Originally Posted by
DeafFlyer
I looked up the MBP 17 inch at the Apple Store. It costs $2799. I have a Dell e1705 (9400) with very similar specs (differences noted:no camera on the Dell, I have a 7200 RPM drive, 2 Ghz Core2duo vs 2.3 on the MBP, I have the 3 year service with complete care/ MBP none, I have a 256 MB ATI video card / MBP doesn't say) Total price for my Dell was $2500 (not exact, but much less than $2600). That's a big difference to me. If I add the Apple Care and upgrade the hard drive on the MBP it would be an extra $449. The MBP is significantly more expensive than the Dell that I'm using right now.
On the Dell Site for that model, it costs $375 to go up to 2.16 ghz (from 1.73ghz). If you could increase your 2.0ghz processor to 2.33ghz to match the MBP, I'm guessing that that is how much it would cost. Just from that alone, your cost argument goes out the window.
The MBP also has 256mb of video memory, but unlike the Dell, all of that is dedicated video memory. On the Dell 128 is video memory and the other half is shared with system memory (ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory). In other tests I've read, the ATI X1600 on the MPB is suppose to be about twice as fast as the ATI X1400.
Part of the price difference can be made up by purchasing from Amazon with the $150 rebate, free shipping (same as Dell) and no tax (for most places).
Not to pick nits, but your Dell also doesn't have a Backlit Keyboard, Magsafe power connector, remote control and 10ft media interface. How much is that worth?
The dimensions on the E1705 are approx 15.5" x 11.3" x 1.6" = 280 cubic inches, the MBP is 15.4" x 10.4" x 1.0" = 160 cubic inches. The Dell is more than 40% bigger.
The Dell weighs approx. 8lbs, the MBP approx. 7lbs (6.8), ~13% heavier.
In addition, the Dell E1705 has aped some design elements and color scheme from the Powerbook G4 (Titanium Powerbook).