I have no complaints about either the cheap Dells I’ve had over the years or the midrange ones - just always buy thier business line or from the Microsoft store.
I have a 2008 Core 2 Duo 2.66Ghz Dell that’s going strong as my Plex server. It was one of the last great 15” displays with a 1920x1200 display.
My current work and personal laptops are midrange 2n1 Dells.
MacBooks just aren’t compelling to me and this is coming from someone who has an iPhone 8 Plus, an iPad, a 6S (without a sim) and 5 AppleTVs (2 free from DirectvNow). Not to mention I had two FrankenMacs in the past - an LCIi with a //e card and a PowerMac with a Dx/2-66 card and later two Mac Minis.
On the other hand, the 5K iMac is compelling.
I don't think of people who prefer Windows and Dell as status seekers or in otherwise derogatory terms. To each his own!
When I was in the market for a laptop in 2016, all I wanted was a Core I7, with 8GB RAM, an SSD and a 1080p display. The closest Apple had was $1600. The Dell was around $800.
Even today, if I wanted a MacBook with those specs there is nothing. The MacBook Air has anemic specs and the MacBook Pros cost a lot more - and I would still want a 5K monitor.
Luckily, I don’t have a need for a personal laptop. I’m good with getting a 5K iMac. The cost of a good 5K monitor is $1300. The 5K iMac doesn’t seem excessive.
Apple has its own set of frustrations but none of them, in my experience, compare to the hell of dealing with Dell and Windows. Never again for me. I recommend to people to use Macs. I think it’s rational to use Apple products. My iPhone 6 Plus still gets updates and works well. My iPad Pro is better than any other tablet I’ve looked at.