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New White Macbook vs. XPS 13in

Jschmuck2

Jschmuck2

Diamond Member
I'm going to be on the move for four months starting in May and I'd like to get a new, compactish notebook to bring with me. I think the 13 inchers are a nice compromise between screen size and portability.

The usual uses apply - some light gaming will most likely be done as well.
 
I really like the new Macs form factor. Very nicely built, nice displays and fairly good hardware for the price.

I have not been impressed with previous dell laptops, as far as durability and all around build quality. The XPS series might be an exception though.

My only concern with a Mac is the single mouse button, I use my right click all the time, are there gestures or something that compensate for this (in Windows?)

Have you also considered Lenovo? They really make amazing laptops.

I definitely agree that 13" is a nice size. I would never buy a laptop any bigger.
 
Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
I really like the new Macs form factor. Very nicely built, nice displays and fairly good hardware for the price.

I have not been impressed with previous dell laptops, as far as durability and all around build quality. The XPS series might be an exception though.

My only concern with a Mac is the single mouse button, I use my right click all the time, are there gestures or something that compensate for this (in Windows?)

Have you also considered Lenovo? They really make amazing laptops.

I definitely agree that 13" is a nice size. I would never buy a laptop any bigger.
Click to expand...

Well, the OP is referring to the redesign of the White MacBook. So still has the white polycarbonate body, and all of that.

So, compared to the Unibody Aluminum MacBook... no LED backlighting, slower FSB, still uses DDR2 I believe, smaller base hard drive and a little thicker and heavier.

In both Windows and OS X, you can either hold ctrl while clicking (the old way) or, place two fingers on the trackpad (instead of one) and then click the trackpad button.

2 finger scrolling also works in both OSes, though it is a little wonky in Windows.

I have also heard that there is a rebate for $200 off the price of the White MacBook, but it is not through Apple, I think it is through MicroCenter.

http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0305909
 
Allegedly the 9400M GS is almost as fast as the 8400M GS, with a lower likelihood of failure because of the manufacturing defect on the 8000M series. So if you're looking for a machine @ 2GHz I'd say go for the white Macbook, but if you want something faster and more customized you can't really go wrong with the M1330...I've had both (Well, not the Nvidia whitebook but the old Intel GMA950 whitebook and my current X3100 blackbook) and both are reasonably well built.
 
Originally posted by: Jschmuck2
Well, let's say I can get a good price on an XPS 13 inch from the Dell Outlet - go with that?
Click to expand...

The comparison you are making is apples to oranges. Only go with the MAC if you want the MAC OS. Otherwise, choose something else. You mentioned you want to do some gaming and that generally speaking will steer you away from MAC's because of the OS. Of course if you want to you can run Windows on your MAC, but then what's the point? You have to pay for another OS adding even more to the cost.

So I'd say, choose your OS first. That basically makes your decision for you.
 
As Ratman pointed out, the biggest thing in the MacBook's favor is the OS, and the design (which aside from aesthetics I think exceeds that of the Dell).

However, instead of the XPS 1330 which I think is a little out of date, why not get the Studio XPS 13? The specs are pretty impressive for what you get. $1099 for 2.4GHz Core 2, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD and a 9400m.
 
I would take the MacBook personally. You should get way better battery life with it, which is a huge selling point to me. Plus, MacOS is a very nice OS.
 
Originally posted by: Jschmuck2
Well, let's say I can get a good price on an XPS 13 inch from the Dell Outlet - go with that?
Click to expand...

Yes, I would. Scored a XPS M1330 with 2.4GHz, 3MB memory, 320GB hard drive, LED backlighting, fingerprint reader and the 8400M for $790 before.
 
xps man, microsoft will win will flexibility and favor of superior system modifacation enhancements as you could put both XP and VISTA on it, you gotta play it good with XP's installation and getting it right, but man... XP on an XPS is ownage!

mac is nice, but XPS in my opinion will allow you to be more satisfied as an end user for any kind of gaming, entertainment, office work and trying out new-to-the-market software innovations that usually favor Windows, at least from where I'm comin' from.

 
After owning a few laptops, I must warn you that laptop gaming is NOT worth it. I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor, if I were you.
 
Get the xps M1330 today with 8400m, 4gb, 128gb ssd for 1150 after shipping and taxes. Awesome deal imo.

Plus, they're lighter than the Whitebooks
 
Originally posted by: slugg
After owning a few laptops, I must warn you that laptop gaming is NOT worth it. I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor, if I were you.
Click to expand...


i second this. unless you can find a good deal, theres a hefty premium people pay for those gaming laptops, and performance doesnt come near desktops for the same price

 
My dad has an XSP 13" and the keyboard feels so cheap...

Koing
 
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Studio XPS 13 was recently added to the outlet. I haven't seen any in stock though.
Click to expand...

Dell outlet is listing scratch&dent Studio XPS 13S for $699 today.

Info:

Studio XPS 13 - 1340
(System Identifier: DDARE2T0)

* Studio XPS 13 (1340) Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (3MB cache/2.4GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

System Price : $699.00

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

Memory
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz (2 DIMMs)

Hard Disk Drive
320 GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive (7200 RPM)

Video
nVidia GeForce MCP79MX

Scratch & Dent

Media Bay
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability

Base
Studio XPS 13 (1340) Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (3MB cache/2.4GHz/1066Mhz FSB)

Bluetooth Wireless
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module

Software Upgrade
64BIT Operating System DVD
Microsoft Works 9.0
Facial Recognition Version 2.3

Hardware Upgrade
6 Cell Primary Battery
125V Power Cord
65W AC AdapterSystem

Color
Obsidian Black with Leather Accent

Laptop Screen
13.3 inch HD WXGA Edge-to-Edge Laptop screen with 2.0 Megapixel Camera

Network Interface Card
Dell Wireless 1515 802.11a/g/n WLAN half Mini Card
 
You can install OSX on M1330. Mine works great. After seeing so many Macbooks with cracks at the palm rest, I will stay away from Apple.
 
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