FWIW, a friend of mine worked for Dell (in the customer support
service) to optimize there processes. We've talked about a few
times...
Dell works this way. The thing they are best at is fixing computer
hardware (I would like, as a professional, to get this kind of service
when I open a case at sun's CS with my golden whatsoever contract
number)
What's dell's secret to sell cheap computers ? They are so good (and
efficient in their processes) at fixing poor quality hardware that
it's more interesting for then to just replace 5 times the same
components than to build a computer with good quality ones. It makes
the computer cheaper, and as Sampo said, when there's a problem, it's
fixed fast. So it's just transparent to the user.
This honestly matches my experience with them. The ONLY reason I
reccomend Dell anymore, is if it is to someone that can't fix their own
machine, and then I tell them they MUST get the next-day onsite warranty.
That onsite warranty is the only reason to get Dell anymore IMO.
Past that I prefer Apple Laptops for several reasons. Build Quality
does usually seem to be a bit higher. Any PC laptop I have had or dealt
with in the past 5 years I have seen go in at least once for repair,
often more than that.
Examples...
The Laptop I had before this PB was a HP. That had been in(During its
warranty) for a fried MB, HD crashed, Hinge not being able to support
weight, replacement battery, the list goes on. All due primarily to a
poorly designed cooling system. And most of that is AFTER I realised
this(The first two thermal shutoffs in one day kinda clued me in
something was up) and purchased two different cooling pads for it and
ALWAYS used it with a cooling pad.
Friend of mine recently had to purchase a new laptop due to dropping his
and the HD completely crashing as he was about to enter Tech on a show.
Literally he had been about to back up the HD when he got home,
Murphy's Law at work. Before that though he had a fried MB, two
replacement HDs, and one other problem I can't remember.
Another friend, similar story. Replaced the laptop.
Another friend, fried video card...
This list goes on and on.
On the flip side of this the number of problems I hear about Apple
laptops is comparitively small. Now note that above the only one that
ran Linux on a regular basis was me. On the PCs most ran Windows. On
the Apples likewise most people(Including me for the moment though I am
seriously considering putting Gentoo on it lately) run Mac OS X.
Now the first thing people might think when they hear this is, but there
are less Apple laptops out there, of course you are going to hear less
about them. Of course I also work in a creative field(Theater Design in
my case) like many people here, and honestly at least half the people in
my field do use Apple for laptops when I see them, and many others would
except for the price.
Out of those I know with apple laptops, the only horror stories I hear
are from people I know through forums, and those are even
extraordinarily small in number compared to people I know in person with
PC laptops.
Now is that to say with careful planning you couldn't get a PC laptop
just as stable? Nope, not at all. But Build Quality I know being good
is one reason I stick with them.
Is this also to say you won't ever have a problem with an Apple? Nope.
One person I know through a forum went through 3 macbooks in a row
within a few days of each other due to his screen dying. But then again
he is also the only person I know of that that happened to;) In general
my experience tells me a better build quality in Apple, but as was
mentioned on one of these lists not to long ago, the plural of ancedote
is not proof;) On the flip side, I can't afford to risk having a
computer die in the middle of a show if I am running a show off it. Its
gotta be dependable to start with.
Another reason? QUIET. I can count on one hand the number of PC
laptops I run across that stay as quiet as the Apple laptops(Assuming
the CD drive is not running of course;). We are in sound, noise should
matter;)
Third reason? Powered Firewire port(Pro version of Apple laptops only).
I can also count on one hand the amount of PC laptops with this single
feature. Now I will admit flat out, the apple laptops only provide 7w
of power on their firewire ports as opposed to the spec of 15. But it
allows me to run my interfaces that draw power off the port with no
problem and I don't have to lug around a wall wort.
Only time I use onboard sound is when I am not listening to critically.
So yea, depending on who you are, chances are most of the time I will
reccomend Apple laptops over Dell.
Seablade
