Dell XPS 14z Trumps MacBook Pro in Size, Price, and Features
Dell XPS 14z Trumps MacBook Pro in Size, Price, and Features
Posted 10/25/2011 at 7:34am
| by Paul Lilly
22
Comments
Print
With the introduction of the XPS 14z notebook, it's almost as if Dell took off its white glove, slapped Apple in the face with it, and said "How do you like them Apples?" The XPS 14z is thinner than a MacBook Pro at less than an inch thick (0.9 inches high), it has an optical drive (making it the thinnest 14-inch laptop to feature an ODD, according to Dell), and it's cheaper than a MacBook Pro to boot.
Dell said it squeezed a 14-inch HD display into a 13-inch laptop form factor, ultimately offering 10 percent more viewing area than a 13.3-inch display. It sports an anodized-aluminum finish and a latch-less design Dell describes as "simple, yet elegant." But how does it compare to a MacBook Pro? Let's take a look at the specs:
- 2nd generation Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processor options
- 720p WLED display with TrueLife and edge-to-edge glass (1366x768)
- Nvidia GeForce GT 520M with 1GB graphics memory
- 6GB DDR3-1333 (supports up to 8GB)
- 500GB/750GB 7200 RPM HDD options; 256GB SSD option
- Slot load DVD burner
- Backlit, spill-resistant keyboard
- 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 3.0
- Intel Wireless Display-ready
- USB 3.0; USB 2.0; HDMI; GbE LAN; mini DisplayPort; Mic/audio
- 1.3MP HD webcam
- 0.9 (H) x 13.19 (W) x 9.21 (D) inches; starting at 4.36 pounds
- Priced from $999
By comparison, a 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,199 and includes a 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of DDR3-1333 memory, 500GB (5400RPM) HDD, and Intel HD Graphics 3000. There's no optical drive or USB 3.0 support, although MacBook Pro laptops do come with Thunderbolt.
The XPS 14z will be available in the U.S. starting November 1, 2011.
More like this
22
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
aso chudi
January 17, 2012 at 1:33am
I have to admit this is a great article, I have been looking around for some thing like this for a quite a while, I will be back for more, thanks.
aso chudi
January 15, 2012 at 12:18am
I admire the precious information you offer in your articles. I'll bookmark your blog and have my children check up here often. We are quite sure the can learn several new stuff here than anybody else!
aso chudi
January 14, 2012 at 3:14am
I am impressed by the way you covered this topic. It is not often I come across a blog with captivating articles like yours. I will note your feed to keep up to date with your approaching updates.Just striking and do uphold up the good work.
neal123
January 04, 2012 at 11:57am
Excellent insight into a fascinating topic, thanks for sharing this with us all. Please continue to contribute further information, I look forward to the prospect.
bolod
December 26, 2011 at 2:52am
I became anticipating intended for this type of write-up so I currently have attained various valuable details made by this web site Appreciate your sharing giving this level of detail, There is absolutely no far better strategy to grant details to opportunity seekers than you are on in this way.
Datrappert
October 29, 2011 at 1:26pm
I can't imagine a circumstance when I would buy anything made by Dell or HP. For a PC laptop, I'll stick with Toshiba.
Engelsstaub
October 25, 2011 at 5:31pm
It also comes with Dell's legendary customer service.
But seriously: the only significant spec difference here is the GPU, IMO.
thetechchild
October 25, 2011 at 8:45pm
And the $200 price difference, even after considering the Dell comes with 2GB more RAM and a better GPU at base configuration...! I don't see how saving ~20% can be ignored! :P We'll see how this pans out though... The MacBook is probably due for some updating anyways...
Engelsstaub
October 26, 2011 at 2:00am
The Sandy Bridge MBPs are also expandable to 16 Gb of RAM whereas this is maxed at eight. Not even sure why.
The MBPs just got a (very minor) refresh. It sort of went unannounced. I wasn't really ignoring the price difference...I was only speaking to the difference in technical specifications.
The article doesn't tell us what the clockspeed is on those CPUs which appear identical to those in the latest 13" MBPs. Or am I missing something?
Nexing
October 25, 2011 at 2:15pm
Its always the gamers and the video people who got their saying out in these tech news sites...
When most of the pro Audio users -that work on macbooks- are AGAIN left out by this XPS 14z model...
Where are we going to connect our HiFi, audiophile or Pro sound cards to?
No expresscard, no Thunderbolt; means no low latency (critical) or even format compatible available connector... to many of existing pro soundcards that use firewire, MADI, Adat, etc.
And hear this; NOT a single ONE uses USB3 yet.Hence or we go directly to buy a Macbook or some distant bulky alternative from DELL's latitude or Vostro or Lenovo business laptops that actually have the versatil expresscard 5 GB/s... So far there's no thin, light, 13" alternative.
Nowadays I see a lot of events that are equalized and sound controlled from able, portable laptops and no need to mention the pletora of sound studios that need such portable machine, but still manufacturers fail to provide alternatives to macbooks.
Engelsstaub
October 25, 2011 at 5:26pm
Yeah, you're definitely talking to the wrong people here. This is the 7.1 "gamer-sound" audience. Nothing wrong with that, but you're just going to butt up against a lot of kids (and immature adults) who beat their rattles on their high-chair trays whenever someone suggests that a Macintosh might be the right choice for something else.
You can't even really prefer a laptop running any OS. Some here just don't get it. They'll tell you that you should build a system and carry that around with you.
The truth is this: when you factor in OS-preference, a trackpad that doesn't blow cock'n'ballz (essential to a good laptop,) features that you have to pay for a Win 7 Ultimate upgrade to maybe get, and 100%+ more battery life than any Win-based notebook (also essential to a good laptop) that 400 dollar price difference just completely went away and then some. AND YES it's usually about 300-400 bucks of a price difference between a MBP and a comparable "premium-branded" laptop. Not the thousand dollars some of these mutts keep repeating over and over like a lot of braying jackasses. ...but you're always going to be a "sheep" who drinks some tired-ass cliched Kool-aid (that analogy makes no sense but they keep repeating it as well.)
biggiebob12345
October 25, 2011 at 1:43pm
Pass. You can get a Lenovo Ideapad for $900 that has the same cpu and a GT 555M which is ranked #60. The 520M is #120.
gruvsf
October 25, 2011 at 12:08pm
I also want to point out that Thunderbolt really does not have anywhere as close to the device support of USB 3.0 (or 2.0, which is backward compatible). I suspect that Thunderbollt will go the way of Firewire in about 3 years, but I can only hope.
kleefaj
October 25, 2011 at 9:42am
Yeah, but you still have to run Microsoft Windows. And Windows software. And all the other nonsense that goes with the platform.
I use both. Use what you need to do the job. But given a choice I go with the Mac OS. It's better for the way I work.
win7fanboi
October 25, 2011 at 11:07am
I wouldn't use mac os if it was free. I am curious about how is it better for the way your work. I don't see Mac OS and work in the same sentence unless you are a graphic designer. Adobe/Macromedia apps are about the only useful things that Macs can run.
gruvsf
October 25, 2011 at 12:06pm
the OS is technically free (at least when it ships, not the subsequent upgrades), but what you pay for is a big premium on the hardware, which is admittely great, but does everyone need that (and will it also fit their budget)? Probably not.
j_j_montez
October 25, 2011 at 11:49am
Don't forget building apps for iOS devices. When I worked in a computer store, we had many people coming and begrudgingly buy an apple for just that purpose. I don't know all the uses or reasons, but there are companies that prefer apple computers over windows.
AETAaAS
October 25, 2011 at 8:43am
In this class, I think I'd rather the Asus U46SV. Cheaper than the Dell but it has a GT540M graphic part, which isn't much but still a step ahead and I have experienced Asus' rock solid reliability.
I do hope that Dell pushes at least some of these design features onto its mainstream Inspirons with the lower price tag to boot.
j_j_montez
October 25, 2011 at 8:21am
The macbook pros do have optical drives, the macbook air is the only laptop model that doesn't have one. Not a bad comparison. One spec I'd like to know is the battery life. Setting that aside, this is an awesome laptop. Loving the backlit keyboard spill resistant feature, and the price.
MrBlueCheese
October 25, 2011 at 2:38pm
Paul was comparing the Macbook Air to the Dell XPS 14 because they are "ultrabooks" which is the only comparision you can make.
Otherwise, you'll be comparing Apples to Oranges.
Engelsstaub
October 25, 2011 at 5:07pm
He very specifically made the comparison to a MacBook Pro. Check it again. Nothing in this article refers to a MBA.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Original RickRoll Video Returns to YouTube After 24-Hour Copyright Hiatus http://t.co/MaH9Sxyy1 day 2 hours ago
- maximumpc: Corsair has decided not to go forward with its $78 million IPO, citing weak equity market conditions http://t.co/A5a4DAzj1 day 2 hours ago
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E3 days 36 min ago
