Nvidia launches Studio laptops to take on MacBook Pro

[Jamie McKane]

Nvidia launches Studio laptops to take on MacBook Pro

Nvidia has announced a new range of Studio laptops at Computex 2019, which are designed to compete with Apple's MacBook Pro.

The laptops will be built in partnership with major OEMs including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Gigabyte, HP, MSI, and Razer.

 

[quovadis]

It's a pity that no manufacturer has emulated the build quality of the mac laptops (with the exception of the keyboard).

 

[MrGray]

So will these also insist on running Windows updates every time you really really need do something critically important, like mix the sound for a live production??

 

[_TrXtR_]

So will these also insist on running Windows updates every time you really really need do something critically important, like mix the sound for a live production??

That is worse than your sound mixing program removed from the store on demo night because it competes against apple? Or hurts someones feelings? xD

 

[SlinkyMike]

Blood in the water from Apple. Asus has that 4K dual screen thingy that looks great too.

 

[Bryn]

It's a pity that no manufacturer has emulated the build quality of the mac laptops (with the exception of the keyboard).

Apple's laptop designs and build quality don't impress me when they come at the cost of capable thermal design. All their chips are nerfed and still run near their thermal limits.

 

[quovadis]

Apple's laptop designs and build quality don't impress me when they come at the cost of capable thermal design. All their chips are nerfed and still run near their thermal limits.

A good example but thats mainly due to them shoving more modern processors in older thermal designs. My point on the actual build quality still stands. Most Windows PCs don't come close.

 

[Johnatan56]

It's a pity that no manufacturer has emulated the build quality of the mac laptops (with the exception of the keyboard).

A good example but thats mainly due to them shoving more modern processors in older thermal designs. My point on the actual build quality still stands. Most Windows PCs don't come close.

Very good joke, lol. Not any of the last 3 Macbook releases are of good "build quality".

EDIT:
Btw, how do you excuse the keyboard? That's one of the core requirements of a laptop/desktop...

 

[quovadis]

Very good joke, lol. Not any of the last 3 Macbook releases are of good "build quality".

Yes, we all love Louis. That isn't the point I'm trying to make. Out of tens of millions or so macs sold per year I'm sure the majority of users are happy with the build quality as they keep flying off the shelves. What I was trying to say was that it would be nice if the Windows notebook manufacturers at least tried to innovate and bring out something out that isn't 4 pieces of plastic sandwiching components. Even the current XPS models look dated and thats arguably the closest competitor.

 

[Johnatan56]

Yes, we all love Louis. That isn't the point I'm trying to make. Out of tens of millions or so macs sold per year I'm sure the majority of users are happy with the build quality as they keep flying off the shelves. What I was trying to say was that it would be nice if the Windows notebook manufacturers at least tried to innovate and bring out something out that isn't 4 pieces of plastic sandwiching components. Even the current XPS models look dated and thats arguably the closest competitor.

That last bit is an opinion, and you'd have to specify if you mean 2-in-1 or 15/13, the latter ones definitely do not look dated. The MacBooks design has also gotten boring to me, now what?

5.3 million Macbooks were sold in 2018, Dell sold around 10m, though can't tell how many are laptops, I'd assume at least over half.

In regards to build quality, I don't know of a single person who owns a MacBook that is post 2014 that hasn't had it repaired at least once within two years, maybe only half only the keyboard.
For Dell laptops, I know of only one case, even though the majority I know don't own a Mac. Weird, isn't it?

People don't buy MacBooks for the hardware, they buy them for the software, and it will continue so for the foreseeable future until it isn't a status thing to own a MacBook.

Btw, just because they sell doesn't mean that they are bought because of the build quality. Your point failed terribly. Plus, sales are declining:

Shipments were down 7.6 percent year-over-year. Apple had 13.7 percent of the U.S. market last quarter, down from 14.8 percent in the same period of 2017.

This global sales decline happened despite the release of the 2018 MacBook Pro models near the beginning of July-to-September period. Still, Apple also brought out new MacBook Pros in Q3 2017, plus it tweaked the MacBook Air, something that it didn’t do this year. Perhaps that cut into shipments.

Q3 is supposed to bring fairly strong sales, as it includes the back-to-school shopping season. Not so much this year. At least not for Apple. Its three biggest rivals all saw increases in laptop/desktop shipments.


https://www.cultofmac.com/582236/mac-sales-q3-2018-gartner/

 

[skimread]

It's a pity that no manufacturer has emulated the build quality of the mac laptops (with the exception of the keyboard).

Microsoft Surface Book 2 IMO is better quality

The Huawei Matebooks X Pro 2019 also looks like a similar quality alternative for much less the price

Both the above have touchscreens but the Macbook doesn't so you can argue the Macbook is inferior

 

[SYNERGY]

It's a pity that no manufacturer has emulated the build quality of the mac laptops (with the exception of the keyboard).

Check out the HP Spectre's x360. Current driver for the last 2 generations. Previously a Macbook and Macbook Pro.

 

[quovadis]

That last bit is an opinion, and you'd have to specify if you mean 2-in-1 or 15/13, the latter ones definitely do not look dated. The MacBooks design has also gotten boring to me, now what?

5.3 million Macbooks were sold in 2018, Dell sold around 10m, though can't tell how many are laptops, I'd assume at least over half.

In regards to build quality, I don't know of a single person who owns a MacBook that is post 2014 that hasn't had it repaired at least once within two years, maybe only half only the keyboard.
For Dell laptops, I know of only one case, even though the majority I know don't own a Mac. Weird, isn't it?

People don't buy MacBooks for the hardware, they buy them for the software, and it will continue so for the foreseeable future until it isn't a status thing to own a MacBook.

Btw, just because they sell doesn't mean that they are bought because of the build quality. Your point failed terribly. Plus, sales are declining:

If you had to compare a Macbook Pro to an XPS 15 there's still a distinct difference which was really my point and I honestly wish that the competitors would step up a bit. And yes, it's my first hand opinion.

 

[Johnatan56]

If you had to compare a Macbook Pro to an XPS 15 there's still a distinct difference which was really my point and I honestly wish that the competitors would step up a bit. And yes, it's my first hand opinion.

Define the difference.
Thickness? Weight? Macbook loses.

Image above is from the old model: https://www.dell.com/za/p/xps-15-9550-laptop/pd which sported a GTX 960M.
Display?
Screen resolution? 2880x1880 vs a 4k display, so 220ppi vs ~350ppi. Plus OLED if you want, so better color gamut.
Touch screen? Yes, but personally I don't care about it.

Graphics? Radeon 555X/560X vs the GTX 1650.
CPU? Both throttle, so can't really compare until the new Dell's been properly benchmarked.
Keyboard? Can you type quickly and easily? With the Mac? Nope. With the Dell? Yes.

Nothing about the Dell XPS 15 is worse than a Macbook Pro, while it's generally cheaper.

The reason people get the MacBook is the operating system and the branding. The moment Apple messes up their branding or does something dumb with their OS that people don't like, they'll quickly go down. Same of Dell and Windows btw, except that Windows' branding is not based on being premium, but rather just working.

 

[Nobody Important]

So will these also insist on running Windows updates every time you really really need do something critically important, like mix the sound for a live production??

You know so many people say this but it has never actually happened to me, i.e. Windows not letting me work because an update is pending.

 

[quovadis]

Define the difference.
Thickness? Weight? Macbook loses.
View attachment 664618
Image above is from the old model: https://www.dell.com/za/p/xps-15-9550-laptop/pd which sported a GTX 960M.
Display?
Screen resolution? 2880x1880 vs a 4k display, so 220ppi vs ~350ppi. Plus OLED if you want, so better color gamut.
Touch screen? Yes, but personally I don't care about it.

Graphics? Radeon 555X/560X vs the GTX 1650.
CPU? Both throttle, so can't really compare until the new Dell's been properly benchmarked.
Keyboard? Can you type quickly and easily? With the Mac? Nope. With the Dell? Yes.

Nothing about the Dell XPS 15 is worse than a Macbook Pro, while it's generally cheaper.

The reason people get the MacBook is the operating system and the branding. The moment Apple messes up their branding or does something dumb with their OS that people don't like, they'll quickly go down. Same of Dell and Windows btw, except that Windows' branding is not based on being premium, but rather just working.

I have both and I prefer the MacBook Pro.

 

[Johnatan56]

I have both and I prefer the MacBook Pro.

Which one of each? And that's again, your opinion, and is it influenced by the OS or your desire of the brand rather than the hardware device? Probably.

 

[quovadis]

Which one of each? And that's again, your opinion, and is it influenced by the OS or your desire of the brand rather than the hardware device? Probably.

I use windows on the xps and OS X on the Mac. Office and visual studio and adobe available across all. 9570 i7 512gb 16gb and MacBook Pro is i7 512 and 16gb 2018.

 

[Johnatan56]

I use windows on the xps and OS X on the Mac. Office and visual studio and adobe available across all. 9570 i7 512gb 16gb and MacBook Pro is i7 512 and 16gb 2018.

So Macbook is around the $2500 marker or a bit more based on: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/15-inch
While the Dell is $2100-2200.

If you use local stuff: https://www.wootware.co.za/dell-xps...-10-pro-64-bit-silver-aluminium-notebook.html has it For R40k
vs
https://www.myistore.co.za/15-inch-...z-6-core-intel-core-i7-processor-256gb-silver at R43000 for the 256GB, but the 512:
https://www.myistore.co.za/15-inch-...core-intel-core-i7-processor-512gb-space-grey jumps it to R50k (okay, R49399).

That's a 15% increase in price, for a device with worse:
- graphics card
- screen (both in resolution and touch)
- keyboard (yes, you actually do use this)
- lower performant CPU (1150 vs ~1050 multicore in cinebench R15)
-- ties in with above, a machine that won't die as fast due to wear and tear because the fans actually kick in earlier rather than thinking 90+ is okay.
- heavier
- thicker (amazing considering the fact that it still has worse heat dissipation due to the fan policy)

While the XPS also gives you:
- The ability to not use a damn dongle to plug in a mouse/keyboard/HDMI (since you're probably plugging in a second screen if you want to be productive) (also SD card reader for those who are photographers, still don't understand why Apple removed this if that used to be their primary target market, now most stick in for Final Cut)
-- tying in with the above: Any dongle can actually work for the thunderbolt port. My friend bought a cheaper dongle and didn't work since not "Apple Compatible", works fine on my other friend's Dell)

Of course, you're spending so much that you probably don't care/having the company sponsor it/don't own both as the other one is for another family member or something.

The only thing recommending the MacBook Pro is the OS and maybe the track pad if you use it, where it's a preference thing nowadays since they've come such a long way (unless you're talking about e.g. the Dell Inspiron, those things are horrendous /shudder).

 

[quovadis]

So Macbook is around the $2500 marker or a bit more based on: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/15-inch
While the Dell is $2100-2200.

If you use local stuff: https://www.wootware.co.za/dell-xps...-10-pro-64-bit-silver-aluminium-notebook.html has it For R40k
vs
https://www.myistore.co.za/15-inch-...z-6-core-intel-core-i7-processor-256gb-silver at R43000 for the 256GB, but the 512:
https://www.myistore.co.za/15-inch-...core-intel-core-i7-processor-512gb-space-grey jumps it to R50k (okay, R49399).

That's a 15% increase in price, for a device with worse:
- graphics card
- screen (both in resolution and touch)
- keyboard (yes, you actually do use this)
- lower performant CPU (1150 vs ~1050 multicore in cinebench R15)
-- ties in with above, a machine that won't die as fast due to wear and tear because the fans actually kick in earlier rather than thinking 90+ is okay.
- heavier
- thicker (amazing considering the fact that it still has worse heat dissipation due to the fan policy)

While the XPS also gives you:
- The ability to not use a damn dongle to plug in a mouse/keyboard/HDMI (since you're probably plugging in a second screen if you want to be productive) (also SD card reader for those who are photographers, still don't understand why Apple removed this if that used to be their primary target market, now most stick in for Final Cut)

Of course, you're spending so much that you probably don't care/having the company sponsor it/don't own both as the other one is for another family member or something.

The only thing recommending the MacBook Pro is the OS and maybe the track pad if you use it, where it's a preference thing nowadays since they've come such a long way (unless you're talking about e.g. the Dell Inspiron, those things are horrendous /shudder).

I have no problem with you being Pro-Dell and the XPS is a solid competitor (besides the nosecam) - I have Dell's complete stack in my business from Laptops, Desktops to Servers/Storage/Some network switching but I still go back to a Macbook for my own day to day. To me the whole dongle thing was an inconvenience when I had a Macbook 12 but since most devices these days now have wireless connectivity or have usb-c options its not much of an issue. Memory card slots in general is also very limited stress these days with tethered systems or using a usb-c cable.

Currently, even paying for and having to choose between them myself, I would take the Macbook Pro over the XPS however will revise my opinion once the new XPS is released. I find the Macbook to be more comfortable keyboard and trackpad. I'll pass judgment once Macbook Pro revise their chassis for the next generation.