Dell XPS 13 vs. Macbook Pro Retina 13"

I haven’t been able to get objective opinions on Mac forums since everyone there is an Apple fan, and I may encounter a bias towards Dell here, but I’ll give it a try. I’ve been a long time Lenovo T series owner and am looking for a new laptop. I use it for basic personal use (word processing, internet, streaming movies, photo viewing but not editing) and occasional basic work tasks from home (I’m a physician and use it for Excel and remote access to my electronic medical records). I don’t need an ultraportable computer since I use it only from home but I like the look and feel of both the Dell XPS 13 and Macbook Pro Retina 13” (and maybe I’d take it with me to work more if it was lighter and smaller than my Lenovo T500).

I’ve never used a Mac but am really impressed with the Macbook Pro Retina; I’m hesitant to make the switch only because I’d have to learn a whole new OS and purchase some new software that I currently own in Windows versions. I recently heard about the Dell XPS 13 and the specs and reviews seem great. I tried a Dell at a store recently and it seems like a great computer although I really dislike the look of Windows 8 (I’m coming from Windows 7). The price and specs are similar between both computers for the i5 Broadwell, 256 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, although the displays are different (Dell has QHD+ touchscreen display with 3200 x 1800, Macbook Pro is 2560 x 1600 with a faster graphics processor).

For those here who considered buying the Macbook Pro Retina 13”, what swayed you towards the Dell? Also, how’s Dell’s customer service, warranty, and reliability? Some of my family members have owned Dell laptops a few years ago and had nothing but trouble.

 

Based on how you use the laptop, I think the first thing you need to consider is whether you want a touch screen. If you do, I highly recommend yoga like 2 in 1 (it is a whole new world, you will love it). HP Spectre X360 or yoga 3 pro will be good choices.

If you don't want the touch screen. 1080P dell xps or new MacBook should be good enough for you. The advantages of XPS, are cheaper, smaller, lighter, beautiful screen. The advantages of MAC, are beautiful shell, good touchpad.

Regarding the customer service, Dell may even have better support than apple, if you spend some money on the warranty and get on-site service (probably still less expensive than the mac). This is really "you get what you pay for".

 

I don't need a touch screen but do need a 256 GB hard drive which Dell only offers on the touchscreen model.

 

jez unless you are a brand evangelist they are very similar, and as you own windows software licences I see no point switching os

 

I just ordered the Dell XPS-13 on Friday. On Thursday evening I waffled and almost grabbed a Macbook Pro Retina 13" from the Apple Store while on a business trip. I've seldom been more conflicted in a hardware purchase. Both excellent machines. I might eventually own both.

I'm typing this on an older Mac. Like it very much. Have found though, that there are small things about how Windows works that I tend to prefer over how OS X works. I also find Office on the Mac to be second-class, and that's pushed me over the edge (barely) and back into the Windows camp. Finally, I'm impressed by Microsoft's work in reducing the footprint of their operating system to run more efficiently and in less memory, whereas Apple's Yosemite seems a step in opposite direction.

Either machine is a good buy, imho. If you're on the fence then maybe drop by an Apple Store and spend an hour just using one of their machines to get a feel for OS X and whether you might like it. There's also no harm in just buying OS X for a chance of pace. FWIW, I'm hanging on to this 2009 Macbook in addition to my XPS 13. There's value to me in having both platforms available.

 

So out of my perspective, between those 2 devices and both are fine for that i´m wanna do with, i´ll choice the MBP if you´re fine with OSX and have some Apple Devices, it should be the nicer device overall.

But i´m not own any Apple devices ;o) so i picked the XPS 13 i7 QHD+ as i´m also wanted in to have an touchscreen and put Linux on the device.

Regards,
aVa

 

The MBPr is certainly a well made notebook, but I wouldn't say it's particularly durable notebook in the way a business class notebook is, but if you like OS X, it might merit consideration. One thing to note about Macs is Apple does not offer accidental coverage at this time if you're inclined. If you damage your Mac in a manner not covered under the warranty, you're looking at a large repair bill or you've got an expensive paperweight.

I'd be wary of a QHD+ LCD on a Windows notebook. It's too small to be read at its native resolution and scaling in Windows is often a mixed bag. The Dell is a very nice notebook, but I'd be more inclined to get the FHD and run it at 125% DPI. That's what I do with my Dell and it mostly works well. It sort makes it like a HD+ LCD. While I can do FHD, I can feel it after a while. I believe the XPS qualify for premium support, which should be better than than consumer grade notebooks.

Given that you've got a T500, I'm surprised you've not looked at the T450s. It checks your boxes well and has an excellent keyboard.

 

At which point you are scaling, right? So why not scale the QHD+ screen?

My eyes would struggle at FHD in 13". No matter which screen I buy, I would probably need to scale.

 

Also keep in mind that the new rMBP has a slightly faster CPU as well as superior Iris graphics. Scaling is also better on OS X but unless you have a specific program that you regularly use that doesn't scale you'll probably be fine on Windows.

 

Because when you go above 125%, which I think most users would want to do on a 13" QHD+ screen, things don't always work so well. Hopefully, Windows 10 will have some answers to this, but I've not used it myself.

 

If the size of ssd is the only thing bothering you, you can replace it with a larger one by your self (even much cheaper).

200% scale is OK for most programs, even Adobe is starting to embrace the 200% scale. 150% and 175% scale have more problems (blurry text).

 

OK as I have have no actual hands on on either model, I will just toss in opinions and experience from other XPS and Mac models as I do run both platforms extensively

1: as a physician do you require TPM based security or encryption?

2: you said 128 isn't big enough, but in this the XPS mops the floor with the MBr as it is an easy upgrade on your own and many have installed 512GB SSD's


3: as Johnathan said above, Office for Mac is certainly second class especially in Excel and Powerpoint, as was his statement on how OSX Yosemite ( Maverics as well ) has become very bloated as where 7, 8.1 and 10 are not.

4: Zaz makes very good points about how NONE of the MBP/rMBP models are exactly durable and their warranty when you have an Apple store nearby is nice it isn't even a contender of consumer models and business models that have NBD onsite or even accidental protection from Dell, HP and Lenovo. as for screen scaling that can be an issue but from what I am finding in Windows 10 previews that may not be such an issue either as it has drastically improved.

my vote .. the XPS 13 to be honest.

 

Mine arrived yesterday, and I've set it up and have been using it since yesterday evening. Some thoughts:

This is a gem of a machine. Dell has done outstanding work.

Windows scaling. Well. Let's just say that Microsoft has not done such outstanding work. It beggars belief that Microsoft still hasn't come to grips with one of the most important and pleasing trends in laptops in a decade or more. Microsoft's own installer for Office 365 threw up at least one unscaled message during the install process, and the Microsoft Store website manages to look better from a Retina MacBook than from the Dell XPS-13 running Windows 8.1.

My older eyes love the sharpness of the text on the screen. My 15-years-younger self would run this thing at a slightly lower level of scaling in order to get more onto the display. Wonderful screen. Pleasing color and contrast. Am very pleased with it.

The XPS-13 trackpad gets too much love in the reviews. It's ok, but it's not all that great, and you'll notice immediately that MacBook trackpads are less frustrating.

Palm rejection is a problem leading to the cursor jumping around while one types. Avoid that problem by keeping your palms off the palm rest.

Edit: The ptrackpad rest is not centered under the spacebar. That's the problem right there. Big mistake on Dell's part to have the trackpad surface off-center with respect to the letters on the keyboard.

Keyboard is surprisingly nice to type on. I'm happy for the inclusion of a Delete key. Hugely happy about that.

Dell has done themselves proud on this machine. Am hoping to see a 15" model from them later in the year.

 

give the windows 10 preview a try? scaling and such on my m3800 is far better with it than 8/8.1