Macbook Vs. Dell M1530

I am very interested in switching over to a mac. I mostly do web/php dev using Eclipse, photoshop. My main pull is how much more efficient the MAC OS than XP/Vista. Also Mac's can run windows if I need to get to old windows apps.

However...Dell is running a really great deal. For $1499.00 you can get an XPS M1530 that has...

-Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 (2MB cache/2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB)
-Vista (but I can always wipe and install xp)
-Slot Load DVD+/-RW
-4GB3 Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
-320GB4 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
-256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
-3 Yr Warranty (Including Accidental Damage)

On a $1500 budget...I'd only be able to get a Refurbished MacBook 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo + the apple care (~$1200). I can get some ram to upgrade and some software (aperature 2). It has

1GB memory
120GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive

Warranty is a must for me with small children...so no avoiding getting that.

My Questions are:
-(I need a true mac user opinion)...you think the dell is a good deal?
-I heard Vista recognizes up to 2-3GB? Does 4GB not do anything then?
-Gaming on Macbook (I have a Nintendo Wii...so my gaming goes on that)...but just curious. Everything I've seen on forums is on gaming for older generation macbooks. Gaming is not a deal breaker...just a curiousity question

 

1). The Dell is at a pretty good price (though I wouldn't call it a deal, since you can just build that on the website), if that's what you're looking for. There are lots of differences between the M1530 and a MacBook though. The form factor, weight, etc. are also things you should be thinking about - do you want a 15" screen? Do you want a discrete graphics card instead of an integrated? From what you mentioned as your intended uses for the computer, it doesn't sound like you'd need a dedicated graphics card, or (necessarily) the bigger screen, but those are preferences you'll have to decide on. But, yes, $1,500 for that Dell is pretty good bang for the buck.

2) It isn't a matter of Vista or XP or Leopard being able to recognize 4 GB of RAM, it's that 32-bit OSes can only make use of 3-3.2(ish) GB of RAM due to their architecture. If you use a 64-bit OS (Vista comes in many 64-bit versions, and there's 64-bit XP as well), then you can use all 4 GB. Without a 64-bit OS, you'll get use of about 3 GB.

3) A MacBook will not be able to do much gaming, due to its integrated graphics card. You can run games like WoW, and other older games, but only at limited settings, etc. If you want to be doing any gaming at all really, don't get a computer with an integrated graphics card (Mac or otherwise).

Just FYI, you could get a better MacBook than that for $1,500, too...the highest-end current iteration is $1,499, which includes a better processor than that Dell, 2 GB of RAM, and a 250 GB HD.

 

Dells are a good deal, especially if you upgrade the RAM yourself. The 3 year accident warranty should ease any doubts. Just from the specs, you can see that you're getting a better (and non-refurbished) computer. Buy a 4GB RAM kit for $70 instead of whatever Dell charges.

Vista 32-bit recognizes about 3.5GB minus the video RAM. If you get the 64-bit version, it'll recognize all 4GB, but you'll have a hard time finding drivers.

Having the GeForce 8600GT card will let you play games like Call of Duty 4 comfortably. You could save $200 and get a longer battery life if you switch to the Intel X3100, at the cost of gaming performance. The Macbook's Intel GMA 950 or X3100 will be terrible at gaming if you ever use Boot Camp.

 

Can you run Eclipse on OSX? That would probably be the most important thing. Of course Photoshop does.

I use XP at work, Linux and Mac at home. I work in the Web world too. Here's what I have found.

* OSX is very efficient with memory, a bit better than XP and much better than Vista. Not as good as Linux.

* Macs are always more expensive when you compare the hardware spec sheet. The Macs are a better value if you really use the software it comes with, like iLife, etc. If you don't need that stuff it's not a great value.

* If you want to game you need a Macbook Pro & boot Windows, as Dave points out. I use my wife's Macbook (white) all the time, and while I like it I would have a hard time working on it. The screen is too tiny. With an external monitor/keyboard/mouse though it's just fine. Gaming? Uh, no.

* The most important question is, do you like OSX? That is the only real question. You're paying a premium for the OS and the extras it comes with.

As a developer, do you expect to run your web services from your laptop, or are you uploading to a dev server? I would try to make your workstation the same environment as your server if that's your goal. If you're just editing code then it doesn't matter much so long as the IDE you want to use is available.

On a personal level, I really like OSX. It's a lot easier and intuitive - to me - than Vista. XP is sort of just ... old and stale. But it works, it's fast and crisp and doesn't crash. So pick your poison.

Greg.

 

I find OS X to be different than XP, but not necessarily better or worse. I like different which is why I got my Mac. I'd look at what you want to do and go from there. There certainly are PCs like say the ThinkPad T61 which are just as powerful, offer good quality and cost less.

 

Screen size is a non issue for me. A Dedicated Card is nice to have. Form Factor is also a non issue.

You've answered my question. I would configure for lower RAM, but 4GB of RAM is the only option for what I was looking at. Other options would remove the $600 discount

I can get a MacBook Pro for $1500...but you haven't factored in the additional $200 it would take for Extended Apple Warranty. The Dell price already includes 3 year warranty

Thanks for your help!

 

Eclipse can run on OSX. It's a java based IDE, so it can run on Windows or Mac OSX. I'm looking at what I'd like to get for Software and getting scared. Aperature 2 for photo editing is $200, Office 2007 $200. I basically need and IDE (Eclipse), Document processing that can work with MS Word formats, Photo editing (I'm used to Adobe PhotoShop), and something to made DVD's and video editing (personal stuff...nothing professional).

I don't mind the tiny 13" screen on a macbook. Big enough for me. As for liking OSX...I don't know. I've done some stuff on a macbook in the store, but like how efficient and easy to use most people find it. I'm running code on a server...so running a home/local test env. is a non-issue.

Thanks for your input

 

Most people are not thinking about the additional money it costs for extended warranty. If you factor that in, the cost can range from 200-300 more. Please help!

 

Id go 1530 over the basic macbook. I have an XPS desktop, and 4 other Dells....great systems. The MBPRO was a "change" for me, as I wanted the ilife software, and something different.

 

And, hence, we've reached the eternal dilemma for "switchers": Mac hardware costs more for the same performance. If you can only spend $1,500, and want a dedicated graphics card, I would get the Dell and stay with Windows. If you really want to switch to OS X, you'll probably have to live with the integrated card, smaller screen, etc. of the MacBook. It basically comes down to whether you prefer performance and bang-for-the-buck or OS X and style...

 

I would get the Dell XPS M1530 at that price, yes. Unless you really want Mac OS X, but otherwise, that's a great deal for the M1530!

 

both are good machines.

stay away from the dell wsxga screen. i had one, and it was terrible. the only reason i had to send it back. it had a coat of what looked like a bad "shiny screen" effect on it. it really ruined the 1680x1050.

too bad, it was a decent machine. i have since paid a little more (600$) and purchased a MBP 2.4 penny. will get that wed.

 

...as well as other operating systems...

 

I switched last year to my sig. It took me a good 30-60 days to get used to OS X. I was a Windows user since Windows 3.0 - Vista. I maintain Windows servers, lots of them, for a living.

Never say never, but I will.....never.....go back to Windows for my personal PC.

Hardware, smardware. If you are looking at hardware specs vs overall computing experience go for the Dell. If you want to be enlightened and free of the Windows world...go for the Macbook.

Gaming on a any notebook blows unless you have some 10 pound 17inch Windows notebook. PC gaming is almost dead with decreased sales every year and console gaming sales shooting higher and higher.

Simple IMO, OS X > XP >Vista. The Windows computing experience is sad these days.

RAM is cheap.... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148159 and a new Macbook can use all of that 4gig. VMware Fusion is amazing software for running a VM of XP if need some piece of software that is Windows only. I dont even run bootcamp anymore.

 

I can run games pretty good on my NC8430 and it's not a gaming notebook.

 

I just wanted to point out that AppleCare does NOT offer any kind of accidental damage coverage. So if you want to buy AppleCare thinking it might cover anything your kids might do, think again. Apple will basically tell you to piss off if your system gets dropped or something spilled on it. AppleCare only covers manufacturer defects and things like the HDD, optical drive, or screen dying.

In that case, you're better off with the Dell.

Assuming they're giving you Vista 64-bit, you'll be fine with 4GB of RAM. You'll need either Vista 64-bit (Home Premium 64-bit is fine, don't need Ultimate) or XP x64.

 

Good point...that might be a deal breaker.

 

Thanks for your input. I'd configure for lower RAM on the pc's, but it's not an option. Apple Care might be the deal breaker since it doesn't cover accidental damages...

 

FYI:
Unfortunately, Dell doesn't yet offer Vista 64-bit preinstalled on any of their laptops as far as I know. However, they do supply drivers for Vista 64-bit on their website in the support section (at least for the models I've checked... double-check for your model though). You just have to get a copy of 64-bit Vista elsewhere.

I should add though, that 3 gb is more than enough for most uses.