Journal Daengbo's Journal: Apple vs. Dell vs. HP -- The Real Numbers 4
OK. I took the Mac-head's advice and compared equivalent hardware versus the cost to see whether Macs come out "surprisingly competitive" as is often claimed. I looked at Apple, Dell, and HP because they were the first ones that came to mind for on-line ordering. I've never done this before or bought any of the brands I looked at, so I'm not a fanboi. The results:
Apple iMac 24"
* Cost: $2199
* CPU: 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* RAM: 2GB memory
* HD: 500GB hard drive
* DVD: 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory
HP IQ800t -- This is 26", not 24".
* Cost: $1939
* CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T8400 [2.26GHz, 3MB] -- This is slower than the Mac, but it's the highest offered.
* RAM: 4GB DDR2-800MHz system memory [2x2048] -- More memory
* HD: 500GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive -- same HD
* GPU: 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS HD -- Better GPU
* DVD: Slot-load SuperMulti DVD Burner -- Probably the same, but who knows?
Dell XPS One 24 24" -- same as Mac
* Cost: $1899
* CPU: Intel® Coreâ 2 Quad Q8200 processor -- Quad core, newer chip, same FSB but 2.33GHz. Cores vs. GHz.
* RAM: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800Mhz - 2 DIMMs -- More RAM
* GPU: 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9600M GT -- Newer GPU
* HD: 750GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive --Bigger HD.
* DVD: 8X Slot load CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) -- Again, who knows?
The results are questionable because I don't see nearly as many specs listed for the iMac as for the other all-in-ones. Both the HP and Dell include stuff like remotes, wireless keyboards, and bluetooth. I assume the Mac has all these. Both Vista-based ones come with MS Works and varios other productivity software, while the Mac comes with iLife. I call it about even.
The bottom line, though, is that I can get a better CPU (I prefer cores over raw GHz), more RAM, a newer GPU, and a larger hard drive in the Dell for $300 less, or I can get a remarkably similar machine overall (slower CPU but better GPU and RAM) with a slightly bigger screen from HP for $260 less. Either way, unless you want/need OS X specifically, Macs seem to lose.
No, this isn't a comprehensive run-down. No, I couldn't get everything exactly the same. I only chose one model and looked at it. I chose one of the higher-end Macs because I've heard that's where Apple is competitive. Interestingly, the Dell includes some nice extras like in-home warranty service and remote access / on-line backup (which I guess equate to Apple's pay services).
I doubt this post will sway any of you guys, but there are the raw numbers. Oh, and I'd like to add that I don't plan to buy any of the models.
Vista (Score:2)
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This is not meant to be a comparison of OSes. It's just an answer to "Mac is comparatively priced for the same hardware setup." As I said, I'm not getting any of them: I build my own or have them built to spec and install Debian or Ubuntu on them.
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Come on Djangy.... They have been claiming it for ages, and it never has been true...
Whenever you actually try to do such comparisons, they invariably come and say you didn't "match" fairly, or they'll say that you should look into the laptops because /that's/ where Apple really is comptitive. Oh, and an iMac.... Pluuuheeeze, that's not their high-end: you should be looking into the Mac Pro line. (Which is then of course again unfair because those get Xeon CPUs which is extremely rare in workstations co
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And sadly, I just got on the wrong side of a "OS X is really an upgrade version" argument. Bye bye, sweet karma, I barely knew thee. ;) (In reality, I'll happily lose the karma every time in order to inject some reality into the conversation.)