“If you spec out identical components, the Mac is cheaper.”
Actually if I spec out and build the machine myself, I come out way ahead of the Mac and better than Dell. ;)
I agree completely.
PC’s are a less expensive, more open, and far more scalable platform.
Mac is none of those and you pay a premium for being unable to make changes to your system.
I don't think I have the guts or ability to build my own laptop. I admit I splurged and got the Macbook Air. What a great machine. Plus, I do lots of lecturing and am repeatedly surrounded afterwards by cute medical students ogling my laptop (and me?). And when I fly by cute flight attendants. That never happened when I had a Dell!
Yeah, but you work cheaper than the Taiwanese. :)
I wouldn't suggest doing that with a Mac Pro. We haven't been able to find the parts as cheap as Apple sells that machine.
Actually if I spec out and build the machine myself, I come out way ahead of the Mac and better than Dell. ;)
Why not do it? Show us. The basic Mac Pro is $2799.00.
Put a price list together that will build a system that duplicates the components of the Mac Pro... for under $2800. Should be easy.
I tried it:
I found that the Intel Xeon processors alone to match the MacPro (Intel Xeon E5462 2.8GHz, 1600MHz FSB) are which Dell sells for around $1200. Best price I found for these on the Internet was $843... each. You need two: $1,686.00.
High quality aircraft-grade aluminum case: $ 150.00.
1000W Power Supply (The Mac Pro's is actually 1200W max) .. you might get one cheaper but are you going to risk your $1600 of processors to the bottom of the barrel? Average price is : $250.00
High quality dual quad core Xeon ready 771 Socket Xeon (1600MHz FSB) quality motherboard (average price of six offered): $600.00
Graphics card: $100
2GB Fully buffered ECC DDR2 800MHz FB-DIMM (cheapest): $ 140.00
320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s, 7200 rpm, 8MB cache Hard drive: $ 80.00
Vista Ultimate OEM: $ 166.00
CD/DVD burner: $ 30.00
Cooling fans - case requires 4 - and the Mac Pro is very quiet so you can't get buy with cheapies: $100.00
Keyboard with USB ports and Optical Mouse: $30.00
ITEM | INTERNET PRICE | BALANCE |
---|---|---|
Apple Mac Pro Retail: | $ 2799.00 | $ 2799.00 |
2 Xeon Processsors | $ 1686.00 | $ 1113.00 |
Aluminum Computer Case | $ 150.00 | $ 963.00 |
1000 Watt Power Supply | $ 250.00 | $ 713.00 |
Xeon 771 Socket 1600MHz Motherboard | $ 600.00 | $ 113.00 |
Graphics Card ATI Radeon HD | $ 100.00 | $ 13.00 |
2 GB ECC FB-DIMM (2 1GB DIMMS) | $ 140.00 | $ 127.00 |
Vista Ultimate OEM | $ 166.00 | $ 293.00 |
CD/DVD RW burner drive | $ 30.00 | $ 323.00 |
Four (4) Quiet cooling fans | $ 100.00 | $ 423.00 |
Keyboard and Mouse | $ 30.00 | $ 453.00 |
Total Cost: PC Parts v. Mac Pro | $ 3252.00 | $ 2799.00 |