Dell Precision M65 starts at $1,549 but let's compare equivalent configurations using the Dell configurator:
2.33 GHz CPU
Windows (with media)
No upgrade to Vista
Video card - no choice
15.4 inch WXGA (included in price)
2 Gig RAM
120 gig hard drive (5400 RPM)
8X DVD+/-RW w/Roxio Software? and Cyberlink Power DVD? (this is the double layer DVD option)
No external drive
Add bluetooth module
Add Dell Wireless? 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
No 1xEv-DO or HSDPA
No router
No fingerprint reader
File system type is $0 either way
standard battery
no printer
no projector
no extra input tools
standard AC adapter
no extra AC adapter and nothing after this...
Please show me how to price out that $1,500 Dell with specs identical to a 2.33 GHz MacBook Pro with a 15.4 inch screen that is $2,499.
From the other camcorder forum...
Which Dell laptop are you comparing to which MacBook Pro.
All I could find were:
$1,549 (after $300 rebate, so really $1849?) Dell M65 15"
and
$2,499 Apple MacBookPro 15"
Is this what you compared?
When I went through the Dell configurator, and selected the 2.33 GHz CPU it went to $2,359... The $1,549 is for the 1.66 GHz CPU... Even at $2,359, the machine has a 60 gig hard drive, CD ROM drive - not DVD (it is on the column on the right and not DVD writable - that feature is an upgrade). The Dell does have an infrared port - but I don't know what that is used for. I can't tell if the HSDPA and 1xEv-DO waide area wireless are optional or included (likely optional) or if all the other expandablity requires a docking station/port replicator.Looks like the Dell includes a dial-up modem the MacBook does not - I have not used one of those for years. There is an optional USB tail available for the MacBook for dial-up connectivity.
So... If I stay with the Apple 2.33 GHz @ $2,499 and list only the things the Dell machine does not have: the Mac comes with a 120 gig hard drive, a FireWire 800 port, a Double-layer DVD/CD write/read "superdrive", built-in bluetooth, illuminated keyboard (very handy for use in a dark environment) and a "MagSafe power adapter" (very handy - check it out - ALL laptops should have this), a built-in video camera, a combined optical/digital audio line-in and line out mini jacks (the Dell's line in and out jacks are analog only - no optical), and a wireless remote (for "Front Row" - also pretty cool, check it out).
Can you tell me which specific Dell you are comparing to? If it is the same machine (the Dell M65 @ 2.33 GHz, above), for $40, just the bigger hard drive and the Double Layer DVD "superdrive" are well worth getting the MacBookPro... Toss in the other stuff and that is a lot of gravy - and if you are a Windows user, you can continue to use that Operating System...

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