Mac User's Forum | Apple, Mac, iPod, iPhone Discussions

Desktop-
Dell Studio XPSTM 9000
2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 processor 8 MB L3 Cache
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Newest MS Office
Comodo Internet Suite (firewall...)
Safari Web Browser and newest IE
DELL 20" Monitor
3 GB Tri-Channel RAM
500 GB 7200 rpm
nVidia GeForce GT 220 1024MB
$1257

iMac 20"
2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 6 MB Shared at L2 Cache
Snow Leopard (Windows 7 by boot camp)
iWorks
-
Safari Web Browser
Apple 20" Monitor
4 GB Dual Channel RAM
320 GB @ 5400 rpm
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256MB shared with main memory
$1519


Laptop-

MacBook Pro 13"
2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo @ 5400 rpm
4 GB RAM SDRAM DDR3 L2
250 GB Hard Drive
Snow Leopard and Windows 7
$1799

DELL XPS 13"
2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Windows 7 Premium (Possibly Live USB booting Ubuntu)
4 GB RAM SDRAM DDR3 L2
320 GB Hard Drive @ 7200 rpm
$1519

* The only thing bringing me back to the mac is that it can boot windows "LEGALLY" and it has snow leopard. Is snow leopard faster, and more secure than Windows 7? What if I use Comodo Internet Suite as a firewall and protection and only go to AVG tested sites?

If you want the recommendation of a computer geek I'd suggest you build your own PC with components from Newegg or Tigerdirect, they can be much cheaper than pre-built units and you get exactly what you want. In fact I built the same specs as the Dell at Newegg with a 23" monitor and double the RAM for the same price.

But a Dell with a Core i7 has the most powerful processor type to date, Macs rarely have quad-cores. With Windows 7, you'll get the most stable, fastest, and most secure version of Windows ever.

The Mac I'll grant has Snow Leopard, which as a whole is a more stable operating system than windows has been, but I can't say much for 7 since I haven't used it since the RC. Macs are good for things like graphics arts and the like, but if the Dell is cheaper and gives you a much more powerful computer I'd go with it. I seriously hate Dell due to their cheap parts and terrible service and strongly recommend you build your own with similar specs at newegg.com or tigerdirect.com, but if you have to choose between the two I'd get the Dell. If you don't know how to build your own system, here's a link:http: //www.maximumpc.com/article/features/dre…

And pretty much everything I just said applies to the laptops too. Overall, most people wind up getting a Mac because of the name, not because of the computer itself.

Also, it's quite possible for you to install Snow Leopard on a PC. Its called a Hackintosh. They're much cheaper and can do everything a standard mac does but do require a little cracking (also many tutorials online)

you and your dells.

I strongly recommend HP.

Also you could just repair and upgrade a used computer.

Or build a new one yourself.

look into netbooks they are energy efficient.

And no, Snow Leopard is not that secure. Apple is focusing on Fancy Graphics. but then again, so is everybody else.

As for your Choices:

Pick iMac 20".

You get a large screen and it doesn't take up much desktop space.

"Desktop-
Dell Studio XPSTM 9000
2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 processor 8 MB L3 Cache
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Newest MS Office
Comodo Internet Suite (firewall...)
Safari Web Browser and newest IE
DELL 20" Monitor
3 GB Tri-Channel RAM
500 GB 7200 rpm
nVidia GeForce GT 220 1024MB
$1257 "

This is the best deal and the most powerful computer by far. Snow Leopard is neither more secure nor faster than Windows 7.
Comodo Internet Suite would protect you from almost anything but you may have to pay for it later.
A free firewall can be found here:
http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/…
A better internet browser can be found here:
http://www.google.com/chrome

You should go to a store like Best Buy and look for computers on sale with monitor sold separately. You may be able to get a larger monitor for a lower price, or a better bundle package.