Dell XPS m1530 or Apple Macbook

Hello, I've been trying to pick one for a long time now.
The price isn't really an issue as they'll be both between $1200-1400.
I'm going to college in the fall, so I'll be using it mostly for school work(powerpoint/word). I'll also be using it for some gaming (counterstrike,starcraft) and watching movies/videos.

The thing that kind of hinders me from getting the XPS is the screen. I've heard some complaints about the screen. And also, I don't know if the LED option is worth the money.
So this is the configuration I would get if I got the XPS...unless I get a different screen option.

My Components
Tuxedo Black
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Size: 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
TOTAL: $1,384

MACBOOK

* 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
* 160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
* Superdrive 8x (DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)
TOTAL: $1,199.
Also I'll get a free ipod($300)...and I'll installing more memory myself.

So what should I get!?

 

I originally purchased an m1330 last August and about 2 months ago, bought a Black MacBook. I would recommend the MB. OS X is easy to learn, easy to use, yet powerful enough to do exactly what you want it to nevermind the fact that you can run Windows on it anyway if you need to.

The build quality of my MB completely blew away my m1330 and really showed me how a laptop should be built. It just wasn't even a contest between the two.

 

If you're gonna be using it for gaming, the integrated graphics in the mb won't be able to keep up just so you know.

 

Scratch the MacBook off the list then.

Also, save yourself some money and upgrade the ram in the Dell yourself, unless it comes with 4GB stock.

 

yeah...i know the graphics card isn't that great. but for gaming once in a while for counterstrike/starcraft I don't think it should be a problem.
I guess the I should also add that I want to use it for 3-4 years.

 

the dell's upgrade to 4gb is only 50$.

 

theres a decent deal on the m1530 (better specs than what you want, plus warranty and acc damage for 3-4 years), $1268, need to be enrolling in college in USA

-> http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=354428&t=863669

go to apple store and play with mac OS? ............. if size/weight isn't an issue, i would recommend the m1530 b/c of the GPU

 

If hes going to be playing Starcraft, and Coutnerstrike (1.6im guessing), he should be fine. They both came out many many years ago.

If he wants to play SC2, or CSS, thats a different matter. No idea how it would hold up with them.

 

i think you're comparing the wrong things. you should be comparing the dell M1330 XPS against the macbook. and the dell xps M1530 against a macbook pro. that's what they're actually supposed to be competing against.

 

I guess, it's a better comparison due to size.
but I've been looking into both these computers for quite a while now.
I just want something thats reliable for a couple of years.

I know that the specs of the XPS are superior, but I just felt that the macbook had a better build quality and was more reliable.

 

If you go for the deal paper_wastage posted, you'll get 4 year warranty + accidental damage, which should last you through your college years. I'm glad my IBM T40 in college had 3 years of accidental coverage, which was invaluable.

I jumped on the XPS deal last night, after some EPP discount and DPA, it came out to be 1067.67 plus tax. No matter how good the build quality for the Macbook Pro is, 4 years of accidental warranty is better. Unless money is not an issue for you...

 

I'd say that XPS is better on both performace and looks.....can't go wrong there

 

its easier to find deals on Dell...i spec'd out my dell to match MBP..800 dollars cheaper!

 

Are you planning to run Windows or OS X? That's the deciding factor. Yeah, you can run Windows on a Mac, but even in the Mac forum they'll tell you that it's not the best idea to buy a Mac to run Windows as your primary OS.

 

Get your mac arse out of here! jk.

Dell XPS has more features for better price. RAM and parts are also cheaper than those Mac exclusive parts. Costwise for both future and present can't be beat with the M1530, despite the fact discounts are at a minimum.

 

That won't really be a factor for me. I'm comfortable using both so if I get the apple I'll use OS X and if I get the Dell, it'll be vista.

To clarify, I'll be getting a macbook not a macbook PRO. So the price would be relatively the same. I know the Dell has better specs, but I feel like the macbook has just a better quality.

Does anyone know if the screen issues for the XPS are fixed?

 

There have never been problems with the LED screen, and the main problem screen the WSXGA+ has been removed entirely, so there are no screen issues.

Build quality wise, they are all the same. Just the Macbook's design makes it look more solid but thats just because its more simple. Specwise, the Dell will also last you a lot longer than an Apple Macbook.

 

I've heard some complaints about the harddrive noise for the XPS...how loud is it actually?
And thanks to everyone for their replies!

 

using A08 Bios, no sound when surfing around the web.
and barely hear the fan run when gaming (well, turn your speaker on, you hear nothing from the fan)

 

Dell XPS M1530 should be compared to the Apple MacBook Pro
Dell XPS M1330 should be compared to the Apple MacBook

 

Hey, maybe because I am partial to the 1530...I say 1530 FTW

And, the question on the hard drive noise..My HD is pretty quiet! Even when the fan comes on...I really *just don't notice it*

Have you decided which one you are going with??

 

Good Call.......XPS m1530 is awesome take a look

 

This is all i have to say about your choice your about to make:

 

Thanks hahaha.
I think I'm going to go with the XPS. I know it's a better computer, I was just concerned about the build quality and the reliability.
I'll wait 'til next week to see what happens with the new Centrino 2

 

I was in the same debate you were. Almost ALL of my friends bought Macbooks, and I went with an m1530. On top of that, the shipping got delayed three times. So i was considering canceling my order and switching.

Go with the m1530!

You do need to ask yourself a few questions though. If your looking for portability, clearly the Macbook is smaller and a better fit. Me personally though...I hate doing a lot of typing and work on a 13" screen. The 15" is much better, and still portable.

I played with my friends' Mac OS X for hours, and it was definitely cool. But nothing jumped out at me and made me say man I can't believe I'm stuck using Vista. Vista has copied a lot of OS X's features anyway.

In terms of gaming, the m1530 is the way to go. And go for the LED screen. I got it and it looks pretty sick. I don't know if the Macbook will be able to handle SC2...you SHOULD be able to with the XPS though.

I'm glad I waited out the shipping delay...just go for the m1530, since you can get better specs at a cheaper price. And personally...I think the XPS looks nicer than the Macbook anyway.

 

Ewww I had a macbook and all I can say about it is PROBLEMS (lots of crashes). Is a nice machine and has a POWERFUL battery life but you know....

 

One more question.
Should I wait until the new Centrino 2 comes out for the XPS?
I know there are crazy deals going on right now, but would it be smarter to wait?

 

If you absolutely need the latest technology and have money to give away, then you can wait. The current M1530 can handle all your needs plus some.

 

Glad you're going with the 1530. As others have mentioned, there's no comparison there between those two. The Macbook PRO is the one to compare against the XPS 1530. EVERYTHING on the 1530 is better-I'd get it just for the better LED backlit screen, OR just for the 90 trillion times better GPU.

As far as that goes the XPS 1330 is better too, since it's got an LED option and a Geforce 8400...which is better than nothing.

 

Build quality of mac laptops is just as good and bad as dell's. I have worked with both a white macbook that had a squeeky screen and a black one that has a much worse squeeky screen. No matter how slowly or quickly you move it, it will creek like you've never heard before.

@OP, I don't know about current macbook screens, but the older ones like I have, versions 2.0 and 2.1 i think, are horrid with color reproduction. Even looking at the screen with the optimum viewing angle, you will see color differences from the top to the bottom of the screen. Having just received my 1530, I can tell you that it is much nicer to work on than the MBs. You'll also be limited to a fairly small resolution, 1200x800, on the MB versus the various options on the 1530. If you want to do serious work, you'll at least want the 1440x900 resolution. The extra screen realestate is nice to have. In short, there really isn't a comparison between the MBs and the 1530. As others have said, the 1530 can only be compared to the MB Pros and even then it's hard to compare because of the price difference between the two. Check out the forum at www.macrumors.com to see what people have to say about the MB and MB Pros if you want to hear the other side of the story.