase "light user" in the context of one's computing needs, they are usually referring to something substantially lighter than what you're referring to here.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing either. Data collection and analytics has been one of the chief drivers behind Google's success - both financially and in terms of the user experience.
And also used by site owners to improve thier services.
I'm Just saying every major company is tracking us and collecting data, including Apple.
The Dell XPS15 is amazing, I definitely recommend getting one.
I actually was going for a Surface Book and bought that a few weeks ago, but then found the XPS15 for $1600 for a 1TB SSD, 16GB ram, dGPU (even though I disabled it) and couldn't pass it up. I'll be returning the Surface book - but it's very nice too.
I have Ubuntu dual-booted on the XPS, and about 400+ GB of sound libraries loaded on the SSD. Not needing a portable harddrive like I did on my 15" rMBP is amazing.
Construction wise - I really have no complaints. You're not getting cheap plastic with either the SB or XPS.
I actually was going for a Surface Book and bought that a few weeks ago, but then found the XPS15 for $1600 for a 1TB SSD, 16GB ram, dGPU (even though I disabled it) and couldn't pass it up. I'll be returning the Surface book - but it's very nice too.
I have Ubuntu dual-booted on the XPS, and about 400+ GB of sound libraries loaded on the SSD. Not needing a portable harddrive like I did on my 15" rMBP is amazing.
Construction wise - I really have no complaints. You're not getting cheap plastic with either the SB or XPS.
The previous MBPs that you could upgrade are still very useful with additional RAM and replacing the hard drives with SSDs. The older CPUs used have been adequate to the task and MacOS has been very efficient (for the most part). Thunderbolt 3 in the new MBPs definitely helps relieve the need for maxed out internal storage and external GPUs are an option. That only leaves RAM as the only reason I fear the new MBPs might not last 5-6 years.
I usually do.
Before I got my first Mac, I was using a 17" HP laptop that was 4-5 years old. If I hadn't of shattered the display one day when I lost my temper, I would have continued using it till it quit. That was when I got my first Mac in 2007.
I also still have my 2008 black MacBook, still works flawlessly to this day but it is entirely to slow compared to my 2015 MBP and my 2012 MBP and my Surface Pro 3.
Other than the frequent updates, those problems that you are thinking of don't really exist anymore.
I have owned a Surface Pro 3 now for two years this month. There haven't been any blue screens, no random reboots and my apps have never crashed. Windows 10 is pretty solid these days.
Same for apple.
Staingate, dGPUs failing, soldered ram, expensive ssds.
Don't forget the El Capitan installation freeze that was going around on the 13".
I also use windows 10 on a daily basis. While it is very far from perfect It's certainly usable but not enjoyable.
One of the main things that annoys me almost too much is that it's a touch and non touch based OS at the same time which is beyond stupid. There is no way that any OS is that kind of hybrid(successfully). I really wish that they some day make windows switchable between touch and non touch modes. That woud be amazing.
And here comea the next thing. There are few windows PCs manufacturers that come close to Apple's quality.
Macs certainly have their problems. People are kidding themselves if they think Apple has been perfect.
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Quality as in what? Remember the constant top case cracking on the white and black MacBooks as well as the palm rest cracking where the lid would rest on the palm rest? The dGPUs failing on the MBPs? If that's the quality you mean then they are comparable I guess to what you are referring to.
Also, the 2010 white MacBook I had, had to have the bottom cover replaced due to the recall where the rubber would peel away from the metal underneath.
The battery also swelled on that white MacBook where the trackpad got pushed up through the palmrest where two tabs broke the plastic on the palm rest making the laptop useless.
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Okay, Lets take a look at the newest Dell XPS 15 which is considered to be the "Windows MacBook".
This is one of the many videos reporting different issues.
NO technology is flawless but I have the impression that Macbooks generally last longer than any other laptops. Maybe the top professional series Lenovos are an exception to that but everyone has their own opinions and preferences and we should appreciate the amazing tech we have more.
I'm actually typing this on that exact computer (XPS15) - and I have none of those issues. I have nothing but positives to say about it, and I dual boot Ubuntu/Windows 10 and use it for audio recording without issues.
It sounds like he got a dud and should of returned it for a working computer. Atleast at the Microsoft store, they exchange it right away, and the warranty is great.
The OS and hardware are controlled and integrated by the manufacturer. It gives Apple a big advantage and they generally implement it very well bar the odd blip.
I have a Dell Precision 5510 which is the same machine as the XPS but with a Xeon Processor and a Quadro chipset.
It's a really nicely constructed laptop, behind Apple but not by that much now. There have been quite a few issues, I've experienced several although Dell have reacted and repeatedly updated the BIOS and drivers. Most of the issues were during the first couple of months.
Mine is completely stable.
If you're coming from OSX and have never owned a Windows based PC it might be a bit of a shock at first even though it's improved over time. There's definitely more involved in keeping everything ticking along.
I have a Dell Precision 5510 which is the same machine as the XPS but with a Xeon Processor and a Quadro chipset.
It's a really nicely constructed laptop, behind Apple but not by that much now. There have been quite a few issues, I've experienced several although Dell have reacted and repeatedly updated the BIOS and drivers. Most of the issues were during the first couple of months.
Mine is completely stable.
If you're coming from OSX and have never owned a Windows based PC it might be a bit of a shock at first even though it's improved over time. There's definitely more involved in keeping everything ticking along.
Yes, only that macOS doesn't log every single keystroke and file opened in your computer and then sends it to MS, or any other.
Slightly different than using a browser.
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And as I say, that's different than what happens with Windows 10 and MS. They log every keystroke and every file you open on your computer and then send that log to MS servers. Hardly the same thing. Stop defending these *******s.
Exactly! Thank you!
Different users, different needs. People that do a lot of 4K video have different requirements than people who create artwork in Photoshop or model in Modo. Video people usually need more RAM, but I would never call people working with CG "lite users".
They are light users for people who really need mobile workstations.
Who are light users to people who really need mobile servers.
Who are light users to people who really need workstations.
Who are light users to people who really need servers.
Who are light users who really need supercomputers.
Who are light users to people who really need quantum computers.
5 pages - impressive.
My $.02, if don't want to pay Apple prices, there are computer makers that produce laptops on par if not higher then Apple's. Don't forget Apple's track record is less then stellar these past few years, whether we're talking about dGPUs or staingate. The operating system is a matter of taste as well, Windows is as stable if not more then OS X. Imo, Windows has been gaining features that seem to make my work easier, where as OS X has gained emojis and balloons.
An interesting article (aimed at photographers) but I think it adds some perspective
http://resourcemagonline.com/2016/10/is-it-time-to-give-windows-another-chance/71629/
My $.02, if don't want to pay Apple prices, there are computer makers that produce laptops on par if not higher then Apple's. Don't forget Apple's track record is less then stellar these past few years, whether we're talking about dGPUs or staingate. The operating system is a matter of taste as well, Windows is as stable if not more then OS X. Imo, Windows has been gaining features that seem to make my work easier, where as OS X has gained emojis and balloons.
An interesting article (aimed at photographers) but I think it adds some perspective
http://resourcemagonline.com/2016/10/is-it-time-to-give-windows-another-chance/71629/
True, but I could also say they are hardcore users to people who need just office computers.
Who are hardcore users to people who just need phones.
Who are hardcore users to people who just need calculators.
Who are hardcore users to people who just need a pen and paper.
Who are hardcore users to people who just like to gaze at the sky
It's all a matter of perspective. But I think we can agree that calling someone who sculpts amazing 3D assets for games in Zbrush (just one example) a "light user" is kind of wrong. When you say a light user - almost everyone will presume that person does browsing, email, Word and Netflix. Surely you see that?