Why would anyone buy a Retina Macbook Pro vs Dell XPS 15?

[darkloki]

regarding that, i really wonder how the rMBP is in terms of fan noise when you have 2 external displays hooked up and are running an IDE and a VM or something similar.
I had a 2011 MBP which was quite annoying in terms of heat and fan noise, i dont want to have that again :/

It is widely known that the Macbook Pro Retina is far superior then a standard MBP when it comes to cooling and ventilation. It has side vents on both the left and right side which already makes it immensely different and better then a standard MBP.

With that being said I played Castlevania in Windows Mode on my Macbook pro Retina 750m GT 2gb for a couple hours without any disturbance in noise. Fan noise is FAR superior and better then Coil Whine. But that's just my opinion. Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP73edpQwgc

And I ordered a XPX 1530 for my work pc, it's cheap because the outlet has an abundance of them here (Max Spec'ed):
03/07/2014 02:34:31PM Agent (LA_DHS_Lucy Nalvarte): "XPS 15 - 9530
Certified Refurbished - SA
System Price: $1,669.00 - 15% off = $1418.65 before taxes"
03/07/2014 02:34:35PM Agent (LA_DHS_Lucy Nalvarte): "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
03/07/2014 02:34:45PM Agent (LA_DHS_Lucy Nalvarte): "Processor: Intel Core 4th Generation i7-4702HQ processor (6M Cache, up to 3.20 GHz)
Operating System Windows 8.1
Hard Disk Drive 512 GB mSATA Solid State Drive
No Hard Drive
Memory 16 GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (8GBx2) Memory
Laptop Screen 15.6 inch LED Backlit Touch Display with Truelife and QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1800) with Camera
Video NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2GB GDDR5
Base Dell Outlet XPS 15 - 9530
Laptop Battery 91 WHr, 6-Cell Battery (integrated)
Network Interface Card Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 + Bluetooth 4.0
Web Camera Integrated Webcam
Keyboard English Keyboard
Hardware Upgrade 130W AC Adapter
NFC (Near Field Communications)
Palmrest with Touchpad
Power Cord
XPS Badge
Software Upgrade Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 (64Bit) English
Windows 8.1 (64Bit) English
Office Software Microsoft Office 365 - 1 Month Trial (Internet access required to install & activate)

I got $900 off the listed price for this system, only because of Coil Whine.

 

[barthq]

I read that the Fan noise and heat has much improved in the rMBP but i was still a bit worried because it also got quite a bit thinner. But its good to hear first hand that the noise is not bad at all. I also read its much more bearable as the fan creates a lower noise.

Striking deal on the XPS though

 

[Broadus]

I've only loosely followed this discussion during the past few weeks, but I saw this review of the XPS 15 published in AnandTech a few days ago. Here is the conclusion:

The bottom line is that this is a laptop that has style, battery life, build quality, input devices that work well, a high-end QHD+ display, and the option for a 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, and a discrete GPU. Fix the thermals, whatever the cause – or maybe go with Crystalwell and forego the discrete GPU – and this laptop would be golden. Instead I’m left in the uncomfortable position of really liking a laptop that has a potentially serious fly in the ointment. Hopefully we can clear that up in the coming weeks.​

 

[darkloki]

I just picked up the XPS laptop today and there are as of now two things I do not like about the laptop, maybe 3.

First off let me say that I have only owned 3 macbooks in my lifetime, 2 of which are Retina Macbooks (2012 and 2013). The other Macbook I had was a 2010 Macbook Pro with the GT 330m GPU. I received the 2010 Macbook Pro as a Pawn or Loan from a friend who I gave 1,000 dollars and his parents got pissed off (because it was his graduation gift and I then had to give him back the laptop, and then I purchased a 2012 Retina).

Anyways, getting back on topic, the screen is too glossy it's reflective, I was combing my hair while I was waiting for the system to load. The Retina's are not nearly as glossy/mirror finished which is painful on the eye especially at this high of a resolution.

The other things are keyboard and touchpad. The keyboard is too soft and small. I'm having subtle difficulty typing on it as the space I have is huge, but the keyboard is like too small considering the space given. Last the touchpad is not as responsive, maybe it's a Windows 8 thing but the right click isn't nearly as clean as it could be. Between right clicking and typing I find myself making constant adjustments or second run-throughs. Ever as I type this message. I'll post images tonight.

 

[darkloki]

I want to note that I started to use the touchscreen and the experience has been better since using the touchscreen to scroll and move icons in the trash or minimize and move etc. Screen is way too glossy for my liking though.

 

[magnumpi]

Couple of weeks ago I was on the market looking for a 13-14" laptop. I narrowed the search to the MBP and the Dell XPS 13. I pulled the trigger on the MBP because of the lack of customization on the Dell model. I don't regret the purchase but, had the setup I wanted been possible, I would have go for the XPS 13 just to avoid having to mess around with VMs.

 

[Inhalant]

If it can game well then I'll definitely think about it.

 

[tkadrum]

Sold my macbook pro 13" to a friend, after using it for 6 months. I came across this thread, and I was a Dell fan..but left that and been using macbook pro (without retina) then macbook pro(with retina).
Been a long time reader of this forum, been away and now I'm back.

I just ordered Dell XPS15 Multimedia and looking forward to test this out. I have no ideas how expensive this little laptop is, time has change. Or perhaps, Dell are more competitive with the Apple, Lenovo, etc.

Looking forward to test this out. Had it express delivery, should be here in 3 days.

 

[aiom]

I do kind of have a problem with 16:9. It's a bad ratio for laptop displays unless you plan to work side by side with two (small) windows, which isn't something I do (nor do I ever see anyone doing this, even on 16:9 machines).

I'm aware that there are more pixels in that space, but that doesn't mean much past a certain point if the display isn't also physically larger. Obviously many disagree with me, but I'm annoyed that Apple is the only company left offering 16:10 options at all.

Totally agree with that. Except from watching movies from a larger distance (1-2m) the ratio is worthless. But a laptop's main purpose is not being a portable DVD player. And neither have I seen anyone having 2 pages side by side in word documents. I tried it myself though a couple of times but eventually found out it's not that convenient either. A stupid marketing gag...
If you are working on the laptop you feel over time that the outer areas of the display are useless blind spots. Not so much on a 16:10. It's a real shame every other laptop manufacturer only uses 16:9 displays anymore.

 

[Tsuchiya]

It is widely known that the Macbook Pro Retina is far superior then a standard MBP when it comes to cooling and ventilation. It has side vents on both the left and right side which already makes it immensely different and better then a standard MBP.

With that being said I played Castlevania in Windows Mode on my Macbook pro Retina 750m GT 2gb for a couple hours without any disturbance in noise. Fan noise is FAR superior and better then Coil Whine. But that's just my opinion. Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP73edpQwgc

And I ordered a XPX 1530 for my work pc, it's cheap because the outlet has an abundance of them here (Max Spec'ed):
03/07/2014 02:34:31PM Agent (LA_DHS_Lucy Nalvarte): "XPS 15 - 9530
Certified Refurbished - SA
System Price: $1,669.00 - 15% off = $1418.65 before taxes"
03/07/2014 02:34:35PM Agent (LA_DHS_Lucy Nalvarte): "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
03/07/2014 02:34:45PM Agent (LA_DHS_Lucy Nalvarte): "Processor: Intel Core 4th Generation i7-4702HQ processor (6M Cache, up to 3.20 GHz)
Operating System Windows 8.1
Hard Disk Drive 512 GB mSATA Solid State Drive
No Hard Drive
Memory 16 GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (8GBx2) Memory
Laptop Screen 15.6 inch LED Backlit Touch Display with Truelife and QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1800) with Camera
Video NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2GB GDDR5
Base Dell Outlet XPS 15 - 9530
Laptop Battery 91 WHr, 6-Cell Battery (integrated)
Network Interface Card Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 + Bluetooth 4.0
Web Camera Integrated Webcam
Keyboard English Keyboard
Hardware Upgrade 130W AC Adapter
NFC (Near Field Communications)
Palmrest with Touchpad
Power Cord
XPS Badge
Software Upgrade Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 (64Bit) English
Windows 8.1 (64Bit) English
Office Software Microsoft Office 365 - 1 Month Trial (Internet access required to install & activate)

I got $900 off the listed price for this system, only because of Coil Whine.

That is an awesome price.

Had I known this Dell existed I might just have considered it. Then again, although the rMBP is more expensive, I suppose I'm a sucker for how this thing looks. Using it is also a complete joy, from the smooth aluminium surfaces to the perfect keyboard and trackpad. Also not to mention that I wouldn't want to repurchase Office or any of the Adobe suite.

:/

 

[Wydarr]

All is not butter that comes from the cow...

Truer words have never been spoken.

I haven't used Windows since the days of XP.
However, I haven't touched OS X until recently.
In the meantime, I have a 5 year old Dell laptop (used to be top of the line back then) which still works like a charm with... Linux. You people might give it a whirl sooner rather than later. I really think it's the best of both worlds, unless you have something very specific to do (Photo / Video editing, CAD / CAM and the lot). But for 99% of things, and for 90% of people they at least should give it a try.
And now, I'm preparing for the deluge.

 

[Meister]

Enough said!

Epic, raffi!

 

[poiihy]

Wow, very interesting thread!

 

[solsol1]

M3800 vs MacBook

I have the M3800 and several Macbooks, including the last of the 17" (well, until it was stolen).
As someone mentioned, the two OS are simply different. Windows does some things better and MACOS does other things better. That argument is silly.
Ideally, I would like an easy to install and use hackintosh solution for the M3800. I used BootCamp for several years but it always seems to be lacking something - just enough to cripple the Windows experience a bit (coincidence?)
Overall, the M3800 is a much nicer machine than any of the MacBooks I have had. Better performance with very few limitations. I have 2x 1TB SSD in this machine and it does all that i need, except for the occasional need to use MACOS.
Is there a relatively simple hackintosh solution for this unit?
The other alternative is to RDP to a headless Mac Mini, which would be my second choice. I currently use RDP to access a MAC when needed from this machine.