The Geek Out
1/7/13, 01:02 AM
#662
Join Date: December 5, 2006
Location: Trapped in Minnesota
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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 isnt 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?
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 isnt 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?
1/7/13, 11:45 AM
#664
Just Plain Rude!
Join Date: February 1, 2004
Location: Denton, TX
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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.
1/7/13, 12:58 PM
#665
Join Date: December 5, 2006
Location: Trapped in Minnesota
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), 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.
1/7/13, 01:34 PM
#666
Just Plain Rude!
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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.
), 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.
1/7/13, 01:54 PM
#667
Originally Posted by Blue Notch
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.
), 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.
instead
.... 
1/7/13, 06:49 PM
#670
Just Plain Rude!
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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.
1/7/13, 06:56 PM
#671
Join Date: December 5, 2006
Location: Trapped in Minnesota
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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.
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.
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.
1/7/13, 07:35 PM
#672
Legacy TMS Member
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!
1/7/13, 10:05 PM
#677
Join Date: December 5, 2006
Location: Trapped in Minnesota
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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.
1/7/13, 10:22 PM
#678
