Laptop Thoughts: MacBook Pro Alternative: Dell XPS L501X

"We've lamented the state of Windows laptops on numerous occasions; the formula is "tried and true", but that doesn't mean we like it. Put in reasonably fast components, give us sufficient memory and hard drive capacity...and then match this with a cheap (usually glossy) plastic case and the least expensive (again, glossy) LCD panel you can find. Acer (and sub-company Gateway) has truly perfected the art, with a keyboard that all three of our laptop reviewers dislike/loathe/vilify, but they're certainly not the only culprit. ASUS, Toshiba, Dell, HP, and many others use variations of the same basic pattern, and what we're left with is a matter of finding out who if anyone can make something that truly stands out from the crowd."

Having both Apple OS X and Windows laptops, I'm always on the quest for the perfect Windows laptop, to complement my MacBook Pro. Quite often impressive components are put into a Windows laptop, but then there is way too much cheap plastic. The Dell XPS line is back, and the L501X (considered by some to be a replacement for the Studio XPS 16) has very impressive specs, and for about $1000 you can get a magnesium alloy frame, Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM, a 7200-rpm 500GB HDD, a 15.6-inch LED screen with 1920x1080 resolution (1080p) and Optimus switching graphics, great JBL speakers with subwoofer, Skype-certified HD webcam, and my 'must have,' a backlit keyboard. Options abound, including a 9-cell battery to greatly increase untethered time. Direct comparisons seem to be between this system, the basic MacBook Pro, the HP Envy line, and the ASUS N82Jv. Definitely worth a look - for half the price of a comparably equipped MacBook Pro.