Mac Vs. Dell

[SOnotLayuh]

The difference is that apple will fix their computers if there is an issue, if you have an issue with a Dell you better clear your schedule because you need to spend at least an hour on the phone (with someone from India) then another hour arguing that the issue is covered under the warranty then paying to mail it to them so they can repair it.

I have had issues with my macbooks, the case housing was cracking I brought it to the apple store the guy took it apologized and told me it would be ready in 3 days. Three days later I got a call it was fixed. Five years later I still have it and it still works.

I will pay a little more for the convenience and quality.

I'd gladly pay the couple of hundred dollars more for this sort of customer service. I couldn't afford the price of fixing the issue for the Dell.

DH paid 100$ for an "extended warranty" on his HP laptop when the motherboard crapped out (I don't really understand what happened, but his computer wouldn't turn on). Not only did HP ADMIT that they knew this was an issue, but they still charged him for an extended warranty. He was without his laptop for a little over A MONTH before getting it back. He works from home - this caused a ton of issues with work.

 

[bonoriffic]

But thanks for assuming that I just treat my computers badly, I really appreciate it

Can't wait to own a Mac and have a quality made lap top!

If you really believe Apple has a higher build quality, go right ahead and buy one. Actual data doesn't back that up.

Just like actual data shows OS X to have more security flaws than Windows, yet every 4th post here mentions how their Mac doesn't get viruses. You believe it to be more secure, it still doesn't make it true.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

Get the best of both worlds... if you are a little savvy. Buy a cheap Dell mini 10v netbook... as low as $199 and turn it into a snow leopard Hackintosh! http://gizmodo.com/5389166/how-to-hackintosh-a-dell-mini-10v-into-the-ultimate-snow-leopard-netbook

Now that's an Apple I can sink my teeth into!!
BOB

 

[MickeyDisneyFan]

If you really believe Apple has a higher build quality, go right ahead and buy one. Actual data doesn't back that up.

Just like actual data shows OS X to have more security flaws than Windows, yet every 4th post here mentions how their Mac doesn't get viruses. You believe it to be more secure, it still doesn't make it true.

Now youre switching your argument. No one said that Apple products dont break, its that when they do Apple will fix it. Good luck getting Best Buy to fix something with an Acer laptop. I tried and ended up buying a macbook because the wouldnt fix it.

Dell is notorious for hiding defects and waiting until the warranty is about to expire to notify customers. I dont like a company who does business that way and judging by the stock prices neither do most other people.

 

[mom2alix]

We have a Dell laptop and a Mac mini. The Mac is mainly for the kids since that's what they use at school. I will say that now we have a Mac and I've had a chance to use it, I think all future computers will be Macs.

OTOH - Had to replace the harddrive already on my 1 year old Dell, which was a pain. The Dell customer service people were very nice and helpful, however.

 

[Forevryoung]

I had 2 Dell desktops before purchasing my Macbook. I have had significant issues with ALL 3 computers BUT there was a significant difference in service quality between the 2 companies which made the bigger difference.

My Dell desktop went kapoot, Dell sends wrong Motherboard, Dell "certified" technician installs wrong motherboard (he knew it was wrong) which destroyed all components (minus the graphics card ). During this incident I started keeping track of hours on the phone with Dell. 23 HOURS (I was a college student and I got a replacement instead of them "fixing" mine)

Macbook- woke up on my birthday to the gray screen of death (hard drive failure), attempted to use the install disk before Apple's tech center was available, no success, a 10 MINUTE phone call to Apple, told them what I already did and they put a new hard drive in the mail. I didn't have to follow their script, I had to try one other thing. It was relatively painless.

I've had my Macbook 3.5 years and it's still going strong

 

[SOnotLayuh]

I had 2 Dell desktops before purchasing my Macbook. I have had significant issues with ALL 3 computers BUT there was a significant difference in service quality between the 2 companies which made the bigger difference.

My Dell desktop went kapoot, Dell sends wrong Motherboard, Dell "certified" technician installs wrong motherboard (he knew it was wrong) which destroyed all components (minus the graphics card ). During this incident I started keeping track of hours on the phone with Dell. 23 HOURS (I was a college student and I got a replacement instead of them "fixing" mine)

Macbook- woke up on my birthday to the gray screen of death (hard drive failure), attempted to use the install disk before Apple's tech center was available, no success, a 10 MINUTE phone call to Apple, told them what I already did and they put a new hard drive in the mail. I didn't have to follow their script, I had to try one other thing. It was relatively painless.

I've had my Macbook 3.5 years and it's still going strong

Now, THATS what I like to hear

 

[ilovebassets]

Get the mac.

you'll never look back.

No one is saying you'll never ever have a problem with the mac. But chances are you'll have less problems than with the dell, and when you do have a problem (which will likely be later down the road than with the dell), it will be far less painful to solve.

We have several macs in our household and DH has had 7 apples over his lifetime. Only one was sort of a disappointment--the G5 tower had a total unrepairable hardware failure after about fours years which is by far the shortest lifespan of any mac in our house. The G4 tower is still working without problems 10 yrs later as is the G3 laptop which believe it or not, we still have uses for in our tech household.

 

[bonoriffic]

The original question was if paying more for Apple got you more. Industry data shows laptops have a 1 in 3 failure rate over 3 years. Which is why buying a laptop shouldn't be your first option unless you absolutely need the portability.

Apple is middle of the pack in terms of failure, with Asus, Toshiba, and Sony leading the way. Dell is just behind Apple, and HP is worst. Keep in mind that you also get what you pay for. Ultra cheap netbooks fail 20% more than regular laptops, and low end laptops fail 10% more than high end laptops. Apple does not offer netbooks or low end laptops, so their data artificially is improved. And even with the advantage of not having to sell cheap laptops, Apple still came in 4th place.

So basically you get what you pay for. If you buy a $400 Dell, it isn't going to last as well as the $1000 (starting price) Apple. But the $1000 Dell would also do much better.

The odd thing is Apple customers also tend to buy the AppleCare extended warranty far more than other companies similar warranties. So when Apple machine breaks down (and it will) you will have a better experience as you are covered under warranty. But keep in mind you paid extra for that warranty to begin with.

So that brings us back to the original point, which is if you are going to spend $1000 at minimum anyway you would be better off buying a Windows machine for the same cost. You will get a more reliable machine with significantly more speed, memory, and hard drive space. So to answer the question do you get more by spending more with Apple, the answer is no.

That said I've owned 2 Macs, 5 Dell, and an HP and never had any of them die on me.

 

[SnowWtch]

I used to have a PC but after i met my husband and started working in the office I am now, I am sold on Mac. I wouldn't change if you paid me. My parents still have a PC and have trouble with it all the time. We have never had a problem with our Mac and we use it all the time. I have two Macs at work and they're a dream to use. Never give me fits or crash on me.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

The original question was if paying more for Apple got you more. Industry data shows laptops have a 1 in 3 failure rate over 3 years. Which is why buying a laptop shouldn't be your first option unless you absolutely need the portability.

Apple is middle of the pack in terms of failure, with Asus, Toshiba, and Sony leading the way. Dell is just behind Apple, and HP is worst. Keep in mind that you also get what you pay for. Ultra cheap netbooks fail 20% more than regular laptops, and low end laptops fail 10% more than high end laptops. Apple does not offer netbooks or low end laptops, so their data artificially is improved. And even with the advantage of not having to sell cheap laptops, Apple still came in 4th place.

So basically you get what you pay for. If you buy a $400 Dell, it isn't going to last as well as the $1000 (starting price) Apple. But the $1000 Dell would also do much better.

The odd thing is Apple customers also tend to buy the AppleCare extended warranty far more than other companies similar warranties. So when Apple machine breaks down (and it will) you will have a better experience as you are covered under warranty. But keep in mind you paid extra for that warranty to begin with.

So that brings us back to the original point, which is if you are going to spend $1000 at minimum anyway you would be better off buying a Windows machine for the same cost. You will get a more reliable machine with significantly more speed, memory, and hard drive space. So to answer the question do you get more by spending more with Apple, the answer is no.

That said I've owned 2 Macs, 5 Dell, and an HP and never had any of them die on me.

You're lucky you haven't had any die... so you haven't had to deal with the sharks who refuse to fix your laptop and still try to take your money!