would like some opinions

**scrap_candles** · 05-11-2011, 12:41 PM

I have to get a new laptop. Mine crashed two weeks ago and since I have been using one of the kids 3 year old netbooks and I cant do anything on it!! Can not get it to connect to the printer, and they literally take almost 2 minutes to open any new tab or window! Totally frustrating.

Anyway, the last 2 we have purchased over the last 6 years have been ordered from Dell and I like that they come to the house and have fixed all problems (the current one ran out of warranty) but not happy that they have had to come fix so much!!! Within the first 6 months of buying the last one they replaced the motherboard twice a new harddrive and ac adapter, before the motherboard went out again and they sent me a refurbished laptop.

We are really thinking about getting a MacBook pro because we have heard such good things about Mac but the prices of the 15" ones START at 1799. I can buy two dells for that but what I want to know is will the Mac outlast the Dells? I have 2 Dells and an Hp all in the closet now useless. People are telling me that years from now I will still be able to use the macbook and only want a new one because of upgrades. Is this true? We have never had a mac before and not sure if the cost is worth it. (It will be bought cash, not credit so that doesnt concern me. )

**kitkat0649** · 05-11-2011, 01:01 PM

I have gone through 3 HP's in the last few years, while my husband has used the same Macbook Pro. He absolute loves it. He actually just upgraded last week to a new one with a bigger hard drive and 17in screen, but the older one still works perfectly.

**scrap_candles** · 05-11-2011, 01:19 PM

See. That's the same type thing I keep hearing over and over. But it's like 699-799 for a 17.3" Dell with the same harddrive etc and 1799 for a 15" mac. But I was told there isn't as many issues with viruses etc. Has he ever had to have anything fixed with it? I am wondering how their customer service dept is.

**FrabjousDay** · 05-11-2011, 02:55 PM

I love our MacBook. It has far outlived our two previous laptops (HPs), and we've only had positive experiences with AppleCare. We recently needed our power adapter replaced, the rep was polite, helpful and had it shipped to us overnight.

**Josephhgoins** · 05-11-2011, 04:06 PM

I have a Dell Vostro that is 2 years old now and have yet to have the first problem. I purchased it through my company and got a really good deal. I also have another Gateway laptop that isn't worth anything at all and I have 2 dell desktops that are nice as well.

I guess what I am saying is, I think you just got unlucky with the particular design of the Dell laptop you purchased.

You may want to check with your company, may have deals set up with the computer manufacturer and can get you remarkable discounts on them. Some even offer no cost financing through your company's payroll system.

The only pc that I would absolutely NOT recommend is Gateway. Dell, HP, Panosonic, and Toshiba are all much better options.

**krbshappy71** · 05-11-2011, 04:16 PM

Die-hard-cult-mac-lover here. But to offer some pc advice, absolutely never ever let your virus protection expire on a pc. Don't do it, don't think to yourself, "oh yah I should update that sometime...." If I had a dollar every time a staff member here at work (I'm techy) complained of slowness problems and then confessed they didn't have their virus protection updated...I'd be rich beyond my wildest dreams.

well, ok I don't handle money well so maybe I wouldn't be rich for long.

**Homekeepn** · 05-13-2011, 07:01 AM

I have a HP at home and we use macs at the school where I work. I rather have a HP.

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-13-2011, 07:52 AM

Why do you need a 15" Pro? What's wrong with the 13" MacBook? What are you planning to do with it? It's not really a fair comparison to put the highest priced Mac up against the cheapest Dell.

Macs are expensive; probably the biggest expense is the irresistible urge to keep buying more of them.

**scrap_candles** · 05-13-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

Why do you need a 15" Pro? What's wrong with the 13" MacBook? What are you planning to do with it? It's not really a fair comparison to put the highest priced Mac up against the cheapest Dell.

Macs are expensive; probably the biggest expense is the irresistible urge to keep buying more of them.

Actually I used the 15" comparison because the Dells that we were pricing in that range were 15 and 17 inch. The kids netbooks are 10" and DH thinks they are way to small. The Dells we have had are 15" and he wanted the same size. And that was a mid-range Macbook. The 17" ones start at over 2000. We ended up buying a 17" Dell at sams club for $699, but still think I would like the Mac

**shoiji** · 05-14-2011, 06:19 PM

The only suggestion I have is to wait until August to buy the laptop since they go on sale for the upcoming school year. That should also give you enough time to research what type of laptop you might want and need.

Might be difficult for a couple of months but in the long run well worth the wait!