When people talk Mac market share and why the numbers are what they are they usually argue over the various ad campaigns (mostly how they could have done it better) and price. Price, the argument goes, is the central reason that most people use PCs. People would much rather pay the minimum for a computer they’ll replace every two years than an Apple premium for a computer they’ll replace, well.. every two years. The difference being is that they won’t HAVE to replace the Mac, Macs remain usable longer than PCs. I have heard people argue that the reason PCs become obsolete more quickly than Macs is because the speed scales much more quickly or the PC side of things. I’m receptive to this argument and I suppose there is some truth to it but it doesn’t change the time a computer goes from fairly neat to very obsolete.
In any event I was doing a little legwork for a friend who was looking for a new low endish computer. he wanted to try out a Mac but was afraid that: ‘Those things cost a couple grand. I can get me a Dell for 500 hundred bucks’ Actually he said ‘hunnert’ but you get the idea (his computing savvy is right up there with his grammar). I told him I’d check into it and get back to him. And so a week later than I promised (hey, I’m freaking lazy) I found myself surfing Dell’s dullardly web site for a cheap PC and comparing them to Apple’s low end offerings.
For the Apple I chose an eMac, a nice nifty computer but a bit on the ugly side. The pros of the eMac are ease of setup and minimal space requirements. For the Dell I went with the Dimension 4600. It’s gonna have a few more wires out of the box but, shoot me now, the processor is faster than the G4 and it’s a modular design. If the monitor craps out you can just mix in a new view box and keep on humming.
How did the price competition turn out (remembering I’m Mac biased and I didn’t go crazy trying to make everything perfectly equal):
eMac: $849
Dell: $1027
Let’s take a look at the specs that are roughly similar:
40 gig hard drives
256 MB RAM (the Dimension’s RAM runs at 333 Mhz)
17 inch CRT monitor
Well that’s about it for the obvious commonalities. Lets get to the add ons:
eMac base price $799
eMac add ons: bumped memory up to 256 MB from standard 128 MB. ($50)
Dell add ons:
Dimension 4600 base price $649
XP professional (the thing wouldn’t run the media edition) +$70.
Reason for adding this upgrade: It was recommended for students, the eMac is made for students.
RecordNow! Deluxe +$30
Why add this upgrade. My pal likes to burn CD’s. I know iTunes will do it, hopefully the over punctuated RecordNow! will make burning CDs a simple task.
DVD combo drive +$59
Standard eMac versus add on Dell, yech
Microsoft Works +$29
I haven’t used MS works since ‘˜96 but the eMac comes with AppleWorks so I figure it’s a pretty fair deal.
Norton Anti Virus +40
Hey, Macs don’t get viruses. Sure the playing field isn’t level but this is as close as you’re gonna get with the Dell.
Stereo speakers +$10
The eMacs speakers aren’t stellar but at least they are present. For ten bucks the Dell goes stereo.
Dell Jukebox Premium +$20.
Well, the eMac comes with iTunes. The Dell had to have some functionality…
Dell Picture Studio +$30
It’s no iPhoto but it will have to do.
IEEE 1394 Adapter +$50
This is also called Firewire. It’s standard on every Mac but it’s gonna cost you on a Dell. Besides my friends Digital Video camera is too old to use USB 2.0
Dell gigabit ethernet +$40
If there’s one thing I shouldn’t add it’s the ethernet upgrade. I know my pal isn’t going to use it but the eMac has it.
So if you include everything the eMac is cheaper than the Dell. Of course this is misleading, with the eMac you are forced to buy technology you might not use, with the Dell you get a very minimal system until the add ons start piling up. The whole thing reminds me of buying my last car (Toyota Rav4). The RAV4 had a ridiculously low base price, I think it was seventeen cents, but the price ratcheted up quickly when you started adding things like seatbelts and windshields. Which is the better value? I’ll leave that question for the reader.
Blog type stuff:
TV pick for Monday night:NCAA Championship If the championship is half as good as the final four it’s going to be top notch.
Great Gag to play on Republicans: Tell them that George Bush’s “Official” site convinced you to vote for the incumbent.
Mac site I’m currently addicted to: Perversion Tracker
Game of the moment: Tennis …Todd should like this one.
Free iTunes code: 6ZPHO 9Z3NH Remember to leave a note about what song you get, it’s only polite.
CKS blog tripe rating: Well there’s a free iTunes code, it’s about Macs (mostly)…So I give this blog a 89.915% tripe rating
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