Apple or Dell...

Former Member

I'm in the process of looking for a lovely new shiny laptop for uni

I've got a Macbook Pro Late 08 model, and I'm torn between a New Macbook pro or a Dell Studio XPS....

Either are affordable, but I'm just not sure... whats your thoughts?

Former Member

Get a workhorse. Mine was under £300 over 2 years ago, and is still chugging along perfectly. Keep your cash tucked away, as it becomes rather scarce at uni...

Former Member

None, lol. Why buy a new one when you already have one?

Former Member

CoolMe- your late '08 Mac model should be fine. When you start university, you'll quickly realise that your money will be needed for beer. Therefore, I would keep your '08 Mac and consider your computer budget as beer money :-) Trust me, that's coming from a guy who hardly touched alcohol pre-uni :-D

Former Member

an 08 mac should be more than fine, as long as you ain't gaming you don't need a completly up to day laptop but then you wouldn't use a laptop for gaming unless you had to anyway

Former Member

I'd go for the Apple, Dell suck badly and get too many problems, most of my customers have had Dell's and wouldn't touch them again. They also use refurbed parts too.

Former Member

A 2008 Mac? :shocking:

You must be....what....twenty-six generations behind now!?

Seriously, you'll be fine. If you're just planning on writing essays and busting out mixes to seriously freaky porn, then why bother upgrading?

Former Member

CptCoatHanger wrote: »

A 2008 Mac? :shocking:

You must be....what....twenty-six generations behind now!?

POTW :-)

Former Member

Oh noo! My 08 mac has been battered and bruised.... Its falling apart im afraid, due to 'water damage' that apple refuse to repair! Even when I took out Apple Care! Thanks for the comments though!

Former Member

So why go back if they won't keep their end of the bargin?

Former Member

JavaKrypt wrote: »

So why go back if they won't keep their end of the bargin?

:yes:

All those wishing to diss Dell - try and find a solidly-built 17" 1920x1200 laptop with decent processor, memory and CPU for under £300 delivered - brand new, custom-built to order.

That came with a years on-site warranty, too. And one of the nicest screens I've seen for sensible money.

What's the appeal of Apple, in this instance? A more expensive machine with a warranty they won't honour? Something 2 years old, already 'battered and bruised'?

Former Member

Click to see more wrote: »

:yes:

All those wishing to diss Dell - try and find a solidly-built 17" 1920x1200 laptop with decent processor, memory and CPU for under £300 delivered - brand new, custom-built to order.

That came with a years on-site warranty, too. And one of the nicest screens I've seen for sensible money.

What's the appeal of Apple, in this instance? A more expensive machine with a warranty they won't honour? Something 2 years old, already 'battered and bruised'?

for dell, they used to be good, but this is a big thing which isn't spreading outside the tech sector but should
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/13/dell_ait_evidence_flap/

other computer makers or part makers, when they've had issues with supppliers just replaces and apoligises, like what toyota done with their cars for example but dell actually tried to hide (it is alleged at the moment, libel reasons) this

i'd honestly say don't go by brands apart from if you're having issues with them already, or if there's something big like dell, how much are looking at spending and for what purpose?

i was recently looking for laptops for a friend, she wanted one to use as a desktop (so weight isn't an issue) under £500 and this was what i recommended like 2 weeks ago http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-5252.aspx

if you describe what you'll use it for other than facebook and word processing (which a 4 year old computer will do well on windows xp) then i might be able to help a little more

Former Member

wheresmyplacebo wrote: »

for dell, they used to be good, but this is a big thing which isn't spreading outside the tech sector but should
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/13/dell_ait_evidence_flap/

other computer makers or part makers, when they've had issues with supppliers just replaces and apoligises, like what toyota done with their cars for example but dell actually tried to hide (it is alleged at the moment, libel reasons) this

Yep, there is clear evidence that they weren't truthful over things. Though it is true to say that these cheap, bad capacitors were used by the majority of manufacturers, and hit them all to one extent or another. Most of the boards swapped out during that time have also gone on to fail - the problem was noted 10 years ago now, yet most manufacturers seemed happy enough to continue using them for another 5 years or more.

They're all guilty. But I'm not defending Dell on this...

Former Member

Adding my bit of praise to the Dell debate - I've got an Inspiron 5150 from early 2004. It lasted well until a year ago, then the optical drive became intermittent. Got replacement drive off the 'Bay for a few quid. 6½ years old now, laptop still good as new.

I'm not sure what Dell are like nowadays but I have the Dell G2410 full-HD LED monitor for £210 incl p&p. Can't fault that.

Former Member

The appeal to Apple is that their machines look sexy. hahaha!

Besides their OS ain't that bad either...!

Former Member

Dude you didn't buy Apple Care thinking it would protect you against accidental damage did ya?

I prefer Acer or Toshiba - Toshiba are a little over priced by about 50 quid-ish but Acer have definitely gotten better over the years. My acer has been beaten to shit and only stopped working because I hit it and broke the screen lol.

Former Member

Buy something you can run Ubuntu on