Let's compare it to the comparable $500 Dell:
| Dell | Mac | Comments | |
| Processor | 2.4GHz Celeron | 1.25GHz G4 | Both have enough for the casual user |
| OS | XP Home Edition | Mac OS X | No comparison, Mac wins over the injured XP |
| Hard drive | 40GB ATA 100 | 40-80GB, probably SATA | Likely same size, Mac drive will be faster |
| CD | CD + free CD/RW (special offer) | Combo drive | Mac does DVDs, Mac wins |
| Form factor | Standard bulky black case | Something small and sleek | Mac wins, saving your desk or floor space |
| Software | WordPerfect | Loaded with lots | Mac wins |
| Power/Noise | Sucks up a lot/loud | Uses very little/very quiet | Mac wins, also a good choice for a small home server |
| Monitor | None | None | Neither comes with a monitor, your main complaint about the Mac |
OK, so then the Dell is not a $500 computer either. Otherwise, I don't know enough about computer tech to comment on whose hard drive is faster, etc.
Model 100609 Minitower
Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 2.5GHz, 512MB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, 2X DVD-RW and 52X CD-Rom Drives, Windows XP Home Edition
Manufacturer: Systemax
Mfg Part #: 100609
Product Number: 307570
Original Price:
$899.97 (44% Off)†
$499.98
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=307570&pfp=BROWSE
Here's the system I just bought last week, for $399 (the price was apparently an ad discount to get foot traffic... the price is now $549).
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=316197&pfp=SEARCH
The Powerhouse.
Stimulate your senses with the PC that offers pure multimedia pleasure. The T3062 was born to perform and is packed with features that’s sure to please the most discriminating PC user and gamer: a super-charged AMD Athlon™ XP 3000+ processor, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home, 160 GB hard drive, 512 MB memory, built-in Ethernet, DVD+/-RW drive, 8-in-1 digital media manager, amplified speakers – all backed by eMachines’ world-class support. Plus with the NVIDIA® GeForce4™ MX Graphics chip and nForce™ 6-channel audio, your gaming and movie-watching experience will be taken to a whole new level. eMachines has created a revolutionary PC that has it all: power, reliability and style. And it’s sensibly priced, too. So hold on to your mouse…and let the gaming begin.
These dissing matches are ridiculous, especially when they are over cheap, bottom-dwelling configurations.
None of you Mac afficionados want that piece of junk (the Apple one) and none of us PC users do either (the Dell and/or Apple piece of junk). I'm embarrased for you guys that you are even acting excited over it, a piece of junk. (Does make one wonder if you've been sneaking a belt or two of the iKool Aid!)
Apple needs to stick to the high end. These forays into cheapness require too much smoke, mirrors, and sticky tape to pull off while maintaining even a modicum of the Mac Mystique. They wind up looking pathetic and, worse, pandering (from their lofty perch).