Dell vs. Apple – the desktop version
Posted: Wed 2 December, 2009 | Author: Lyle | Filed under: 1BEM, Advertising, Cynicism, Geeky, Own Business, Work-related |3 Comments »Following on from yesterday’s post regarding the difference in price between Dell and Apple, I also ended up doing one between desktop machines. You know, just for the sheer fucking hell of it.
Similar plan – same specs where possible, same plan. Not bog-standard, not top-of-the-line, but mid-end on both models…
| Dell | Apple | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Optiplex 360 | iMac |
| Processor | 3.06Ghz Core 2 Duo | 3.06Ghz Core 2 Duo |
| Memory (RAM) | 4Gb | 4Gb |
| Hard Disk | 1Tb | 1Tb |
| Monitor Size | 22″ | 21.5″ |
| Graphics Card | ATI Radeon HD3450 (256Mb) | ATI Radeon HD 4670 256MB |
| Keyboard | Logitech Wireless | Apple Wireless |
| Mouse | Logitech Nano MX Revolution | Apple Mighty Mouse |
| Price | £895.35 inc VAT | £1,199 inc VAT |
Yep, think I know which one I’d go for…
I wonder how many people who buy this sort of machine ever *use* even one tenth of its capabilities. Or indeed need them…
We’re trying to find a totally bog-standard PC for Mummy Mr BW at present. No bells and whistles needed. She doesn’t even use the internet (yet). Can we find one below £400? No. Why not? She doesn’t need top-spec anything and a 1GB hard drive would store everything she ever needed, and more.
Really, a typewriter would suffice.
Well I’ve just looked on the Dell site (What can I say? I like ’em) and the Inspiron 545 comes in at £350 including monitor. Sure, it’s a Celeron processor which is a bit shitty, but from what you say, she’ll be happy with it.
I’m about to buy my husband his first ever computer. It certainly won’t be a Mac. It will be a basic under-£400 laptop because, as BW says, that’s already more than he will need.
When I bought my first Mac, 20 or so years ago, it lasted for years – I replaced it finally because I wanted a new toy, not because there was anything wrong with it. I’ve continued with Macs because I like them and I’m a creature of habit, and also in the fond hope that they are built to last a bit longer. One would need to do a lot of research to find out if this is still so, and I’m not suggesting you do (besides, with a laptop, the way it’s looked after has a lot to do with it so it’s hard to measure), but it would be relevant. For example, if your Mac lasted a year longer than your Dell, it would justify the extra price. If not, it wouldn’t. If it broke earlier, it would be unacceptable.