Macs Cheaper than Dell but I'm still pissed off Options

[Hartmann]

http://strongbad.newsvine.com/_news/2006/1...eaper-than-dell

Yeah, they may be cheaper but what is starting to get to me is the fact that Apple upgrades their machines beyond processors and yet I have no way to really upgrade without selling my machine and buying a new one. They added another Firewire port to the Macbook Pros and that was something had I asked them about before I bought mine and they (Apple Sales and Apple Store Associate) told me that they would not add a port in the near future... BS.

Eh, I'll keep mine for a year, then upgrade.

[impala454]

weird... not to dis the article, but I decided to get on both company's websites and build the computers all the way to the cart myself and came up with much different numbers.

the 15"
------------------------------------

Macbook Pro $1999
2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM (1x1GB)
120 GB Serial ATA 5400rpm HD
6x DVDRW/CDRW
15" Widescreen display
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 128MB
(doesn't say anything about wireless nic but I assume it has one)

Dell Inspiron $1418
2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1GB)
120 GB Serial ATA 5400rpm HD
8x DVDRW/CDRW
15.4" Widescreen display
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256MB

now the the video card in the macbook is better, but the dell has twice as much ram, for $500 less. although my point wasn't to compare them, i was just wondering where hell the guy got $2874 for those specs on a dell.

the 17"s
-------------------------------------------------------
Macbook Pro $2799
2.33 GHz Intel Core Duo
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1GB)
160 GB Serial ATA 5400rpm HD
8x DVDRW/CDRW
17" Widescreen display
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 256MB

Dell XPS $2669
2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1GB)
160 GB Serial ATA 5400rpm HD
8x DVDRW/CDRW
17" Widescreen display
NVidia GeForce Go 7900 GS 256MB

ok in this one i picked the 2.0 GHz proc ($425 option to go to the 2.33, wasted money imho), so if you want to upgrade it, then the macbook is cheaper by $300. either way, like i said i'm not comparing the computers, as in both cases they're virtually identical for close to the same prices. i just don't get where the guy in the article is putting the above dell at $4142. honestly if you compare the 15s to the 17s (of both brands) the only real difference is the display, and although I don't have use for a notebook, hell I'd save $1000 and get a 15" of either one.

it's also worth noting that the dell 3 year in home warranty is $200 and the apple 3 year take it to an apple store warranty is $350.

[Hartmann]

The 17" is excessive IMO but for people doing movies or stuff like that, I could see it being worth it. What I have found though, is that 15" laptops are almost impossible to open all the way on airplanes (except in First Class). I am tempted to get a 13" just so I can work while I am flying.

I don't know where he got his numbers either. I clicked on his links and got the numbers he listed but when I tried to reproduce it I couldn't. I am guessing this is because of the way Dell does in-demand pricing. The take it to an Apple store warranty also gets you full support on the phone and they will send you a box and everything for repairs. If it's something that can't be fixed, they'll replicate your harddrive onto a newer machine and then send it back to you. No questions asked.

[impala454]

i'd like to get a laptop some time, i just can't think of when I'd use it. i can do almost all the traveling type stuff on my sprint ppc 6700

yeah and that warranty really isn't that much difference, i just figured it was enough to note.

[Hartmann]

I looked into getting a Treo do some basic stuff on, but I like to code or do database stuff when I'm flying which is why the laptop usually comes out. It's great, I do a little work on the airplane, get home, plug it into a monitor and external harddrive and I have a desktop. That's the one thing I really like with laptops.

I will probably get a Treo just because I want EVDO so I can get internet anywhere, anytime.

[John6.7]

I was expecting to see a laptop for about $1000, but $2000 if just way too much for a laptop that you can’t really upgrade.

Is there really a reason to stay on PCs anymore?

Yes, a good desktop costs under $1000

[impala454]

I will probably get a Treo just because I want EVDO so I can get internet anywhere, anytime.

here's what I got, 416 MHz intel proc, nice big screen, bluetooth, wireless nic, windows mobile 5, (also has EVDO but the service isnt available in lubbock). it's been awesome so far.



the software out there windows mobile 5 is pretty sweet too, very customizable. there's vista themes, OSX themes, all look really good.

[Seeker]

that a cell phone?

[chook]

here's what I got, 416 MHz intel proc, nice big screen, bluetooth, wireless nic, windows mobile 5, (also has EVDO but the service isnt available in lubbock). it's been awesome so far.



the software out there windows mobile 5 is pretty sweet too, very customizable. there's vista themes, OSX themes, all look really good.

Orb on it is the best

[zetec]

it's also worth noting that the dell 3 year in home warranty is $200 and the apple 3 year take it to an apple store warranty is $350.

you're not seriosuly trying to say that dell has good support, are you?

they've consistently gotten worst-of-the-worst scores on customer service from multiple sources, consumer reports coming to mind first.

considering i had to spend 47 minutes on the phone with them to get them to ship me a goddamn box to ship my computer back to them for a power supply problem (which i made as clear as possible as to that being the exact problem during their pitiful "diagnosis" stage), i myself have a few choice words about dell support. I will never buy another dell.

[impala454]

you're not seriosuly trying to say that dell has good support, are you?

no that's not what i was trying to say. i was just comparing price is all.

they've consistently gotten worst-of-the-worst scores on customer service from multiple sources, consumer reports coming to mind first.

considering i had to spend 47 minutes on the phone with them to get them to ship me a goddamn box to ship my computer back to them for a power supply problem (which i made as clear as possible as to that being the exact problem during their pitiful "diagnosis" stage), i myself have a few choice words about dell support. I will never buy another dell.

I've dealt with Dell support about five times total. A couple for my own computer several years ago, and a couple more recently with a friend and a family member. One, I had a video card go out on me (prob from gaming too much), I called them and they said they could have a guy out here next business day. I told them I could replace it, that I just needed the new card, and they overnighted me one with return shipping for the old one. Same exact situation with my 19" Trinitron monitor. Overnighted me a new monitor (which was expensive for them I'm sure considering the thing weighed like 55 lbs). My dad got support from them on a printer that came with his comp, and they brought a guy out there next business day with a replacement. My roommate had the screen replaced on his laptop next business day about six months ago, no problem.

I've heard some bad stories too, but even your problem doesn't sound all that bad. You have to realize with support they can't assume you know anything, they have a set of questions they're required to ask and steps they have you do before they justify replacing your part. Do you expect them to instantly decide to replace or fix your computer within five minutes of someone calling them telling them it's a PS problem? Shit I bet half the time the third step "check to make sure your power cord is plugged in" fixes people's "problems". 47 minutes could be a little excessive, but to diagnose a problem and determining a course of action like shipping your whole computer back to them wouldn't surprise me to take at least 30 mins or longer. Especially when you consider a lot of support steps involve you downloading drivers, rebooting your machine several times, etc.

[impala454]

that a cell phone?

yeah you can get it with sprint. cingular has one similiar but it's about half as fast.

and yeah chuck, orb rules on this thing... live TV anywhere you go in cell phone range

[zetec]

i almost got that cell phone, it has all the features i want, just couldn't justify the price.

i've only had one dell technician that was any good, the other ones were crap. she actually realized that when i was talking about the power supply, i probably knew what the fuck i was talking about. I do understand what they have to go through and deal with though, but it doesn't make it any less annoying when you're jumping through hoops for Rasheed who barely speaks english. I've been tempted to "press 2 for espanol" a few times.

btw they offered me no "support steps" like downloading the drivers or anything (short of double-checking the cable). it really did take them 47 minutes to send me a box.


ps: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/2006/10/dell-support-call.html

i don't like ebaums world, but it's topic-related.