M1530 vs MBP

Obviously this is a Dell forum. I was interested in both laptops but more specifically, more interested in hearing what made people opt for a M1530 over the MBP.

Price considerations? OS preference? Brand loyalty? Build quality? The BluRay drive?

 

You're right on target! The 2 most significant factors would be price and OS. All others factors including CS, style/looks, features etc would probably vary greatly for each person.

 

Ironically, my best friend for 11 - going on 12 - years just bought a Macbook Pro and I just bought an M1530.

My reasons for going with the M1530 over the Macbook Pro were as follows:

1) The business school at the college I'm attending in the fall is Windows-only
2) With the 1530 I could get better hardware specifications for less

OS preference wasn't a big deal to me - I like XP Pro, but I don't have any personal preferences. I'm planning on getting Linux and using Vista/Linux on my 1530.

In general, though, at some point I'd love to pick up an used or refurbished Macbook Pro to go along with my 1530.

 

1. Price.
B. Price.
3. Price.
4. OS - Already have a zillion Windows apps.
5. Price.
6. Don't want to look like a Communist, even if that means not attracting the cute Marxist girls at Starbucks.
7. Price.
8. The lid can't open wide enough to use the laptop in your lap.
9. Right-click FTMFWY!!!!
10. Price.

 

If you search the forum, you will find that this question has been asked many times.

LOL @ DirkBelig!

 

Hi,
I didn't even consider the MBP..I knew I wanted a Dell, and was either going to get the 1330 or the 1530.

I chose the 1530, cuz is suited my needs, and I got a sweet deal

 

I opted for an M1330 over a Macbook non-Pro.
Does that count?

The Macbook (and Macbook Pro) are notorious for running hot. I've read complaints from people who say their Macbook fan runs all the time and is noisy and drives them up the wall. My M1330 fan is quiet and I often don't even realize it's running. The internal temperatures aren't as high as I've seen reported for the Macbook either. I'd really rather the Macs were a little plumper and ran a little cooler. I worry the heat will wear the parts out sooner.

And of course the OS. I like OS X better than Vista, but a lot of the software I have to run is Windows only. Yes I could run Parallels or Boot Camp and it would probably work, but apparently battery life on a Macbook or Macbook Pro isn't so good when you're running Windows on it.

That's mostly it. I suppose I could get used to using the right-alt key for a right-click, but I'd really rather have a right-click. Maybe I'll get a Macbook when the next generation of Macbooks come out.

 

I'd also have to agree with everything else posted so far...LOL...but my friend swears up & down by his!

I do think I'll pick one up eventually, even if it's an older model, just to mess around with it.

 

i believe the MBP has a 128MB 8600M GT? not enough for gaming by today's standards

 

No, it comes with the 256MB version of the 8600M GT. And nowadays, 512MB is what's really needed. 128MB is just not usable. (I remember when 8MB was a lot!)

Other than charging way more for 2GB RAM vs. 3GB and having a 160GB HD vs. 250GB drive, the specs are almost identical. Dell gives you more for less, but to be fair, the MBP comes with the iLife 08 suite and a webcam that's not utter manure. If a 50% premium is worth it to score with Marxist college babes, then go for it, hippie.

 

Only reason to buy a Mac is OS X. if you are a Windows user and don't plan on crossing the street, then don't bother. And yes this question is all over the forum, like twice a day

 

1. Price. Configure the M1530 against the exact same MBP. Then cry.
2. Self-respect. Could I buy from a company notorious for selling to techno-idiots, where they refuse to even let you change your own batteries? No.
3. I'm not a socialist. It's true, 90% of the 27 people who use Macs are raging socialist college professors who wear sweater vests.
4. Windows. Right, I can see where people would say that's a minus because Microsoft sucks. Then they start using Excel for Macs. By the way, ever heard of a Windows-based platform bragging about how you can install Mac OS X over their OS? No? Because that's one of the huge selling points of Macs! ZING! Owned = you.
5. Gaming. Lack thereof on Macs. The end.
6. Design. The huge edge MBPs used to have was "looks." The XPS line from Dell looks so awesome that it makes the MBP look like a tired hooker on the street. Is that what you want?

Summary: Dell 5 million, Apple -10.

 

@ kamehame

OK your post is even funnier than DirkBelig's

 

ROTFL!!!

 

Hey! I could've gone waaaaaaaaaay funnier with mine, like pointing out that if you want to have a computer suited to make a podcast about your poncho and hacky sack skillz, you want a Mac; if you actually want to do work or play games, you need a PC.

Remember, Mac fans: Photoshop isn't a game!

 

I could have posted a picture of a guy who owned a MBP and won.

 

Hi,

I own a macbook pro and I would like to give you the truth as I see it, and I can do it in one word: emotion.

The macbook pro tugs at most people's emotions. It's so thin, sexy, cool, timeless, and even the Apple store just looks better. It looks like a premium product, and when you buy it there are essentially just two versions: loaded and fully loaded.

Now for reality.

1. Compatibility issues: I'm just a newbie php programmer, but I *swear* that I think MAMP or the implementation of PHP on the mac has issues. I'll open up the exact same code in windows xp on my parallels and my code works. I've lost countless hours to this, but I freely admit that maybe I have an error in my code. But why opening up the exact same file in windows allow my cookies to work properly? Maybe it's a setting that comes enabled in WAMP that doesn't in MAMP, I don't know.
2. Reliability: Fan is whining/grinding, runs extremely hot, so thin that it's too fragile, usb port doesn't run my external hard drive while every other windows computer can without an external plug. A piece of dirt got underneath my screen and the Apple store verified it and said "it happens". This is now the second macbook pro that has had this problem. I've never had this happen on a different computer. Right speaker is distorted/rattling/muffled and the balance is off. Took it into Apple and they claimed to have fixed it but the problem is exactly the same. This would be after six months of ownership. I guess beautiful things are usually fragile things. Mac OS X Leopard is NO MORE RELIABLE than windows vista is. I firmly believe this, esp. as the wireless connections are strange. I get dropped off alot and connected to the same network with Vista, I get no dropouts. More seriously, networking is junk on leopard because I can't even connect to my NAS reliably. This is an issue b/c most people forget to back up, and I got the NAS explicitly so that I could backup wirelessly (no I'm not paying double for a Time Capsule).
3. Expected performance: If Apple's got the gall to present their laptops as a Ferrari, which starts from Steve Jobs and trickles on down, then I've got the gall to expect the laptop to perform like a premium product. By this I mean I expect some reliability, less bugs, some better hardware design, etc. My problems , as listed above, are not unique to macs alone, but I have in this small sample size had more problems on the mac than on windows.
4. I don't like being talked down to: Go into an Apple store and the assumption is that you don't know anything about computers. From a business perspective, adopting this stance makes perfect sense as the vast majority of people aren't into technology like anyone on this board is. I get that. But I have the feeling that Mac OS X is "easier" to use because there are less features. I'm all for encapsulation and information-hiding ala object-oriented programming, to me the Mac is simpler b/c it gives you less options. I liken it to the ipod. Well what if I want to delete music from my ipod? What if I want to know the bitrate? What if I want to drag and drop? I get that dumbed-down feeling when I buy apple products. It's not user-friendliness or well thought out UI. It's dumbed down. Now when Apple calls me and tells me that computers run hot and this "noise" is simply my macbook pro functioning properly in order to preserve the integrity of the mac os experience, I'm going to politely say "thank you" and walk out, not argue, and sell my macbook pro and my ipod (which is breaking anyway after 2 years of just playing it in the car). I will not buy another apple product again just like I promised not to buy anything at Best Buy anymore (2 years and counting).
5. Apple is the new Microsoft. I never thought that it would happen, but Apple is the new behemoth and quite honestly does mind control more than Microsoft ever did. It's hip, it's cool, and when you're at the top there's nowhere else to go but down. I'm jumping ship now.

 

(Ed. I fixed it for conciseness.)

 

Now now, kamehame, let's don't start any flame war here.

 

I have no idea what you are referring to.

 

Well I'm sure you expected biased answers from the dell subforum, so I will try to provide input for the other side. I'm am a computer science student from Carnegie Mellon University. I've had a MBP for almost a year now and for the most part have been very happy with it. The MBP's seem to be the most popular among CS students here, followed closely by lenevo thinkpads, then hp's, dells, then toshibas. These are the choices of students enrolled in the #1 ranked CS undergrad program in the US and not a bunch of yuppie mindless idiots, so there must be some sense in this distribution.

Labeling someone by which brand of laptop they use is stupid. As for brand stigma/"social status" who the hell cares, pick the laptop that works best for you, not something to show off. Its going to be outdated in a year or so anyway.

As for no games on the MBP, you know these machines run windows just as well as an equally specced pc?

As for heat, MBP's are no hotter than the average PC, I'm currently running at sub 40 degreese celcius with the fans inaudible.

As for build quality, I havn't seen a 1530 in person, but I have seen a 1330 and the MBP is a step ahead in build quality. All aluminum > aluminum and plastic.

As for price, yes Dell has the advantage, especially if you take advantage of coupon codes. But then again a $300 premium is not so much to me when I take into account how much I use my laptop in college (and I'm already paying 35k in tuition )

I recommend that you try to test drive each of these machines in person and decide for yourself which you like best. Also, before dismissing OSX, try play around with it first. It's a pretty cool OS.

 

Mature response:
An appeal based on credentials is fine, but all you've said is that you are in Computer Science and vaguely implied that "there must be SOME reason we all love MBPs!!!" But then you never tell us what that awesome secret is. So, rather than explaining why MBPs are better than Dells, all you do is immediately say defensively "don't judge me based on my laptop. *sob*" Fine, but in reading your post all I can conclude is that MBPs are at best merely the equal of Dells plus they're more expensive, which makes them worse.

Immature response:
Are you guys gonna take that from a guy who most likely sports a mullet?

 

Your *cough* edit.

 

I will look into it.

 

I don't like Macs. I don't know why but I just don't. The Macbook's are god AWFUL. The keyboard is absolute crap and the screen size is too small. And I don't care what any Mac fanboy says, I need my right click. It's just simpler having ONE button for right clicking. They say it's actually easier to tap with two fingers then just press a button, lol.

The Macbook Pro on the other hand IS better.. it has a bigger screen and keyboard.. but it's just WAY too expensive. I just could not see myself spending over $2,000 for a laptop when I can get a similar one for way less.

 

I live in Austin. Since we root for the home team here (Go Horns!!), everyone and their mother's sister in law has a Dell. And the professors here have MBPs. Really it just comes down to which OS would you rather use. OS X or Windows? I've used windows since the 3.0 days and I help manage a bunch of server 2003 so Windows is the natural pick. Plus I enjoy playing COD4, Sins of the Solar Empire, Crysis, BioShock and the latest and greatest games. And alot of my mac friends spend almost as much time in windows as they do in OS X. Really, OS X brings nothing more to the table in my situation.

 

I personally bought the Macbook because I wanted to venture out and try out Mac OS 10. I like variety and choice.

 

OS X and "variety and choice" are polar opposites, IMO.

 

Build quality is impressive on the MBP.

 

LOL

I like this post. You got one company to choose from vs many many companies to choose from.

 

LOL. I could see why you would say that.

 

I am going from a Core Duo MBP to an M1530. OS X is nice and all but I really have nothing that is keeping me tied to it and I would really like to be able to play games. Unfortunately, I have one of the early MacBook Pros that has an odd graphics glitch that happens when running Windows through Boot Camp. Click here for one of many discussions on Apple forums about it. I'll keep it around as a 2nd laptop running OS X only, but I have no real reason to spend that kind of money on a new one when I can get an M1530 with everything I want for a lot cheaper.

 

Reading comprehension FTW! (or not).

Immature response: Brand X notebook is ≥ Brand Y notebook. Thus it would be silly to buy brand Y notebook. Q.E.D. *hugs brand X notebook*

Mature response: All notebooks have their pros and cons and everyone has different needs for their notebook. It boils down to the needs/preferences of the prospective buyer and fanboy arguments are pointless.

If you are happy with your notebook that is all that matters. If you have a dell and it works out for you than thats great. I'm also quite happy with my MBP.

 

I have a mbp but the grad school I got into really wants us to have a pc (for whatever reason they decided) so I just got a x1530. My mbp is a year old 15" 2.16ghz 120gb 1440x900 and the x1530 is 2.4ghz (t8300) 320gb 1680x1050. Overall, the mbp runs much quieter, not that the x1530 is that loud, the mbp is just reallly quiet. I like the screen (LG) on the x1530 a lot more than more than the mac screen - the LG is brighter and better coloring. But, if you buy a more recent mbp I'm sure the screens will be similar. Switching back from osx to vista I could personally care less. Either way you go is not a bad decision if you aren't worried about $$ - the mbp will set you back a lot more unless you buy it used.






Edit:
MBP can right click by using two fingers on the touch pad, actually a lot nicer than a right click button.

 

MBP like any other apple product is generally over priced hype.

Years ago Macs had some small advantages in the design field (of which I am part of) but they weren't by leaps and bounds. Never the less Apple has a cult following. I wont say of Socialists like others because that is just incredibly ignorant and stupid, but so tend to be a lot of Apple Fanboys.

Today you aren't getting anything by buying into Apple over a PC except for having to pay more to be part of that trendy little group of mostly ignorant people while supporting a real 'jerk' company.

I can give Apple some credit for being innovative at times, but it's typically useless innovation.

 

If you want to get a fair unbiased opinion you shouldn't post in one manufacturer's thread. If you posted this same thread in the Apple forum you'd get a VERY different crowd and representation. There are a lot of Mac haters/bashers here so you have to really ask yourself how much of their opinions you're going to develop into fact without ever looking into the other side..

 

Exactly!

Maybe you should post in the "What notebook should I buy" forum instead...

 

i was also deciding between a macbook pro and an m1530...then i decided to choose the m1530 because i got more accessories and a better specced one for cheaper.. the macbook pro is a good thing but to be able to game, you must install bootcamp and then 2gb ram wont be enough..u'll have to rip open your new lappy to install more ram manually coz it's very expensive to upgrade the ram on the apple website (it's something like $400)..The m1530 doesn't heat up as ,much as the macbook pro (its all over the forums: macbook pros tend to heat up considerably when gaming)....i'd go with the m1530 if i were you..

 

I was thinking about getting a MBP too (not long though), but then decided to buy a m1530.
Several reasons: OS (would have put XP on immediatly), right click (WTF, right!?!?!?), PRICE!.

Secondly It's too flashy and I would have always thought of myself like getting into peoples faces with a Notebook like that, no need... strong ego.

I think that is a common misconception! Ever looked at a older MBP they all have dents... Plastic is much more durable. Thats why I like the m1530 Magnesium at the handrest, plastic where you need it.

 

Bootcamp is just an interface for EFI during bootup (kind of like PC's BIOS) which allows the mac the boot up Windows. It does not consume any memory resources so 2GB on a Mac running widows is the same as 2GB on a PC running Windows. I think you may be confusing Bootcamp with virtualization (such as the program Parallels). While running a virtual OS, you are still running the other native OS you booted into, so your computer's resources are divided among the two OS. It is not recommended to game on a virtual OS.

 

Parallels actually runs on 1GB RAM but tends to lag down. Not really a concern anymore as the cheapest model of the MBP now comes with 2GB RAM.

 

Actually, it's not just useless, but it's actually backwards. For example, they'll put out something like the MacBook Air, which nobody can deny is good looking ...but to achieve the dimensions, they basically strip it down to zero functionality and grin helplessly and then solder it closed so that you can't open it. And then to add insult to injury, basically two months later, a Windows-based laptop will come out that is even smaller and yet much more powerful AND cheaper. The only difference is there's no media blitz to idiots who don't bother researching anything and only want whatever is deemed to be "cool."

You know what's hilarious? If Microsoft puts out Windows and then immediately issues patches (and it does), people point out how Microsoft sucks. Apple puts out crap ALL THE TIME and does the same thing and people get erections over how awesome they are. Um, how many generations of iPods are we on now? And you still can't change the battery without a chisel? They put out the iPhone and immediately put out version 2 like TWO MONTHS later? Meanwhile, it's less functional than some cheapo throw-away phones? LOL. It's OK, it has a touch-screen, so it's cool.

 

Excellent points. +1