Quick question about MBP

Okay, I'm getting a new laptop for university. I don't really need to buy it until September, but if I get a Mac, I'd like a bit of time to learn how to use it properly.

Currently, I'm torn between the Macbook Pro and the Dell XPS 1530. The XPS is cheaper (for more, spec. wise), but from reviews I've read, the Macbook Pro seems to be viewed very highly.

I'm currently leaning towards the Macbook Pro since money isn't really that big of a hurdle (I can get it for, after taxes, $2,032 Canadian).

Is it truly worth spending the extra ~$400-$500 for the MBP? If so, why would you choose it over the Dell?

(By the way, I read the Mac switcher guide thing, but I'm just looking to get a direct comparison/contrast between these two as these are the only two I'm really looking at).

All help is greatly appreciated!

 

I would choose it over the Dell because of OSX, build quality, service and reliability, and, isn't that the Dell model with screen issues? HOWEVER, I'm not a young college student for whom $400 must be quite a lot of money. If I were a student (and I was broke while in college), I may well have chosen the Dell. To be quite honest, I've had rather good luck with Dell's machines, but that is not the case with Dell's service.

 

Money is no problem (free tuition, books + residence, RESP money from Grandpa alone is around 9-10K, much less scholarships and the like), so I'm really just looking for value / quality. I've heard great things about OSX and I really like how I can use Boot Camp if I dislike OSX / need to use something on Windows (I'd put XP on. I dislike Vista).

 

Well, its a personal opinion in the end...there's really no measurement to how good something is, most of the time. I prefer Mac OS X over Windows, you may not. Although I will note that most Mac users love their Mac, while the same cannot be said for Windows users.

I definitely think the MBP's extra price is worth it, but if your budget is your main concern then it most likely won't be a Mac.

Based on what you've said, I think the MacBook Pro is good for you. Its more expensive, but I think its worth its value, because of a lot of little nifty things that just improve the user experience.

 

And as for performance and stuff, although it may have a bit less in the spec. department (ie. 2GB RAM instead of 3GB RAM), it seems to outperform a lot of the competition. Is this because of the way it's built + OSX? Or does it not really have an advantage?

 

I don't believe it really has an advantage in terms of performance...for one thing though, because the Dell XPS M1530 and other Windows notebooks usually have bloatware, even if only a little, that slows down the system a bit, whereas with the MBP if you install Windows on it its completely clean.

And Mac OS X is very fast, yes. I can start up the computer in under 25 seconds.

 

An advantage with regard to what, Ryan? Actually, you haven't mentioned what exactly you'll be doing with your machine.

Macs are built very well and stylishly, and for folks who like the system, OSX is a definite plus.

 

Well, as long as it can handle programs and stuff quickly, as well as some occasional gaming, I think I'd get the Mac. I've gotten sick of Windows and it'd be nice to have something new. My friend in the States has a Macbook and loves it to death; he's trying to convert me as well, haha.

 

Nothing too,too intensive, but I'd be using it for surfing, school stuff, gaming, etc. I would also like it to last quite a while and, from what I've heard, Macs last forever.

 

Sounds like you're set, really, Ryan...the MBP does all those tasks fine, and its definitely fast.

 

Yeah. I just needed reassurance, haha. From what I hear, Leopard is worth it's weight in gold, so I think I'll get the MBP. Hopefully they apply these rumoured updates before September.

Just as a side note, if/when they do update them, will the new ones be more expensive, or will they be the same price as the current ones while the Santa Rosa ones would become cheaper? I don't really follow Apple's pricing/marketing strategy all too much...

 

Well, Apple rarely, if ever increases prices...usually they stay the same, or occasionally they will drop in price. So I don't expect any price increase, most likely it'll stay the same prices.

 

Alrighty, sounds good.

Are there any accessories that are highly recommended / pretty much needed that I will have to buy, apart from a case?

 

yeah, i would just wait for them to update the notebooks and then buy.

the amount of ram in the xps machine vs the macbook pro is basically pointless, not because the performance difference is little (it may or may not be) but because you can get 4 gigs of ram (2x2gigs) for about 40 bucks.

 

Good point, good point.

I'm 99% sure I'm going to get the (hopefully updated) Macbook Pro come the end of summer

The 2.2 ghz one is fine, right?

 

By then I'm sure you're going to see the T9300 chip replace the T7500 as standard which is 2.5GHz (Penryn chip).

Oh, and you will not regret the MBP. It's a fantastic machine and IMO in a different class than Dell. - from one who's now owned both -

 

2.2GHz is more than enough for most tasks.

Another bonus to a MBP is that, unlike previous Macs, you are no longer limited by the OS, since Boot Camp rocks. Nothing beats having both OS X and Windows on one machine. I use mine for notes, video, web CS3, gaming, music, and pretty much everything and so far everything runs well and I have not been disappointed.

The main concern I have about your posts is it seems you've only been "hearing" good things about Leopard. You should drop by an Apple store if you can and check the OS out for yourself. If you're going to buy a Mac, and end up hating OS X... then it almost becomes pointless to have bought it in the first place. The main reason in buying any Mac is for the OS, above anything else.

As for the update, it's expected to be updated this month.

 

Unfortunately, there are no Apple stores close to me. Maybe one an hour and a half away. I played with my friend's MBP, but he was running Tiger. I liked it, though.

 

That's very true actually. On Ebay I see even Mac Mini's retaining about 75% of their value, even after 2 or so years. This is hardly the case with other PC's.

 

Ah, good. If you liked Tiger.... Leopard is pretty much Tiger with many new features.

 

Well, then, I think it's settled. Macbook Pro it is!

Just need to wait for those updates

 

Noone's quite sure on when the updates are actually going to happen though... I'd wait to be safe, but for all anyone knows it could be the summer that they finally update it.

Basically ever single Tuesday since MacWorld, there has been a "MBP Update!" rumor... I'd definitely wait though - it'd be too bad if you bought it and then they updated it. x)


Congrats on your future Macbook Pro though!