For you guys with the XPS-15: Did you compare it to a Macbook before purchasing?

I'm still considering a MacBook Pro and am wondering if any of you guys who have the XPS 15 (9530) considered purchasing a MacBook Pro, and how the XPS-15 stacked up against it.

Thank you.

 

I definitely compared - as i'm coming from a MBP 2008 15".

For me it was mostly about the difference in price. I couldn't justify the additional money based on the limited number of differences. I've had the XPS (middle model) now since early November and i've been very happy with it. I know that overall, the hardware/software experience with Apple is generally going to be better but I still believe I am getting better bang for buck with the Dell. I replaced the HDD with an SSD myself and it performs as i'd hoped!

 

How did you find using OSX compared to Windows? I think Win 8.1 is really nice.

 

Spent 20+ years on Apple OS and OSX now prefer windows ( started to transition in mid 2012 ). I do like 7 better but 8.1 is good after a little customization. I do find the metro interface a bit sluggish if you do not have a touch screen though and impractical for a few things. I find OSX LESS stable than 7 and 8 now, especially after a clean load of windows. OSX is also a lot less customizable and is a lot less user friendsly if you need to manage huge amounts of files in a tree / network environment.... limited hardware is also an issue for some such as myself who pay the bills off of video editing and design now that Apple has focused more on the consumer market.

I do not have an XPS-15 bit do have the m3800 which in many ways is similar, but yet different in build and hardware. comparing the 3800 to my rMBP 15" the rMBP loses out badly on price and performance and support since I think thr XPS can have the NBD support put on it as well

 

1. Can you please tell me the build difference between the XPS-15 (9530) and the M3800?

2. Isn't the MBP and M3800 comparably priced?

 

1: m3800 has milspec certifications in drop and crush and SEEMS to have a tougher shell and better build. it DOES have a sturdier motherboard and reinforcements however. Cosmetically they seem almost identical and do share many common parts.

2: Very closely BUT they are designed for diffent uses. The m3800 possesses the Quadro GPU which while games the same as the 750 found in the rMBP it totally destroys it in Pro apps such as Adobe CS6, Creative Cloud, AVID, MAYA, 3dSmax etc. the rMBP is still a consumer laptop as where the m3800 is actually designed to be a semi upgradable portable workstation ( with decent cooling )

 

Thanks for the insight.

I'm on the fence about a rMBP; I just haven't found a compelling reason to switch yet, except for the Apple MagSafe charger jack, which is better than the charger jack on the XPS-15/M3800. I have the XPS-15 (9530) Base model, and the jack does not look like it will hold up over the years, and mine already works it's way out. I also like the MBP touchpad, but still not enough to push me into purchasing it yet

I like the fact that you can get the M3800 with a 512SSD, which you can't get on the XPS-15

EDIT: The 500GB drive on the XPS-15 and the M3800 are the same- 500GB HDD with a 32GB SSD

 

magsafe still fails too. more often than most on the cable side. downside to the rMBP is throttling under continual load when its power management cant keep slowing CPU or GPU to keep thermals under control and too easy to break the screen or have the whole unit fail under a couple drops of liquid ... or a couple drops period

go with the smaller battery so you can put in a 2.5" drive in the m3800 and this is fun
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147251

 

I would have purchased a Macbook Pro, but I need Windows, I had an Air before and all the benefits of the hardware (battery life, trackpad, noise) all went out the window with Windows. Apple took forever to support Windows 8 properly.

So I can't rely on them for a decent Windows experience.

 

Yes i did.

The XPS15 is ~600$ to 800$ cheaper with the same or even better hardware.
I don't like OSX anyway.

 

In the USA, the Dell is only about $150USD less than the MBP

As of now, I'm really leaning towards the MBP. I have the XPS=15 (9530) Base Model now and am not really impressed with the quality. I've had some issues that Tech support couldn't fix, so Dell is exchanging it for another New one.

I also think the charging plug that goes into the computer is a cheap set up. When using this as a laptop, the jack is constantly working it's way out.

 

I'm coming from a MBP (2011) and will probably never buy Apple again. Using this thing for the past few years has been an exercise in frustration. The hardware is fantastic. The software experience is crap.

On the MBP you end up stuck between using an OS that condescends and treats you like you're an idiot (OSX) or using Windows but with horribly outdated drivers (Bootcamp.)
Unless you have a requirement for OSX, and/or very minimal Windows/gaming req's you're much better off staying away from Apple.

I ended up running in Bootcamp 99.9% of the time. OSX's condescension and the current habbit of taking all the worst features from IOS really made it impossible to enjoy the current versions of OSX. I loved OSX 10.4, but it's been going quickly downhill since then. It's quickly turning in to MomOS, not something a professional can easily use.
(e.g. How many clicks does it take to connect to a file server? In Windows it's a quick Win+R then type \\servername. Done. Takes 2 seconds. In OSX, it's click a folder to open finder, go to the connect menu, select connect to server, click add, type smb://servername, then it'll connect. Takes 10x longer.)

All that being said, if you don't need Windows, and only play web-games, and don't mind an OS that treats you like you're retarded, then get a MBP - it truly is beautiful hardware.

 

Thanks for the insight. Yes, the MBP hardware is really nice, and I's like to find a Windows PC with the same hardware, like the touch pad, and Magsafe charger.