Dell XPS or Mac book pro

Author
Discussion

mikef

4,827 posts

250 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
DoubleByte said:
Jesus wept! Stick to the question.

OP - buy whichever floats your boat and has the most appropriate software available at a reasonable price for what you want to do with it.

Look at the screens side by side and try out the keyboards.
If you go Mac then you'll have to learn a load of new crap about how it stores files.
Nearly got through a post with sensible advice and no numptiness, so close!

Crap about how it stores files? File -> Save As then Time Machine makes automatic hourly backups to your external/disk and/or network. What's crap about that?

Your disks have names, not antique crap like C:\ and Time Machine is a delight compared with Windows File History.

ZesPak

24,423 posts

195 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
DennisCooper said:
I recently wanted a large monitor too, the Apple ones do look nice smile - but they don't make anything in the sizing I want (40"). I got the Philips 43" 4K one for £550.

Cheers, Dennis!
Iirc they stopped doing screens altogether?

But idd, not a bad idea to include a big monitor in the budget. Makes the laptop experience so much nicer when using it at home /your fixed desk.

zippy3x

1,308 posts

266 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
jamoor said:
Is there a backup and restore software built into Windows 10? With shadow copies?


Why is it turned on by default in a place where most people won't even look? Can't you see this is just downright dodgy and makes the company untrustworthy?
There is backup software in Windows 10, couldn't tell you the capabilities as I don't store anything I need on any machine, just local copies of online caches.

I.e. oneDrive for all my docs, GitHub/bitbucket for code, game saves are stored on steam, uplay, origin etc. If I ever had to re-install Windows i'd just download the software and pull the code and docs from their respective repo's

I'm unsure why you think file sharing is "downright dodgy". you do know Microsoft own Window's copyright don't you.
Although I agree they are complete tts for putting settings related to updates in the updates section of the settings app. bds!!

As for on by default, well that's more debatable, but it is shown as an option in the installation menus and when a major update occurs.

jamoor said:
If the operating system won't run on your mac mini, is there much point in installing software that won't work properly??
Again, not really sure where you're going with this. Apple deliberately and needlessly hobble a computer I bought and what. it's my fault that I want to install software on it.

Edited by zippy3x on Saturday 22 April 17:35

ZesPak

24,423 posts

195 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
jamoor said:
dmsims said:
and Lisa?
Kind of silly to compare something from 10 years ago to something 30 years ago. I mean hardly anyone had a home desktop 30 years ago...

It's more ridiculous to make a product that's worse than the one that proceeded it. I haven't used windows since Vista, no complaints about XP.
You're right, but you brought up Windows ME, which is nearly two decades ago as well.
None of them are relevant unless the OP wanted to order a Windows Vista machine?

Every version since vista has run lighter and lighter, I think you have a macbook? biggrin, if you run bootcamp (not parallels), please run some benchmarks that are available for multiple platforms, or look online on the findings.

PS: Contrary to other views on this topic, I can almost guarantee you that after installing Windows, it will not attempt to kill you in your sleep and molest your children. It will however run most tasks faster on your machine, not that that makes any difference as these findings are based on real facts and OSX is plenty fast on it's own.

PS2: I'm hereby still responding to this statement:
jamoor said:
Installing an OS such as windows that is riddled with spyware and torrents updates to other users is more likely to use more resources than something without that jazz, such as ubuntu.
Which is, of course, based on assumption rather than real-world data.


Edited by ZesPak on Saturday 22 April 19:45

K8-600

1,724 posts

111 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
I've used both machines extensively and I personally think it's really just down to preference.

I've got a MBP, MBA and various other Apple devices at home and have used several XPS's. I like both machines a lot!

As ever with anything Apple, it seems to bring out the crazy in both sides (as demonstrated strongly in this thread!).

For personal use I prefer Macbooks because of the superb OS, wonderful design and fantastic looking screens, for work I used to use Macbooks but it's sometimes easier to use MS based laptops if there are a lot of bespoke packages. However to summarize I'd personally be happy with a MBP or XPS for either scenario.

Apple used to have a huge advantage in many ways of Microsoft based machines (design, build, no virus/malware etc) but Windows 10 is good and laptops like the XPS have really closed the gap and some would argue taken an advantage in some ways.

P.S. Has anyone either used or bought the Razor Blade Stealth? I'm seriously interested in them but I've never seen one and don't fancy buying unseen given the price tag.


jamoor

14,506 posts

214 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
Which is, of course, based on assumption rather than real-world data.


Edited by ZesPak on Saturday 22 April 19:45
This is the thing I don't think you understand.

Benchmarks don't actually have much of a bearing on the user experience.

A website can have super fast load speeds and be hosted on the best servers in the universe. On paper it will be the one that wins every time, hoeever It will be useless if its buggy and not user friendly.

Regarding windows Me. That's an example of a product that is worse than its predecessor.

ZesPak

24,423 posts

195 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
K8-600 said:
I
P.S. Has anyone either used or bought the Razor Blade Stealth? I'm seriously interested in them but I've never seen one and don't fancy buying unseen given the price tag.
Used it for about 15 minutes on my last visit to the states.
I personally like the machine, but it is a bit of an attention-grabber with the black and neon green, whereas the MBP/XPS are quite anonymus.
That said, the biggest downside for me was european support (or lack therof) and the price.
I think the only thing to justify the price might be exclusivity as I've literally never seen any in the "wild", while I see MacBooks and XPS's on a daily basis.

ZesPak

24,423 posts

195 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
jamoor said:
This is the thing I don't think you understand.

Benchmarks don't actually have much of a bearing on the user experience.

A website can have super fast load speeds and be hosted on the best servers in the universe. On paper it will be the one that wins every time, hoeever It will be useless if its buggy and not user friendly.
Sorry, I must've misread when you were talking about "the use of resources".
Otherwise, I would have responded to your "buggy".

Again, could you find some data on bugs in both OSX and Windows and get back to us (I'm not going to bother putting google results here as you'll ignore them and change topic once again)? Also, do remember that almost all of these "bugs" stem from 3rd party software as well. The main concern in an OS are "vulnerabilities".
Oh and please look further than MacInsider smile.

PS: Both OS are pretty bug-free these days anyway, so it doesn't really matter which one comes out on top (that'll comfort you a bit).

Could we try and keep it factual instead of throwing these lines? It's getting very tedious and feels like you're deliberately trying to misinform people asking for information.

DoubleByte

1,239 posts

265 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
mikef said:
DoubleByte said:
Jesus wept! Stick to the question.

OP - buy whichever floats your boat and has the most appropriate software available at a reasonable price for what you want to do with it.

Look at the screens side by side and try out the keyboards.
If you go Mac then you'll have to learn a load of new crap about how it stores files.
Nearly got through a post with sensible advice and no numptiness, so close!

Crap about how it stores files? File -> Save As then Time Machine makes automatic hourly backups to your external/disk and/or network. What's crap about that?

Your disks have names, not antique crap like C:\ and Time Machine is a delight compared with Windows File History.
lol, don't get me wrong ..... they are both crap, hence having to learn new crap.
if you are used to Windows filing system and totally accessible folders then moving to Mac will be a challenge ...... if you are at all interested in where things are actually being stored?

dmsims

6,452 posts

266 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
jamoor said:
dmsims said:
and Lisa?
Kind of silly to compare something from 10 years ago to something 30 years ago. I mean hardly anyone had a home desktop 30 years ago...

It's more ridiculous to make a product that's worse than the one that proceeded it. I haven't used windows since Vista, no complaints about XP.
LOL both comparisons are completely irrelevant

K8-600

1,724 posts

111 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
K8-600 said:
I
P.S. Has anyone either used or bought the Razor Blade Stealth? I'm seriously interested in them but I've never seen one and don't fancy buying unseen given the price tag.
Used it for about 15 minutes on my last visit to the states.
I personally like the machine, but it is a bit of an attention-grabber with the black and neon green, whereas the MBP/XPS are quite anonymus.
That said, the biggest downside for me was european support (or lack therof) and the price.
I think the only thing to justify the price might be exclusivity as I've literally never seen any in the "wild", while I see MacBooks and XPS's on a daily basis.
Thanks bud!

I like the look, idea of having a separate GPU and spec. I don't care about exclusivity, it's just about the laptop for me.

Was it well built/finished?

ZesPak

24,423 posts

195 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
K8-600 said:
Thanks bud!

I like the look, idea of having a separate GPU and spec. I don't care about exclusivity, it's just about the laptop for me.

Was it well built/finished?
Nothing to note, so all good imho. The green is REALLY green though, but I liked the look as well. I was more interested in the "normal" Blade for the size.
It's a very nice piece of kit and still amazed that they can put it in that form factor. No idea on thermals though, some ultrabooks suffer from thermal issues, not ideal if you want to use it for gaming.

Didn't think about the external GPU, not really something I'd ever use but a good point if it's something you're interested in. Quite pricey iirc?

That said, I make money using my laptop and I couldn't seriously consider one that hasn't got decent support here on the continent.
Dell's next business day support is second to none and I think the 3 year addition was about £120, which is ridiculous not to consider if it's a machine that makes you money.

K8-600

1,724 posts

111 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
K8-600 said:
Thanks bud!

I like the look, idea of having a separate GPU and spec. I don't care about exclusivity, it's just about the laptop for me.

Was it well built/finished?
Nothing to note, so all good imho. The green is REALLY green though, but I liked the look as well. I was more interested in the "normal" Blade for the size.
It's a very nice piece of kit and still amazed that they can put it in that form factor. No idea on thermals though, some ultrabooks suffer from thermal issues, not ideal if you want to use it for gaming.

Didn't think about the external GPU, not really something I'd ever use but a good point if it's something you're interested in. Quite pricey iirc?

That said, I make money using my laptop and I couldn't seriously consider one that hasn't got decent support here on the continent.
Dell's next business day support is second to none and I think the 3 year addition was about £120, which is ridiculous not to consider if it's a machine that makes you money.
Ok thanks.

I'm fortunate to have several laptops/computers that could be used for different activities so it's not a major concern but would be irritating if I had to send it back to the US. Dell's support is pretty good as is Apples although I've only ever had one issue with a Macbook (other than the usual broken power connectors) and that was a smashed screen thanks to my clumsy behavior. Fortunately, I live 25 minutes from an Apple store and got the screen replaced the same day.

ZesPak

24,423 posts

195 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
K8-600 said:
Ok thanks.

I'm fortunate to have several laptops/computers that could be used for different activities so it's not a major concern but would be irritating if I had to send it back to the US. Dell's support is pretty good as is Apples although I've only ever had one issue with a Macbook (other than the usual broken power connectors) and that was a smashed screen thanks to my clumsy behavior. Fortunately, I live 25 minutes from an Apple store and got the screen replaced the same day.
Agreed, I've got a couple of backup devices but "nuisance" would be the right word. I've had On-site support on a couple of laptops, but only ever needed it once (screen replacement), and it's just brilliant smile. Nearest apple store for me is unfortunately almost an hour away.

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
quotequote all
jamoor said:
Is there a backup and restore software built into Windows 10? With shadow copies?

...
There is. And it works really nicely wink

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
I may be about to eat my words on this topic...the webcam issue isn't proving as straightforward to get resolved as I was expecting. Machine still works perfectly in all other ways, but this could seriously cloud my judgement smile

Arse.