TEAMSWITCHER

entropys said:

It does not matter how expensive macs were in the past. Heck I paid over USD$4000 for a PowerBook G3 “Wallstreet” back in the day.  
What matters today is the price of a Mac compared with comparable windows machines.

It's difficult for to compare Macs with comparable Windows machines - they often don't exist.

For example... The iMac has a 5K display that simply can't be had on any PC.
Another Example...  The MacBook Pro use 16x10 screens, with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, something not found in the PC world.

PCguy said:

It is a free world if you want to spend your money on something that is built to fail and which is not supported by the company no one will stop you. I am not seduced by Apple. If you gave me a brand new anything that Apple made i would not take it out of the box. I would sell it on Ebay or Craigslist and not even guarantee it how could I. Logitech is another company that builds things they dont fix. I have spent my last money on their stuff now.

Why are you here then?  This is the same guy (Louis Rossman) who made a You Tube video stating that Apple would never be able to fix the throttling issues on the Core i9 MacBook Pro because the voltage regulators could never supply enough power.  Then, 48 hours later, Apple pushed out a firmware update fixing the throttling issues on the Core i9 MacBook Pro.  I wouldn't trust a word this guy says .. he is living off of "Fake News" .. A technology equivalent to Info Wars.

You need to stop listening to his outrage and parse his story carefully..  He is suggesting that these batteries (for older MacBooks) could have been pulled from working machines or "DEMO UNITS."  That would make them old worn out batteries that he spent $1000 on?  I think the reality here is that he was trying to import counterfeit batteries.

I would definitely choose the MacBook Pro, although I would not spend the extra money on the i9 Processor.  The Dell XPS screen looks a lot smaller due to the 16x9 format, and that web cam placement is a deal breaker.  The better track pad, all aluminum construction, smaller profile, better security, and quieter operation are huge advantages.  There is nothing wrong with the Dell, it's great for a PC .. but it's no MacBook Pro.  Apple has put the MacBook Pro back on top... it's the aspirational device to own.

I can't stand the 16x9 screens on the XPS line.  That aspect ratio makes a 15" screen look like a 13" screen, and a 13" screen smaller than the 12" screen on Apple's MacBook.  Then, adding insult to injury, they put the webcam below the screen so everyone gets to stare up your nose.  

Microsoft Surface is overrated. You realize this the moment you try to use the device on your lap.