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what to buy Macbook Pro vs Dell XPS?

  • 20-06-2011 10:28pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,378 ✭✭✭


    hello everyone, ok i currently have a dell dimension desktop that is 6 years old, 1gb ram very basic screen, very basic specs. im looking to upgrade to get a really good laptop as im fed up of this slow underpowered old pc i have now.
    i was convinced and ready to buy a dell XPS 15" will be using this new laptop mainly for everyday internet usage, mainly for photography/pictures, etc.
    maybe some games, (generally not much of a pc gamer) but now my brother has half convinced me to go buy a apple macbook instead so im all over the place what to buy.

    can anyone give me advice, what do you all use? im looking for a fast secure system thats not gonna break down alot. windows has frustrated me more than once over the years, very frustrating system when it wants.
    i heard alot of photographers use apple macs. its faster aparently, there is a program called aperature thats specifically for photography editing also.

    im not sure what to buy? should i just stick with what i know or can anyone recommend apple? help/advice would be appreciated.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭smelltheglove


    Love love love my xps.... Long story short, 2 kids = cosmetic damage to my laptop, which again I love and spent a huge amount on, xps m1530 with full upgrades (turned out cheaper to buy the 1530 with upgraded specs than higher model) so I decided well since you can get 6gb ram now I will have a peak int he shops and see whats usefull, one being advertised in paper for 600 only.

    I took a trip to PC world and asked one of the computer dudes, my words were, I have a dell xps, how would you rate this (6gigs of ram) against it, his reply was short and sweet, he wouldnt rate it. So I asked him which one he would rate, he said none, he said the xps was one of the best machines around, so I asked, were he to use a machine for photography, running photoshop mainly which would he use that would give the same results, again he said none, the xps is too kitted out for their machines to match up, when asked he said it would be on par really with a mac but he would not necessarily buy a mac above it. He showed me a toshiba 6gb laptop which would be close but said in my shoes he would fix the cosmetic damage if required.

    So I walked out of the shop, came hoe, hugged my xps and fell in love with it all over again, now I can just accept its flaws as being merely cosmetic.

    This machine never lets me down, it is a workhorse, 3 years of constant work and still I can rely on it very well. Could do with a new battery, got a new charger, replaced a dodgy hardrive once, cost of 70euro.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,345 ✭✭✭landsleaving


    If you want to use it for more than photgraphy, particularly for gaming, the XPS is the obvious choice. If it's exclusively for photo editing then you have to weigh up whether you prefer windows or OSX. If you're used to Windows you may be better with the XPS.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,135 ✭✭✭TheVoodoo


    Having had an XPS, and now a MBP(2011) model, i personally would prefer the MBP. I guess I like the OS and ease of access etc.

    But i really have a feeling this is similar to a Canon Vs. Nikon debate.
    Both are great, and will do what you want. Just different operating systems in different shells and it just comes down to personal preference.

    You could always go to the likes of Harvey Norman ( or anywhere ) and play around with a MBP and look at the photo on that, and how you like the system.

    Bear in mind, that Macs are quite different, so don't be put off by the differences, which may seem daunting at the beginning.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭DotOrg


    Nodferatu wrote: »
    i heard alot of photographers use apple macs. its faster aparently, there is a program called aperature thats specifically for photography editing also


    Lots of graphic designers, photographers, video editors use macs because of macs history of having a more stable operating system and better integration of hardware and software. But nowadays it more a case of apple having a much nicer, cleaner design, better trackpad, easier to use operating system and no worries about the system slowing down or getting a virus.

    Software on both is much the same. Something like Aperture is only available on the mac, but Adobe Lightroom is very similar and available on both.

    I switched from PC to mac about 2 years ago and will never go back to windows, simply because my mac just works, it's fast, easy to use and looks beautiful.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,378 ✭✭✭Nodferatu


    yeah i think what im looking for is what will benefit me more with a brand new computer. now im just a photography enthusiast nothing professional. i want a new system for 3 main reasons,

    1. photography etc, using lightroom 3 program etc.
    2. my music
    3. general internet usage

    after that im good. gaming... not so much really, forget i mentioned games.
    i do like the look of the mac OS it looks cleaner/tidier i know its hack proof and doesnt get vruses. it does seem to run very very fast which appeals to me alot more than windows grindingly slow start up especially laptops.

    i did some googling and have found in general people who turn to mac dont go back... so to speak haha.
    my only problem is macs are more expensive, also

    i want an i5 processor, i7 is a bit too much and dont need the extra power for what i will be doing/programs running.

    but i can only get an i5 in a 13 inch screen. the 15" & 17" screens only come with an i7 which is quite expensive.
    kinda disappointing. i will have to have a long think about it all.... thanks everyone for the help so far, will let you know when i buy... eventually.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 200 ✭✭valdigre


    Had macbook 13 inch (white plastic one) for three years before - no hardware problems at all (it is currently used by another family member).

    You won't beat Macbook in terms of styling, portability (weight, battery life) so if you need a good all rounder, go form 15 inch MBP.
    It has the newest Sandybridge, so it is an investment in the future and if you are mainly a photographer, it should be more than enough.

    On the other hand, if you do some serious photo editing, maybe it's better to invest in a PC with SSD?

    I know I am not comming back to Windows PC's any more ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,357 ✭✭✭✭SteelyDanJalapeno


    Nodferatu wrote: »
    yeah i think what im looking for is what will benefit me more with a brand new computer. now im just a photography enthusiast nothing professional. i want a new system for 3 main reasons,

    1. photography etc, using lightroom 3 program etc.
    2. my music
    3. general internet usage

    after that im good. gaming... not so much really, forget i mentioned games.
    i do like the look of the mac OS it looks cleaner/tidier i know its hack proof and doesnt get vruses. it does seem to run very very fast which appeals to me alot more than windows grindingly slow start up especially laptops.

    i did some googling and have found in general people who turn to mac dont go back... so to speak haha.
    my only problem is macs are more expensive, also

    i want an i5 processor, i7 is a bit too much and dont need the extra power for what i will be doing/programs running.

    but i can only get an i5 in a 13 inch screen. the 15" & 17" screens only come with an i7 which is quite expensive.
    kinda disappointing. i will have to have a long think about it all.... thanks everyone for the help so far, will let you know when i buy... eventually.

    How about?

    http://store.apple.com/ie/product/FC372B/A?mco=MTM3NDgzMzY

    i5, also save 600 sheets!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,170 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Unless you're batch processing 1000s of images at a time, Photoshop is no longer a really high spec program to run. I can open 100+ 6MB images and edit away no probs on a 2.67Ghz Dual with 4GB on CS5.

    You can spend 550-600 on a nice laptop, and the remainder on camera gear, or you can blow all your cash on an MBP and see a marginal at best performance boost.


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