Dell Studio 15 vs. Mac Mini
This same time last year, I was torn between getting the Studio 15 or the Mini for Christmas. Unfortunately, I chose the Studio 15 because what I really wanted was a laptop and there wasn't any way I was getting a MacBook. Now, because of my choice, I am back to using my 5 year old desktop because the Studio 15 recently crashed.
Here I am again with another chance to get a new computer. It's between the new(er) re-designed Studio 15 with Windows 7 or the new(er) updated Mac Mini. I know that I still want a laptop, but I don't want to make the wrong choice again. I REALLY want a Mac but the only Mac I can get right now is the Mini which obviously is a desktop.
I've been thinking about this all day. So far, I've heard that Windows 7 is REALLY good and making up for that dreaded Vista. But how cool would it be to have a Mac? As you can see, I'm terribly confused and just rambling.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated because I don't know what to do. I know I want Mac but I know I want the mobility of a laptop and Windows 7 isn't sounding that bad.
Nickolas Hinton Nov 24, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Reader Comments (14)
well i have the dell studio 15 and well its a OK computer i do some graphics design and it gets the job well done and i uprgaded the graphics card to a ATI radeon 512MB and its OK with gamming
but it really depends on what are you doing on it if you just want a daily computer for check twitter thecreativeone.tv well go with the mac mini
PD: Im running windows vista but i alredy orderd windows 7 i bought it in august and they give it for free when you buy the laptop so if it runs great on vista just imagine on windows 7
The Mac Mini. I have two. Great machines.
Well comparing these two isn't easy. However, you will enjoy having the ability to take the Dell anywhere but the Mac Mini is simply a great machine. If you are on the go a lot, go for the dell. If you really don't need a laptop / already have one / have an iPhone, the Mac Mini is simply a great solution.
Ah, I'm just about to save for a Macbook so that I can have the best of both worlds. That's going to take me forever though.
I would go with the Mac Mini, because I personally do not trust Dell. They have lied to me as a company, and to what they say their products have been able to achieve.
Here's the thing, you encountered the most common divergence in the PC market: "What should I choose, a Mac or a PC?" but you have two basic needs here, you want a laptop (because of its mobility and stuff) and you can't afford a MacBook (you could ask at the Apple Store for different payment methods, you could even get discounts if you're a student), but you really want a Mac, the only thing is that the one you can afford is a desktop.
Well, the answer is more of a personal matter, but I could help you by pointing this out: what do you REALLY want, a laptop or a Mac? If you want a Mac go for the Mac Mini, it really is a valuable PC and it will last you for years; and if your really need a laptop I recommend the Studio 15, I own one of the new ones and it is a pretty damn good laptop, Windows 7 is everything that Vista isn't (good) and it will deliver.
If you ask me, I prefer laptops because I'm always on the -go-, and in your case, if I really wanted a laptop AND a Mac I would totally save some money (I don't know, maybe sell something or work somewhere) and I would buy a MacBook, and then you'll have the best of both worlds and a computer that will last you for years :D.. I mean, it can be done man, you just need to think how to get the extra money.
Hope I helped you out,
Cheers!.
Mac mini but the new 999 MacBook seem awesome too!
As long as you don't rely on having a portable machine, then a Mac Mini with a nice monitor is a great solution. I have MacBook, and 90% of time it's hooked up to my Samsung monitor, and the other 10% of the time I'm somewhere around my house with it. I rarely ever bring it out of my house. Not everyone needs the portability, and if you don't the Mac Mini is great. If you absolutely need a portable machine, save up for a MacBook. Getting a PC seems like a waste for you because you're ultimately going to make the switch to Mac in the future anyway.
Mac Mini! :)
Hey, umm ive got to say I am going with the Mac Mini. They look great, Ive used them and they are wonderful. I hope I will be recieving one for christmas
Ok,I'm in the same bind...But I probably have less money than you,ha. If I even had the choice to buy a new computer, I wouldn't go for a dell or the mac mini, personally I would buy a new HP laptop or a MacBook if I had the money... then again, what is the laptop going to be used for? - Hope this helped:)
Ok heres the thing to consider. First decide to you want a desktop or laptop. Take MAC vs. PC out of the equation first and decide desktop or laptop. If you cannot afford a MAC that has the power you want then you should be able to afford an HP PC that would suit you well. One thing to remember is if you are a student (high school or college) then you can get some significant discounts. I have always thought of HP as the "Apple" of PC's. Just look at their offerings and you can see they are directly competing. They have a desktop that looks like an iMac and no its not the touchsmart. It's a newer model. Their monitors have the same metallic style footing that bends down similar to a MAC. I think HP has the nicest PC's on the market to be honest and that isn't because I've been a 10 year customer with HP. It is because I truly feel it. When considering a purchase consider this. I ordered my PC from HP and got a Core i7 processor, 12 gigs DDR3, 1 Gig NVIDIA video card, Soundblaster X-Fi Titanium sound card, 1 TB RAID 0 Hard Drive setup (very fast and high performance), Blu Ray dual drives, Digital TV and Radio tuner with remote, 15 type card reader, and HP's 27 inch High Def 1080p monitor all for $1985 with discounts and that is even after tax. Try doing that with a MAC Pro!! Yes sure I have no problem in the world with a MAC but it comes down to money for some of us. I couldn't even get a MAC Pro on the refurbed site with specs even near that for that price. The basic Mac Pro with 3 gigs and Xeon is $2149 on the refurbed site. It doesn't have any of the high end features or monitor I have. The Xeons currently in the Mac Pro's cannot touch these new Core i7's. That is why the MAC pro's are getting Core i7's next year. Everyone understands a budget. Just consider what I said here. By the way here is the sign up page for the HP Academic discount for students:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/academy/?jumpid=re_r329_hpdirect_hho
Sign up then sign in to see how much different prices are. If you call them and order it sometimes they'll throw in some more discounts. They did for me. Look around the site and give it a chance. HP has a new laptop that is totally aluminum body like the Macbook Pro and it has the chicklet style keyboard that the Mac's have so check it out too. Ok I know this has been long but I hope it is helpful. Feel free to email me if you have questions. Just trying to help a bro on a budget!
-Kevin ( thedigitalbloke@gmail.com )
One more thing, LOL! I also got Windows 7 Ultimate on my machine. Windows 7 is awesome and really blur's the lines between the OS's. Whatever you do just don't do like most people and buy some model in the store, order it with some decent specs. The biggest mistake people make is not buying enough RAM or a slow Hard Drive. Hard Drives are a computers weakest link so get a good one. Why you think I went with RAID 0? Fast as heck man! She'll throw that data around like nothing. Super fast! Only problem though is you can't do RAID on a laptop currently. Oh and one more thing. The HP Elite PC's have lighted metal badges. The badge is chrome until you turn it on then it glows light blue. Many of HP's laptops do that too. See there! They are borrowing cues from Apple!
I would get a refurbished macbook, unless you want a brand new computer