>>For 500 bucks I could build something that absolutely blows that machine off the map. And with a better OS to boot in Linux.
I'd like to see what you propose. Granted this isn't a G5, but he first mistake most people make is to compare clockspeed. 1.25ghz G4 is not like a 1.25ghz Pentium 4 -- it's much faster.
And as far as Linux being better, that is subjective. What can you do on Linux that you can't on a Mac? I've run FreeBSD programs on an IMac..
The Imac is headache free compared to building your own machines. I've built for our five machings by now and I'm tired of it and complete systems are low enough to make building it yourself not as much of a savings as it used to be.
Finally, the form factor is much nicer. I'd like to see you build something as sexy and small. (No, the Shuttle or mini itx doesn't compare.)
Charles, I didn't even realize it, Apple is selling this as an "extension" to ITunes and IPod, who''s going to want a stock barebones integrated sound card for that? No one who knows the difference. This isn't elitist to others reading, the difference is as little as $20.
