Question:
dell e1405 or apple macbook
so, i've narrowed the field down to two, thanks largely to all of your help. As mentioned on previous posts I'm probably a pretty light user compared to most of you out there. I'm (primarily) a writer /editor (book length projects), minimal desktop publishing/photo editing and internet (wireless), other office apps.
so....
what do you think given these two options? (any thoughts on the actual options I've selected, ways to get better deals [can you use a dell coupon and the epp deal?], or anything else I should be considering will be MUCH appreciated. Indebted to you all, jennie
Option 1:
Inspiron E1405 Dual Core Qty 1
Intel® Core™ Proc Duo T2050 (1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache), Genuine Windows® XP Professional Unit Price $1,651.00
SAVE $100 (After mail in rebate) w SILVER BUNDLE
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Dell EPP/FSS Customers: Save $400 off select Inspiron systems!
Limited Time Offer! View Details
- $400.00
Catalog Number: 23 A4709SP1
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron E1405 Intel® Core™ Proc Duo T2050 (1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Professional
LCD Panel 14.1 inch WXGA+ UltraSharp™ TFT Display with TrueLife™
Memory FREE! 1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
Video Card Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Hard Drive 100GB Sata Hard Drive
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Combo/DVD+RW Drives 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Sound Options Integrated Audio
Wireless Networking Cards Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Internal Wireless and Bluetooth
Office Software (not included in Windows XP) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) I chose McAfee included with the Starter, Silver, Gold or Platinum Package.
Primary Battery 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Limited Warranty, Services and Support 3Yr Ltd Warr, At-Home Service, 30Day DOC, PC Training, 2Yr Antivirus Suite
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Mobile Broadband No Broadband Expresscard technology is available in the market now
Future Operating Systems Windows Vista™ Capable
Dell Recycling Free Recycling Kit
Operating System Re-Installation CD PC Restore recovery system by Symantec
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience
TOTAL:$1,251.00
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Additional Discounts and Coupons
Receive 8% off systems priced $800 to $1600 with 3/4yr At-Home service. -$100.08
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Free Ground Shipping on select new Dell Inspirons!
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Total Price
Sub-total $1,150.92
Shipping & Handling $19.99
Shipping & Handling Discount -$19.99
Tax $66.17
Total Price 1 $1,217.09
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option2: Apple MacBook
MacBook 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo - White
Part Number: Z0D4
60GB Serial ATA drive
Accessory Kit
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
Combo Drive
1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
Estimated Ship: 3-5 business days Remove $1,199.00 $1,199.00
AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook/iBook - Auto-enroll
Part Number: S2303Z/A
Estimated Ship: 1-2 business days Remove $249.00 $249.00
1448.00
0.00
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...C8uquR1H4qNBHS
$
Not found Cart Subtotal: $1,448.00
Free Shipping: $0.00
Estimated Tax*: $83.26
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Estimated Total: $1,531.26
Answer:
Re: dell e1405 or apple macbook
This is really an apples or oranges choice - and unless you choose on what platform you want (mac can run bootcamp, meaning win XP, but winXP can't run mac OS) you shouldn't get into notebook specs just yet.
Answer:
Re: dell e1405 or apple macbook
Humm, you can actually run OS X in a non Apple machine, but the legality of such a thing is dubious, and there are a lot of quirks of course. I had this doubt myself: I could get an E1405, an Asus W3f or a Macbook. I choose a Macbook firstly because I was very curious about OS X, I must admit, and secondly because I figured it would be a nice deal on itself given my conditions (I am brazilian and Dell does not sell the E1405 oficially here. I could have it imported from the US, and apparently Dell does honor its worldwide warranty. The E1405 would be, if imported, some 35% cheaper than the Macbook; a similar configured Dell like the D620, if bought here, would be some 20% more expensive).
I would say that the ability to run Windows with a Macbook is a given, but only if you plan to use both OSs. The Macbook has some disadvantages, like less expansion ports - no PCMCIA or Express Card slot, a smaller HD and screen resolution, no built-in modem, and the upgrade to a DVD-RW is way expensive (BTW, perhaps upgrading the memory yourself will save you a few bucks). Advantages are the slighty higher CPU clock, design (that's subjective allright), somewhat a better construction (the smaller number of ports leads to a more solid chassis I guess), camera and a remote control included (these are nice but not a dealbreaker IMO).
So I would say that if you only want to run Windows, it makes no sense to buy a more expensive Macbook that will essentialy do the same thing. If you want to try OS X, that is another story, and I would say go for it. Notice that you might need to repurchase some of the software you may already own, like MS-Office or Photoshop.
Answer:
Re: dell e1405 or apple macbook
I'd say go with the Mac . .they do have their quirks, but it will be more solid than the E1405 and has a higher-resolution, better quality screen.
Answer:
Re: dell e1405 or apple macbook
Being a writer, what word processor do you like using? Or is there specialty publishing software that you like to use? If so, I'd recommend determining the compatability of your favorite writing software with either PC or Mac.
If you primarily write with MS Word, it may be a little slower on the MacBook because MS Office for Apple is not yet Universal, and thus I think it needs Rosetta to translate the code from PowerPC to code for Intel, thus slowing things down a bit (I think). I think this applies to all of the MS Office tools, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc, at least until it's revised.
You can now of course run both Windows and OS X on the MacBook, but for me, the advantage of the MacBook is the Apple OS. So if you were going to have to us Windows for most of your favorite applications, you may be better just buying a Windows machine.
But if you use an Apple word processor, then you are set - just get the MacBook.
By the way, what is a good Apple word processor if one doesn't want to use MS Word for Apple?