Is the New Mac Pro Really Cheaper than a Dell?

I can’t really see a motherboard costing that much more just for those extra features. I realise PCI-Express is relatively new technology but it certainly doesn’t cost that much.

Perhaps the parts that Dell use are higher end than the Mac? I doubt that though.

Great comparison article though, James.

As a long time Mac user but also a PC user, I appreciate your attempt at fairness and accuracy in these comparisons. It’s better to strive for accuracy than to be partisan.

This, of course, was quite a bold statement since Dell is generally considered to be the cheapest PC maker around, while Apple is known (incorrectly at this point in time) for selling hardware at premium prices.

Here’s the thing.  When have Mac fanatics ever argued that Macs were more expensive than Dells.  This goes back years, with them always insisting that comparably equiped Dells were more expensive.

Oh, but THIS time, we mean it?  Does that mean all the other times were bullshit?

And Dell is not used in these examples because they are the cheapest, but rather because they are the most well-known brand.  In fact, several manufacturers, notably eMachines, are almost always less expensive.

Slots:  7 is overkill, no matter which way you split it.  I was a long-time PC user who assembled my own boxes exclusively and never came anywhere near using 7 different cards, especially since NIC and sound cards are almost always on the motherboard these days rather than individual cards which take up slots.

Bays:  A floppy drive?  What’s that?  In all seriousness, one can get an external floppy drive for less than $20.  Using 3 optical drives is only really useful if you copy a lot of discs on-the-fly (1 drive to another without using the HD as a go between), and want to read a 3rd disc at the same time.  I can honestly say that rarely do I need to read a CD or DVD from the disc itself as most software can be run after you’ve read the disc exactly once (games and movies are the notable exception).

Ports:  The extra USB ports on the Dell are not mutually exclusive I/O ports individually, but are really nothing more than an internal USB hub.  A good USB hub which has 7 (or more) ports can be bought for less than $30.  You’re kidding about PS/2 and serial ports right?  These haven’t existed in the Mac world in ages because the technology is dated (and was in 97 when Apple stopped using them).  I would bet that, except for the occasional ancient keyboard and mouse setup, few use PS/2 (and no one except someone who hasn’t bought a printer in at least 6 years uses serial ports anymore), even in the el-cheapo PC world which hardly makes them an advantage.

So for less than $50, I can get the same (or more) ports and a floppy drive which match the *useful* specs from the Dell (that is if one considers having a floppy useful), while a Dell user must spend at least $30 to get the FW 800 capabilities plus, and be forced to use Windows (unless they use an alternative).

The Mac Pro is the clear winner here, no questions.

For once, we Mac users can have our cake and eat it too.  We have a superior system, at a much better price.

Ok, maybe I should have tried putting 2 different processors on dell.com before posting that comment. I retract the part about being able to use 2 different speeds.

We had to scrape the bottom of the insult barrell to find something to comment on?

I might ask the same about the subject of your article.  You couldn’t find anything else to write about than the same article you yourself have probably written six times already? And that doesn’t include the thousands of other exactly identical articles comparing [Apple product] with [Dell product].

And like any other useless, pointless comparison, the numbers can be manipulated and interpreted however the author wants.  What a shock that Mac-bots always seem to find the numbers that make the Mac cheaper.

But a person grounded in reality (that would be me) will note that no comparison is ever exactly the same.  And even if it were, what difference would it make?  If the Dell were cheaper, as even you admit while denying at the same time, would you buy one?  No.  And do you really think that comparing $4000-5000 systems is going to make a difference to someone shopping for the best price?  No.

Pardon the interruption but J.R.S.‘s comparisons of the new Mac Pro base capabilities with those of a comparable Dell model is very valid and a good one.

The Mac Pro is positioned to intrude into the very territory that the Dell Precision currently occupies - the corporate IT & creative departments.

Now that these corporate IT folks can finally have a machine “cheaper” than a Dell equivalent, and runs ALL x86-based OSes, that in itself can tilt the decision makers. Add to that the machine is engineered and backed by Apple is another plus.

Not that the Dell is inferior in any way. It is very powerful in its own regard BUT - as J.R.S.‘s and Phil Schiller’s declarations, the Mac Pro comes with a bang for your $2499 base price compared to a comparable Dell model. You want more? Configure that basic up to the full blown > $15,000 fully configured version (that would be mostly for the 16GB FB-DDR DRAM).

So, keep in mind, folks. The Mac Pro is destined to the professional creative crowd. That’s the area where eMachines do not belong so it is not worth comparing to. Neither is Gateway or Micron PC or Sony. You are only looking at HP or Dell in that market segment.

If you want one for your net browsing or blogging pleasure, no one is holding you back. Pick one up at the Apple Store today.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Apple would release a low-end desktop case Mac?

As Beeb points out, these are Mac Pros so are machines that many folks will never buy.

Please Mr Jobs, can I have a desktop Mac with free bays and slots in my price range?