[slimshaney2006]

Hi all,

No doubt like many of you, i'm looking to buy the new 20" Intel iMac.

Because i've been stuck in the wonderful world of Windows for the last umpteen years (though i used to have a Rev A 12" PB via work), i wouldn't mind to get your views on the following comparison between a AMD PC and the iMac.

I know that it's far too early to make speed comparisons between processors, and a few of the component comparisons don't match etc - but do you consider the following a fair comparison..?

(If so, the idea that Macs are expensive compared to PCs won't be a factor in my decision to go Apple, and if i drop £2000 on a new computer - i'll be able to sleep better at night).

Also, i don't want to bring the OS, software, viruses, spyware and similar factors into the arguement - just deciding on components and price.

Many thanks :-)

Shane.


Here goes:

DESCRIPTION

Apple iMac Intel Core Duo (all via online Apple Store UK)

2.0GHz Intel Core Duo
20" TFT Widescreen Display
2GB (2x1GB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
500GB SATA HDD
ATI Radeon X1600 - 256MB SDRAM
SuperDrive 8x
iSight Camera
Airport Express
Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Keyboard & Mighty Mouse
FrontRow & remote control
OS X v10.4 Tiger
iLife '06
iWork '06
Applecare

Subtotal £161.58
VAT £283.43
Total £1903.01


Home Build PC - (based on prices from www.overclockers.co.uk - a local PC and component shop in Staffordshire, UK)


AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ (Socket 939) - Retail
Asus A8N-SLi Deluxe nForce4 SLi (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard
Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-5400 TwinX (2x1GB)
Sapphire ATI Radeon X1800 XL 256MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 11 500GB 6H500F0 SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
Plextor PX-716AL Dual Layer Slot Loading 16x4x DVD±RW ReWriter - Retail
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Sound Card - OEM
Silverstone Temjin TJ01 - Silver (No PSU)
Tagan TG430-U15 430W ATX2.01 Easycon SLi Compliant Modular Silent PSU
DELL Ultra Sharp 2005FPW 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Midnight Grey
Logitech Cordless Desktop EX-110 - Retail - Mouse & Keyboard
Creative Webcam Live! Ultra
Altec Lansing VS2220 2.0 Versatile Speaker System
MSI BToes 100M Bluetooth USB Dongle
Belkin F5D7000UK 802.11g Wireless PCI Adapter
Microsoft Windows XP Professional inc. SP2 - OEM
Microsoft Works Suite 2006 - OEM

not including fans, and cables.

Subtotal £1,632.15
VAT £285.63
Total £1,917.78

[mduell]

It's not too soon to make a CPU performance comparison. Anandtech did and the AMD 3800+ is about same as Yonah at 2Ghz when both systems are running Windows. I won't speculate on how OSX will perform relative to Windows.

The PC has a marginally better video card, sound card, optical drive, speakers, and monitor.
The Mac has OSX and a larger software bundle.

[slimshaney2006]

Originally Posted by mduell

It's not too soon to make a CPU performance comparison. Anandtech did and the AMD 3800+ is about same as Yonah at 2Ghz when both systems are running Windows. I won't speculate on how OSX will perform relative to Windows.

The PC has a marginally better video card, sound card, optical drive, speakers, and monitor.
The Mac has OSX and a larger software bundle.

Thanks for the reply.

:-)

[icruise]

iWork doesn't come with the iMac (a demo does). Did you include the cost for that in your total?

[slimshaney2006]

Hi.. :-)

Yep, all hardware and software that is listed in the specs, is costed into the total price.

Thanks for the reply.