I often hear that, although Macs are more expensive at first glance, they have a lower total cost compared to Windows PCs. You've all seen the web pages, I'm sure; if not, just do a quick Google search. My favorite is the page where some guy asks a retail salesperson what he should get with his PC, then complains because it's more expensive than the base model eMac. So I thought I'd do my own experiment, based on real world conditions rather than a fantastical vacuum. I know this is nothing new, but I wanted to share the numbers I came up with. Anyway, onto the show...
What we're going to do is use my Dad as an example. He currently owns a Pentium II 400 MHz with Windows 98 (first edition), 17" CRT, optical mouse, keyboard and HP printer. He's also got a nice two-piece speaker setup with a generously powered preamp. This situation is much like what other people go through: No internal components can be reused, but the peripherals are all in good shape. Now, he does have some software he can reuse, which might be expensive to replace: Cool Edit Pro 1.2, Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Publisher 2003. Fortunately, he bought the retail versions, so unless he gets a Mac he'll be able to reuse all three. So basically what he needs is just a box, and some office software if he chooses a Mac. For pricing, any solution under $500 would be extremely attractive. However, he might be willing to spend as much as, say $800 it would pay off in the long run. Used components are to be avoided if possible.
My Dad will need a floppy disk drive to shuttle files to and from his ancient 486-powered DOS PC (which he uses to write, much like some folks still use typewriters, for comfort and sentimental reasons). He'll also need a DVD burner, and absolutely no less than 512 MB RAM (preferably 1 GB). The CPU should be something mainstream, no less than an Athlon 64 or something on par with it. For Macs we'll want a G5 or Intel-powered system. A dual core processor would be best if possible. He doesn't need a big hard disk, but 250 GB would be nice if possible.
Now, the best place to buy a Mac is usually Apple.com, though we will investigate other places, as well. Also, I'm a college student, so I should be eligible for the education discount if I make the purchase instead of my Dad. So the base model comes with only 512 MB RAM, which is not great, but also a dual core CPU, which more or less makes up for it. The hard disk is only 60 GB, but upgrading even to the 80 GB model costs $45 plus tax, which as we shall see puts us very much over budget. Instead we'll just stick to the 60 GB and cross our fingers that it will be enough. We're going to assume the bundled iLife is an adequate replacement for Publisher and Cool Edit Pro, but we will need to shell out $49 for iWork to replace MS Office. We'll also need to get an external audio device (the Mini has no mic or line inputs), the $40 Griffin iMic, and the $44 USB 56K modem (he still dials in to Earthlink). The biggest problem with the base Mac Mini is that lacks a DVD burner, which is an absolute essential no matter what the size of the hard disk. We can't upgrade the internal drive, though, because doing so costs $200 (partially because it means you also must upgrade the CPU), so that leaves only external drives as options. Newegg.com offers drives for under $70, but they're not compatible with Mac OS. Lacie makes an external Mac burner for about $110 after shipping. Newegg also offers the cheapest floppy drive solution, for $20 plus shipping.
So let's tally this all up: We're getting a Mac Mini with Core Duo 1.66 GHz, 512 MB RAM, internal DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, 60 GB hard disk and iWork 2006; Griffin iMic (USB audio interface), Lacie 300982U (firewire DVD burner) and Sabrent SBT-UFDB (USB floppy drive). Now, that keyboard and mouse that my Dad already have use PS/2 ports, which are absent from the Mini. To connect them, we'll get the Sabrent SBT-CPS2 dual PS/2 to USB converter. And it gets worse. Remember the printer? That makes five USB devices, but only four ports on the Mini. Newegg has a cheap USB hub, the Linkskey LKA-UH04. The total for all of this comes to $905.95 after Newegg's tax and Apple's shipping. As you might have noticed, this is over our budget and therefore unacceptable.
How can we bring down the total? Since he needs to be able to burn DVDs and record audio, the only remaining option is to go with a slower processor. Apple.com offers nothing less than the Core Duo unit, but luckily my local CompUSA has an older Mini on clearance for $371.85 ($350 plus tax). The CPU is a 1.42 GHz G4, considerably slower than the 1.66 GHz dual core. It only has two USB ports, not four, but we're already getting a hub, so that's no big deal--except that my Dad intends to add more devices later. That means getting two hubs, not one. It has the same 512 MB RAM, if a little slower at DDR-333 as opposed to DDR2-667. Also, the hard disk is 80 GB, not 60 GB like the Apple.com version. Finally, the CompUSA Mini comes with AppleWorks, which we will hope can adequately replace Office. We'll still have to get the USB modem and iMic from Apple.com. All told, the total price for this setup is $617.84--a little over the target price, but still well within our budget. Thank goodness for CompUSA, eh?
But what about a Windows PC? Well, there are two options to work with: pre-built or custom. Obviously the former has its significant advantages. The best deal online seems to be the Dell E521, which can be configured with an Athlon X2 3800+, 1 GB RAM, integrated video, 160 GB hard disk, DVD burner, floppy drive, 56K modem, 7.1 audio and Windows XP Home Edition, all for $593.96 after tax and free shipping. Unlike the Mini, everything here is internal, reducing clutter and tangled cables. And instead of taking a chance with AppleWorks and GarageBand, he'll get to reuse his trusted and proven Office, Publisher and Cool Edit Pro software.
Despite that amazing Dell deal, I'd still recommend my Dad get something custom built. A fresh setup with all new components would run $606.76 from Newegg, an X2 3800+ powered system complete with 1 GB DDR2-667, integrated video, DVD burner, floppy drive, 250 GB hard disk, 56K modem, 7.1 audio, a reliable Fortron Source power supply, overclocking-capable Biostar TForce motherboard, and a decent black ATX mid-tower case with front USB & audio ports. He'd also get a standalone copy of WinXP Home which can be installed on any system he chooses. If he didn't mind using my extra floppy drive, case and modem, all of which are in perfect working order, he could save a good bit at $563.06 shipped, even less than the Dell!
In the end, we have a dual core Athlon versus a single core G4, 1 GB against 512 MB RAM, a 160 or 250 GB hard disk instead of 80 GB, and all internal components as opposed to a mess of USB peripherals. And then of course you have to compare Appleworks and GarageBand with Office, Publisher and Cool Edit Pro. Combine all that with the $10-$54 you'd save on a Windows PC, and the choice is pretty clear.
What we're going to do is use my Dad as an example. He currently owns a Pentium II 400 MHz with Windows 98 (first edition), 17" CRT, optical mouse, keyboard and HP printer. He's also got a nice two-piece speaker setup with a generously powered preamp. This situation is much like what other people go through: No internal components can be reused, but the peripherals are all in good shape. Now, he does have some software he can reuse, which might be expensive to replace: Cool Edit Pro 1.2, Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Publisher 2003. Fortunately, he bought the retail versions, so unless he gets a Mac he'll be able to reuse all three. So basically what he needs is just a box, and some office software if he chooses a Mac. For pricing, any solution under $500 would be extremely attractive. However, he might be willing to spend as much as, say $800 it would pay off in the long run. Used components are to be avoided if possible.
My Dad will need a floppy disk drive to shuttle files to and from his ancient 486-powered DOS PC (which he uses to write, much like some folks still use typewriters, for comfort and sentimental reasons). He'll also need a DVD burner, and absolutely no less than 512 MB RAM (preferably 1 GB). The CPU should be something mainstream, no less than an Athlon 64 or something on par with it. For Macs we'll want a G5 or Intel-powered system. A dual core processor would be best if possible. He doesn't need a big hard disk, but 250 GB would be nice if possible.
Now, the best place to buy a Mac is usually Apple.com, though we will investigate other places, as well. Also, I'm a college student, so I should be eligible for the education discount if I make the purchase instead of my Dad. So the base model comes with only 512 MB RAM, which is not great, but also a dual core CPU, which more or less makes up for it. The hard disk is only 60 GB, but upgrading even to the 80 GB model costs $45 plus tax, which as we shall see puts us very much over budget. Instead we'll just stick to the 60 GB and cross our fingers that it will be enough. We're going to assume the bundled iLife is an adequate replacement for Publisher and Cool Edit Pro, but we will need to shell out $49 for iWork to replace MS Office. We'll also need to get an external audio device (the Mini has no mic or line inputs), the $40 Griffin iMic, and the $44 USB 56K modem (he still dials in to Earthlink). The biggest problem with the base Mac Mini is that lacks a DVD burner, which is an absolute essential no matter what the size of the hard disk. We can't upgrade the internal drive, though, because doing so costs $200 (partially because it means you also must upgrade the CPU), so that leaves only external drives as options. Newegg.com offers drives for under $70, but they're not compatible with Mac OS. Lacie makes an external Mac burner for about $110 after shipping. Newegg also offers the cheapest floppy drive solution, for $20 plus shipping.
So let's tally this all up: We're getting a Mac Mini with Core Duo 1.66 GHz, 512 MB RAM, internal DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, 60 GB hard disk and iWork 2006; Griffin iMic (USB audio interface), Lacie 300982U (firewire DVD burner) and Sabrent SBT-UFDB (USB floppy drive). Now, that keyboard and mouse that my Dad already have use PS/2 ports, which are absent from the Mini. To connect them, we'll get the Sabrent SBT-CPS2 dual PS/2 to USB converter. And it gets worse. Remember the printer? That makes five USB devices, but only four ports on the Mini. Newegg has a cheap USB hub, the Linkskey LKA-UH04. The total for all of this comes to $905.95 after Newegg's tax and Apple's shipping. As you might have noticed, this is over our budget and therefore unacceptable.
How can we bring down the total? Since he needs to be able to burn DVDs and record audio, the only remaining option is to go with a slower processor. Apple.com offers nothing less than the Core Duo unit, but luckily my local CompUSA has an older Mini on clearance for $371.85 ($350 plus tax). The CPU is a 1.42 GHz G4, considerably slower than the 1.66 GHz dual core. It only has two USB ports, not four, but we're already getting a hub, so that's no big deal--except that my Dad intends to add more devices later. That means getting two hubs, not one. It has the same 512 MB RAM, if a little slower at DDR-333 as opposed to DDR2-667. Also, the hard disk is 80 GB, not 60 GB like the Apple.com version. Finally, the CompUSA Mini comes with AppleWorks, which we will hope can adequately replace Office. We'll still have to get the USB modem and iMic from Apple.com. All told, the total price for this setup is $617.84--a little over the target price, but still well within our budget. Thank goodness for CompUSA, eh?
But what about a Windows PC? Well, there are two options to work with: pre-built or custom. Obviously the former has its significant advantages. The best deal online seems to be the Dell E521, which can be configured with an Athlon X2 3800+, 1 GB RAM, integrated video, 160 GB hard disk, DVD burner, floppy drive, 56K modem, 7.1 audio and Windows XP Home Edition, all for $593.96 after tax and free shipping. Unlike the Mini, everything here is internal, reducing clutter and tangled cables. And instead of taking a chance with AppleWorks and GarageBand, he'll get to reuse his trusted and proven Office, Publisher and Cool Edit Pro software.
Despite that amazing Dell deal, I'd still recommend my Dad get something custom built. A fresh setup with all new components would run $606.76 from Newegg, an X2 3800+ powered system complete with 1 GB DDR2-667, integrated video, DVD burner, floppy drive, 250 GB hard disk, 56K modem, 7.1 audio, a reliable Fortron Source power supply, overclocking-capable Biostar TForce motherboard, and a decent black ATX mid-tower case with front USB & audio ports. He'd also get a standalone copy of WinXP Home which can be installed on any system he chooses. If he didn't mind using my extra floppy drive, case and modem, all of which are in perfect working order, he could save a good bit at $563.06 shipped, even less than the Dell!
In the end, we have a dual core Athlon versus a single core G4, 1 GB against 512 MB RAM, a 160 or 250 GB hard disk instead of 80 GB, and all internal components as opposed to a mess of USB peripherals. And then of course you have to compare Appleworks and GarageBand with Office, Publisher and Cool Edit Pro. Combine all that with the $10-$54 you'd save on a Windows PC, and the choice is pretty clear.
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