Discover and share the best of the web!
Learn more about Digg by taking the tour.
Does Dell beat MacBook Pro on price? Comparison Chart Included
macworld.com — This article compares the pros and cons of a dell laptop to the apple laptop. Barebones specs shows that the dell is a clear winner, but if you want a lapto with the bells and whistles on the dell then you will need to pay more than the macbook. And don't forget about OS X vs windows.
spin-docta- 714 diggs
- digg it
- anonymoustroll, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Of course they do... what the hell kind of question was that?
You need a chart to answer a rhetorical question? - heydigital, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2UGGHH... Biased.
- Mesach, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Not everyone wants that power in a laptop the size of texas.
Offer it smaller and I will bite, these guys dont realize that there is a market of people out there that want small but still want all the power and are willing to pay for it. They think the reason behind buying a smaller laptop is price point, at least for me it is not. - longofest, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Its a good article, and points out that you have to add in a bunch of options into the Dell to come comparable to the MacBook. I think the article compares pretty well.
MacBook advantages:
*Built-in webcam
*digital audio in/out
*gigabit ethernet
*remote
*back-lit keyboard and light sensor
*software (duh! always been a mac plus)
Dell advantages
*bigger screen
*better video (7800go vs. mobility X1600 Radeon)
*faster DVD drive (8x vs. 4x)
Other notables:
The dell has a larger battery, but not necessarily longer charge time due to larger display. The dell is also heavier, but that also comes at the cost of the bigger display. The author says that's bunk, but I disagree with the author of the article on this one.
Price advantage: MacBook at $2,499 vs. $2,681 for the Dell (before any rebates or coupons) - spin-docta, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0There is nothing I hate more than a card reader on a laptop. They should save space, money and battery life instead of hassling with it. And while the Apple only offers two usb 2.0 which is lower. The dell offers too many at 6 usb 2.0. Apple should give two firewire, two usb and I'd be happy.
- Xipher, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Dells' have almost always been cheaper. What's the big deal?
MS users will buy what they want, OS X users will buy what they want. - P0W3RMAC, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Everyone knows that Apple charges a premium for their computers, Mac fans who keep on denying this are dilliousnal.
When I bought my iBook last December, I knew that it was underpowered compared to the other notebooks in the price range.
It's all about the OS, the software (iLife '06 hands down beats anything on the PC), teh sexy looks, and the experience.
You just can't beat the Apple experience (AKA happy-go-lucky computing) and once you experienced it, you'll understand it all.
[PM] - P0W3RMAC, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Everyone knows that Apple charges a premium for their computers, Mac fans who keep on denying this are dilliousnal.
When I bought my iBook last December, I knew that it was underpowered compared to the other notebooks in the price range.
It's all about the OS, the software (iLife '06 hands down beats anything on the PC), teh sexy looks, and the experience.
You just can't beat the Apple experience (AKA happy-go-lucky computing) and once you experienced it, you'll understand it all.
[PM] - happyoterson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Please no more comparisons...we're tired of reading them...
- replica, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I just configured the same Dell on their website and the price was $2,041.
- Kiltak, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Dell is definitly cheaper, especially for corporate clients who always have lower price then what people see on the dell website..
- stealthboy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Here we go again. This apple is $0.43. This orange is $0.41. Therefore, the orange is better.
- adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Why does it seem like the current trend towards Laptops is to make them BIGGER?! I know they are supposed to replace desktop systems, but not by becoming desktops themselves. I want smaller god damn it...
- eggyacid, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Dell is cheaper but after you add on the "Medical Bill" for your lower back.... due to the heavy lifting, then the PowerBook is the clear winner.
I just got an email from Apple, mine is shipping Yeah!!! - Fly1m1, on 10/12/2007, -5/+0Build your own notebook....Who in the hell buys a Dell, HP, Apple.....Lame. No digg.
- tharealmegaman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Another one that thinks the x1600 is comparable to the 7800. Nice.
Stop posting these. - MaxDrax, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I'm a certified Apple fan boy but I'm not going to argue the fact that you can get a Dell for less money than an Apple notebook.
Yes, I read the article. But how many typical Dell users care about a slot-load optical drive, optical audio, or an extra 2.5 pounds? It's all about the bottom line for them.
These comparisons are dumb...from both the Windows and Mac crowds. I'll enjoy my PowerBook, my buddy will enjoy his Inspiron. There's room for both of us in this world. - boardo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0^^ Lots of people buy Dell, HP, Apple laptops.
The LARGE majority of people do, I suppose you could include ACER, toshiba and Sony in that list as well for starters. - SpacemanSpiff, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Pointless.
Plus, he intentionally leaves out the coupon price at the end. Even though he points it out in the article, it's misleading when presented on a chart. - weirdperson343, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I don't think its a matter of price that matters its more of the OS
- tupuli, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2This is not hard people.
If you want an Apple, get the MacBook Pro. If you want a PC, consider the Dell.
The author of this article is a complete asshat. Dell's non-discounted prices are always inflated, so much so that the "true" price *is* the discounted price.
Why do people get so emotionally invested in their Apple purchases? It seems that whenever an Apple product has a flaw (bad iPod battery, iPod scratches, high laptop costs) people 1) sue Apple or 2) seek propaganda that tells them that "no, you really did make a good purchase". These types of articles are an attempt to mitigate potential buyer's remorse, not a way of informing the public. Same goes for the Xbox vs PS rants. Anyone who doesn't purchase both consoles wants to believe that they purchased "the right one". - Ramble, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0Quite a biased article indeed.
"It's all about the OS, the software (iLife '06 hands down beats anything on the PC)"
Are you saying that a 1GHz iBook with iPhoto is going to beat a 8-core Opteron server with Adobe Photoshop loaded?
I guess the Mac makes you stupid as well as requiring you to take out a second mortgage. - bdeisgn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is wrong now, Apple's 1.83 is $1,999 now, not $2,499, that gets you a 2ghz.
- kazsymonds, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Id have the dell on any day of the week and twice on sundays
- FredFlintstone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0The Dell is a tank.
- moisie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Surely the Apple is better value now since they've upped the spec today? Dunno what Dell have done though. Apple's are more expensive, however they're still competitive, which is the most important thing. I don't mind paying a bit extra for a premium product which I feel is of better quality than any Dell.
An Apple is a premium product and like any premium product you pay more for it. Like any product price isn't directly proportional to how good something is, it's a fact that as you try and increase the quality/power/performance of something you get less and less return for your money.
Forget Stella Artois - Apple is reassuringly expensive. - cpawl, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0If the Dell was only $100 it still runs an OS that I rather not use so there is no interest.
Plus it is the "build" of the computers as well. Go to your local Walmart or Target or whatever. Look at the prices of toasters and/or coffee makers. Each offers the same technology across brands. The toaster got heated wires to toast bread yet one brand cost more than the next. A coffee makers makes coffee yet one brand cost more than the rest.
It is common knowledge that most of the time the "cheaper" costumer product is usually does not have the quality of build as a more expensive one. Although, this is not always the case, it is most of the time.
Only with computers due consumers go with the cheaper model and expect the same and/or attempt to compare it to a more expensive model based on ill-responsible response that both have the same parts. - moron, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Being a PC fanboi for the last 20 years, I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to my macBook Pro! Why? Well, it isn't the hardware, sure you can get something that is simular in terms of hardware, but in this day and age I want something that will handle my current life. My digital life. I have thousands of pictures of kids, dozens of video tapes of them, and I spend lots of time just surfing the web and looking up information. To me, it seems that Apple makes these things easier then on the PC. Authoring a DVD is much easier on a Mac then a PC.
I have my PC, I will continue to have it, but I will now have my Mac. Different machines for different uses, why not? - Kaspar, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"Are you saying that a 1GHz iBook with iPhoto is going to beat a 8-core Opteron server with Adobe Photoshop loaded?"
I understand the point you're trying to make but your comparison is *****. Why the hell would you compare an iBook with an 8-core server?? That guy just said he likes Apple's software better. sheesh - FishyJoe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Thinkpads are more expensive than Dells. So freaking what???
I want the best quality notebook, not something that looks good on paper. People who buy purely on paper specs and price deserve the piece of junk they get. - frem001, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Dell is cheaper but after you add on the "Medical Bill" for your lower back.... due to the heavy lifting, then the PowerBook is the clear winner.
I just got an email from Apple, mine is shipping Yeah!!!"
Damn you... mine is meant to be shipping tomorrow, i have a feeling it might be delayed. - conigs, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@ramble: If you can carry around an 8-core Opteron server (with keyboard/mouse and monitor) as easily as in iBook (or any laptop for that matter), then you might have a point. But as it stands now, you don't.
[Yes, I understand you are exaggerating. But by doing so, you negate any argument you were trying to make.] - carrotopp13, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0you may be able to get a dell for cheaper than a mac... but you can always get one that is ultimately *****...
and why do companies keep insiting on pushing bigger screens in laptops... they reduce battery life... make it bigger and heavier to carry and make it more expensive... i even think the MB pro is a little big at 15.4", but its worth it... i want one... - frem001, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1news flash they have just updated the processor speed to go up to 2.16ghz
http://www.apple.com/uk/macbookpro/ - KillerX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0Any article that makes Microsoft Windows Butt Monkey Lemmings whine and cry is a good article!
DIGG! - flyindutchman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2This article uses all the same little tricks that all the others use.
First, he compared the 9400 instead of the E1705. The 9400 is only availabe thru dell small business. that adds $$.
Second, the statement that "its not everyday you get $650 off a notebook" or whatever he said. Actually, it is. Dell offers huge coupons all the time. It's called marketing! Makes people think they are getting a better deal.
ALso, for the last time, the x1600 is not anywhere close to the 7800! Can we please stop posting these. People pay more for nicer things all the time. It's normal to do that! - c.hack, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Just got a Dell laptop yesterday for my wife. I've spent 4 hours so far removing garbage software (AOL, Quickbooks, Corel, the list is endless). Now I need to install anti-virus, anti-spyware, and a firewall, clean up the registry and hope it still runs. If my wife would use OS X I would gladly pay double for an iBook. I use an iBook myself BTW.
- ionix18, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I am so tired of those lame comparaisons. Why does 4% of the computer users are making 50% of the stories. Let me clarify 3 points:
1) Apple has been around since quite a while. Claming that you represent 4% of the market because we don't know any better is *****. We had 30 years to decide and we know both products. 96% prefers PC so accept it and stop bitching. I could argue that 10% of the world speaks Japanese and it's the best language and English sucks because you guys don't know any better and you would laugh. Well I am laughing.
2) Yes apple computers are more expensive. The article is very biaised but you have to ask yourself what kind of computer you want. Apple was never known for their great processing power but for their awesome interface and software. You are paying the premium for that and not for processing power.
3) The reliability and bug free mac. How often do your cell phone crashes? How often does your car computer freezes? Do you get blue screen of death on your microwave oven? NO?? Well of course not because OS X runs on dedicated and specified hardware for it. Why do you think Jobs doesn't release OS X for PC?? - frem001, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0""Customers that ordered an MacBook Pro when they were first introduced at the slower speeds will be given the opportunity to change their orders.
"Those people will be notified that their product is going to ship and they will be given the opportunity to change their order to a slightly different configuration -- either up or down -- if they like. The can also add other options -- we are going to be completely fair to them," said Russell."" - pants428, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0the price really isn't that different, especially considering some of the extra features the apple has (digital audio, camera, gigabit), so it really comes down to preference... I've personally felt build quality was lacking on many PC laptops, despite their brand, because they all seem to be made from the same cheap feeling plastic... The coupon issue doesn't really make a selling point unless you're buying the laptop right now... a week or a month later, and don't expect the coupon to still be available with the same deal...
- frem001, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0"The reliability and bug free mac. How often do your cell phone crashes? How often does your car computer freezes? Do you get blue screen of death on your microwave oven? NO?? Well of course not because OS X runs on dedicated and specified hardware for it. Why do you think Jobs doesn't release OS X for PC?? "
my mobilephone has crashed before so has my psp... - sporkwitch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Though biased like any other (Mac fans tend to be a little cultish and fanatical, but let's face, I'm a PC user because I'm a gamer, not because I like windows, Mac has the better OS; sorry for the tangent), my main problem was the comparison to dell. Dell is probably one of the most overpriced brand names in Windoze-based PCs, and on top of that, are more prone to breaking down and needing fixes. Working at circuit city I saw close to twice as many Dells come in as any other brand, if not all other brands, and it's more than just market share alone could explain (even in high school, probably 85% of the dell's in school were constantly breaking down, statistics say market share wouldn't account for almost everything from one location breaking down).
It's common knowledge that Mac's are more expensive, they always have been, and even with Intel making crappy procs for them (well, they are good for media encoding which is one of mac's biggest strong points, so i suppose they aren't that crappy for a mac at least), they'll continue to be expensive because mac makes everything itself. You're paying for something far more powerful, stable, and secure than a PC (a dell especially). - farfromsubtl, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0You saved yourself here: "And don't forget about OS X vs windows." That is a hug disclaimer. Not to mention superior design. ;)
- MaxDrax, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1"I am so tired of those lame comparaisons. Why does 4% of the computer users are making 50% of the stories."
4% submit 50% to bug you. Good to see it's working!
By the way, wide acceptance doesn't make something true. Of course, minority beliefs can be false, too. Choice is where it's at!
Excuse me while I find another Apple story to submit to Digg. - archer75, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Dell wins on price everytime. Don't forget coupons. Nobody buys a Dell without a coupon. And they have a ton of them out there every single day.
- llbbl, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1SO BUY THE DELL AND INSTALL OSX ON IT !!
- lsutiger, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Does Toyota beat BMW on price?
"I didn't get it either until I bought my first Mac 3 years ago" - syntekz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Obviously this all comes down to personal preference. I am switching back to Apple because I've decided to kick games out of my life for a while again. I'm looking into the new iBook and am waiting for the Intel version hopefully in April.
The MacBook really is tempting me though.
Regardless, I see nothing wrong with comparison articles like this. The more opinions and the more I know, the better decision I am going to make when purchasing my next PC. - Chewie67, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I like Mac's, but this is a bit of a stretch.
I'll take a bigger screen, better video, more USB ports and a faster DVD drive over an illuminated keyboard anyday. The Apple "advantages" just aren't very significant for most people. - cmorrell, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Oh, and by the way, Atheism is better than Christianity and Democrats are better than Republicans.
-
Show 51 - 100 of 107 discussions
The Digg Toolbar for Firefox lets you Digg, submit content, and keep track of Digg even when you're not on the Digg site. Download the official 
© Digg Inc. 2008 —
Content posted by