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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Dee18 on April 22, 2018, 08:29:36 AM

Title: Need quick advice choosing laptop: Dell or Macbook Air
Post by: Dee18 on April 22, 2018, 08:29:36 AM
My work laptop lease is up and my tech guy has recommended a Dell Latitude 7280.  I asked to get a Macbook Air, and I could, but he is against it as the entire workplace is on Dells.  When I went online to research this a bit, the Dell XPS 13 kept popping up as comparable to a Macbook Air.  I have to choose tomorrow.  I am a professor (non tech, non science field). I use my laptop at work primarily for creating Word documents and classroom displays, powerpoint with some video.  I also have to watch hours of video for grading.  Out of work, I use my laptop for watching movies, editing photos, skype, etc. (no gaming)  I take my laptop home most days, travel frequently, and really care about having something lightweight. My current laptop is a Latitude 7240---the display on it seems inferior to my 4 year old ipad...a key reason I was thinking of opting for Mac. A colleague and I are also embarking on a project to create some supplemental videos, so we may be doing video editing.
Title: Re: Need quick advice choosing laptop: Dell or Macbook Air
Post by: jeroly on April 22, 2018, 08:38:53 AM
The Dell XPS also has a great display.
It really sounds like you don't need a high powered processor, but would benefit from and/or enjoy features like a touch screen, 2-in-1 (e.g. flippable into tablet form) functionality, etc. If you want to be able to use the same applications you've been using on your current machine, you should stick with windows laptops. If this is on somebody else's dime, I'd recommend getting the XPS with upgrades like high-res screen, more memory, etc.
Title: Re: Need quick advice choosing laptop: Dell or Macbook Air
Post by: undercover on April 22, 2018, 09:33:17 AM
The Air is probably my all time favorite laptop. I've never had a better typing experience (I don't own one). That said, it's in dire need of a screen upgrade. If it weren't for the screen, I'd say go with the Air (supposedly getting a refresh this year with better screen).

7280 vs Air: Air

Air vs XPS: XPS
Title: Re: Need quick advice choosing laptop: Dell or Macbook Air
Post by: doneby35 on April 22, 2018, 10:03:07 AM
If you have a choice of Dell XPS, go with that. I had a macbook air, it's whatever.
Title: Re: Need quick advice choosing laptop: Dell or Macbook Air
Post by: Tuskalusa on April 22, 2018, 10:22:08 AM
You’re gonna get more PC for your money with the Dell.

I had a MacBook Air and hates it. I wasn’t very powerful (and I just use office apps).  It also couldn’t power 2 monitors.

Also, if you’re using Microsoft Office, those apps will run much faster on a Windows Based PC.
Title: Re: Need quick advice choosing laptop: Dell or Macbook Air
Post by: neo von retorch on April 22, 2018, 10:37:33 AM
Also, if you’re using Microsoft Office, those apps will run much faster on a Windows Based PC.

I'm the last person to advise on buying Apple (especially the past 2 years or so) but I will say that as a web developer deep in the Microsoft ecosystem, I've seen really great performance on Macbook Pros running Windows via Bootcamp - running much heavier applications like Visual Studio and SQL Server Enterprise Manager. So I wouldn't use that particular bullet point as a con for the Mac. That being said, the Air isn't as beefy as a Macbook Pro and the XPS is a solid performer.

Really I think the XPS is just the fancy frills line. The Latitude is for serious business and will do you no wrong. But if they're willing to pay for the upgrade...
Title: Re: Need quick advice choosing laptop: Dell or Macbook Air
Post by: Dee18 on April 22, 2018, 04:46:56 PM
Thanks to each of you for the quick answers!  They were so helpful. I would be fine with keeping my Latitude, but apparently that is not an option under the leasing agreement.  I will go with the XPS, although I don't know if I will be able to get the best screen with the price limit that is set.