Mac Forums

I'm interested in buying a new laptop for:
1. uni work (engineering)
2. Internet/Messenger
3. Media
4. Minor gaming,

My research has come down to two options. The first option is the dell studio xps 16, or studio 1645. The other option is the macbook pro, most likely 15". (Btw, buying the laptop in australia).
Both options are 64-bit OS, win7 and X snow leopard.

From the macbook pro 15", the options are a 2.4ghz intel core i5, 4gb of 1066MHz DDR3 memory, 320gb hard drive (5400rpm), Intel HD Graphics, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256 MB for $2100 AUD
OR
macbook pro 15", 2.66ghz intel core i7, 4gb ram, 500gb hard drive (5400rpm), Intel HD Graphics, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512 MB for $2500 AUD.
(http://store.apple.com/au_edu_94213/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_pro?mco=MTAyNTQzMzk)

The dell studio xps 16 has
-Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz,4 Cores/8 Threads,turbo up to 2.8GHz, 6MB Cache)
-6GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (1x4 + 1x2)
-640GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
-graphics- ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 4670 - 1GB
$2000 AUD
(http://www1.ap.dell.com/au/en/home/notebooks/laptop-studio-xps-16/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-studio-xps-16&s=dhs&cs=audhs1&~ck=mn)


At geekbench (google it), the macbook pro 15" ranks on average higher than the xps 16. Is that due to the os on mac, and the way mac it desgined to maximise performance with it's components..?

Which laptop is the better option?

All comments welcome, thank you!
yer all the things you're saying are true kelsey.
autocad doesnt work atm for mac but the program is being designed atm (from what ive been told).
you can however get the program, viacad 2d/3d which allows you to save documents as autocad files.. so the issue of CAD programs isn't an issue.

so in summary, a mac is better due to longevity, battery and ease. although the specs on mac are less than the dell, the os of mac is utilised to make the mac perform better than the dell, right?
thank you, kelsey!
you've made the decision slightly easier