MacBook or XPS M1210

[+virtorio MVC]

I assume the graphics card on the Dell has dedicated memory and not just shared memory via TurboCache. If it's not then you're gaming experience on the Dell isn't going to be too good anyway.

Personally I'd get the MacBook. But if running Mac OS X is more of a luxury than a need then I guess the Dell is better value for money.

How do you know? It seems like a logical next step after XP on a mac, why not OSX on a PC?

Yes I'm sure Apple are ready to open up OS X. It makes great sense to release it, even with the huge costs involved in trying to support the many thousands of different hardware configurations available AND the fact that customers would no longer be required to purchase Apple computer hardware, which accounts for a large percentage of their income.

On second thought, I don't think they are.

[Spielo]

How do you know? It seems like a logical next step after XP on a mac, why not OSX on a PC?

Because Apple are a computer company and make money selling computers, if you could put OS X on any PC, it'd remove one of their biggest selling points.

[giga Veteran]

The Macbook is cheaper than the M120. (even after educational discounts for both). Try out Tiger/Macbook at an Apple Store and see for yourself if you like it or not.

[Guest Hoovey]

About the games; I've seen people with Windows on their MacBook playing BF2 diecently, of course not as great as the Dell would run it.

I'd go for the MacBook Pro, just because of it's power. If you're going to be using it for schoolwork, then the Macbook is the way to go. If it's for games then get the Dell.

[dL]

I do not really trust the MacBook's overheating issue anymore. Besides, I don't really use Mac OS X for anything really, and I haven't tried using Mac at all before. It would be a great alternative and great learning curve, but in terms of practicality, I need to rethink twice.

I am not sure if the 1st gen M1210 are flawless, or without any severe issues. So far the reviews online are pretty positive!

And do you guys think adding $100 CAD for the webcam is worthwhile if I use it to record lectures? It seems to be a pretty cool add-on. I can do video conferencing chat in my bed then.

dL

[Evolution]

And do you guys think adding $100 CAD for the webcam is worthwhile if I use it to record lectures? It seems to be a pretty cool add-on. I can do video conferencing chat in my bed then.

dL

Almost no one every records lectures.... you'll be lucky to even find if one person in 200 does, since it's very ineffective. You're already spending quite a bit of time in lectures, are you going to double that time by listening to the content again? Most people tend to stick with annotating printed out powerpoint presentations or writing with a pen and paper. And if you missed something, you can usually find it in your course book.

BTW the M1210 won't be released until mid-june... they're just taking pre-orders now.

[callumy]

Extra money for a webcam added to the slower CPU doesn't seem worth it. OSX doesn't need a learning curve and is great to use (even on this really old computer!). The GPU won't give great results (my GF 420 Go is okay but not good for games, and the new Intel GPUs would do just as well!) as it shares RAM and the stock RAM in the Dell is actually slower (although it won't make much of a difference: 533MHz vs. 667MHz in the MacBook). I like the MacBook much better, and isn't it lighter and thinner?

Cal

[Echilon]

Because Apple are a computer company and make money selling computers, if you could put OS X on any PC, it'd remove one of their biggest selling points.

Well, since you put it that way it would reduce their profits. But they'd alweays have iPod sales and revenue from iTunes.

[.Neo]

Well, since you put it that way it would reduce their profits. But they'd alweays have iPod sales and revenue from iTunes.

Apple's making more money from selling Macs than they are from selling iPods. Was posted a while back I believe.

[barnardeep]

both are nice, i was actually looking at these two. i can't afford the dell with the options i want (basically just the webcam) so i decided to go with the macbook. there are rebates on certain sites so it came down to 999 shipped for the low model, sufficient for taking notes.

Evolution is totally right about recording the lectures, it does double your time which is why most ppl stop bring tape recorders way back. i suggest you try both notebooks out in person. they have dell stands in some malls and usually have their newest products there to test out.

another reason i chose the macbook was because i really wanted to try out the current mac os, i haven't touched a mac since i was in elementary school. OREGON TRAIL~!

[dL]

Haha! Elementary school memories - Oregon Trail. Yes! I haven't touched it since elementary school with the eMacs.

I mean as long as Windows XP is functional in MacBook, I don't have any problems.

dL

[barnardeep]

from what i hear the webcam is not functional in xp on the macbook but it should be fixed sooner or later.

[Scirwode]

from what i hear the webcam is not functional in xp on the macbook but it should be fixed sooner or later.

Considering Boot Camp is still in BETA and will only be released with Leopard, I think it's safe to say that it will be some time before we can have the same performance on a dual boot between Windows XP And Mac OS X. At the moment, the current Boot Camp for me is a little slow and does not do much for gaming (I've tried NFS:MW on the Macbook Pro and it looks a bit jaded compared to the Windows Version).

Give it time as I'm sure Apple will optimise it and only then will we see a true dual-boot solution :yes: .

PSG22™

[42n81]

Forget all the talk about gaming capability - games are a boring waste of time and you'll never play them.

Forget about specs and performance, no computer is ever satisfactory in that department. Some just feel faster than others, or your new computer is faster than your old computer, but you eventually get used to, and frustrated by, all of them.

Which one you get depends on which one you like the look of, which one you feel comfortable with, which one you want to own and use, which one is you.

It's a style decision.

[Firefawx]

Forget all the talk about gaming capability - games are a boring waste of time and you'll never play them.

Forget about specs and performance, no computer is ever satisfactory in that department. Some just feel faster than others, or your new computer is faster than your old computer, but you eventually get used to, and frustrated by, all of them.

Which one you get depends on which one you like the look of, which one you feel comfortable with, which one you want to own and use, which one is you.

It's a style decision.

Well, that's a load of rubbish, but then again he's already made up his mind.

[Scirwode]

Forget all the talk about gaming capability - games are a boring waste of time and you'll never play them.

Forget about specs and performance, no computer is ever satisfactory in that department. Some just feel faster than others, or your new computer is faster than your old computer, but you eventually get used to, and frustrated by, all of them.

Which one you get depends on which one you like the look of, which one you feel comfortable with, which one you want to own and use, which one is you.

It's a style decision.

Well, in that case then we would all be buying Apple products as they look better in some cases :p . I agree with you that style, ease of use, ergonomics and design are an important factor, but they must also be taken into consideration with performance because if you buy a notebook that looks nice but doesn't perform the way it should, then you are just paying for the design.

I however have to disagree with you on games as I play them quite a lot and I find them not to be a waste of time. Browsing the internet however is another question altogether :whistle: .

PSG22™