Apple

Out of context: Reply #2417

  • Started
  • Last post
  • 3,603 Responses
  • nb5

    Why is the MacBook more expensive than Dell?

    I bought a MBP in 2004, used it for design, photography, video. Was both my work and personal computer. Travelled the world with it. It died in 2013. Nine years of use.

    In 2013, I replaced it with a refurbished MBP. Six years of use and I'm thinking it might be nice to get a one, but I'll probably keep this for a couple more years. It has no issues, runs fine.

    Know anyone using a 2013 Dell for graphics work?

    Amortized over the years, the Mac is cheaper. And arguably better for the environment.

    Now, if you need the latest spec each year or two for Pro work, maybe the Mac isn't the best value. You should calculate cost of ownership, including resale value.

    I'm not saying the last few years of Apple laptops has been good. It hasn't. But the 16" is a step in the right direction.

    nb 5Permalink
    UpvoteDownvote
    Flag
    • And also, yeah, part of it is the luxury tax.nb
    • I'd be very surprised if there weren't oodles of people quietly beavering away on old Dells without much thought about it.Nairn
    • I don't like Dell, but they're solidly-built, unfussy machines and given the cost difference, can come with better specs than Apple meaning they'll last longerNairn
    • I have an old Dell I still use that's probably 2011. My Precision running W2000 works perfectly fine, too.formed
    • That Precision is from something like 2004, fyi.formed
    • I'd take a Dell with Mac OS running smoothly. I hate the Windows environment.i_monk
    • Seconded, my Macs always last a long time and I've been able to fix/upgrade everything I needed to.mathinc
    • I just retired my 2012 iMac. My 2015 laptop is still a beast, just upgraded the SSD and I'll probably keep it another 3 years or so.mathinc
    • I've had little bugs here and there, but I just can't hang with the Microsoft operating system.mathinc
    • I’m still rocking a 2011 mbpGnash
    • Y'all using these Dells to run Adobe CC 2019 apps?!nb
    • I mean your old Dells. It's fine if it still works, but does it still "work" work?nb
    • If you are not willing to invest $$$ in something you'll spend 40+ hours a week working on, than I'd say you're a "windows guy".

      : )      ideaist
    • Most Dell hardware can be had cheaper than Apple, and on paper the specs are generally better. This was always the case.evilpeacock
    • But I've IT'ed a fleet of Dell laptops and had to do multiple part replacements frequently. And drivers aren't updated as much as the component vendors.evilpeacock
    • And Dell support software was stuck in an endless security backdoor scandal which sucked up IT resources.evilpeacock
    • Dell vs Apple cost-of-ownership was kind of a wash, with Dells needing more support and having more downtime for that. YMMV of course, it depends on what you doevilpeacock
    • Ha! Gnash, me too 2011 mbp still going strong running adobe cc flawlessly including after effects work_niko
    • My current MBP is from 2009. Only use it for work the odd time but its still going strong. I will finally replace it with the new release though.desmo
    • Also, Apple has always been significantly more expensive since day 1. If price is a big factor for you, then the choice should be easy.desmo
    • anything can last, that's a false measure, especially if you keep fixing it! My 2018 MBP is broken, lasted 15 months. I own a tshirt I got 10 years ago.craigatkinson
    • Longevity isn't a measure of goodnesscraigatkinson
    • Look at avacado. They only last a day or two, but they're great, and expensive, and a unibody shell.craigatkinson
    • Although, if I bought Apple stock with the money I spent on my first Mac, I’d have retired years agoGnash
    • Have a 2010 Dell that works great for most things still. It a little too slow for video work but for Photoshop and Illustrator and general use its still good.webazoot
    • Had to replace the keyboard about three years ago and strip it apart to clean the fan out a couple of times but other than that...webazoot
    • @desmo Have also a 2009 MBP and running smoothly still with 8GB ram, idk why ppl complain - apple is more expensive but they last 3-4 x of any regular laptopgrafician
    • Waiting for the 16" FULL screen tho' maybe in 2 generations to upgrade for something like $5k and last me past 2025 at leastgrafician
    • I have a few MBPs from 2011 still going, just had RAM, SSD and battery upgrades but they work really well overall.evilpeacock
    • We ran a Power Mac G4 "Smurf" tower "legacy" backup server for 19 years before the power supply gave up. Got our $4K value out of that for sure.evilpeacock
    • Cuz people are buying mb. If people didn't buy then they'd be cheaperHayoth
    • I still use my Dell Precision M6800 laptop for all my work. I bought it 2014 or something like that. It's the size of an old VCR though.haga
    • @craigatkinson You're literally comparing Apples to Avocados!!! :)nb
    • Longevity may not be all that matters, but this is a machine which I use for work so cost-of-ownership is highly relevant.nb
    • Our stories are anecdotal. However, it is possible that a MBP could have lower cost of ownership than a Dell, there is little reason to buy Dell.nb
    • ...unless you really love Dell and want to drop the extra cash on it. ;)nb
    Show [[ numHiddenNotes ]] more notesAdd Note
    SaveCancel

View thread