Just back home...Apple Computers VS PC

Village_Idiot wrote in post #3121084
I was comparing systems with the same processors, hard drive sizes and speeds, and everything else...

where are you getting your prices or what are you adding?

It doesn't appear that you are. Here are the differences (your config in italics):

Dimension E520 Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E4300 (1.8GHz, 800 FSB)
The iMac has a 2.16 gHz Core 2 Duo. I priced the Dell with the 2.13 gHz C2D processor.

Operating System Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Vista Ultimate is a more fair comparison, thus included in my config.

Monitor 19 inch E197FP Analog Flat Panel
The iMac comes with 20 inch widescreen DVI display, thus included in my config.

Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
The iMac comes with gigabit ethernet, 802.11n (112 mbits/sec) and bluetooth. Neither your or my Dell config had any of these standard Mac features as an option, as far as I can tell.

Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
The iMac comes with digital optical (as well as analog) audio I/O. There's no info on the Soundblaster card, thus I assume it is a 7.1 analog signal and not digital optical. Since the iMac's is digitial optical, it can send any of the available audio formats (e.g, DTS, Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, etc.; and probably some that have yet to be invented) in a single TOSLINK optical cable. I have one of my Minis running my home theater system and it is connected to an Onkyo Dolby Digital receiver by one of these cables.

Village_Idiot wrote in post #3121088
This is funny. I can price the same computer cheaper from the same manufacture. Can you find a link on Apple's website that save you $600?

I don't think you have - see my previous post.

Tony-S wrote in post #3121218
I don't think you have - see my previous post.

Still comes out to $1299, still cheaper...

And Which version of vista comes with it has nothing to do with hardware prices...that's like saying that since ilife doesn't come with osx, but is preinstalled with the computers, that they should add the the price of ilife to the machine for comparison purposes....

Village_Idiot wrote in post #3121282
Still comes out to $1299.

Are you telling me that Dell's web site is giving two different prices for the same configuration? The price I see is $1,617 - how are you getting $318 less if it's the exact same configuration?

We're not talking just about hardware - we're talking about equivalently-configured computers. You cannot say that Vista Home Premium is in the same league as Tiger - it simply isn't. You priced out a 1.8 gHz E4300, the most anemic chip in the Core 2 Duo line (2 mb L2 cache), and indicated that it's a fair comparison to the 2.16 gHz T7400 (4 mb L2 cache) in the iMac. You suggested that the Soundblaster card in your config is equivalent to the digital optial audio I/O of the iMac. You said a 19" analog display is comparible the 20" digital display of the iMac. And your config has no wireless technology in it, while the iMac has bluetooth 2 and 802.11n, plus gigabit ethernet and firewire.

If you review the config I made with the E6400 chip (which is most similar to the T7400 in the iMac), you'll see that I did not include any additional software that would be similar to iLife. iLife is simply icing on the cake.

Village_Idiot wrote in post #3121088
This is funny. I can price the same computer cheaper from the same manufacture. Can you find a link on Apple's website that save you $600?

I bought a refurb 20" (widescreen) iMac 2.16 GHz/500 GB HD/256 MB Video/ 1 GB RAM for $1299. Adding Applecare for total 3 years for $169 gives a grand total of $1468.
This includes OSX, iLife applications, Migration Assistant, remote control, built in iSight, USB keyboard & optical mighty mouse, firewire, built-in wireless n and 10/100/1000 Ethernet capability.

I just priced DELL Dimension E520 - 2.13 GHZ processor w/ 1066 FSB (faster FSB), Vista Home Premium, 20" widescreen flat panel, 1 GB RAM, 16x DVD+/-R/WR (faster), 256 MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro, Dell USB keyboard & optical mouse, Logitech QuickCam Fusion Web Camera, Netgear WN121T RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter, IEEE 1394 Adapter, Microsoft Works 8, Trial pack- Basic and trial products from Corel and Yahoo, Laplink PCmover: Moves Applications, Data and Settings to New PC!, Roxio Creator 9 Premier: Burn CDs and DVDs, Edit Video, and more, PC-Care Plus Bundle (3 yrs), Integrated 10/100 Ethernet (slower) -> With the grand total of $2002.

The Dell pricing is as of 11 pm 4/28/07 from the Dell Website. The hardware & software was chosen to be equivalent to what comes with the iMac.

I think I got a much better value. Yes, I could have parted out a PC (and I also have done so for a home built PC w/ Win XP ).

The Mac that I just replaced is a Gigabit PowerMac G4/466. Upgraded 2 yrs ago to a dual 1.33 GHZ G4 processors & 2 120 GB HD's that has been running for 6 years without a problem. (from System 9 to OSX 10.4).

I am not a computer noob - I first learned programming on punch cards, have programmed in assembly, worked on Vax/VMS systems, learned Fortran & COBOL before there was ever BASIC - I've been around - I choose to use a Mac as my home machine.

I know I will never change anyone's mind, but my advice to anyone who has been perseverent enough to read this far is:
1. There is no such thing as too much RAM or too big a hard drive.
2. Backup, backup, backup!!!!
3. If you have any confusion as to what operating system to use ... try them out. If it doesn't work for you ... you won't use it. (This is also the same advice I give to the camera questions I get).

wlescall wrote in post #3121458
I am not a computer noob - I first learned programming on punch cards, have programmed in assembly, worked on Vax/VMS systems, learned Fortran & COBOL before there was ever BASIC - I've been around - I choose to use a Mac as my home machine.

Wow, you're an old fart, just like me. Fortunately, I missed out on ForTran and CoBOL - I got to learn Pascal and C. Pascal is a beautiful language.

I guess it really doesn't matter. You can get a pc that has far better components than a mac for the same price (basic dell desktop compare to a mini). Any way you look at it, If you're looking for a cheap computer that's the way to go.

And if you want to compar refurb mac prices, well then go look at used and refurbed pc prices...

That "comparison" that was posted before said that they didn't include any pc's under $500 since Apple doesn't make anything cheaper than the mini, so it wouldn't be fair. That's laughable, since you can get a pc for cheaper than a mini with the same specs or better....imac too...

oh well...

Add $200 to my cost for non-refurb model & you get $1668. Still $334 than a the closest Dell. Mind you Dell doesn't sell the same processor.

So true. I like quality and value.

Tony-S wrote in post #3121482
Wow, you're an old fart, just like me. Fortunately, I missed out on ForTran and CoBOL - I got to learn Pascal and C. Pascal is a beautiful language.

Check this thread out.