macbook pro or dell XPS m1330?

[Corporate Thug]

So with the macbook air making waves, I've been seeing people trying to unload their macbook pros on Craigslist for the $1300ish. Should I pick up one of these guys or just get a new XPS m1330?

 

[Oil]

Santa Rosa MBP's?

 

[Rottie]

why would someone sell a brand new MBP Air?

 

[fbrdphreak]

^^
His confusing sentence was referring to the MacBook Pro's on Craig's List.

 

[Corporate Thug]

edited first post to make more clear.

 

[compman25]

I think it comes down to what you want more than anything. If you like the Mac, get it, and if you like the Dell, get it. I have a m1330 and love it.

 

[Pabster]

What kind of work do you do?

They're both fantastic lappies. I'm partial to the Apple lines, but you can't go wrong with the m1330 either.

 

[Brainonska511]

Depends on what OS you want to use. If you mainly want to use Vista, go with the Dell. If you want to use OSX - Apple. Also, the sizes are a little different; even though they may be in the same weight class, the m1330 has a smaller screen, making it a little easier to use in cramped spaces.

 

[Rottie]

Where is TheSTU? He is the expert he is supposed to help you to decide on MBP or go with Dell.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

I have the XPS M1330 just recently. It runs great with no problems, but you have to look at the kind of software you will be using. I see plenty of Mac on my campus, but I don't have personal experience with it.

My M1330 is in Crimson Red since it looks nicer and more colorful than black or white. I got it from Dell outlet store so it's much cheaper ($1175 taxed and shipped) than a regular customized one. Use the filtering system and compare the components, sort by price and work your way down. I think the LED display is worth every penny, since it's brighter and half as thick. The cpu fan does spin up more often than I would've liked, but you generally don't hear it.

The specs is pretty standard:

Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz T7300 (I suggest at least 2.0GHz)
Windows Vista Home Premium
LED "slim" display with 0.3 MP camera (it works but poorly) --> amazingly bright.
2GB RAM ---> your experience will be much improved with Vista
120 GB HD
Nvidia 8400 GM, Bluetooth, FingerPrint Reader, Intel Wireless-N

I also added the Intel Turbo Memory. It's not an option, but you can get this separately from Amazon for $31 shipped. This goes in the WWAN mini PCI-Ex that's unused if you don't have mobile internet.

It's about 4.3 lbs with a 6-cell battery. The battery life is about 2:30 - 3:00 hrs at half brightness and wireless on. My older 700m with 9-cell gets more than 4 hours, but it's also heavier.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Rottie
Where is TheSTU? He is the expert he is supposed to help you to decide on MBP or go with Dell.

I thought my post was already here... I guess the forum freaked out on me.

In my opinion, the XPS1330 and the MBP are in two completely different leagues. You have the 1330, which is quite portable and powerful, has a pretty decent keyboard, and IMO a subpar trackpad. It will run Windows quite admirably, and the 8400 GS that you can get it equipped with is no slouch, and should get the job done pretty well.

Then you have the MacBook Pro, it has a higher res, larger screen with a more powerful graphics card. It has a really decent keyboard, and a great trackpad. It is about 1.5 pounds heavier than the 1330 (which is still pretty carry-able) and actually is thinner overall actually. It comes with the 8600 GT which is a pretty powerful card for a laptop, especially a laptop of its size.

It really comes down to how important the larger screen is, or the more powerful graphics card is (assuming it is the newest model with the 8600m GT). If you want to use it as a portable, either one will get the job done since the weight and thickness differences are negligible. The 1330 is the more portable of the two since it does have a smaller footprint, but that difference is again negligible.

Either way you should be happy with the computer, but for me, I would get the MacBook Pro, more subdued styling (though for an XPS, the 1330 and 1530 are damned subdued) and I prefer OS X.

 

[atbnet]

I bought an XPS M1330 after I sold my Macbook since I didn't really care for OS X. I got the LED screen and a pretty loaded machine from the outlet store for just over $1000 with a coupon. It's definitely a solid machine and is very light.

 

[Corporate Thug]

The machine will be used for basic things: email, internet, music, and writing briefs in word.

 

[TheStu]

While, for what you are doing, both machines are a little overkill. The MacBook fits your needs if you are looking to switch to OS X, but otherwise... almost any laptop will do.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: TheStu
While, for what you are doing, both machines are a little overkill. The MacBook fits your needs if you are looking to switch to OS X, but otherwise... almost any laptop will do.

yeah, but I really dont like how the regular macbook looks. Besides, I'm planning for this to be a graduate splurge so I want to treat myself a little...