So I think the real issue going on here (well, it's the issue for me) is that I would probably prefer the rMBP over the Dell - I prefer Apple's build quality, I like the resale value, and I've definitely been swayed by Apple's marketing and the general coolness factor.
However, there's no point me spending over US$2000 on a laptop that I can't do my day-to-day job on!!
At the end of the day, the rMBP are machines designed to run OSX.
Anyone on here who is comparing the rMBP to a Dell (or any other non-Apple laptop) must be a user who predominantly uses Windows (or who is looking to make the switch to OSX).
I use Windows for my work: period. For my non-work stuff, I'd probably be just as happy on OSX. And if you're posting on here, and not already a rMBP owner, it has to be because you'd quite like a rMBP and need some convincing. Either that or you're just like trolling
[As an aside, has anyone properly addressed the apparent discrepancy between the rMBP power supply size (85w) vs the draw on a fully loaded rMBP with the dGPU? I saw some calculations that showed under load the rMBP would draw quite a bit more than 85w, so that you'd then expect throttling, and that the Dell XPS doesn't suffer from that issue as it has 135W power supply? I didn't see a satisfactory answer on that, just some mud-slinging].
So really, the question for me is simple: If a rMBP can run Windows as well as (or better than) the corresponding Dell/Sony/Lenovo etc. laptop, then I'm sold.
And the fact that we're arguing over components, screen size, battery life etc. indicates that it's not that simple a choice.
If the rMBP had a touch screen, I'd be sold - I do a lot of Mobile App dev, and one of the pluses of a touchscreen is running an emulator that uses a touchscreen - but it's not something I'd use all the time, it's a nice to have (for me - I know others dislike them). I don't have a tablet so I'd be using the laptop like one. Or I could just buy a rMBP and an iPad air...
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I also much prefer the Apple touchpad over the Dell ones, but only if Apple's drivers work properly in all the OSs I need to use (just about to do some searching: can I run Windows Server 2008/2012 and 2013 booting from VHD [non-virtualised] on a rMBP).
I have a white carbonate 7 yo MacBook which (although slow, and with some bits of cracked plastic) still works fine.
I also have a 3 yo Dell laptop which doesn't always boot, is cracked, has the occasional pink screen, doesn't go to sleep, and is very very slow.
Based on build quality alone, the decision is a no-brainer.
Apple's products have a whole mystique, and aura around them - and for some that's a put off as it's primarily a marketing thing (IMHO), however I'm still swayed by it.
I want the feeling of owning a MacBook, I want the near-religious experience of unpackaging it and admiring how much thought has gone into every part.
I just don't want to find I can't do my day job on it!
