Mac Vs. Dell

[LovetheMouse12302]

I have a question for everyone.

We are in need of a new computer. It's just not working out having everyone use the laptop I use for work. We need one dedicated for home. Which would you prefer a Dell or a Macbook. (DW and I have always used PC's, and don't have much experience using a Mac.) We'll have enough extra to buy either one, so the initial higher cost of the Mac isn't that big of a deal but I don't want to spend twice as much on Mac if I'm not going to get twice as long of a life out of it.

I've heard good things about Macbooks but is it worth the extra.

(For what its worth, we would mainly use the computer for surfing the web, listening to music, watching movies, and playing games. I will continue to use my current laptop for all my work.)

Thanks!

 

[BrettS]

Ultimately, I think this is really a Mac vs PC type question, and that comes down to a very personal choice. Apple and Dell both make quality machines (although the higher end Dells are definitely better than their lower end ones), so as far as that goes, I would rank them about the same.

But if you and your family are already used to using a PC then there would definitely be a bit of a learning curve to move to the Mac OS. Maybe take the family to an Apple store if you have one near by and spend a little time on a Mac to see what everyone thinks of it.

 

[MickeyDisneyFan]

I have a macbook and have had no problems with it, if you do have trouble you can always bring it to the closest apple store and they will repair it for free while under warranty.

Also if you go to your local apple store they usually have free classes on how to use the operating system, all the way up to more advanced photoshop classes and even how to make your own webpage.

To me the macbook was more expensive up front but having it just work is worth the money, no viruses or spyware either.

You can go to the apple store and try it out and see if you like it.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We LOVE our Macs....and will never go back to PC's. We've never had any problems. We've now got 4 in our family. I highly recommend a Mac!

 

[DSNY4ever]

We have two Macs in the house. I married a man who loves his Mac computers almost as much as he loves me, maybe more . But I'll admit the switch was easy for me and I do like the Macs better now. We have had less problems, no viruses and the "Mac pros" at the Apple store are really helpful if anything goes wrong.

 

[patchchild]

Love my Mac!!! They work forever and don't get viruses. Major high points in my mind.

 

[Poohbug]

I would pick a Mac over a Dell.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I've always owned PCs up until the last year when I got a Mac Mini for DD10 and I LOVE them now! I still have my PC laptop but as soon as it 'gives up the ghost' I'm getting a MacPro laptop. We live near an Apple store so support there has been wonderful. Dell is a good brand for sure but personally I'd go for a Mac--especially if it isn't cost prohibitive.

Macs just 'work'. Folks who switched from PCs to Macs will understand that all too well.

 

[cole6179]

We switched to Mac in August and will never look back. Dh plans on switching his PC soon and going to Mac. It's a learning curve, but not too hard to learn and does some really cool things that PC doesn't.

 

[bonoriffic]

Both options will be able to accomplish what you wish to use the computer for.

A Macbook isn't going to cost you twice as much, I priced a near identical Dell and it cost $780. That isn't to say you should be satisfied for the same, you can do much better for less.

An HP Pavilion dv4i 14.1" is currently $749, and matches the Macbook in all specs (wireless, DVD, camera, etc.) and exceeds it with:
- Core i5-520M (Significantly faster than Macbook)
- 4GB (Twice as much memory as Macbook)
- 320GB Hard Drive (bigger HD)
- 14.1" WXGA LED Widescreen Display (same resolution, just bigger)
- 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4550 (Significantly better video card)
- HDMI and eSATA Ports (Superior output and connectivity options)

Your other concern was lasting a long time. One serious disadvantage of the Macbook is the battery is not user replaceable. Apple claims it will last a long time so you won't have to replace it. Maybe they are right, but if they are wrong it will be at a serious personal expense to you.

Only 3% of the world's computers are Macs, yet look at how disproportionate the responses are. Are Macs really superior, or are their owners just more vocal?

 

[akcire]

My husband got a "free" MacBook Pro included with his MBA tuition. He had just received a brand new IBM at work, so he handed it to me. I will say after using a PC for 20 years there was a bit of a learning curve, now however I love it! I am constantly taking it back from him as I often find him using it instead of his IBM. The biggest reason he tells me that he grabs mine is how quickly it boots up compared to the PC.

 

[eatatmidnight]

We have both in the house. The son with a Mac book doesn't think anyone should use anything else. I am ok with either. Do remember that if your children go to school that is Windows, you may have to purchase Microsoft Office for Mac.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Love my new Mac!!! There was a bit of a learning curve, but not bad. Everything is intuitive. The cost wasn't that much more either.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We replaced a Dell laptop last year withthe MacBook Pro and have been very happy with it. We bought iphones last year and have an Apple store a block from my office, which were both factors in the switch.

We are thinking about replacing our Dell desktop with a Mac as well, but this may not be cost-effective now that I have read that the current Quicken for Mac is a bit of a dud. We can continue to run our exisitng Quicken on the Mac but only if we install Windows software and as a Dell customer, we don't have any rights to Windows software. Buying both a Mac and Windows really adds up and , of course, then we would still have to buy security software. So check your software options before becoming a switcher -- Suzanne

 

[jgazda]

I have both and I far prefer my Mac. No viruses or spyware and for me it is just easier to use. There will be a bit of a learning curve but it doesn't last long at all.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

I'm on my 3rd PC laptop from the last 4.5 years, and now this one is breaking down (it's a Dell)... the left mouse button just permanently depressed this morning, and the battery hasn't held a charge for the past 9-10 months.

Once I get my student loan money I'm getting a mac. I can't deal with this anymore!

 

[bonoriffic]

I'm on my 3rd PC laptop from the last 4.5 years, and now this one is breaking down (it's a Dell)... the left mouse button just permanently depressed this morning, and the battery hasn't held a charge for the past 9-10 months.

Once I get my student loan money I'm getting a mac. I can't deal with this anymore!

You killed 3 laptops every year and a half? I've got bad news for you, it sounds like a new Mac won't fare any better in your hands.

A very popular Mac website, macintouch.com has reader perceived quality reports every so often. (And the results are never good) These are real users reporting their findings. This statement from the website pretty much sums up the Apple faithful...

"Owner satisfaction is even higher than in our initial survey. Positive ("Very Happy" or "Pleased") were 94% across all MacBook models, with a standard deviation of just 2%. With repair rates as high as 37% for some models, we're astounded at how happy owners are with their Mac laptops."

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I have a closet with 5 PCs in it. I bought a mac!

 

[MickeyDisneyFan]

You killed 3 laptops every year and a half? I've got bad news for you, it sounds like a new Mac won't fare any better in your hands.

A very popular Mac website, macintouch.com has reader perceived quality reports every so often. (And the results are never good) These are real users reporting their findings. This statement from the website pretty much sums up the Apple faithful...

"Owner satisfaction is even higher than in our initial survey. Positive ("Very Happy" or "Pleased") were 94% across all MacBook models, with a standard deviation of just 2%. With repair rates as high as 37% for some models, we're astounded at how happy owners are with their Mac laptops."

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.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

You killed 3 laptops every year and a half? I've got bad news for you, it sounds like a new Mac won't fare any better in your hands.

A very popular Mac website, macintouch.com has reader perceived quality reports every so often. (And the results are never good) These are real users reporting their findings. This statement from the website pretty much sums up the Apple faithful...

"Owner satisfaction is even higher than in our initial survey. Positive ("Very Happy" or "Pleased") were 94% across all MacBook models, with a standard deviation of just 2%. With repair rates as high as 37% for some models, we're astounded at how happy owners are with their Mac laptops."

It's not like I'm rough with them

My DH says I just have very bad luck. How could I have possibly caused a battery to stop charging? If you do some research, Dell admitted to finding a fault in the chip in the motherboard that causes this to happen. The issue came up after my warranty was up, which was the only time frame they would replace it in.

The laptop before this one, an Acer, the DAY after the warranty was up I opened the laptop to discover that there was a massive crack down the screen, effectively killing every pixel within two inches of it. I closed the lid gently, as I always did. My DH, again, states that I must just have very bad luck. He would have noticed if I had been slamming it down, and wouldn't have hesitated to point out my error. The left mouse button was also broken on this one, though I don't press it any harder than anyone else I know. I've asked. I also called Acer and they said that it is an often problem of computer gamers, who click a lot more than the average user. It was a fault they admitted they knew they had, but it would have been more expensive to install a higher quality mouse button.

The first laptop, an IBM (now called Lenovo) was purchased from my school. The red mouse controller thing in the middle of the keyboard came off. The 'k' key also came off one day while I was typing. Just... came off. Stuck to my finger. The space bar permanently depressed, also. One day the computer just wouldn't turn on anymore.


As for the "being a gamer and clicking more" thing, my brother has had his Macbook for about 3 or 4 years, plays the same game, and has never had this issue. Hes also never had his screen randomly crack. The mouse button on the Mac is higher quality, and is also balanced properly to avoid this happening. They keyboard keys are made in such a way that they are not just stuck to the metal key holder things with glue.

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!