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Mass Microsoft Defections to Apple Possible
An anonymous reader writes to mention a MacWorld article covering research by the Forrester group. Their report shows that mass dissatisfaction with Microsoft and its products could lead to defections from the company. From the article: "Over all, only Apple and Tivo saw their brand trust rise in the last two years, according to the report. The final tally saw Bose, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Panasonic and Sony earn the highest marks, while Microsoft, Gateway and LG ranked lowest. The low scores for Microsoft could mean good news for Apple as consumers showed their distrust of the Redmond-based software-giant."
When I match the specs/features, I get $2,075 for the Dell and $2,399 for the Apple or a difference of $324. That's hardly 66%.
Here are the specs/features I used for each:
Apple
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$2,399
Dell
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$2,075
These really aren't even exact matches, but they're very similar and moreso than the prices you quoted.
* The Mac includes a backlit keyboard, remote control, OS X install disk, CD/DVD RW, Bluetooth, and ATI video standard while the Dell does not, which is why, aside from the backlit keyboard they're added to the Dell. Although the remote on the Dell won't work with XP Pro supposedly.
** Despite the limited web hosting ability of XP Pro, OS X more closely resembles WindowsXP Professional over the Media Center version. Macs always include an OS X install disk while most (if not all) PC vendors charge extra for the Windows disks.
You forgot to upgrade the Dell to 667 MHz RAM to match the Mac and give it the high-end graphics card, not Intel integrated video. Then give the Mac two 512-MB DIMMS instead of a single 1 GB (still for a total of 1 GB), and the total is that the Dell is $2100 and the Mac is $2400.
Other differences: the Dell still doesn't have a built-in hi-res webcam, an IR remote control, optical digital audio, integrated Bluetooth, a tilt sensor to automatically park the hard drive when you drop it, or a backlit keyboard.
I call bullshit on you. From today's Dell store:
Inspiron E1505
Intel® Core(TM) Duo processor T2500 (2MB Cache/2GHz/667MHz FSB)
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display
100GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
256MB ATI MOBILITY(TM) RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Remote Control for Windows XP Media Center Edition
Standard Features: IEEE 1394, 4-USB 2.0 4-pin, 5-in-1 Combo Card through ExpressCard, 15-pin VGA connector, S-Video connector, Integrated 10/100 Ethernet, Integrated v.92 56K modem
HxWxD: 1.44" x 14" x 10.45"
Weight: 6.18lbs
Total: $2180 (after a "special offer" $200 discount)
MacBook Pro
2.0GHz Intel Core Duo with 2MB shared L2 Cache, 667MHz frontside bus
1GB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
15.4-inch TFT display with 1440x900 resolution
100GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) [Apple doesn't state this explicitly, but it's 4x and not dual layer]
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
Standard Features: iSight, wireless networking (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, ExpressCard/34 slot, dual-link DVI video out, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and optical digital and analog audio in/out.
HxWxD: 1.0 x 14.1 x 9.6
Weight: 5.6lbs
Total: $2500
Dell advantages:
S-Video
More USB 2.0 ports
Better DVD burner
Modem
MacBook advantages:
Higher resolution screen
Better GPU
Lighter and smaller
Single DIMM preinstalled
DVI
iSight
Gigabit Ethernet
So, a whole $300 difference (on special), and you be the judge of those differences.
I don't know what kind of crack I was on, but I suspect it was decaf.
Did you even bother looking up any of the "coupons" that Dell offers all of the time?
From http://www.allonlinecoupons.com/st/dell/
SAVE $750 on Select Inspiron(TM) notebooks $1999 or more (before tax, restocking fees, shipping & handling)! Not available on XPS notebooks or Spotlight Savings offers. This offer is not combinable with other dollars off, percentage off or mail-in rebate offers. Only one coupon may be applied per cart at checkout. Coupon code expires after first 4000 uses, or when the limited time offer expires, whichever is earlier. Offers subject to change. View details in My Cart. Enter coupon code at checkout to receive this offer in Dell home
Enter Dell Computer Coupon Code: 1CS4WZBB5$LVSS
They are also offering a $100 rebate and free shipping.
I just ordered nearly the same laptop as you speced out from Dell on Monday. Total cost after tax, discounts and rebates: $1202.77. I have the invoice to prove it. Yes I know the Dells are overpriced to begin with so to say you're "saving" money is not quite correct.
Since when does Apple give you a deal like that?