Dell XPS8900 VS Macbook Air 13 ... At same price... Deal?

[Davem88]

Hi guys,

So, I am about to pull a trigger on either of these two systems and I hope you can guide me into the right path.

I intent to use this as a desktop system. I don't play games. I use my computer mainly for these functions

1) Photography processing with Adobe Lightroom
2) Lots of web browsing ... over 20-30 tabs at the same time (kills my current 4gb ram)
3) Transferring downloaded files to my USB3 flash and external HD
4) YouTube

My current system has not been updated in ages. Can not be upgraded over 4gb ram and USB2 ... pain in the a**. I need something that will serve me well for the next 3-4+ years.

FYI ... I have a 180gb SSD I bought some time ago that I can add to the new desktop and I have a 4tb WD USB3 external HD I can add to the desktop.

My 2 options ... one coming from a friend of my.

Option 1
$630 = Dell XPS x8900-631BLK Desktop (6th Generaton Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD) NVIDIA GT 730

or

Option 2
$700 = Macbook Air 13, i7-3667u, 3.2ghz, 8GB Ram, 128gb SSD

 

[mnewsham]

if you intend to use it as a desktop... Option 1.

Desktop i5 is going to run circles around that mobile ultra low power i7 CPU.

 

[Ken g6]

I think Option 1 is slightly better. Unless you really prefer MacOS. The biggest problems with it are the relatively slow processor (i5-6400 is much slower than the 6500 and 6600) and the relatively slow graphics. Though the main use you'd get out of the graphics card is to speed up Lightroom; nothing else.

So, with that said, and after looking over stuff on Newegg, I have two suggestions of my own:

1. "Just buy this (and add your SSD)": CyberpowerPC Desktop Computer Gamer Xtreme S102 Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6600 (3.30 GHz) 8 GB DDR4 1 TB HDD Windows 10 Home 64-Bit - $730

2. "Buy this and add some parts":
- HP Desktop Computer ProDesk 400 G3 MicroTower (P5U87UT#ABA) Intel Core i5 6500 (3.20 GHz) 4 GB DDR4 500 GB HDD Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit (available through downgrade rights from Windows 10 Pro) - $530
- G.SKILL NT Series 16GB - $56
- EVGA 750ti Superclocked - $100 after $20 rebate.
Total: $686 after $20 rebate

 

[Davem88]

I think Option 1 is slightly better. Unless you really prefer MacOS. The biggest problems with it are the relatively slow processor (i5-6400 is much slower than the 6500 and 6600) and the relatively slow graphics. Though the main use you'd get out of the graphics card is to speed up Lightroom; nothing else.

So, with that said, and after looking over stuff on Newegg, I have two suggestions of my own:

1. "Just buy this (and add your SSD)": CyberpowerPC Desktop Computer Gamer Xtreme S102 Intel Core i5 6th Gen 6600 (3.30 GHz) 8 GB DDR4 1 TB HDD Windows 10 Home 64-Bit - $730

2. "Buy this and add some parts":
- HP Desktop Computer ProDesk 400 G3 MicroTower (P5U87UT#ABA) Intel Core i5 6500 (3.20 GHz) 4 GB DDR4 500 GB HDD Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit (available through downgrade rights from Windows 10 Pro) - $530
- G.SKILL NT Series 16GB - $56
- EVGA 750ti Superclocked - $100 after $20 rebate.
Total: $686 after $20 rebate

if you intend to use it as a desktop... Option 1.

Desktop i5 is going to run circles around that mobile ultra low power i7 CPU.

Appreciate the info.
One thing I forgot to say is that if I get a Desktop, I want to run Windows 7 on it. Hopefully I'll be able to install it on the Dell XPS8900 IF I decide on it.

 

[mnewsham]

Appreciate the info.
One thing I forgot to say is that if I get a Desktop, I want to run Windows 7 on it. Hopefully I'll be able to install it on the Dell XPS8900 IF I decide on it.

I know Windows 10 pro has downgrade rights to windows 8.1 pro and windows 7 pro.

I am not sure if normal Windows 10 has downgrade rights however.

 

[Davem88]

I actually upgraded my laptop today to 8gb of ram. And, I am actually fine with using it as my "desktop". The only thing that is slow on it for me is the USB 2.0 ... I heard that is impossible to upgrade. True?

 

[Davem88]

bump

 

[Burpo]

That depends.. Does your laptop have Express card 34/54 slot?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCI-E-Expre...756062?hash=item2352b9af1e:g:DrEAAOSwcu5UPUkk

 

[Davem88]

Hmm, not sure.
I have a Dell Inspiron N4010

 

[Burpo]

No, it does not..

 

[Davem88]

So, I have a chance right now to purchase a cheap desktop.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5963YR4670

if I add the following to it (hopefully it'll fit)

I have this card
Anker® Uspeed USB 3.0 PCI-E Express Card with 4 USB 3.0 Ports and 5V 4-Pin Power Connector for Desktops [VL805 Chipset]

SSD drive
Intel 330 Series Solid-State Drive 180 GB SATA 6 Gb/s 2.5-Inch - SSDSC2CT180A3K5

Will the desktop set up be faster than my laptop? I really need USB3. 8gb ram is fine for me. I also have usb3.0 external 4tb HD I can connect to desktop.

 

[mnewsham]

even though your laptop's i5-540m is newer than the Core 2 duo E7500 in that refurbished dell, the Core2Duo desktop should be faster.

 

[Davem88]

even though your laptop's i5-540m is newer than the Core 2 duo E7500 in that refurbished dell, the Core2Duo desktop should be faster.

Thanks
question now is, will that desktop accept my 2 devices (SSD drive and PCI USB 3 card). If YES to both, then it means that for me to get USB3 and a little faster computer, I'll be out $120

 

[Burpo]

Better buys..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optipl...290026?hash=item3ac0f38d2a:g:6toAAOSwSzdXBDLA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optipl...493755?hash=item58d75fad3b:g:MzMAAOSwr7ZW6ECx

 

[mnewsham]

It should, your SSD wont be getting full SATA 3 speeds, but it will still be faster than a hard drive.

It looks like the Optiplex 780 SF Chassis will only fit half height PCI cards, so make sure to get a USB 3.0 card like this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158415

 

[Davem88]

It should, your SSD wont be getting full SATA 3 speeds, but it will still be faster than a hard drive.

It looks like the Optiplex 780 SF Chassis will only fit half height PCI cards, so make sure to get a USB 3.0 card like this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158415

I see, and that card is another $30. So now, my dilemma is, do I want to spend $150 (120pc+30card) just to go from USB2 to USB3 ... all other speed improvements won't be so noticeable for things I do on my computer.

 

[Davem88]

I have a chance to get this system below for just $232 ....

I have these 2 things that I can add to this desktop.
1) Anker® Uspeed USB 3.0 PCI-E Express Card with 4 USB 3.0 Ports and 5V 4-Pin Power Connector for Desktops [VL805 Chipset]

2) SSD drive
Intel 330 Series Solid-State Drive 180 GB SATA 6 Gb/s 2.5-Inch - SSDSC2CT180A3K5

Will the desktop set up be faster than my laptop? I really need USB3 will it better than my laptop in terms of speed and future upgrade capabilities? My laptop is Dell Inspiron N4010 with upgraded 8gb ram.

Desktop deal for $232
Model Dell Precision T3500
Operating System 64-bit Windows 7 Pro
Software Microsoft Office Starter
Chassis Tower
Processor 1x Xeon Quad Core (W3530) 2.80 GHz
Memory 12 GB (3x 4GB)
Hard Drive 250 GB (1x 250GB)
Optical Drive DVD
Video(Video cables and adapters not included) Nvidia Quadro FX 1800 (768 MB)
LAN 10/100/1000
Wireless LAN Not Included
Ports Serial, Parallel, 2x PS/2, RJ-45, 10x USB 2.0, Audio

 

[Burpo]

Yes, it is definitely faster than your laptop..

 

[ultimatebob]

I would have went with the Macbook Pro, simply for the portability factor. I'm also a fan of Mac OS, as stuff just works on it.