Hi All

Wanted to get some opinions between the Dell XPS 15 9560 and Macbook Pro 15, both the recent 2017 models. I'm looking for a powerful and sleek designed (yes I'm superficial that way) laptop, aside from normal computing use, mainly for:
- Image editing, some graphic design (but not video)
- Moderate gaming, not super heavy, but not light
- Watching HD video
- Something to last me the next 4-5 years, so don't mind spending a bit

[Edit: for context, I've been using the Macbook Pro 15 from 2012, and Macbook Air from about that time too)

My main considerations so far:

Macbook Pro 2017
Considering: i7 2.8GHz variant (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Radeon Pro 555 2GB etc)

Pros:
OS: I've been a Mac user for years, Windows 10 is alright but I really do like MacOS
Design: I still do like the Macbook design, compared to the Dell, which just looks slightly clunkier (although still nice). And I really like the Mac trackpads
Build Quality: I've generally never had problems with Macbooks, they're well designed and work well from the start, and I know they last

Cons:
Price for performance: Definitely more expensive, almost RM2k more for less specs. Then again, it is a different OS? I wouldn't mind paying a bit more as it is to last me a few years, if the performance difference isn't too significant?
OS: Mac OS is never good for gaming. Im Not really tied to any apps that need Mac OS.
Design: Ambivalent about the Touchbar, not dying to have it, but I may end up liking it if it helps

Dell XPS 15 9560
Considering: i7 3.8GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, NVIDIA GTX 1050 4GB, etc

Pros:
Price/Performance: You definitely get more for money
OS: More gaming options here.

Cons:
OS: Windows 10 is ok, but not my favorite, and the trackpad is not as good. I know these sound superficial, but these are the things I would use everyday so I'm worried they may get annoying fast
Design: It looks good, but (IMO) not as good as the Macbook, definitely looks clunkier
Build Quality: I have had bad experiences with Dell laptops before, having problems with new units out of the box. Sure, they fix it under warranty, but it is still a hassle. Also, do they last for 4-5 years?


Would love some opinions, especially from anyone who may have used one or the other, or even better, have decided between them, or switched from one to the other.

I suppose it comes down to:
1) Actually performance difference during use (I know the specs are different, but then they're different OS
2) Graphics card differences: is the Dell's NVidia GTX 1050 much better than the Mac's Radeon Pro 555?
3) Longevity: Which would last better over 4-5 yeats?

Thanks!

This post has been edited by toccata: Jul 11 2017, 03:58 AM

1. OS wise mac win lo.. but mac aftersales oso sux la... u in wrong region u gg de.. only kl city 1 good

2. gtx 1050 kick kao radeon.. but u must remember mac hv better display... becoz xps 15 4k means more icon in the screen.. not color saturation.. n so far non come close to mac retina... however the new gen retina fast spoil oso... TIM cook dunno do QC

3. both last 4-5yrs.. but DELL i can do extend warranty where mac cannot extend if u dint buy extension on the spot...

if u wan for gaming... always go for window base.... u might get smash if u ask mac sales tat u wan mac for gaming..

FYI MBP psu doesnt design for gaming.. cannot tahan the power drainage

If you prefer MacOS, then go for MBP. End of story. No gaming gaming.

yea... wan gaming no mac... wan mac no gaming

I was a previous user of a Dell XPS 15 9550 [last gen version]. Since they haven't changed the design and the current gen components have the same TDP I think my experiences will still be valid.

In my case the XPS has trouble gaming for extended periods without throttling if you're in a non air conditioned room. The VRMs will get hot after a while [usually about 90 minutes in my case] and then the CPU will throttle down to 800MHz. To get it to run back at full speed you need to restart it and wait a bit for it to cool down. In games that do not tax both the GPU and CPU as hard, the throttling happened later.

I imagine the same can be applied to the rMBP seeing how thin it is and the cooling looks similar to the XPS.

mac had worse cooling than XPS... XPS dual fans.. MBP dual tiny fan...n mbp power brick draw less power compare to XPS... tat y mbp not fit for gaming...

ur 9550 hv hotter gtx 960m compre to gtx 1050... n oso pls repaste ur thermal gel... xps 9550 oso got uneven thermal paste cases

wan extend ur xps warranty?

I've repasted several times lol, in the end sold it and got an AW13 R3 instead.

get liao ah

aw13 R3 DFO got alot now

lol i guess that sums it up

Thanks for the feedback, good to hear from direct experience

How to improve VRM heat issue

http://www.ultrabookreview.com/14875-fix-throttling-xps-15/

Going to get my 9560 soon, hope this help

This post has been edited by tachlio: Jul 12 2017, 09:00 AM

Let me know how you like your 9560!

btw... this model dfo more expensive than alienware

aw15r3 dfo gsync, 1060 only rm6600

I also had good deal with AW15R3, however finally select XPS due to photo edit + medium gaming + light weight
XPS had balance in term for this.. XPS is too heavy...

I believe TS had similar usage as mine

Be careful lo.. now alot clone set outside.. no service tag 1 dun buy

no worry, the deal is from my friend who work for dell and offer from dell as well

Oh... the 4 to 8% discount .. staff prices

Btw staff oso can buy dfo n sell u though

Are you sure this will not void the warranty of the device?

Edit: I am planning on getting one as well but with 256gb ssd. Where are you getting yours from? ( i really want the fingerprint scanner for the Windows hello feature )

This post has been edited by hammadsaeed: Jul 13 2017, 04:38 AM

for normal deal stuff can get up to 10++%

My deal is

Thermalpaste re-paste wont void la, just take care and dont damage any component...

For thermalpad is only stick on top of PMW for better heat transfer.. as long as dont over compress and damage the component, its totally fine....


I get from my relative which work at Dell, the price is

This post has been edited by tachlio: Jul 13 2017, 10:03 AM

Dfo lo

I actually tried this based from the owner's thread in Notebookreview, and the thermal pads touched the bottom case. It got too hot for my liking. However a comment at that site suggested connecting the thermal pads to the heatpipes instead. This sounds like a better idea IMO. Good luck with your purchase, if you can manage the thermals that laptop is one of the best money can buy

As long as you're careful you'll be fine

Too hot bottom? As long as you had proper notepad cooler its shall be fine right? (Or you place laptop on leg?)

Usually just on the desk without a cooler

Yeah same, AW (I think thats what you meant) is too heavy

Buy from Lazada bro

they have real good deals for both of this..

if dell find out ur unit from lazada.. they can dun honor the warranty 1 lo

n lazada alot clone set

ohh okay man makes sense.

the 10%++ discounts sounds sick tbh

Is there a way to differentiate between real and clone set?

clone set no service tag... alot in market now.. they supplier oso got send me list.. i dare not take

Thanks for the heads up
I am looking to buy xps 15 when I coming back to Malaysia around 15 next month are there any trusted resellers you recommend?

Sorry for not answering your question got distracted lol

First of all macbook is a great laptop which can achieve most of your desires except for gaming if the games you are playing are available and can be played on mac its a very good option. But if not then xps is the second best option . Both laptops are equally as powerfull it just depends on what your priorites are.

em.... i dun think any other more trusted than me here... haha..

joking

Thanks, I think I've 80% decided to go XPS, it really comes down to value for money, I can't bring myself to spend so much more for so much less with the MacBook

I think the only thing that's making me think about the 20% is the build quality and styling, I still prefer the MacBook. I saw someone's 1 year old XPS (the previous model but the exterior is about the same as the new one) and that carbon fiber looking finishing does look rather worn and feels a bit clammy/rough (compared to my 5 year old MB Pro which still looks great)

Interesting the only complain i heard about the carbon fibre was regarding the dirt it collects which can be easily solved by cleaning it once a month which isnt that much to ask tbh. It depends on your use if you treat it like shit obviously it will wear out.

I dont like the exterior of the xps 15 lol will be covering it up with a skin

Use the money to get dbrand skin...

Am thinking the same (about the skinning the exterior!)

I read the latest review on Dell XPS laptops website and found out way too much negative remarks. Now I have doubts on purchasing it.

what kind issue ?

Noob user sure get noob problems.. dunno update bios n drivers...

However gtx 1050 get 86-90 degree is bit too hot on ultrabook

What issues? Can you post a link
I just ordered mine

lol... how much u paid... cheaper than wat i offer?

Err I don't think you offered me a price?

Just go to Dell official website and read the XPS verified buyer reviews. Scroll until the bottom.

http://www.dell.com/my/p/xps-15-9560-laptop/pd?flyingspaghettimonster=PD_OC

A few people were PMing asking for outcome and opinions, so here's a short 1-month review:


Went with the xps, couldn't bring myself to pay so much more for less. Overall quite happy:

Pros: lots of specs, great screen (got the 4K one, didnt quite like the matte UHD one), nice design, good value for money

Cons: if you're coming from a macbook, then a lot of little things will get to you especially with daily use, eg trackpad (good for windows, but not as smooth as mac esp for gestures), overall smoothness of Windows 10 (one of the better Windows so far but still not as smooth as OS X e.g. multi-desktop, screen clippings, etc). And yes, it is annoying that you can't open it with one hand
Also had some problems when I first got it with the graphics drivers, because of an update downloaded by windows update - blue screens and flickering. Was fixed by manually downloading the latest intel drivers from Dell but it was bloody annoying


In summary, if you're a Windows user, I think this is the best all-rounder on the market right now, enough power to do everything from normal computing to image/video editing to some gaming, without feeling or looking like a brick.
If you're a mac user looking to switch, you will notice a bunch of small things wrt to the UI that will collectively annoy you over time, but I think nothing you can't live with.

do display scaling
150% to 200%

How much are you selling this XPS 15 9560 for?

I7 UHD? NEW Rm8400 inc gst .. free backpack

How about I5? Cheaper??

i5 got 2 model.. which 1... alienware 15 dun wan?

The cheapest one? Just studying the price.

aw15 r3
i7-7700hq
16gb ddr4 2667 mhz
256gb +1tb
win10
rx470 8gb ddr5
15.6 UHD ips
1yr
RM6299

Thanks for the quote

Mobility vs power... haha... btw gtx 1050 slightly underpower compare to rx470