Classic!

 

Here's where I'm currently at. Currently looking most at the Pro with swapped SSD and the Air.

Dell XPS 15:
• Intel Core™ i7-3632QM Processor (Quad-Core, 2.2GHz, 6MB Cache)
• 16GB Memory (DDR3, 1600MHz)
• 1 TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive + 128 GB Solid-State Drive
• 15-Inch Screen
• Windows 8
• $1749.99 (Amazon)
• Pros: Specs
• Cons: Windows 8, possible wifi issues

Dell XPS 15:
• Intel Core i7 3612QM 2.5 GHz
• 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Memory
• 750 GB 7200 rpm Hard Drive + 32 GB Solid-State Drive
• 15-Inch Screen
• Windows 8
• $1429.99 (Amazon)
• Pros: Specs
• Cons: Windows 8, Wifi issues, smaller SSD, smaller ram

MacBook Air 13:
• 2.0GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
• 8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
• 256GB Flash Storage
• 1440 x 900 Display
• $1745.07 (MTech Apple) + SuperDrive ($69)
• Pros: SSD, i7, ram, size/portability, better display than Pro
• Cons: no optical drive, size = too small?, SSD isn’t very big

MacBook Pro 13:
• 2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
• 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x4GB
• 256GB Solid State Drive
• 1280-by-800 resolution
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• $1884.33 (MTech Apple)
• Pros: SSD, i7, ram, optical drive, pre-installed SSD
• Cons: Price, smaller HD size, non-SSD, not best screen resolution

Macbook Pro 13:
• 2.9 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 processor
• 8 GB DDR3 RAM
• 750 GB Hard Drive
• 1280-by-800 resolution
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• $1419.99 (Amazon) + $200-229 (SSD 240GB =
• Total: $1619-1648.99
• Pros: i7, 8GB ram, SuperDrive, cheaper than Air, can swap for SSD
• Cons: Swapping for SSD, screen resolution

Macbook Pro 15:
• 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 processor
• 4GB DDR3 RAM; 500 GB Hard Drive
• 15.4 inch LED-backlit display, 1440-by-900 resolution
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 512MB Graphics
• $1709.98 (Amazon)
• Pros: Bigger display, i7, graphics, superdrive
• Cons: Only 4GB ram (upgradeable), no SSD ($190-229 Amazon), too big?

 

I may not have seen it all, but I've seen some pretty crazy stuff. Not just talking about my sisters here. Have been put through some crazy messed up emotionally draining crap I'm not going into on here.

 

I really think you need to focus on 2 things first...Whether you want a Mac or a Dell, and how good you want your graphics card to be. I thought you were gonna be doing a lot of 3D rendering, no? If so, I'd want the best graphics solution I can get.

 

3D rendering? Not even sure what that is. haha I'll be using it for internet (mostly on here ), writing papers, mild picture editing, and making videos.

I looked at some more windows 8 laptops at walmart today and it's just so freaking stupid! I'm right on the edge of going with the mac. Just need that last push.

 

Oh, hell. Then you're spending about 3X too much for a laptop. I guess I'm thinking of someone else.

 

How about a instead

 

Or a ....

 

I want something that's gonna last me a few years though. Buying what I need now might not be enough in the future.
Thanks?

 

Honestly, it's not worth it. You'd be better off spending 1/3 as much, and buying a new one every 3 years. Who doesn't want a new laptop every other year anyway.

Unless there's a particular feature that you really need that greatly drives the price up, then that's a different story.

Plus if you buy an average laptop, you can always upgrade the cpu/ram/hd later down the road as you get tired of it and as prices drop. If you buy a high end now, it's probably already maxed out or close to it and you'll pay waaay more for it by comparison.

 

I refuse to settle for average. I want above average.

Kind of leaning towards the MacBook Pro 13 right now with i7, 8GB ram, and 750GB HD for $1420. Sooner or later I can upgrade to an SSD. I'm still intrigued by the Air though.

 

If they would put the dang 13" high res screen in the 13" non retina Pro, this would be a no brainier. I just hate the screen on the 13" Pro. The resolution sucks!

 

Ya, that's dumb. Wait and see I'll buy it and they'll come out this summer with all retina displays. Typical apple.

 

Upon review, I'd stay away from the Air...average laptop that, as far as I can tell, is mostly/completely non user-serviceable.

 

Nope. What you get is what you got.

 

What about the Dell made you jump straight to the XPS, as opposed to the 15R or 15z?

 

My mom and sister both have inspirons, and I really don't like them. The keyboards are terrible and feel extremely cheap. Plus I preferred the design and thinness of the XPS over the inspirons.

 

Latitudes are much nicer.

 

I could use a different latitude about right now.

 

The latitude isn't really what I'm looking for. It's more business oriented than what I want.