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- sommerjam, on 10/12/2007, -16/+331A Mac that costs less than a PC?
What is the world coming to? - jrsims, on 10/12/2007, -7/+107And with those new processors and nVidia video card option, you know it's easily Vista-ready too. And great for games - Mac OR Windows games.
Is this the PC we've all been wanting for years? - dohidied, on 10/12/2007, -5/+101@vandread
How the hell did you get $2738? That only has one Xeon, the Mac Pro has TWO. - SyDIGG, on 10/12/2007, -3/+80Any which way people spin it, Apple machines are getting more affordable.
- ridgelawrence, on 10/12/2007, -5/+79Why!? WHY!? Why cant people just say, "Wow, good job apple."
- nazadus, on 10/12/2007, -13/+65It's been like this for years.
Why is Mac more expensive than a low end Dell? Because Mac doesn't let you choose ***** options. They make sure their ***** works when it leaves and you don't ***** yourself.
Dell don't give two ***** (remember that 'sound blaster' wanna be driver upgrade?).
If only their MacMini ran OpenBSD. I looked but I didn't see it as supported. I'm looking for a pre-built mini-atx pc.
I'm coming really close to getting a Mac. If it wasn't for the fact that I work for a company that requires me to develop .NET stuff, I would already have one by now.
Anyways, going back on topic, this is why I always digg down comments that say MAcs are expensive and PC's are cheap. - Dinosaurus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+52Yeah and when you factor in the fact you can run both Windows and OS X that adds a lot of value for a lot of users.
- inkswamp, on 10/12/2007, -15/+63> So then how did they get something so different?
Click on the links for each system and compare the specs yourself. One thing appears to add to the cost is that they had to bump XP up to the pro version so that it's more comparable feature-wise to OS X.
The interesting thing to me is that the article chooses not to address the hidden costs of Windows, like anti-virus software and other security issues that either cost money up-front or cost your money in terms of eating at your time when you're hit by something. You also don't get the free software with the Dell that you get with the Mac so there's something else to consider. I guess that's a little more subjective, but still, it widens the gap between the two in favor the Mac. - rasterbator, on 10/12/2007, -10/+58Here is a better comparison (almost identical hardware):
AppleStore (Bay Area)
Mac Pro
Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
OS X 10.4.7 (a.k.a. Tiger)
2GB RAM (2 DIMMS)
250GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
SuperDrive (DVD+-R/RW)
Airport Extreme Card
3 year waranty
$3097.00
Dell Online Sotre
Precision 690
Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Windows XP Professional
2GB RAM (2 DIMMS)
250 GB SATA
DVD-R/RW
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3450 256MB
54G Wireless Card
3 year warranty
$4916
Hardware as close as possible; PRICE NOT SO CLOSE. - FunkyWitDaSysTm, on 10/12/2007, -8/+55it's amazing. this is freaking great. i also like that it's possible that you may be abloe to upgrade these chips yourself (unsupported by apple, prolly). awesome.
- cryptofreek, on 10/12/2007, -9/+53Dude, just quit while you're ahead. Let's take an [almost] identical configuration:
2x xeon 5150
1gb 667 MHz DDR2
250 GB SATA
nVidia Quadro FX 4500
3-year support
Dell: $4,582
Mac: $4,398
They're pretty close. But if you needed/wanted that much computer, why not go for the Mac and be able to run both Windows and OS X? - Youngster, on 10/12/2007, -4/+48@inkswamp
"You also don't get the free software with the Dell that you get with the Mac so there's something else to consider"
Well, you still get free software, if you include the crappy dell trials and music! - elbirth, on 10/12/2007, -7/+50You're still missing the point. This is a comparison of the "BASE" Mac Pro system, which will likely be fairly popular for the prosumers.
Let's walk through it- Go to Apple's store and look at the base config for the Mac Pro: quad 2.66GHz Xeon 5150, 1GB RAM, 250GB hard drive, and 256MB GeForce 7300 GT. That's $2,499.
Now let's configure the Dell:
Base is $1,579 for the Xeon 5110. We want them as close as possible, so upgrade it to the 2.66ghz 5150. Now choose another one to make it quad core. Upgrade from teh 128MB video card (let's just choose the cheapest 256MB card option), upgrade to 250GB hard drive from 80GB, and upgrade to a DVD burner from a 48x CDROM. That makes them as close as you're gonna get, and that comes out to $3,617.
That's a difference of $1,118 for the base config. - tizz66, on 10/12/2007, -4/+46I was wondering the same thing. People always, always moan about the Apple fanboys, but as soon as something like this comes along, they anti-fanboys are finding every caveat they can think of to try and show the Apple is more expensive.
Whichever is the few dollars more, what's clear is they're roughly the same price. Get this fanboys and anti-fanboys: You can now buy a mac for the same price as a PC. Grow up and move on. - jaimevejar, on 10/12/2007, -2/+44spyware??
http://www.michaelrighi.com/2005/07/21/dell-spyware-my-way/ - lambretta76, on 10/12/2007, -3/+44I'm not sure I see where you're getting that price. The base cost is $1,579, and that's for a single Xeon 5110 1.6GHz processor. Upgrading to a single Xeon 5150 2.66GHz proc costs an additional $520, bringing it up to $2,099. A second processor costs $869, or $2968 - a difference of $468. Then add in all the extras, such as the RAM, HDD, and DVD burner and you're well above the $1,000 threshold...
- vashmyvindows, on 10/12/2007, -5/+44> cliffz
Okay, then count in the $200 student discount on the Apple (even my grandparents got the student discount...)
The free ipod nano is a bit of added value too. - insanemike, on 10/12/2007, -2/+40You are gravely mistaken. Dell gives you bloatware for free.
- LaughingMan11, on 10/12/2007, -2/+40Vandread: on the Dell page, you need to add a second processor... the second processor adds another $869 to the price of the Dell.
The Mac Pro comes only in 2 socket configs filled with Xeons. - skellener, on 10/12/2007, -2/+39Not to mention all the free software (iLife, iChat, etc) that comes with OS X out of the box. What does Dell give you? Not even a free ham sandwich!
- greenamp, on 10/12/2007, -5/+42A Mac Pro is not a consumer level computer. It is a pro level work station, targetted to the exact same demographic as the Dell mentioned in the article.
- chongli, on 10/12/2007, -1/+32I configured a Mac Pro with the following specs:
Mac Pro
2 x Dual Core Intel Xeon 2.66GHz
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM FB DIMM 667MHz ECC
250GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HD with 8MB Cache
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 512MB
16x DVD+/-RW
Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse - U.S. English
Mac OS X - U.S. English
AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro/Power Mac (w/or w/o Display) - Auto-enroll
Price: $4,698
I configured a Dell with the following specs:
Dell Precision Workstation 690 1KW
2 x Dual Core Intel Xeon 2.66GHz
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM FB DIMM 667MHz ECC
250GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HD with 8MB Cache
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 512MB
16x DVD+/-RW
Keyboard and Mouse
Windows XP Professional x64
3 Year Business Comprehensive Warranty
Price: $5,650 - morphie, on 10/12/2007, -4/+32You are very right. :)
So let us just say it then: Good job Apple! - greenamp, on 10/12/2007, -6/+33He compared identically spec'd systems.
- inkswamp, on 10/12/2007, -5/+29> The DELL comes with a 3 year warranty
And what office in India do you get for that warranty?
It's like that old Dennis Miller joke. 3 years of *****... is still *****. If they really wanna ***** ya, they'll give you 4. - kingfoot, on 10/12/2007, -10/+34score one for apple! :D
- Bamborzled, on 10/12/2007, -1/+25Ooh, also, when comparing to the Dell, make sure to select the Xeon 5150, because that's what the Mac Pro comes with. So even without the Quadro, it's still more expensive than the Mac Pro.
- gmillerd, on 10/12/2007, -6/+28Apple also, go figures, supports their OS and Appls with that $250. Where Dell is supporting their hardware. I have dragged my camcorder into an apple store and had them help me do stuff with imovie. That desk is a very very useful resource. Also problems I had burning dvds when the superdrive first came out. I definately got my $250 out of it. A phone call wasn't really what I would be looking for all the time. I had a loud fan issue on one machine and that was quickly taken care of just as dell has for me as well.
- Dinosaurus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+24So the Mac Pro is a consumer computer and not a workstation? I'm asking because I don't know and am wondering what is the difference? What defines a consumer computer and what defines a workstation? I would have assumed by the specs that the iMac or Mac Mini is more along the lines of a consumer computer and the Mac Pro looks pretty high end but I'm no expert.
- JohnChapin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+20You missed the checkbox on the 4th page of the Dell configuration wizard... It's lost somewhere in between UPS hardware and Wireless Mouse Installation ($49.95).
I've got the E-Value Code for the free ham sandwich around here somewhere...
6W463 - 690750w32ham - r0ck3tm4nn, on 10/12/2007, -8/+28Hey guess what...Mac Pro is a workstation.
- gavintlgold, on 10/12/2007, -4/+21See, the "pro" in Mac Pro stands for professional....not consumer-level.
- ChrisHB, on 10/12/2007, -13/+30And so it starts.
- nazadus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17I disagree!
They give out FREE spyware!
Beat that!
No joke, on a fresh "restore" from one of my clients PC's I ran SpyBot and it found three spyware programs and crap. Granted, this computer is older but still.
Even then, Dell gives you all kinds of free stuff. Now, the fact that you will probably never use it doesn't mean anything. Believe it or not, it actually helps lower the cost of the computer you buy. No joke.
That's why you never get the full version of burning software, they bundle it hoping that you will buy the full version. Ever notice how it always explains how to pay for the full version? and look -- it will even take care of _all_ of it for you. Just give it your CC... - anthonyb415, on 10/12/2007, -6/+22Also, the value of iLife that comes free with all Macs. You would need to spend a lot of money to gain that functionality with a windows box (well, a non-Mac windows box - gotta love boot camp)
- einsteindesign, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18Can't be all things to all people.
The mini and iMac are for mom & dad and the kiddies. The MacBook is for the student. The MacBook Pro is for the biz professional. And the desktops are targeting the mid-to-power users in graphic design, video editing, photo retouching, compositing, etc.
The niche you're trying to fill is presumably for gamers, to whom Macs are anathema. - Daveecee, on 10/12/2007, -4/+19"Plus you get the built-in iSight video camera"
No. You don't. - Boondoggle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16And just for the record, Apple has never gone bankrupt. The rest of your post is even more ignorant, but others covered that.
- bepe86, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16This is interesting, and I believe it shows how the Mac has gained popularity the last few years. Increased demand means higher volume, which helps keep the prices down. It's the same as iPod, people claimed it was overpriced before as well, but a 60GB iPod Video is actually pretty cheap compared to the competitors.
And I've gotta say, Apple hardware is looking hotter than ever. I'm not too fond of the "whiteness" myself, but the recent black models looks really nice, and after trying Mac OS X myself, I finally know what the fuss about Apple is. - shodson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18Yeah Yeah Yeah...this reminds me of the "MacBook Pros are Cheaper than Dells" posts when the MBP first came out. Then, as the price of the components fell, Apple kept the same price while Dell kept lowering its prices. In about 6-8 mos from now when the Mac Pro will still have the same config at the same price, and a comparable Dell will be much less. They see-saw each other on price. Go compare a MBP and a comparably equipped Dell notebook today and see for yourself. This is why in their earnings report AAPL posted "strong margin" on sales, because they keep charging the same prices for compnents that are a lot cheaper now than when they first launched the model. So the lesson here today is if you're gonna buy a Mac, buy it when the new model first comes out.
- jaimevejar, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17and yet you happen to 'digg' the story
- S1mba, on 10/12/2007, -6/+20They still don't offer a system that I want to buy though. Which would meet the following criteria:
1. It's not an all-in-one system like the iMac.
2. It's not a compact system with zero upgrade potential like the Mac Mini.
3. It's not a "professional level workstation" that costs 2.5 grand.
In otherwords, Apple needs a system that is somewhere in between the iMac and the Mac Pro--One that I can say... Put a second video card in, or a dual head card so I can run two monitors, or decide that I want to upgrade to a bigger monitor. But that doesn't cost me 2.5 grand. - aluxe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14The Xeon's used in the Mac Pro are actually based on the same Intel Core microarchitecture as the Core 2's.
Here's Intel's product brief on the Xeon 5100 series.
http://download.intel.com/products/processor/xeon/dc51kprodbrief.pdf - aluxe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14The configuration link you posted lists a Dell with the old Xeon (based on Pentium D) and it's only got one physical processor (dual core), not two (quad core).
- jayzer, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15I guess I don't really understand fanboy-ism.
When it became clear that IE4 was better than Netscape 2/3, I switched to IE4.
When it became clear that Firefox was better than IE6, I switched.
When it became clear that nVidia had outdone 3Dfx, I switched.
Now, it's becoming clear to me (and the rest of the world, presumably) that Apple has outdone Microsoft, and I'm seriously considering the switch.
This is coming from a PC/Windows user for the last 18 years.
Why should PC users be so offended that another company is finally rising to the top? Is it personally insulting to them? Do they take personally the fact that a company they used to spend most of their time making fun of has actually gotten things right?
I still own a PC, and I will until I can afford a Mac, but it seems clear to me that we're in the midst of some sort of home computer revolution. - DanmanD87, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13Um... That may be a faster processor, but there's only one of them...
- Fullmoon, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13- Who cant build a kickass gaming machine easily for a grand?
90% of computer users.
I dont know why you are talking about gaming machines in the first place, new mac pro is not targeted to be a gaming machine.
- Who still pays more than two thousand dollars for a desktop these days?!?
Somebody that seeks a reliable, well designed machine. - fanboydcs, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15 olegk,
Your missing alot, What about the EPS12V powersupply needed to power that board? and the cooling fans? Oh an what about everything else that makes a mac a mac?
Quality is not a $28.00 dvd burner.. - Boondoggle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13@ratrip: Don't be an ass. They're bundled. Everyone knows that they're included in the (lower) price of the Apple.
And proprietary is an ENTIRELY different issue from cost. Proprietary software can be free. It is called "FREEWARE". - ksgant, on 10/12/2007, -8/+20@rastorbator
You're not comparing identical systems. For one, reconfigure the Apple with the NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 512MB (to make it more comparable to the Dell which has the and the NVIDIA Quadro FX 3450 256MB) price for that system jumps up to $4498.
Still cheaper though. -
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