[sykhic]

In 2008 I bought a high end Dell laptop. It ended up running way too hot and it would freeze up playing some games. I got fed up with the Windows ecosystem and tried out a MacBook Air. It was easy to setup out of the box. No crap Ware was on the computer. For the first time I actually used a trackpad and it was good enough that I no longer use a mouse with Mac laptops. When I bought my next computer it was a breeze transferring over my settings and programs. Whenever I use a Windows machine the workflow is way worse from my perspective. I remember well the frustrations with using Windows that disappeared with using Mac OS. I won’t go back.

Apple has its own set of frustrations but none of them, in my experience, compare to the hell of dealing with Dell and Windows. Never again for me. I recommend to people to use Macs. I think it’s rational to use Apple products. My iPhone 6 Plus still gets updates and works well. My iPad Pro is better than any other tablet I’ve looked at.

[scarface74]

I would say just the opposite. Dell laptops have single handedly made me never want to spend money on Apple laptops. They are cheaper with more versatile configurations.

I have no complaints about either the cheap Dells I’ve had over the years or the midrange ones - just always buy thier business line or from the Microsoft store.

I have a 2008 Core 2 Duo 2.66Ghz Dell that’s going strong as my Plex server. It was one of the last great 15” displays with a 1920x1200 display.

My current work and personal laptops are midrange 2n1 Dells.

MacBooks just aren’t compelling to me and this is coming from someone who has an iPhone 8 Plus, an iPad, a 6S (without a sim) and 5 AppleTVs (2 free from DirectvNow). Not to mention I had two FrankenMacs in the past - an LCIi with a //e card and a PowerMac with a Dx/2-66 card and later two Mac Minis.

On the other hand, the 5K iMac is compelling.

[sykhic]

It's totally reasonable for someone to like Dell and want to stay with Windows. It's not for me though and my point to the OP was that it's not irrational to prefer Macs. I don't buy them for status symbol (at least not consciously). I've looked at Surface Pro and Surfacebook but I just can't get over how clunky Windows feels to get anything done. I especially hate the nagging to get a One Drive account.

I don't think of people who prefer Windows and Dell as status seekers or in otherwise derogatory terms. To each his own!

[scarface74]

That’s not what I am getting at. Apple has never produced a mainstream compelling laptop - a laptop with decent specs with a decent screen at a competitive price.

When I was in the market for a laptop in 2016, all I wanted was a Core I7, with 8GB RAM, an SSD and a 1080p display. The closest Apple had was $1600. The Dell was around $800.

Even today, if I wanted a MacBook with those specs there is nothing. The MacBook Air has anemic specs and the MacBook Pros cost a lot more - and I would still want a 5K monitor.

Luckily, I don’t have a need for a personal laptop. I’m good with getting a 5K iMac. The cost of a good 5K monitor is $1300. The 5K iMac doesn’t seem excessive.